The Cover vs. Topper Conundrum 2023 Tacoma Short Bed

Just looking for some general advice and to see if I'm overlooking some options or if my pros/cons are way off base or missing something throughout my research. I have a situation where I could use a cover and/or a topper at different times and am trying to understand what having "both" might look like. Also I am fortunate enough to be able to store my truck in a garage so weather/wear aren't as big of an issue while the vehicle is at my house.

Hard Toppers

• ✅ Great protection from the elements
  
• ✅ Great for the dog who has occasionally jumped out of an open bed and which I certainly have no regrets getting for the kids even though the damn dog is the primary reason I'm in this conundrum.
  
• ✅ Decent warranties
  
• ✅ Locks for added security and protection.
  
• ❌ Heavy. Reduces my already sad and wimpy payload capacity
• ❌ Cumbersome to remove. I have seen videos of elaborate wench systems to lift and store in garage on ceiling
  
• ❌ Limits the use of an actual truck bed without full removal. I bought a truck because sometimes I need a truck.

Soft Toppers
I have been looking at Bestop, Softopper and Flated as well as others.

• ✅ Versatile. They seem to be easy to remove or get out of the way
  
• ✅ Lightweight so still have plenty of payload capacity
  
• ✅ Seem to be decent at keeping out the weather, though not waterproof
• ⚠️ The dog probably wouldn't damage it. I hope.
  
• ❌ Terrible warranties. Dropping over $1k for a 1 year warranty
  
• ❌ No security whatsoever. If you have a knife it's Merry Christmas!
  
• ❌ Seems like kind of a pain if you get in/out of the bed often, unzipping, undoing hook & loop straps etc.

Convertible (cover AND topper)
I have looked as FasTop and Bestop which makes a convertible one

• ✅ Versatile. It really is both worlds in one product
  
• ✅ Lightweight so still have plenty of payload capacity
  
• ✅ Seem to be decent at keeping out the weather, though not waterproof
  
• ⚠️ The dog probably wouldn't damage it. I hope.
  
• ❌ Terrible warranties. Dropping over $1k for a 1 year warranty
  
• ❌ No security whatsoever. If you have a knife it's Merry Christmas!
  
• ❌ Seems like kind of a pain if you get in/out of the bed often, unzipping, undoing hook & loop straps etc.

Tonneau (French?) Covers
There are so many!
I have looked at Peragon, Lomax, Diamondback, Undercover Flex and what seems like 50+ more
Styles: rollup, soft, hard, folding

• ✅ The ones I would consider are either lockable or at least require getting through the gate to release them. Security seems more or less solid
  
• ✅ Some are lightweight and can be removed fairly easily
  
• ✅ better warranties overall than soft toppers but not as good as hard toppers
  
• ✅ Some play nice with extra rack systems
  
• ❌ Where to put the damn dog that I love with all my heart? Cab is not always an option.
  
• ❌ Some have crazy installs that require drilling and/or don't support other Toyota accessories that need the deck rails. Some even require using their custom rails and removing factory rails.
  
• ❌ Ice and snow can cause problems
  
• ❌ They seem to be the least waterproof option and some can have lots of water intrusion

Boxes & Lockable Bed Storage
Lots of options here too. I have seen some cool stuff that goes over the wheel wells too

• ✅ Waterproof. What goes in the box(es) stays dry
  
• ✅ Lockable. Beefy ones seem secure and some can be fastened in a way that prevents theft
  
• ✅ Lightweight and somewhat inexpensive
  
• ✅ Can easily be removed to use it as a truck with the full bed again
  
• ❌ Limited space. Only the space inside the box(es)
  
• ❌ Don't always play nice with existing accessories or covers or toppers that need the deck rail.
  
• ❌ Don't always tether how or where you want them to be
  
• ❌ Dog would apparently die if locked in a waterproof box

Any recommendations or insight is greatly appreciated. Even if it's simply a product to avoid at all costs due to bad experiences. I was leaning towards a Peragon cover because they seem easy to install (no drilling) and remove and they play nice with racks. I was then also going to get a Flated topper, but after watching the Peragon install video it seems the mounted rails eat up about 2-3" of the bed width and I would need to take the rails off to support the Flated topper. I doubt that's an easy/quick task each time I want to switch over to a soft top.

