What’s the Deal with Truck Caps?
So, you’re thinking about getting a truck cap. Maybe you’ve heard your buddy from work rave about his new upgrade. Or maybe you’re ramping up for the yearly hunting trip with the boys and need to make some changes.
Either way, we’ve got the memo: You need space. And not just space, but a smart, effective way to organize your gear and keep it all intact, secure, and safe during long hauls.
Well, we’ve got great news for you: Truck caps can help.
A truck cap (also known as a topper, bed cap, or camper shell) is an enclosed canopy for the bed of your pickup truck. This is not to be confused with tonneau covers, which ride low and dirty.
Truck caps are specially fitted to sit cab-high, lower at mid-rise, or above as a high-rise topper.
Caps help keep tools and other gear safe and secure with room for customization options like shelving and side windows. As a semi-housing unit, a truck can also function as a DIY RV for us truck campers out there.
So now that you’ve got the gist of it, let’s go into details to find out whether truck caps are for you and, more importantly, which type to get.
Are Truck Caps For You?
If you’re here, it’s safe to presume that you value your truck. Hell, it’s a part of you. It’s gotten you through thick and thin. Maybe it’s even vital to your industry or trade. So you know that versatility, function, and style are all important considerations to make before purchasing a major upgrade.
Thankfully, truck caps are more than just a statement piece that’ll make your coworkers jealous. They offer a selection of benefits that can make your life easier buuuut affect things like resale value and maintenance costs.
So before you make up your mind, let’s go over the pros and cons of truck caps:
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Pros |
Cons |
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Caps maximize storage capabilities and make use of vertical space for additions like ladder and roof racks. Truck caps also offer a comfier place to lay down while camping with the fam. |
Depending on what kind of material your truck bed is made out of, it’ll be susceptible to damage and denting. |
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Truck caps are offered at a variety of price points and can be bought second-hand. |
Truck caps are fairly easy to install, but it does require some drilling which will affect the truck’s resale value. |
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You’ll be saving on gas mileage and travel time by modifying your truck. With the right payload, a cab-high truck cap is pretty aerodynamic—decreasing drag and improving fuel efficiency. |
Styling counts, but you’ll have to pay extra to get a matching paint job or any extra features. |
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A hooded truck bed not only keeps your truck accessories extra weatherproof, but it’ll save you from replacing non-weatherproof items like ammo or rations that’ll spoil in extreme weather. Plus, you can rest easy knowing no one can reach in and pluck something from the back. |
If you’re hoping to upgrade to a bigger truck down the line, you may need to buy a brand new topper to go along with it. |
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Depending on how you best make use of your space, you’re going to have to deal with a 4-ft cave. That’s not ideal if you need to transport items like fishing poles, mountain bikes, or construction and painting tools. |
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Truck caps can mimic a cargo van, but a cargo van, your truck is not. You’re going to have to crawl to reach things on the front end and prioritize the rear door for essentials. |
How DECKED helps solve the cons of truck caps
No truck cap is perfect but with DECKED, it can be as close as that high school girlfriend you used to have.
The biggest problem with truck caps is that you have to army crawl inside to get anything, aaaand it can be a gigantic black hole of unorganized stuff. DECKED keeps everything organized and accessible, WHILE giving you a sleeping and/or load surface.
You can further optimize space by investing in our selection of dedicated storage options. No need to climb in; you can pull out your gear as easily as any drawer and boom! You’ve found that dang winch.
With DECKED items like the Crossbox, D-Box, Drawerganizer, and our handy dividers, your truck will actually be something to write home about. (Okay, so maybe your mom won’t want to hear about it, but your old man? He’ll be totally jealous.)
The best part? Everything is easy to install and will keep your gear safe from weather, grime, and theft. You won’t even need to spend any extra money on vertical shelving for your truck cap. You’ll have more than enough space to lay larger gear down flat on the truck bed.
