Thoughts on Mid High Toppers / Pros/Cons

In the market for a topper but starting to see Mid-high toppers out there and not sure other thoughts - regrets, styling. Share some pics if you can - Thanks !

 

If you might sleep in the bed, esp on a platform, the extra room in a mid-rise is really nice. It's also handy if you want to lug bikes around... I just remove the front wheel and clamp the fork into a fork-mount attachment.

 

I just picked up a used low height topper. It's my first topper and it has kind of been a game changer for me. I will say that the extra few inches of headroom would be nice. If I were to buy new it would definitely be on my wish list.

 

I have an ARE MX, which I think is one of the better looking and streamlined mid rise toppers. There have been quite a few time that I just barely fit something through the opening in the back. I can’t imagine the limitations of having a shorter one.

 

Aesthetically, I don't love the looks. I have a Leer 180 on my 2nd Gen. I wanted vented windoors and they're these four panel things that are kinda goofy looking. Also, I ordered this new and the paint match is pretty bad. My Tacoma is Magnetic Grey Metallic, which is a pretty warm gray, the paint on my topper is a much cooler blue gray. It didn't bug me much at first but has more so the longer I've had it.

Functionally, they are hard to beat. I have a ton of room and sleep in the back of my truck is way more comfortable.

 

@Cwopinger thoughts on your shell?

 

I love my ARE MX! When I bought my truck I knew I was going to put a topper on it for camping so the extra height was a must. I have a wheel well height sleeping platform and can sit upright on the platform with the raised roof. It also makes it easier to move around when you do need to climb into the bed for something.

I’ll go ahead and say get the sliding windoors on it too. They make it rare that you need to climb in to reach stuff at the front of the bed. Plus for camping you have great ventilation when they are open or you can just open the slider for when you need just a little airflow like in the winter. The fold down, sliding front window gives you pass through ability from the can and you can easily clean the back glass of the can and topper. Finally, get the factory roof tracks. Much easier for them to do the install than you try to do I later.

 

Hi,

what is the interior height from floor to ceiling inside the topper?

 

I have a Leer 180 and for my needs it's perfect. I've camped in the back a couple of times, and as a tall person I can't imagine having a cab-height. I really dig how it looks too, but also feel like it's a best match for a long bed double cab (looks wise). And window choice also has an impact on the looks I feel. Not crazy about the streamlined look - I much prefer the utilitarian look that the sliding "windoors" give me. It's an expensive upgrade, but for me totally worth it. I use them more than the tailgate. Agree with the other comments about having the roof tracks installed at the factory. The only con I can maybe see is with the load bars on it, and now with a small lift (done since this photo was taken) , I worry about fitting in garages, etc. Or at least past those hangy-down-y wood things to warn you of the clearance lol.

 

I had one on my 1st gen for about 10 years and loved it. It's a game changer if you plan on camping in the back of your truck. Also the extra space came in handy when carrying bikes and moving stuff around. I honestly think they look better than a topper that sits flush with the cab but maybe that's just me.

 

Fitting in my own garage was the reason I ended up with the cab height topper. With the crossbars and fly rod box that I run on the top, I wouldn’t have fit in my own garage with anything other than cab height. If that wasn’t a consideration I would have gone with the 180 because I have camped in the back about a dozen times and really would love just a touch more headroom.

 

I'm leaning toward the ARE MX at the moment. It's between that and the Leer 180. What's the height from the bed side to the highest point? I'm concerned about my lift and the height with my garage door. The MX looks a wee bit taller..

 

I have a tonneau cover. But years ago when i was camping and sleeping in the bed of my F150 I had a mid-high camper shell. I wouldn’t settle for a regular cab high if I planned on sleeping in the bed. I like to sit up with room. Also it’s great for moving larger items.

 

This is the clearance I have on a standard 7 foot garage door. Stock suspension and 265/70R16 tires. I’m in Florida so for hurricane codes we’re required to have 5” cross braces on the garage door, this is my lowest point of interference.


tape measure body adds 3” to the height so 7 5/8” of clearance

Measuring from the actual lip of the door which will probably be the lowest point with standard size cross braces is approximately 9”


Hope this helps

 

Hey, thank you for the info and pics. That definitely gives me a bit of perspective. I have a 2.5" lift on 33's. I think, judging by your pics, I may have, literally, a hair or two of space to spare. Perhaps I can drop the tires down to 12psi to pull it in every night.

 

That’s probably going to cut it pretty close. Might need to drop it to 10psi lol

 

I like mine looks great but thinking about selling it, I FIND IT Annoying to have to remove it every time I need the bed

 

I love my Ranch Skyline Midrise topper.
My opinion on the pros are you have extra head room when sleeping in the back, a little more space if you want to pack it full.
I sleep in mine regularly (going on a week long trip and spending more than half the nights in the back).
cons would be some people don’t like the non-flush look and it can be a little tall if you end up adding a rack and stuff on top. Whatever you do I would get the vented windoors. They cost a lot but it’s worth it in the end.