 

I had a hard tonneau (OEM) and only used it when I needed to secure something. Often times it did not give me enough space, so it usually stayed in the garage.

Now I have a shell and can secure more stuff inside. So far I haven’t had to carry anything that can’t fit inside. I figure when that time comes I’ll just borrow/rent a trailer, and if I need to do it a lot I’ll think about removing the cap.

 

I have a Softopper. Been on the road for 8 months. 2 continents. Had it for 3 months before I left.

Three 80 plus pound pitbulls. They love it. No damage. They really like the safari mode when in the woods.

Only paid 700 for it. Delivered to Virginia in 4 days. Weighs next to nothing. Does not flap in the wind if correctly tensioned. Been 90mph in Wyoming no issues.

Low weight allows me to carry more gear. A lot more.

Very low dust inside even running the coast of Baja.

It is absolutely waterproof. Just need to seal the front of the bed where the weird gaps are. I sleep in it and have my fridge in the back. No issues.

Have left my truck in numerous cities in North, Central, and now South America. Have had more people look at it and ask questions that people looking in it. Have a hi def game camera mounted inside and have seen very few people look in it. May be the fact that down here (Central and South America )people respect other people’s property more but who knows. I’d be more worried about a tailgate or the entire truck being stolen.

The getting in and out once the topper is properly tensioned literally takes 30 seconds. Undo the Velcro on both sides, unzip both sides, pop both snaps, pull the bar out of the slot, put on the top. Done.

I treat it with 303 once a month to keep it from getting faded and keep it pliable.

I carry five 5 gallon Jerry cans of spare fuel in the back. Needed down here. That’s 30lbs for the gas and the cans weigh 3.9 lbs. total weight for spare gas is 169.1lbs. With the Softopper and fuel I’m still under the weight of a hard topper. And I’m better off in the wallet as well.

Just trying to give you an honest opinion of a full 8 months on/off the road using it and not just a weekend here and there.

 

I have the Diamondback cover and it’s really nice and heavy duty. Easy to remove if I need to load large things. But I think a camper shell is the best option. I will eventually sell my Diamondback and get an rsi smart cap. You are very limited on loading with a bedcover for trips. You can only load so high and then you are out of space. With the limited space in the cab a camper shell would be the most practical for me.

 

+1 for softopper, had it on for 5 years now, it comes off or folds down super quick by yourself if you need more height for hauling. I don’t think your dog will damage it, and they sell screens for your pets.

As for security, I’ve never had a problem living in Los Angeles, and you have to remember, if someone wants what’s in your truck, they’re going to get it, a window is probably easier to break than this canvas is to cut. Take away note, don’t leave anything in your truck you don’t want stolen.

As for warranty, I’ve only had to email them once for a clip that I admittedly lost when re-installing, told them honestly what happened, and they shipped one to me free of charge no problem, that was about 2.5 years after I had purchased it.

It takes some getting used to opening and closing it, yes it can be a PITA, but it’s not all that bad for all the positives.

just my $0.02!

 

Softopper user here.
It’s not a chore to get in with the zippers and Velcro to be honest.

Regarding security - it is not secure at all compared to a hardtop, but if a thief wants it bad enough - a hardtop doesn’t stop anyone.

I love my softtop, and if anything is in the bed that is deemed high risk, then that item is usually moved in cab or the truck is never left alone.

 

Hey guys I’m new to TW, I have the ARE topper, I do love it as I always have something back there that I would like to secure. Coming from a 4Runner I couldn’t consider any other option (even before I’d bought a truck) the side win doors I do feel are a must even with 5’ bed stuff can be hard to reach.
One thing I noticed from the young man I bought the topper from was he had switched to a best top & I thought the thing looked absolutely awesome on there & he agreed not as secure but looks sharp!
I do have a utility trailer as well so no problem on oversized crapola

 

Welcome and nice layout on the lists!
I would also add to your list; the tri folds are terrible at taking on water eventually. I have had work trucks for years, and have been through all the big brands, eventually they leak and the foam inside absorbs water and they become so mutha F'n heavy they go in the dumpster.

