The classic truck bed topper (originally popularized by fiberglass options) seems to be less popular in the overland and off-road community. This is likely due to a few reasons. One, it could be the introduction of bed racks and rooftop tents. Two, it could be the price. Three, it could also be that people just haven’t seen what’s new and different on the market. These can provide some of the most utility and best protection, compared to other options.
Now, we are certainly not talking down on any other choices, but rather presenting the best reasons why they are such a great modification. If you’re between the various options, or simply trying to decide if this is a good for your truck – this post is for you! I’m going to cover the main reasons why they are a huge benefit to form and function. I absolutely love mine (GFC Platform Topper) and it’s probably my favorite mod on my Tacoma. I had previously ran a fiberglass alternative, but the GFC has proven better and more robust for my use.
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Topper, Camper Shell, Truck Cap – Which Is It?!
When discussing these bed cover solutions, people may call them camper shells, campers, toppers, or bed caps. These are essentially all synonyms for the same thing. The one outlier is campers, which may refer to a bed cover with a pop-up roof or an oversized build that offers you space for a nearly full-size living space.
In the context of this article, we are referring to the more compact, cab-height bed ones, as seen in all of the pictures in this post. So, if I use any of the above terms, I am talking about the same thing.
Different Types
There are different styles on the market. I will give a brief rundown of each style below, but throughout this post, we will be discussing the benefits of hard sided versions.
Utility
Utility-style campers, like the GFC on my truck pictured above, feature an ultra-strong lightweight design. These systems are largely targeted toward off-road and work truck users who demand the utmost durability in their setups. They perform similarly to their fiberglass counterparts but often with more mounting points, storage capabilities, and a tougher build for harsh environments.
Fiberglass
When you hear camper shell, the first thing that comes to mind is probably a fiberglass topper. As the name suggests, these are made of automotive-grade fiberglass and feature an OEM-matched design. These are good for those who want a color matched setup and won’t be using their vehicle too hard off the pavement.
Soft Top
Finally, we have soft-top campers. These differ from the previous two styles because they are made out of a thick canvas with a frame underneath. They provide similar benefits as hard shells but with the flexibility that comes with a collapsible design. The downside is that their soft build takes away from some of the benefits of a hard shell, so moving forward, we are focusing on hard shells.
Now, with some of the details of camper shells out of the way, let’s get into some of the benefits you can expect. These are why I opted to swap my rooftop tent setup for a GFC. With that said, let’s get into it.
1. Protection From The Elements
One of the most notable benefits is that it weatherproofs your entire bed. This covers wet and dry conditions. Could be rain or snow, but it also applies to dust. Either way, your truck bed is considerably more shielded from the outside. This is especially a major factor if you go off-road a lot, where mud, dust and debris quickly find their way into everything stored in your bed. Having your gear covered in dust makes it hard to use and maintain cleanliness.
Every option on the market will come with weatherproofing strips where it connects to your bedsides. Additionally, most fiberglass toppers overhang slightly beyond the bedsides, so any water droplets won’t be able to make it into your bed.
2. Improved Security
The next biggest reason you should be considering one is its added security. With an open bed or soft top, opportunistic thieves can easily steal any items you have lying in the back of your truck. A hard shell camper will allow you to leave items behind locks.
Obviously, with very expensive items, you will still probably want to conceal them to the best of your ability. But, having a lockable storage space in your truck lets you store items there, giving you tons more space in the cab.
This is also a huge benefit for those who use their Tacoma as off-road or work-specialized vehicles. With a topper, you can securely leave your camping gear, work tools, or other expensive essentials in the bed.
3. Organized Storage
Along the same lines as security, having a shell on your truck allows you to store items securely in a contained environment. An open bed makes lighter items susceptible to flying out on the highway or bumpy roads. A topper will keep everything you throw in the bed contained and secure.
