To cap or not to cap?
#1
To cap or not to cap?
I am trying to decided whether to put a fiberglass cap on or not; my pro's and con's are even. So, I'm looking for input from you guys who have one. What kinds of things come up after you get one that you would have never thought of (like cleaning the back window, etc)? I don't intend on towing a gooseneck or 5th, only a 5T with the receiver. I really was thinking of two reasons to get one: to be able to use to sleep in when I go off the highway and get away and be able to store items in out of the weather and out of sight. Also makes a great place to put the dog in. I have a small utility trailer, so don't use the bed for hauling.
The two companies my local dealer sells is Jeraco and Glasstight. Anyone have any issues with these I might want to know about if I get one? What do you think of them?
The two companies my local dealer sells is Jeraco and Glasstight. Anyone have any issues with these I might want to know about if I get one? What do you think of them?
#2
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I really enjoyed the Sportsman cap on my last truck. The added security and protection from the elements was great. Nothing worse than hitting a rain storm while hauling your Home Depot goodies .
I would suggest that you get the kind with the contractors windows on both sides. They provide a good range of visibility (no blind spots) which can be an issue with some caps.
They hinge on the top with two lockable handles on the bottom. That way you can access your "stuff" easier. Mine also had a sliding glass window up front. Depending on which window I opened (truck or cap), I could easily clean the exterior window of each.
Makes it nice for an impromptu camping trip also ... sleep in the back when traveling without getting rained on or having to pitch a tent.
Like I said, I really enjoyed mine and hope to get another one for this truck .... unless I decide to put a flatbed on it instead.
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I would suggest that you get the kind with the contractors windows on both sides. They provide a good range of visibility (no blind spots) which can be an issue with some caps.
They hinge on the top with two lockable handles on the bottom. That way you can access your "stuff" easier. Mine also had a sliding glass window up front. Depending on which window I opened (truck or cap), I could easily clean the exterior window of each.
Makes it nice for an impromptu camping trip also ... sleep in the back when traveling without getting rained on or having to pitch a tent.
Like I said, I really enjoyed mine and hope to get another one for this truck .... unless I decide to put a flatbed on it instead.
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#3
Administrator / Scooter Bum
I love my Jeraco cap.
It's great to be able to toss stuff in out of the wind & weather, and the prying eyes of most folks.
I have to pull it off once in awhile to haul larger stuff, but that only takes about 5 minutes and 4 people.
Wifey, her daughter, the SIL and I can lift it easily.
Heck, If I pulled the cap off, I wouldn't have had to TOW that camper......
It's great to be able to toss stuff in out of the wind & weather, and the prying eyes of most folks.
I have to pull it off once in awhile to haul larger stuff, but that only takes about 5 minutes and 4 people.
Wifey, her daughter, the SIL and I can lift it easily.
Heck, If I pulled the cap off, I wouldn't have had to TOW that camper......
#4
Thanks for the reply. I don't have a rear slider window- in fact it has the defroster in it, so a sliding cap window won't work out. But, I do take the dog and head up to northern Maine and just toss the sleeping bag back there- except for when it rains.
Looks like they all clamp on instead of bolting on, so that's even better it can come on and off. Does the top gate on the cap keep you from opening the tailgate, or do you get one of those locking tailgate latch-handles? And, is the wiring plugged into the truck somewhere so you can get the cap off easily? I assumed they would crimp the wires in somewhere.
Looks like they all clamp on instead of bolting on, so that's even better it can come on and off. Does the top gate on the cap keep you from opening the tailgate, or do you get one of those locking tailgate latch-handles? And, is the wiring plugged into the truck somewhere so you can get the cap off easily? I assumed they would crimp the wires in somewhere.
#5
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Dad has an old Fibrobec II that he puts on for winter/spring, it's a little bit too UGMO for my liking , but he put a 2x6 on the ceiling inside , drilled a hole down through, and put an eye bolt down through it , so he could lift it on and off on his own using the tractor and front end loader.
Before that i had managed to get it off and on by myself , but not easily, to take it off i would take the clamps off , stand up inside with the cap on my back , and walk off (with the truck backed up to a bank) then set it down. Reverse order to put it on.
Before that i had managed to get it off and on by myself , but not easily, to take it off i would take the clamps off , stand up inside with the cap on my back , and walk off (with the truck backed up to a bank) then set it down. Reverse order to put it on.
#6
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I can't speak for all of the brands, but the one I had required you to lift the back glass up before you could open the tailgate.
As for the wiring, the guy who owned it before me ran the power supply for the interior and 3rd tail lights from one of the tail lights. Drilled a small hole in the bed for the wire to pass thru. He put easy to pull plugs on the wires so that disconnecting it to remove the cap was a 5 second job.
