Looking to buy a Fiberglass cap

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2013

for my 1999 Chevy Sliverado. Years ago I had an Aluminum one on my 86 pickup. Are things still the same nowdays as far as mounting it on the bed (foam insulation on the rails and C clamps to hold it in place)? Any experiences/brands to avoid? I am thinking fiberglass over aluminum for ease of my taking it off and on by myself (can't do things like I used to). Not looking for anything fancy, just want to keep things out of the weather when traveling.

Royse · Jul 13, 2013

I had a Brahma brand fiberglass cap years ago.
It worked well and held up excellent.
It was about twice as heavy as aluminum though.

GVSII · Jul 13, 2013

ARE caps if avaliable in your area. Lots of options and very nice finish.

GordoSD · Jul 13, 2013

Fibre glass cap is MUCH heavier than aluminium. And costs twice as much. I had aluminum prior to current glass and liked it much better. Who doesn't want to save hauling an extra 250 lbs around.

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2013

I just switched from fiberglass to aluminum so I can move it myself. When the boys were home the fiberglass was fine, no way can I do it myself. With the aluminum, I can move it on and off by myself.

Lou from Wi. · Jul 13, 2013

Kornfused,
Had experience with both,Aluminum on our 86 Ford F150, and now fiberglass on our 92 Ford F150,and 95 GMC Sierra.
Could take the alum. one off,set it on saw horses by 1 person.
The fiberglass ones we have,we have to use our bobcat with two loading poles attached to the bucket (like forks) to put it on the 92 Ford,(and that is where it stays,been on there for 7 yrs).These are not a camper type shell house,just an ordinary topper,low profile cab height,(LEER toppers)
Whatever you decide,take your vitamins and testosterone,lol. Only drawback with alum is if you have big hail storms and no cover for the topper,hail pits.
Your decision,
Regards,
LOU

dbNga · Jul 13, 2013

Where are you located? I know where an ARE white fiberglas cap is for sale in s. Georgia.

Fergienewbee · Jul 13, 2013

Aluminum gets my vote. Fiberglass is hard with even two people.

Larry

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2013

thanks for the replies - I just assumed fiberglass would be less weight. Leer is what my old cap was and I like it just fine. It's sitting down the road and I could pick it up cheap but that truck was an 8ft bed. I think I'll start an internet search for a used aluminum, btw I am in Clay County Mo.

GeneMO · Jul 13, 2013

Fiberglass cap? Be kinda itchy wouldn't it?

Gene

Anonymous-0 · Jul 13, 2013

you're right- didn't think of that. Plus with the aluminum the feds won't be able to track me!

Dan in Ohio · Jul 13, 2013

Kornfused,

This is what I have been looking at for my truck to provide a secure place to store items purchased at auction .

Check it out
Tonneau Covers

ss55 · Jul 13, 2013

Newer toppers offer tradesman/sportsman front side doors that are very convienient when you want to reach the front of the box. I won't own another topper without them. An inside dome light at the back is also nice to have, but you can add that yourself. A sliding front window makes it easier to clean the rear cab window, but it is not essential.

I made a simple rope topper hoist to hang an aluminum topper from the garage ceiling over the car's parking stall.

T in NE · Jul 14, 2013

I"ve got one, but the rails are rotted out. Used it on my 07, it was a few inches short in front, but didn"t let any water in. I could take it on and off myself, but had to be careful, best would be to strap a 2x4 across under each end, so that when you set it down, it didn"t need to be perfectly centered.

willie in mn · Jul 14, 2013

Previous truck had 8' fiberglass topper. This method worked for me, took 15 minutes or less. Don't have to lift much over 50# at a time.
Hardest part of removing/installing was crawling in to work the clamps. Used air wrench, 6 clamps.
To remove:
1- take off clamps, close lift gate
2- back up to trailer. if no trailer available, planks on solid sawhorses will work.
3- lift one rear corner, place a 10' stick of 1 1/2 PVC pipe under corner
4- swing other end of pipe under other corner
5- step on trailer, open truck tailgate, walk it back using pipe as a roller. Stop before pipe rolls off truck box.
6- place furniture dolly under lift gate
7- step into front area of truck box
8- lift the front of topper & walk it back. Watch your step on the transition from truck tailgate to trailer.
Reverse process to install.
Current truck came with aluminum topper. Took it off 2 years ago to haul tall load, has stood on end against garage wall ever since.
Took longer to write this than to do the actual task.
Willie

C.R. · Jul 14, 2013

Fiberglass is lots heavier than aluminum and quieter,if you have to put it on and take it off a lot get an aluminum one way easier to move

wilson ind · Jul 14, 2013

if heigth permits place 4 pulleys onerhead in garage . Four eye hooks on corners of top. rope to raise , run rope to one central spot. Use mors pulleys to cross over to one location. Made one person job for me. If raised cap will not let cab in garage back in. You got to either back in or back out anyway!!

Looking to buy a Fiberglass cap

Anonymous-0

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Royse

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GVSII

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GordoSD

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Anonymous-0

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Lou from Wi.

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dbNga

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Fergienewbee

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Anonymous-0

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GeneMO

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Anonymous-0

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Dan in Ohio

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ss55

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T in NE

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willie in mn

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C.R.

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wilson ind

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