What is on top of your Pickup bed?

[James V]

I was wanting to get a pickup with an 8 foot bed and was wondering what to put in/over it. What has worked best for you?

I wanted to get a bike as well and store stuff in it (gas, gen, propane, food, cloths ...) Security is an issue (big towns) and not get things wet. Not much storage in an 17' Egg.

[CD Smith]

I have an "Undercover" on my Chevy S-10 pickup.

Easy On-Off and tough enough to load things on top of it.

[Roy in TO]

I've got an older non electric Pace Edwards roll top:
http://www.pace-edwards.com/Bedlocker-Electric

If I were to do it again, I'd get the Explorer Series rails that were not available when I got mine.
Keep in mind most of these are "water resistant" and not water proof even with a full cap.

Check your bed height for the propane tank, my Ranger is a little too short to fit with the tonneau fully closed.

[ThomasE]

I have a roll-up tonneau cover, the Truxedo, there's another similar one called Agricover. It's convenient in that I can roll it up quickly and have full access to the bed. It stays mostly dry, just a little bit of water at the 4 corner. No matter what you get, camper shell, soft or hard cover, as you drive, dust and moisture can get sucked in through the gap between the tailgate and bed. There some foam type weather stripping to seal up the gaps if you want to prevent that.

[Darnelle]

I prefer a full cap -- lockable, waterproof and good height for tall objects.

[Kevin K]

Homemade Tonneau cover

[Radar1]

I have a hard folding cover made by Advantage that keeps my cargo secure and mostly dry. I had an aluminum topper on an earlier truck and actually prefer that. The Advantage is convenient and can be removed easily or folded, but it's difficult to add any canoe/kayak racks or carry a bicycle upright. My old aluminum topper had dark windows on the sides, and a ladder rack on top that made it easier to carry canoes or kayaks, and provided more cargo room inside than the folding topper.

[John and Jaci]

We have a full cap with smoked windows. It makes it easy to store taller objects. The windows are dark enough that even on a bright day it is difficult to see through to see whats in the back. Both the tailgate and cap lock to secure all cargo. Easy to load and unload and the top is level with the cab of the truck so it is perfect for carrying our canoe on top of the truck with simple foam bumpers to protect the paint.

[Mike Taylor]

I have an all aluminum camper shell I bought used off Craigslist for 100.00. It is cab high and only 4 bolts to remove it for taller items. It also makes for a dry place to sleep when just car camping without the trailer.

[SherryNPaul]

Like CD Smith, we have an Undercover. We still cable lock the generator, even though it's out of sight.
It's really light, but very strong, and keeps cargo dry and hidden. The only real problem with water has been if we lift the lid too quickly. Without time to drain off the end, it dumps into the truck bed.
The Undercover is extremely easy to remove and reinstall when you need more height. We have used it for about two years, and very happy.
Sherry

[Ed Harris]

I have a full size Swiss Top aluminum shell with French Doors on the back and Windoors on the sides.
Everything locks up and it all stays dry.
I use the truck as a work truck too and the doors provide good access from all sides.

I have a Weatherguard 3 high stack of drawers on one side,a 6' long steel and fiberglass 2 drawer RV deal in the middle and a full length shelf at windoor hieght on the other side.
I have an amazing amount of storage and access back there and I could not make do without it.

I have had both a crossover box and a full fiberglass lid cover but I will always have a full shell from now on.

They can be pricey but I think are worth it.

Ed

[Ian-Vicki]

I have a full size Swiss Top aluminum shell with French Doors on the back and Windoors on the sides.
Everything locks up and it all stays dry.
I use the truck as a work truck too and the doors provide good access from all sides.

I have a Weatherguard 3 high stack of drawers on one side,a 6' long steel and fiberglass 2 drawer RV deal in the middle and a full length shelf at windoor hieght on the other side.
I have an amazing amount of storage and access back there and I could not make do without it.

I have had both a crossover box and a full fiberglass lid cover but I will always have a full shell from now on.

They can be pricey but I think are worth it.

Ed

[Donna D.]

A.R.E. canopie. Pass through door or the entire backend opens as a gull-wing door.

[James V]

Thanks for the replies. I have had a toper before and the curved darkened windows made it hared to see cars next to me. I may just go with a toper and get it really secure.

[Darnelle]

I think those curved plastic windows are only on older toppers. Or perhaps they are only on aluminum toppers. I really liked my fiberglass topper with the long side windows -- never had a problem with visability.

[Brian N. T.]

I have an '05 Chev 2500HD CC with an EXTANG solid fold plus a lock on the tailgate. Security plus room for supplies (which I usually store in plastic tubs) and golf clubs

[RSchleder]

This is what we used on our Dodge

[Tom U]

Originally Posted by James V

I was wanting to get a pickup with an 8 foot bed and was wondering what to put in/over it. What has worked best for you?

I wanted to get a bike as well and store stuff in it (gas, gen, propane, food, cloths ...) Security is an issue (big towns) and not get things wet. Not much storage in an 17' Egg.

Cab high fiberglass camper shell with a bed liner. Enough room for anything inside, bikes etc., and I can put racks on top for the dory. When camping room for extra everything; the screen house, picnic table and benches, satellite dish and tripod, wine beer, stove, grill extra propane tank, fishing gear, etc, etc.

Easy and light enough to take off (with help) if I need to haul a giraffe .

[Phil 4500]

Get a Chevy Avalanche - they come with a 3 piece hard tonneau from the factory.

[Mike Morrison]

We started with an "Undercover" tonneau cover. Easy to remove and worked well. But after purchasing our trailer, I switched to a cab hi canopy. We wanted to keep our bikes undercover (a lot cleaner and more secure) and I was hoping the aerodynamics of a canopy might be better than a tonneau cover when towing.