Do You Like Yours With or Without? And why?

This is an interesting thread...

i think the canopy is a false sense of security. if a low life wants to break in they will break in. Don't leave anything in your truck while in the marsh will save break ins if this is an issue in your area.

If your gear fits with a topper its the way to go. no worries about strapping!

I will remain the odd duck in the bunch and stay topless.
 
Buddy said:
This is an interesting thread...

i think the canopy is a false sense of security. if a low life wants to break in they will break in. Don't leave anything in your truck while in the marsh will save break ins if this is an issue in your area.

If your gear fits with a topper its the way to go. no worries about strapping!

I will remain the odd duck in the bunch and stay topless.

I'd say your argument is weak. I'm just going to leave it at that.
 
I have always had a canopy and would not go without. I also have a utility trailer for when I need to haul gravel or yard debris or whatever. I also think it is a false sense of security. I have never had anything stolen out of the back of my truck but it being out sight is better than just hanging out in the back. I have never locked my canopy in twenty five years and 12 of those I lived in a not so favorable part of Portland. The Cab was broken into 3 times but nothing has ever been taken out of the bed. I'm not even sure if I have the key to my current canopy. The main reason I like it is for keeping everything out of the elements. Here in the northwest it rains a bit for about 9 months out of the year and unless you want whatever is in the bed to get wet then you need a canopy. I have an emergency kit and the dog crate that stay in the bed year round. Also My wet dog and gear can go back there without stinking up the cab. I used to have a setup with bed length drawers on one half so the crate would fit on the other half. Flyrod tubes and guns were out of sight and I could sleep on top. It was great when I was younger before children and went all over the state chasing fish and ducks.
 
Locks keep honest people honest ... Truck, house ... Whatever ... It may not stop someone that is motivated to break in. But it will detour the guy walking by the sees something in the box and just has to grab it. If you have that big of an issue at the marsh... You love/hunt in the wrong spot.

Keeping things out of the elements is a big of a reason to have a topper as anything .
 
Larry Eckart said:
Guys... and Dani,

Those are nice, but they take away one of the best things about having a pickup: the open bed that you can lean on while having a beer or lean on while shooting the sh _ _ with your friends or throw things in without opening windows or door on the camper shell.

With or without a camper shell, that is!?


You just need one of these larry.

https://www.topperezlift.com/
 
Ed,
You are the man!

The best of all worlds.

Never seen one before.

Think I'll ask the wife if she approves of a topper with a crane.

I better duck when she responds.

Nevertheless, there is no end to the inventions of dedicated hunters.
Larry
 
Huntindave McCann said:
Buddy said:
This is an interesting thread...

i think the canopy is a false sense of security. if a low life wants to break in they will break in. Don't leave anything in your truck while in the marsh will save break ins if this is an issue in your area.

If your gear fits with a topper its the way to go. no worries about strapping!

I will remain the odd duck in the bunch and stay topless.

I'd say your argument is weak. I'm just going to leave it at that.

I should have explained a little better...

Like others said the topper keeps people honest. Leaving valuables in your vehicle not the best idea. Obviously, this is depends on your location if you have issues with break ins.
My odds go up for issues when I use my floathouse for example or if I hunt in larger populated areas. In my hometown, its tiny and breaks in are non existent. I leave everything unlocked with keys in the truck in that case.

I view a topper like a cheap gunsafe. These low life's will pry either one open. Put some belongings in there and I think they think its an invite!

I'm just sharing my experiences and what I have seen and specifically across Oregon. Its not meant to start arguments. I just don't like seeing people ripped off.
 
At 26 years old I am probably one of the few people in my age range riding around with a "dad cap" as most of my friends have dubbed it. I got one for the first time this past duck season and will never again be without. I often hunt full days and like to puddle duck hunt in the morning then gun divers in the afternoon. The ability to leave my diver rig locked up and not have to carry 10 dozen extra decoys with me while doing my morning puddle duck shoots is a huge benefit. And while I dont worry about things being taken from my truck bed or boat while they sit in my drive way it is nice to be able to pack every thing the night before without fear of waking up the next morning and my layout blinds and decoy bags being soaked with rain or full of snow. In addition our gun laws here in NJ are very confusing and being able to secure them in the bed instead of having them in the passenger compartment is a great piece of mind.
 
Larry

I to fall into the "pro-topper" category. I went with a tonneau cover for 2 years after purchasing a new Toyota Tundra & it did not suffice. The cap has never been limiting for space for my hunting adventures & you could still install a canoe/ladder rack on top which I have found very handy. The tailgate still works great for having a beverage too.

On my latest vehicle I purchased a Ranch brand topper for $1,200. Nothing fancy just sliding rear windows with screens & they did the installing with the purchase. I do see the value in adding side flip up windows down the road once I no longer want to crawl around the bed to grab something in the back.

Once thing to add if you do get a topper is the rubber seal that goes around the inside of the tailgate ($35). This does a great job of keeping dust & moisture out, a necessity if you plan to use the area for sleeping.
 
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