Bed Cover vs Cap/Shell (Diamondback, Retrax, Snugtop)

I've been back and forth on a few different setups. Ultimately, I want a setup that I can also run a rack on to carry extra gear or a RTT. What I'm currently looking at the pro's and con's of each:

1. Diamondback bed cover:
   • Pros:
     • Heavy Duty
     • Great Warranty
     • Can install T slot bases for rack/rails only when needed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VwZ5aKyNcXA
     • Modularity
   • Cons:
     • With rack installed, cannot open cover
     • Because of above, would most likely have to purchase bedslide (additional cost) to get to gear in the back
     • Additional cost for T-slot bases
   • Pricing (military discount):
     • SE Price: $1485
     • HD Price: $1845
2. Retrax XR Series bed cover:
   • Pros:
     • Great Warranty on aluminum model. Decent warranty on lexan model
     • Can open the cover even with rack installed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35MQwnRNKzY
     • Integrated T-slots for rack mounts
     • Modularity
     • Can still use the bed as a bed without racks
   • Cons:
     • Not as heavy duty as DB bed cover above
   • Pricing
     • Lexan Model: $1300 (limited lifetime warranty pro rated)
     • Aluminum Model: $1900 (legendary lifetime warranty no questions asked)
3. Snugtop Rebel cap:
   • Pros:
     • Full waterproof coverage from top of cab to bottom of bed
     • Flexibility
     • Convenience of huge "trunk" to throw gear in
   • Cons:
     • Looks - subjective I know, but I prefer the truck to look like a truck
     • Adding RTT puts it very high and would catch wind decreasing mpg
   • Pricing:
     • Outdoorsman model with windoors: $2500

I posted youtube links above for the bed covers as the diamondback design is a "custom" option and the retrax is fairly new to the market and I haven't seen many running around. My gut instinct is telling me to go the Retrax route. Will be cheaper overall (no matter which one I go with), allow easier access to all of my gear from tailgate to cab, and allow me to use the truck bed as a truck bed if needed. To note, all of the above options can handle at least 500 lbs dynamic load (except the DB SE which can do 400 lbs).

Anyhow, wanted to get the communities thoughts on this. Especially from those that have run any of the above options. Or, better yet, have run 2 or more of the above options and have their own pros and cons. My only experience with a cover/cap of any kind was on my last pickup that had a fold-a-cover. Loved it for the most part, but had a few gripes. Still, I know I want a covered bed to some degree. Thanks for helping out with any of this.

-Rooster

 

Cap vs tonneau, the age old question. You understand the pros and cons for your situation. Everyone will vote their personal preference. Personally I'd never own a truck without a cap. I've had Snugtop Rebels on my last two trucks and am happy with them. I've had tonneau covers on trucks that have come with them. I never kept them because i felt they restricted my cargo space too much and rolling/folding/removing them wasn't convenient.

 

I’ve never owned a truck with a cap. Don’t know if I’m missing out on some awesome benefits or not. I appreciate your experience on the subject having both and preferring a cap out of the 2. I always struggle with larger financial decisions. Second guessing myself and over analyzing everything.

 

As already noted, it's going to be a personal decision. I based mine on the fact I camp out of my truck a lot but occasionally have to carry stuff too. My current Tacoma came with a nice Leer tonneau cover on it and I hated it. It reduced the room I had for carrying stuff, everything slid to the front, I couldn't carry my boats on it, if I put my bike in then nothing else fit, I hate the way they look, etc. I have a 5x8 utility trailer if I need to move bigger stuff.

 

Welcome to our special place

 

Bed covers restrict bed capacity dramatically. You can’t secure anything that’s above the bed rail. Try fitting a 120qt cooler under a cover.. not gunna happen, not with Tacoma bedsides. Yes they ‘look’ nice. But for storage and actual function i believe a camper top is more practical. (For my needs) that’s why I’m shopping for one myself

 

I've been messaging Front Runner back and forth about utilizing their rack and feet with the retrax bed cover. I guess their tallest feet are 6.5" that will work with the t-slots of the retrax xr cover. Not a lot of space between the rack and the bed cover for extra gear. Especially if a RTT is going to take all of the rack space on top....