Mine had four really beefy aluminum clamps to attach the cap to the bed. A few turns with a 9/16" socket and it was ready to come off. It took two of us to lift it off of the bed (probably should've used a couple more )
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As for the wiring, the guy who owned it before me ran the power supply for the interior and 3rd tail lights from one of the tail lights. Drilled a small hole in the bed for the wire to pass thru. He put easy to pull plugs on the wires so that disconnecting it to remove the cap was a 5 second job.
Mine had four really beefy aluminum clamps to attach the cap to the bed. A few turns with a 9/16" socket and it was ready to come off. It took two of us to lift it off of the bed (probably should've used a couple more )
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#8
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Originally Posted by manganos
I've got one and other then wanting to put stacks on I love it. It sure is nice to keep all of my tools out of the weather.
How funny, that is the same color scheme that my 2nd gen 1500 had (with the cap on it). Sure wish that truck was a diesel ... I'd have kept it forever.
Manganos, good looking truck, by the way !!
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#9
Thanks again. I was also looking at LEERs web site and they have a nice one too. Anyone with pics of thier truck cap, put it here and tell me what you like or don't like about it!
#10
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How about one of these? I have one on my truck and its nice but I don't really use the space. it came with the truck. if you give me the back of your cab and maybe a few $ to help with welding it on and come to Delaware to pick it up I will give you my sleeper. I need more bed space for my 40 inch spare tire haha.
edit, I see you have a 05, not sure if they are the same fit or not, might want to call them. here is their website:
Mckinley conversions
edit, I see you have a 05, not sure if they are the same fit or not, might want to call them. here is their website:
Mckinley conversions
#11
Administrator
I have one.
I have a Leer shell on the back of my truck, I have had both this and also a Stockland on one of my previous trucks. The shell has good lines that flow from the truck.
I have a sliding window in the cab for access into the back. It is nice to have a place to keep my tools in the back and not have to take them out so they don't get lifted, I have mind painted the same color as the truck. It is secured to the rails with 6 3/8 bolts and nylock nuts. I do not trust the clamps to hold them on because you can get a shell for free by just checking along the side of the freeway and you usually can find a few along with bedliners.
Only bad part about the shell on the truck is the rubber window gasket that seals the back of the cab buffs a big mark into the paint around the window but other than that I love it.
Last year I had an accident on the freeway where I had 2 vehicles totaled into the rear @65 MPH and I had only 1 crack that was easy to repair and the Leer distributor in Anaheim Ca. replaced the window and installed it for me.
The contents are protected with my alarm system and if you open the rear hatch, you are greeted by a 140db. pain generator.
Jim
#12
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I think SnugTop and A.R.E. share 1st place for quality. Both offer shells with side windows or not, a front slider or solid window that folds inward for cleaning of the truck and shell glass. I had a Stockland that leaked BAD! Check out their web sites.
www.snugtop.com
http://www.leer.com
www.snugtop.com
http://www.leer.com
#13
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Jim,
Have you looked into the clear plastic adhesive film that goes around your rear window to prevent the boot from rubbing the paint off ? I would imagine that the topper company would know how to get it / put it on.
Might be too late but something to keep in mind.
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Have you looked into the clear plastic adhesive film that goes around your rear window to prevent the boot from rubbing the paint off ? I would imagine that the topper company would know how to get it / put it on.
Might be too late but something to keep in mind.
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#14
Administrator
Clear plastic filmy stuff.
Jim,
Have you looked into the clear plastic adhesive film that goes around your rear window to prevent the boot from rubbing the paint off ? I would imagine that the topper company would know how to get it / put it on.
Have you looked into the clear plastic adhesive film that goes around your rear window to prevent the boot from rubbing the paint off ? I would imagine that the topper company would know how to get it / put it on.
I had checked it out when I had my bodywork done and they said they have a problem with it curling up and peeling off after awhile because of the uneven contours around the window. (I think a vinyl film that you could shrink on with a heat gun would be a better idea for the uneven areas.)
He said he could use some of the skin they use on the rocker panels if I wanted to try it. I think the big problem is because the box and cab are always buffing against one another as I drive especially since these ride so rough. Ever drive with your arm resting through the back window?
I never remove the shell so he said if I want to remove it not to worry and bring it in and he can re-shoot the back of the cab for me.
Jim
#15
Pros: locking storage... lots of it!
cons: cleaning the back window, resonance can increase if you've got loud exhaust. getting stuff in and out of the bed is a pain. and you might as well have an AARP sticker on the bumper
cons: cleaning the back window, resonance can increase if you've got loud exhaust. getting stuff in and out of the bed is a pain. and you might as well have an AARP sticker on the bumper