Anyone considering a bed cap topper?

[trey_is_a_jedi]

I should have probably started a new thread for this, so sorry if I hijacked this thread.

I am going to try the topper out the first weekend of May, but I will likely be returning it after that. The customer support from Flated is the best I have ever seen and were trying to work with me whether I wanted to keep it and try to make it work or return it. One solution they mentioned trying was to get some waterproof flashing-type material like laminate and attach it to the topper so the gap is not there between the bed and the topper, but I do not see how I could keep that attached and trust it not to come off when driving. They are also offering me to return it for a full refund or keep it and get a discount trade-in when they come out with a version specifically for the 2024 Tacoma. The problem is that it will be 8-12 months they said. By then, other soft topper options should be available or if I still cannot find something that I prefer, I can give Flated's new version a try because I really do like how easy it is to install and remove as well as store. And I agree that it would be much better to have an option that turns it into a sort of extended bed camper. My current plan was to use a tarp that I attach and hope I get the run-off right.

You must have been the customer they referenced when I called today. The spoiler issue sucks. They said it was a couple inches of it pushed back but your pictures show it just isn't workable.

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[bitrunner]

I am going to try the topper out the first weekend of May, but I will likely be returning it after that. The customer support from Flated is the best I have ever seen and were trying to work with me whether I wanted to keep it and try to make it work or return it. One solution they mentioned trying was to get some waterproof flashing-type material like laminate and attach it to the topper so the gap is not there between the bed and the topper, but I do not see how I could keep that attached and trust it not to come off when driving. They are also offering me to return it for a full refund or keep it and get a discount trade-in when they come out with a version specifically for the 2024 Tacoma. The problem is that it will be 8-12 months they said. By then, other soft topper options should be available or if I still cannot find something that I prefer, I can give Flated's new version a try because I really do like how easy it is to install and remove as well as store. And I agree that it would be much better to have an option that turns it into a sort of extended bed camper. My current plan was to use a tarp that I attach and hope I get the run-off right.

Good to know and thanks for sharing. Sounds like a good company and a good future option to look at. Just also hope they can tone down the company logos all over it and have something more subtle. If they came up with a short bed sleeping solution like I was wishing for (NOT their platform bed... what is the point of that?) it would become a shut-up-and-take-my-money product.

 

[ORRINGEjuice]

This is who I am going with. A little pricey, but I think worth it.

https://www.na.rsismartcap.com/products/smartcap-evo-a

Did you pre-order one yet? I'm thinking about pulling the trigger but I would like to see one before buying but I feel if I wait til release I may not get one til winter.

 

[rchrds]

I've had a paint matched ARE aluminum commercial topper with tailgate delete and ambulance swing open doors for 20 years on my 2004- and it has been great. It never leaked and i've driven it through central America and never had anyone break into it. The topper has all of 350k miles on it. I would highly recommend their tops, and the prices are becoming cheaper than the newer offerings like GFC and others, albeit with no tent. As we move to a trailhunter, even though I like the ARE, we may end up with a top even with the top of the cab so we can get kayaks up there, and the wife wants a tailgate again, even though I think the ambulance doors were much more utilitarian.

 

[OldOre]

Are the A.R.E.s and Smartcaps completely waterproof?

Going back and forth between tonneau's and just investing the money and getting a cap.

I had a Bakflip tonneau on my 2022 TRD OR but it allowed a lot of water in the bed.

I've read that properly installed tonneau shouldn't leak, but not sure if that's accurate.

Wondering about experiences with the caps.

 

[OldOre]

also, @bking 's ARE cap looks so good, made me think that's the route to go.

 

[Sagebrush]

I won't sit in my new Taco for another six weeks or so. In the meantime, I'm shopping around for a topper. Leer told me they wouldn't have their's ready until late July or August. (Leer/Century are the same company.) A.R.E's are out.

I'll cut the order as soon as I have the final VIN.

Here are the prices I've come up with. It's worth shopping around.

A.R.E. CX Evolve (Auto Trim Design Helena) $3170

Windoor $230

Total $3,400


A.R.E. CX Evolve (Blue Ribbon, Missoula) $3200 (all glass door)

Windoor $235

Total $3,435


A.R.E. V-Classic (Blue Ribbon, Missoula) $2600 (aluminum framed door)

Windoor $235

Total $2,835*



Century Ultra Sport (Auto Trim Design, Helena) $3,262

Windoor $206

Total $3,468





Century Ultra Sport (Red’s Towing Missoula) $2,600

Windoor $185

Total $2,785*


Leer 100XR (Auto Concepts, Helena) $2,815

Windoor $269

Total $3,084


A.R.E. V-model (Big Sky Toppers, Butte) $2,799

Windoor $279

Total $3,080

 

[bking]

also, @bking 's ARE cap looks so good, made me think that's the route to go.

Thanks. It looks even better with a roof rack

 

[rchrds]

I have a commercial ARE with ambulance doors and tailgate delete on my 2004, and it has been great, no leaks at all. We got a sloped up roof for more room for sleeping in the back, but then realized pretty quick that we really didn't like sleeping in it. (All metal, it was colder when when it was cold, or hot all the time.)

This time for the 2024 I think we are going with the GFC without the camper. I saw one recently in person and I can't imagine how the front of the camper hanging over the cab isn't noisy as shit in the wind. But mostly cause we don't like sleeping in the truck. It also prevents you from putting a normal roof rack on the cab with the camper hanging over it.

 

[ridetime]

Do any of you have the rear camera option? If so what are you plans to deal with it being blocked?

 

[rchrds]

Do any of you have the rear camera option? If so what are you plans to deal with it being blocked?

Trailhunter has the bed camera and light on the little cab bumpout. There is a thread here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/digital-camera-relocation-in-my-trd-or.833205/

about a guy putting this relocation kit on his tacoma. Apparently it went well. I'm not a total fan of how the cameras are mounted, but it's a good interim fix until someone comes up with a better way to mount the factory camera cubes. It also doesn't like a bare beginner project. Starts with ripping most of the roof interior out of the cab....

Here's the product:

https://www.ggoffroad.com/store/p/digital-rearview-camera-relocation-kit-tundra-22-24-tacoma-24

 

[ridetime]

Trailhunter has the bed camera and light on the little cab bumpout. There is a thread here

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/digital-camera-relocation-in-my-trd-or.833205/

about a guy putting this relocation kit on his tacoma. Apparently it went well. I'm not a total fan of how the cameras are mounted, but it's a good interim fix until someone comes up with a better way to mount the factory camera cubes. It also doesn't like a bare beginner project. Starts with ripping most of the roof interior out of the cab....

Here's the product:

https://www.ggoffroad.com/store/p/digital-rearview-camera-relocation-kit-tundra-22-24-tacoma-24

Interesting. Doable but a PIA. I may try to find a stereo install shop to do the work and just pay them if I go that route. Thanks for the info.

 

[Sagebrush]

Do any of you have the rear camera option? If so what are you plans to deal with it being blocked?

I've got the GG.Offroad cable system coming. Here's their Tundra video. They don't have a Tacoma video yet, but a guy on the other forum did it to his Taco.



https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/digital-camera-relocation-in-my-trd-or.833205/

 

[dvrgz]

@bking can you post more photos of your shell? It looks awesome.

 

[legendofmike]

What truck cap model did you get?

Thanks. It looks even better with a roof rack

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