Since you have a garage, maybe for the fiberglass version, if you don't need it off often, create some simple ropes and pullies to make a lift and store up above? If you don't have a ceiling or other junk up there, that is.

 

The way I would look at it is not which one to get, rather, how easily you could switch to the most useful configuration for the specific task.

Examples:

Hard topper, figure how to remove and store conveniently. Same with the soft top. See if you find the installation/removal/storage straight forward.

If I had more than $500 dollars worth of goods in the bed I would get a locking rigid cover over a soft top.

Also, once you make the investment, you can call your auto insurance provider and see what they say.

This flexibility allows you to see how you end up using the truck.

Post pics when you get something!

 

I have the bak trifold bed cover (off now). Always felt secure leaving stuff in it. easy enough to fold up and out of the way.

I have the Softopper on at the moment and it’s been practical for what I’ve used it so far. The reason I got it was to transport our small dogs.
I don’t think I would leave valuable stuff in it without direct eye on it. A person who is not familiar with it wouldn’t know how to quickly open it or that it can snap off…a career thief wouldn’t have a problem.

 

I went through this decision making process and landed on a fiberglass Leer shell. I have no need to ever take it off. I wouldn't recommend a fiberglass shell if you ever think you will need to take it off. If I ever need to haul something tall like a refrigerator I will either rent a trailer or have it delivered.

A softopper came in a very close second. I love the look, price, and lack of weight. However I am in and out of the bed often, and I would not want to use velcro. I prefer the solid latching.

While breaking into the shell isn't that difficult, I do like the increased security.

Open bed was a no-way. When I drove home with an open bed from the selling dealer, it was a PITA to keep luggage inside the cab.

I thought about a tonneau cover-loved the price and look, but I needed more storage.

For me the shell is perfect. It can get dirty back there while keeping the cab clean. Pretty good security too, and good ease of use for every day.

In the end, it depends on what your actual needs are, not what you think you want it to do. Need to be really honest with yourself about this.

Again, do not think about a fiberglass shell if taking it on and off is part of the routine. If you need to do this even one time a year I would lean towards the softopper or plan on not doing it and renting a trailer.

 

I've had a hard cap on every truck I've owned since the 1970's. Back when I used aluminum caps, I used to take them off and on quite a bit since it was easy enough to do it with no help. But since moving to a hard cap, I simply never take them off. If I have to haul anything that won't fit in the bed with the cap on, I have a 6'X10' utility trailer that is easier to load/unload anyway.

My trucks are used to carry camping/hunting gear more than hauling firewood. Having something that will keep everything dry and secure from theft is important. And unlike a SUV I can haul trash, or dirty stuff in the bed and hose it out later. A truck + a cap is still a lot less expensive than a comparable SUV.

Soft tops are considerably cheaper and lighter, but I've also owned 4 Jeep Wranglers over the years, 3 with soft tops. They only create the illusion of security. I had a thief rip one apart to get inside once. And they don't last as long. I had to replace the tops on 2 of them because they simply wore out. 7-10 years is about as long as they last.

My biggest complaint with soft tops is that they fit like a man wearing a hat 3 sizes too small. If they ever come up with one that fits over the bed rails I might be interested.



FWIW, they still make aluminum tops. They cost a LOT less than fiberglass, weigh about the same as a soft top, and they can go on and off with no help. IMO they look much better too.

 

I have a twin foam on the bed 24/7 with sheets and pillows. Never got wet , not even once . Softopper is great. Of course I have the bed mat under the foam . Only 1 year warranty? Don’t need it. Had mine almost 5 years now, never been off the taco, exposed to the elements 24/7, never been garaged. No issues, no tears. Still look great.

 

I did mean to mention as well I doubt I’ll ever remove my topper either & 2 more pros for hard top IMOP

1- if it’s raining the back hatch provides some protection especially with tailgate up

2- not sure it’s been mentioned but the lighting in topper ceiling, I use this much more than I thought as I either have to leave a door open or turn on bed lights they are certainly sufficient but more of a hassle to use

 

Good info in this thread. I’m pretty hardcore on wanting a hard topper for my truck, but I’d probably take a Softopper at the right price. Being as that I transport mostly music gear like drums, amps, cabs, a hard topper seems like it would give the most protection and a waterproof seal. Maybe I should just get a 4Runner!