Need some advice regarding hard top bs soft top with bed rack.

I recently posted this over at Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells And got zero traction. I’m hoping this post will do better over here.


I recently picked up a new, gen 3, 2020 Tundra, SR5 w/ TRD package, Crew Max with short bed, in Cement Grey and was planning on going with a hard topper. I’ve had heard toppers on all my trucks. But now that I have experienced the glory that is a rear window rolled down I've begun looking at alternatives that allow me to have that window open.


So I am looking at a Decked System with a bed rack and soft topper...


Some background:

• I am a builder who runs jobs more than anything but will still roll with a set of hand tools and a couple drills. Occasionally, I will throw in my collection of M18 cordless crap. I don't plan on keeping any of that in the truck overnight.
• I also occasionally need to pick up lumber, sheets of OSB or Drywall so will be using the rack.
• I only go 4 wheeling to get to nice campsites. I'm not a rock crawler. But we are a family of 4 and roll with a ton of shit.
• Probably not doing a roof top tent, they are too small, not dog friendly and I am certain my wife will break her leg on the ladder.
• I will eventually throw a platform on the rack.

My concerns:

• Our neighborhood tends to attract car hoppers (and car thieves, this very Tundra was purchased because my Silverado was stolen about a month ago along with another Silverado that night) I am concerned the Decked System will be relentlessly messed with. Especially the ammo boxes. I am not as concerned about the drawers unless they try to take the whole thing apart.
• I'm currently looking at the Datin Metal Fab Cage Rack and a Softopper but have read you cannot fold the Softopper down with that rack. I will want the topper occasionally when I need to pickup material/fixtures or go camping but don't think that will be often. Weekends mostly. I am not sure how I will feel about the remove/re-install situation for that topper.

I guess what I'm looking for is some advice from those that have gone with the decked system on an open bed truck. Is your bed ever messed with? If so, how do they mess with it? Anyone ever try to take the entire system? If it was messed with how hard was it to get it fixed? Or were you able to fix it at all?


And those with a softopper that they remove and re-install on occasion. How much does it suck?


And those who have done what I'm trying to do. How'd it go?


Thanks all, I look forward to reading what you have to say.


- Dean

 

How about this...

https://www.fas-top.com/Fas-Top-Travel-Package-p/ftt02.htm

 

I really like your idea .. following along. In regards to remove and reinstall on occasion it is a piece of cake! Takes less then 5 mints.

 

Wow! I looked at the Fas-Top but didn’t realize they had a hybrid product. That’s pretty bad-ass. I need to look into that further. Thanks for the heads up.

 

You dont say which bed you have?
I am guessing it is not an 8' bed though or the rack thing would not be a question?

Have you looked at the Diamondback Cover?

The Decked system is interesting but seems insanely priced to me for plastic no matter how strong it is but evidently it is pretty nice and is not that simple to deconstruct and break into from what I know but I have no 1st hand experience at all with one.

I have a DCU Topper and with a rack on that can carry anything to a jobsite that I can think of AND have my tools locked tightly onside all the time too.
It is also great for camping for me when towing a trailer.

I cant imagine trusting my stuff to a soft top at all decked or not.

 

Yea, it's a Crew Cab with a short bed 5'7"ish

That Diamond Back cover looks pretty bomb proof. Not sure how I feel about a tonneau cover only. Never been a big fan of those. But I like that one.

I think, in relation to how expensive everything has gotten, the Decked is pretty well priced. It's nicely engineered and feels solid without the weight, or cost of metal. But, I agree, it doesn't seem to be totally secure. But I imagine you will have to go at it pretty hard to get into it. I think it would get pretty loud trying to pry or cut it open.

Regarding the DCU Topper, I had looked at Alu-Cab but not a fan of the boxy look. I also don't keep stuff in my truck overnight. So something that solid is a little over kill for me. The soft topper won't be on that often. I have never had a topper that locked for long, locks or handle mechanisms always broke. Also I never locked it so people could just open and get in. I never kept anything of value in them over night. And I've never been messed with at Home Depot.

 

I'm in a similar boat. I keep going back and forth between a topper and the diamondback cover. I don't know anyone personally who has a DB cover, but the reviews/videos of them online seem great. The price for it isn't too far off of a topper + nice Prinsu rack for the top of the topper.

Decisions, decisions...

 

My deal with Tonneau covers is it limits my capacity to carry stuff that may be higher then the bed. Namely, when I'm camping (glamping). I had a friend who just got a new truck and went with a bedrail rack and tonneau and he won't stop complaining about how he has to tarp stuff when he goes camping because the tonneau won't work.

In theory, I like it, but in practice it won't work for me.

But it does feel like I need a tonneau to cover my Decked system AND a soft top for when I'm camping. But a Decked + a tonneau leaves me maybe 10" of space for stuff. That is REAL impractical.

 

I totally agree. I'm trying to decide between a diamondback and a topper right now. I like that the DB can fold back on itself if I need to carry something bigger. Also looks somewhat easy to remove if needed for a bigger load.

 

The great thing about the Diamondback though is how easy it is to just remove the rear panel when needed to use the bed for other stuff that would not fit with it closed up.

Also I am not sure how anyone could break into the DCU shells doors easily? On the ones that I have had they lock from 3 different spots at each end and in the middle with heavy steel rods and bars and use standard car keys as well.
Maybe you could pry one open with a crowbar or cut them with a grinder or sawzall but talk about making noise and taking time!
The latches and locks are also pretty stout and 10 times stronger than the ones on the non-dcu shells too.
And if you get one without windows,out of sight is out of mind as they say.