 

I have a paid off 1995 f-150 I can use for hauling things that will not fit under the camper shell.

 

Was leaning towards the retrax until I learned that their container up front takes up a foot of bed space on an already short bed. Can’t do it. Down to the diamondback cover and a cap.

 

So, here’s my thoughts:

It looks like the cap/shell resale market is a shit show and you take a huge hit if you try to sell yours. Where as, the diamondback is pretty universal across all colors of a Tacoma. Going to give the diamondback a shot, and if I feel it restricts my needs more then I would like, I’ll sell it and go the topper route. Thanks for all of the insight and advice.

 

I've been considering a lot of the same options you looked at, and I wanted to get your thoughts on some of the pro/con dilemmas that I'm wrestling with.

I was dead set on a cap for a while, but now I'm wavering because I want whatever solution I go with to be versatile and not limit me to only certain carrying/hauling scenarios. Because a cap is not easily removed, it would limit me on hauling taller cargo. I also initially thought that I would want a cap for sleeping inside, but I'd want a drawer system to separate the sleeping platform from cargo storage, and the cost of a cap plus something like the decked system was a tough pill to swallow. So now I'm weighing tonneau + rack options.

What sort of accessories are you looking at mounting on your rack system? Are you looking at a one piece frame style rack (like in the video) or just mounts (ski racks / bike racks / etc)?

I really like the diamondback but the fact that it opens from the center (i.e center beam is always in the way) seems a bit limiting and the fact that you can't open the flaps completely to the point where they lay flat on the rest of the cover is a bit of a turn-off for me. With that said it is built solidly and it seems like there's lots of expandability with some simple modifications.

I have a long bed so losing the space with the retrax cannister isn't a total deal breaker, and I like the fact that you have a full length t-track that is unimpeded by the cover opening. It seems like this functionality offers a lot more flexibility than either mounting rack towers and/or t-track on top of the diamondback. What are your thoughts on this comparison?

 

I think the fact that you have a long bed does open up some options with the retrax. Still, losing a foot of bed length sucks no matter what. For me, that's a 20% loss of bed space on a 5ft bed. That would be a 17% loss for you. The big turn on for me (originally) was being able to access the bed even with a rack on with the retrax. However, the tallest rails I could find for that setup were 6" which means I still couldn't reach in with the retrax open and pull anything out from the side. It would only allow me to push something towards the tailgate a little easier.

With the Diamondback, I can go with a 10" tall rack, or even taller if I want which allows for more flexibility of what I can stow between the rack and the cover. Now, the setup I was looking at was a front runner slimline II rack mounted to their rack feet on a track system. Similar to the video posted above, but utilizing the slimline full rack over just using crossbars. This would allow me to use the rack to carry a RTT on camping trips, throw waterproof stuff between the rack and the cover and non waterproof stuff under the cover. When not camping I could use the rack to carry waterproof items when taking longer road trips. I go on hunting trips out of state and we visit family out of state quite often and we tend to fill up all of the space under a bed cover and have to leave a few items behind. Things we can put on the rack (and some under the rack) include: coolers, chairs, outdoor games (cornhole, washers, can jam, etc), kayaks, fishing poles, etc. Now, if we are not traveling, I can easily remove the rack and legs and just have the bed cover for daily use.

Also, you can flip the panels over on to themselves and strap it to the other side to open up half without fully removing. I did the link to start at the time he shows that feature, but if it doesn't work, skip to 2:20. See the video here:

https://youtu.be/rn8zewu2dCo?t=139

This is a usable feature for me. Usually my dog rides up front with us, but if she gets too nasty at the lake, or out hunting, I can open up one panel and place her in the back and she can still duck under one of the panels to relax. Will also allow me to carry longer pieces of wood for home projects letting them rest on the tailgate. Of course, I could strap them on top of the cover as well.

With all of that being said, I'm still thinking the canopy/shell would provide me with a lot of benefits. It would cost me more overall then the DB setup above, but I haven't fully discredited it yet. I'm fortunate to have another truck that's paid off and has a full open bed to haul anything I need to that would be too tall. A trailer is always an option as well, but further adds to overall cost. With the DB cover, you could remove or flip one of the panels over and still be able to haul taller items depending on how deep/wide they are to not hit the center crossbeam. Each one has trade-offs and I do not feel there is one perfect system. Just have to decide which one will fill your needs the most, or what will fill your needs when you need it the most.

