Topper side windows....sliders or pop-outs?

I am looking at toppers for my double cab and wondering how everyone likes their slider side windows vs. pop out windows. My last truck had pop outs which were nice and clean. My only experience with sliders was with an old topper and the tracks collected all kinds of junk and were hard to keep clean. Windoors look nice but I don't think that I am tall enough to be able to truly utilize them!

 

No opinions out there?

 

This is what I chose as I liked the look better and liked some of the other features on this higher end model. Many people love windoors, but I wasn't sure they were as secure and I felt like they were more likely to leak water etc.

 

I have pop-outs on my current topper and I had sliders on my last one. I liked the sliders more, but I'd rather have windoors to make accessing the front of the bed a little easier.

 

I had sliders on my last truck and pop outs on this one. The pop outs look way cleaner. Gives it a finished look. But the sliders are practical and useful. If I had a dog, sliders for sure.

 

Nice truck! I have been interested in the GB Sport but I am concerned about the pop out window size......are you happy with the size of the pop out windows?

 

Why do you like the sliders more?

 

Back half is the pop out section

 

When I put the dogs back there the sliders allow more air flow to keep them cooler. I also sometimes would open the slider so that I could reach further into the bed without crawling up onto the tailgate.

I completely agree that the pop-outs look better, but the sliders are more functional and I expect that the windoors would be the most function.

 

They make Windoors with Sliders in them now too!

It all depends on your use really doesn't it?

I work from mine so Sliders are useless to me and my shell came with them too.
So I yanked them out and replaced with Windoors and have never regretted it for a second.I need the access but if you need the airflow then Sliders seem to make more sense but again now you can get them with both so.......
Also mine have never leaked at all.

I can't really see any advantage to pop outs at all?

 

I got sliders on my shell and in hindsight, for easier access I probably should’ve got the windoors. I’ve been debating getting a bed slide so I don’t have to crawl in on my hands and knees.

 

Thank you for the replies.

For those with sliders...Do you have to do any special maintenance to the tracks?

 

That’s awesome, useful set up you have there! What shell is that? Is the at structure around the top an after-mod? How much weight can it support?

 

i had siders on my last top, they were great for the extra air flow when camping or when the dogs where in back. Only downfall was the screens on the window didn't do much to keep the dos in if they decided they really wanted to get out. Was camping in a campground when someone pr something tried getting into the truck only to find my sheppard and mastiff who proceeded to chase it half way across the park by the time i was out of the tent.

 

Thanks! Truth is that I've only had the shell a few months and haven't been driving a lot with everything going on these days. I did take drive with the dog in the back for a few hours and was able to open the pop out windows on the shell, then open the lift-up front window in the shell, roll down the back truck window and crack the windows in the cab to create nice air flow for the dog....enough so that the dogs hair was flapping around. I wouldn't do it if it was really hot, but the combo is nice.

 

All my caps have had both sliding side windows and a front window and this provided maximum air circulation for my sheepdogs. Now that I do not have any dogs I will be looking for a cap without windows on the sides for my next truck. With my other caps I had the windows tinted as dark as possible and added black cloth shades on the inside. This kept the space cooler for my dogs but also protected my gear when I had bicycles or fishing equipment or other expensive stuff inside. I look it as out of sight, out of mind, for potential thieves.

 

Just a typical Contractor Series Shell all the manufacturers sell them for more convenience to the trades.

This one is a Swiss Top but they are more alike than different regardless of the maker really.

This one came with Sliders as I said and I replaced them with Windoors and the rear French Doors are really my favorite feature probably as once open I am 2 feet closer to the bed vs having the tailgate between me and the bed in a more conventional shell like this one that I just got used for my newer Tundra.
Same basic idea but heavier duty build on this new one with solid side doors and a tiny rear window this one is more secure but a little tougher to work out of maybe too.

And the Roof Rack is a feature that any Shell can have installed and some are stronger than others,I mainly carry ladders on mine but have also carried Bikes on a Thule Rack that I just mount to the ladder rack and have driven across the country with them up there with no issues at all.

 

The contractor models will be able to support a heavier load on the roof. To be safe though I bought the Thule brackets that I bolted to the sides of the cap so there is no load on the roof with the crossbar and weight on them.

When I wash the truck I wash out the tracks for the slider windows and that is all that I have ever needed to do with the caps on any of my tracks.

The fiberglass caps are much heavier but do a better job of keeping the enclosed space cool in hot weather. I had an aluminum cap on my first truck but a fiberglass one on the six succeeding trucks I have owned.

 

I hear WINDOORS are ideal if you can get 'em. I have the crank style in the back mainly for some ventilation for the pooch

 

The rack on the contractor caps are usually mounted to the sides too and it is only on the Fiberglass models where the roof is reinforced for the mounting and the extra load where they are actually roof mounted.
On some like the ARE high end caps it looks like they are roof mounted but they are actually mounted to an internal aluminum frame just like the metal contractor caps but the aluminum is inside of the fiberglass.

 

Is that ARE?

 

Looks like a Leer to me?

 

I had mine built with screened sliders, I considered the windoors but chose not to get them because I have a huge walk in hatch. The skeleton commercial caps are built on should support a good bit of weight if the rack is mounted correctly.

 

RAIDER

 

Cool never heard of it. You like?

 

I think Raider was bought out by LEER last year, this model is the same as the Leer 100XL. I like the look of it and so far no issues although just installed it Friday!

 

The popouts look cleaner, but the available airflow of sliders is very nice. My Leer 100 XR has been great with no leaking or junk getting caught in the tracks.

 

Is your topper a Leer or Century?

 

Thank you all for the input. After much deliberation I ordered a SnugTop Super Sport. I will post pics when I get it installed which is not until the end of July

 

And this has which windows?????