Commercial Truck Caps
Now it’s time to pick the best truck cap for you. First and foremost: purpose.
For work trucks , commercial truck caps offer the most security and customization for specialized gear storage . Commercial truck caps are made OEM (so, factory-built) or from aftermarket parts. The price tag will depend on hard specifics, like utility needs and origin.
Fiberglass Truck Caps
Ah, fiberglass truck caps . Not only is fiberglass more durable than other materials for caps, but it’s also stylish. You can easily customize it for that factory-fresh feel—then go overlanding to work the grime back in. However, its density means it’s heavier than other options and therefore more expensive. You’re gonna be looking at a $2,000 price tag .
Aluminum Truck Caps
Aluminum truck caps : lightweight, aerodynamic, great mileage—pretty much everything a person could want in a truck cap. You can go on that fishing trip without worrying too much about mileage. On the flip side, however, aluminum dents more easily. It can also age poorly. But it’s great if you’re on a tight budget. You can get an aluminum track cap for around $900.
Popular Truck Cap Brands and Manufacturers
So we’ve helped sweeten the deal—now we’re going to go over some of the most reputable truck cap manufacturers on the market. If you buy new, your truck cap will come with at least a one-year warranty and options for customization.
Let’s begin:
- LEER offers a broad selection of truck caps for a range of uses. They also offer features like tinted windows, insulated roofing, and secure locking points. Check out this DECKED-approved provider today!
- Reach out to the closest Century dealer near you and get fitted with any one of their selections for cab, mid, and high-rise toppers. They also have several packages to go along with your truck customization.
- Specializing in fiberglass, Ranch’s main goal is durability . Contact a dealer near you and get fitted with one of their sturdy truck caps. They also offer tonneau covers and offer exterior customization.
- A family-owned business, Unicover offers aluminum, commercial, and fiberglass toppers with additional features for all your trucking needs.
- Although not a truck cap manufacturer, DECKED can provide you with the same security and efficiency a few extra feet under a canopy can give you. DECKED can work on its own or with a truck cap. With DECKED, you’ll be able to pick and choose from a selection of modular organizational tools you’re free to mess around with all day long. Another proud USA seller, we’re here to make your life easier, with or without a truck cap. The ultimate truck bed storage system.
Truck Bed Storage Solutions with DECKED
Did you know that 25% of DECKED users actually have truck caps? Our Drawerganizer and Crossbox are perfect additions to your already awesome truck setup. But hey—it’s okay if you’re still unsure about installing a topper. Our extensive customization options and no-fuss gear overhaul system will work just fine with or without one.
Here’s why:
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Truck caps with DECKED |
Truck caps without DECKED |
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With DECKED, you’ll never have to worry about premature degradation or spoiled rations. Your gear will stay nice, dry, and secure come rain or shine. |
Locked up with tinted windows, your gear will stay safe but without the added bonus of DECKED’s extra weather-protective, modular storage compartments and dividers . |
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Save yourself the trouble (and the knee pain) with a pull-out drawer system . No climbing through a 4-ft metal tunnel-slash-cave-of-misery required. |
Even if you get a “walk-in door” attachment, let’s be real: your truck is not a van. That’s a certified backache. |
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No need for bulky shelving either! Keep your storage so neat and tidy your mother will shed a tear with any one of our versatile organization accessories . |
DECKED comes with a limited lifetime warranty while truck caps will ensure you for a year at minimum. |
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Did we mention our storage system is comfy? Completely cover your wheel wells, get a 2,000 payload, and get snug while camping out in your truck ! |
Truck caps without effective storage are, frankly, a waste of space. Not only that but it’ll be a lot harder to keep everything clean and in premium condition. |
You love your truck, we love your truck. So why not help us make your truck even better with a truck cap + DECKED duo that’ll get your loud-mouthed coworker to stop bragging.
At DECKED, we aspire to make your life easier. Avoid damage to your gear and plan for the good, the bad, and the ugly by organizing smart today .
