6 replies to this topic

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

I just got a new to me tow rig. I was previously towing an open trailer with a Tahoe, and recently purchased a 2009 F250 Crew Cab. I got a larger tow rig so that I can get an enclosed trailer, but haven't done so yet. My question for those of you that have pickup trucks, is how do you secure contents in the bed of the truck? I would imagine that once I get an enclosed trailer, there will be plenty of room in it to stow all my stuff, but until then I am torn between getting a camper topper or just a hard tonneau cover. The hard tonneau cover's seem less secure than the camper, and the folding kind seem more prone to leakage. The hard single piece tonneau covers seem like they would limit your ability to haul anything even remotely tall.

What is everyone's preference?

[Alberto]

I recently bought a camper for my 2002 F250 for the simple reason that it was listed on craigslist cheap. I do like that the camper top allows me to store gas jugs upright. The toneau cover won't allow that.

[htron435]

I've had good success with a tri-fold bed cover and locking tailgate handle. My theory is that if there is nothing to see, there is nothing to attempt to steal. If you have a fiberglass cap with windows, they can see what's in there for the taking. If they're a thief, they're probably willing to break glass to steal. Just my opinion. I'd definitely make sure the cap had dark tinted glass if you go that direction.
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[htron435]

I recently bought a camper for my 2002 F250 for the simple reason that it was listed on craigslist cheap. I do like that the camper top allows me to store gas jugs upright. The toneau cover won't allow that.

Bought mine on craiglist cheap too. And I can store 5 gallon jugs upright under mine (05 Dodge Ram).

[Keith Novak]

My last truck had a very nice and secure canopy with dark glass which I did feel kept my stuff safe and was nice to sleep in if I felt like it. One problem though is that A) you have a canopy on it so it's hard to get a yard of bark or a washing machine in the back when you want to use it as a truck and If you pack the sucker efficiently, anything up front requires unloading the entire truck to retrieve. A proper contracters canopy with the side doors would help with the retrieval of some stuff but not the washing machine.

My current truck doesn't have a canopy and I need to use if as a truck when not racing so I've been forced to improvise. I picked up a couple large locking plastic totes from Lowes to store most of my stuff. I've figured out how to pack them efficiently so one is my go-to box, and the other is for random or odd shaped stuff. They hold a lot of gear, they lock well enough so they're not an easy target, and they're waterproof. Other than that, I have my 10x20 canopy (too heavy for a crackhead to make off with), 4 jugs of fuel and a suitcase sized toolbox that I can secure with a cable lock, my jack (not worth much), buckets of cement for the canopy (worth even less), cooler, and jackstands. I chuck a few other things in there like gallons of distilled water, a bucket of kitty liter, broom and dustpan, etc. I still have room so I'll probably add another suitcase size toolbox full of spares to keep my cab tidy. I came up with a packing list for each box that I refine semi regularly.

With a handfull of locks all with the same key, when I get to the track I can unload pretty quickly and lock everything up at night with a 20' cable lock, including 2 sets of wheels. I lock a few things in the car like my air tank and a couple small toolboxes. I'm planning to add a couple of boxes to my trailer which will mean I can leave a lot of stuff packed and make even more room for whatever.

[HoneyBadger - BrianW]

I ended up purchasing a hard 4 section Tonneau cover from BakFlip. The more I thought about a camper topper the less I liked the idea that you can see all the stuff in there. I had my Tahoe broken into while parked in my driveway before a race one night and they store EVERYTHING, like $6,000 worth of race gear and tools. I know, you aren't supposed to leave all that stuff in your car, but I had to leave super early the next morning to get to the race.

Anyway, I read mixed reviews in general about either the foldback or the rollback tonneau covers leaking. But the out of sight out of mind philosophy won me over in the long run. Also, I like the idea that you can fold it back and have access to pretty much the entire bed.

And a pop tent WAS one of the items stolen. So don't discount those crack heads when they are looking for a fix.

[Tom Sager]

I have a Truxedo rolltop tonneau. It's not a retractable style but you roll it up to open it. Great quality, durable, doesn't leak at all and I prefer the roll-up to the folding type. The latch to open it is inside so if your tailgate locks then it is somewhat secure (unless the thieves cut through it with a knife). I think I paid about $450 installed.