 

Thanks for the response. This is what's great about message boards, to be able bounce ideas/perspectives off others and get different views.

Thanks for the tip on the diamondback, that's good to know that you can release the struts to full open. How does strapping the one panel down to the rest of the cover work? Do they provide or sell the appropriate strap or do you have to figure out your own?

For the Retrax, what actually got me even looking at this cover was the Yakima Overhaul HD rack (https://www.yakima.com/overhaul-hd) which has direct integration with it via their adapter kit. This rack is pretty nice because it's adjustable in height and supports a wide range of accessories. Only downfall is that compared to other bed racks, you have to add a whole bunch of add-on pieces to get similar functionality (crossbars, sidebars, etc.), which drives the cost up. Once you have it all together though, it is a pretty sweet rack.

I still ponder the cap every once in a while, but I keep going back to the fact that I can't easily reach the front of the bed without either adding windoors (more $$$) or a drawer/slider system. Considering a basic cap is already around $2k for the long bed, having to add all this really drives the cost up, and once it's on there it's more or less permanent. I'd also need to add a hitch bike rack and those aren't cheap either, whereas with the tonneau and bars/rack, I can use some yakima bike mounts I already own (I'm short so putting the bike mounts on top of the cap won't work for me).

 

Strapping it down would be up to you. Personally, I would tie one cleat off to another cleat. Using whatever cordage you are comfortable with.

That Yakima rack is expensive. I was looking at rack feet and a full rack platform for around the price of just that rack. You're over $1k to have the vertical bars, mounting kit and cross bars in that pic. To each their own, but that's a lot of money for what you get in my opinion.

If I go the cap/shell route, I will definitely be getting windoors. They seem to be too convenient to pass up on. I think you can get a bike under a cap, but I'm not 100% sure on that. I wouldn't think it would be an issue though. I'm in the short category with you (5'8") so I share a concern about putting anything on a rack above the shell. Only thing I could think to put up there would be a RTT when camping. And that would be installed with a pulley system. Otherwise, it would most likely be ran bare.

 

Cleat to cleat was my thought as well.

Yes, the Yakima's main downfall is the price. It's got all the functionality of other racks buuuuut...it's about $500-800 more for comparable functionality. The only thing that keeps me looking at it is the tight integration with that Retrax cover. Being able to retract that cover and have expanded cargo carrying height without having to remove the rack is pretty slick, and removal of the rack is pretty easy as well (at least it looks that way in Yakima's video). The only other good combo of tonneau compatibility and easy removal in a full size bed rack is the KB Voodoo/Max Modular rack with Tonneau brackets, but I'm trigger shy due to all the posts on here about rust issues, etc. They claim they work with retrax covers as well, but I haven't read anywhere of anyone successfully installing that combo.

 

I looked at the voodoo/MM racks as well but they won’t allow you to pull things from the side of the bed just like the front runner. Also, the rust issues are there. If I was going to order one, I was going to get them unfinished and do it myself to help prevent the rust. I think their racks are fine. They just suck at coating them properly. From what I can tell.

 

A frontrunner tray on a shell gives you a lot of versatility. I'm 5' 10" and needed to get a mid-rise topper so I can easily get my bikes inside without lowering/removing saddles. No problems reaching inside windoors or putting stuff up on the rack. Shells do not make the bed waterproof/dustproof. After lots of sealing, it's getting close.

 

I keep telling myself form follows function. Especially as I get older. But it’s hard sometimes. A bed cap falls into that category for me.

 

Yeah, I hear you. I happen to think a shell looks fine, though.
I wouldn't want a RTT up there, but I'm not really into those. Good luck with your decision. Just don't expect any option to be waterproof, and you'll be happy.

 

I'm with you there. It's vain but a vehicle's looks make a big difference to me. Unlike you though, I've embraced the "old man going fishing" look, and I do like the appearance of my cap