In my experience, there are pros and cons to this. The pros are that I can store anything in my bed and know it is not going anywhere. The flip side, however, is that a camper limits you to store items that fit under the roof. So, moving items like couches or bigger items can be tough.
Remember that since the space is contained, you can stack a bunch of smaller items to the ceiling (roof line), whereas you would usually be limited to the height of the bedsides.
4. Mounting For Accessories
One benefit of having a topper on my truck that I had never considered was the many additional mounting points I gained. Since you extend the roof of your cab to the back of your tailgate, you essentially double your mounting capacity. This can be huge for people with kayaks or surfboards or those who use their trucks to haul lumber and longer items.
The other aspect of having more storage is that you can haul larger items on the roof, leaving ample space in the bed for your other items. When I go on a surfing trip, I will carry all of my boards and some storage cases on the roof. This allows me to put all of my camping gear and smaller items in the bed without having to cram them all to fit.
5. Comfortable & Versatile Camping
If you use your truck for camping trips, you may find many benefits in a camper shell. You can easily build a bed platform with planks, plywood, and storage drawers. You can also utilize something premade like the BamBeds platform (seen above). Although some people may say it doesn’t count as camping if you aren’t in a tent, you will happily sleep in your topper when the temperatures get below freezing or it starts to rain.
Toppers also allow you to comfortably stealth camp. So, if you are on a long trip, you can sleep at rest stops, Wal-Marts, or even parking lots without anyone knowing you are there. Of course, this reason only applies to those of you who are shorter than 6 feet tall or so. Taller folks will likely find it more cramped to sleep in a short bed. But for those with a long bed, there is typically no issue.
6. Improved Fuel Efficiency
There may be some debate about this one but a hard bed cover can help with MPG. The basic premise is that the streamlined profile of the truck will have less drag, and therefore better fuel consumption. However, I’m sure people will argue that the weight may offset the gains you see from reduced drag.
Ultimately, the best situation is where you have a topper that weight as little as possible. Fiberglass options seem to be the heaviest, and may see the least fuel benefits, but aluminum options tend to keep the weigh much lower. The GFC, for example, is only about 135 lbs.
7. Modular Customization
Modularity is a huge asset for building the perfect bed setup. You might be looking for different features depending on your needs and uses. For example, if you plan on sleeping inside, you will likely want interior carpeting and a dome light. On the other hand, if you are using yours for work, you will likely want a more stripped-down design with various mounting points.
Of course, this benefit only applies if you purchase your camper shell directly from the manufacturer or a certified dealer. Since most of you will likely be buying a topper second-hand, I encourage you to explore aftermarket accessories that allow you to make it your own.
8. Aesthetic Appeal
This is definitely subjective, but I think a topper improves the look and feel of a truck. There are many different styles to choose what you like best. I enjoy the utilitarian options, but I’ve also tested the fiberglass versions. I dig the overland look of my setup, while others may prefer the OEM look and finish of other choices.
9. Resale Value
When it comes to selling your truck, your mods won’t often have a huge swing in added value. Naturally, the more you have, the better your resale is. For potential buyers who are looking to add a cover in the future, buying a truck that already has one can increase what they are willing to pay. It’s also a more expensive mod, which will translate better than say a black out emblem kit or a grille. This is all least likely to matter if you trade your truck in a dealership, where they often offer the least amount for aftermarket modifications.
Final Thoughts
Ultimately, I highly encourage you to consider adding a topper to your build. Is my opinion a little biased? Absolutely. I love my GFC and the SnugTop I had on my Tacoma previously. I think the GFC is better suited for me than other bed setups I have run for various reasons. The most notable feature is how sturdy it is built, and the side panel doors make it easy to access the bed. It also makes me stoked to drive my truck because of how it looks visually.
Of course, you should take my perspectives with a grain of salt, as my needs for my truck build could be different from yours. But if any of the benefits mentioned above sound agreeable to you, then I would push you to pull the trigger on one! If you want to learn more about the GFC, check out Paul’s Platform Topper review.
