Truck Topper?

[bcbender]

Anyone want to buy my ARE

haha I would but its too short... . Those tops are nice but would be even more work to take on/off as much as I do.

 

[MRoberts]

Before we downsized, we had a house with acreage. I built a drive thru "canopy station" to remove and to install my canopy. I set four 4x6 posts in the ground a little wider than my truck and a little longer than the bed of my truck. I then attached a 2x6 connecting the drivers and passenger side posts. I'd drive in-between the posts, release the clamps and lift one end of the canopy with my back. Once it was a few inches above the 2x6, I'd slide another 2x6 under the canopy and across the supports. Repeat on the other end. Even easier with a buddy.

It worked great, plenty of air underneath and to high for critters to hang out.

 

[bcbender]

I built a drive thru "canopy station" to remove and to install my canopy

Right there with you!.. in the back door out the other.. I used unistrut with eyebolts for my cross beams, bought a cheap winch, did some geometry, and a bunch of cable and its no stress on my back... (except lifting it to put the bars in as you also do) Selling plans if anyone wants one...

 

[sarj]

Wow! Anyone want to buy my ARE? I would buy this in a heartbeat, well if they look as good in person as they do on their site. Very cool!

they look better in person.

When I was first looking, I found a TDR member in Reno that had one, we talked, and he was nice enough to meet up with me on a trip I was taking so I got a first-hand look at one before I bought it. I was sold as soon as I opened and closed the doors. Doors are double thickness and insulated, the inside of the shell is painted a nice tan with fleck, and this time around, I added a shelf on both sides that runs the length just above each side window. I also ordered a second clothes hanging rod along the inside of the roof that's welded to the frame of the shell. I also hang a couple of surfboards off the roof on the inside when I travel, so I asked him about it when I had mine made, and he welded in some tabs to the frame of the shell during the build where I needed them to mount straps for hanging boards. I use them to mount straps, and also made a couple of flat mounts that run laterally across front & rear where the board straps would go to mount rods and keep them safe. And it was cool of the guy to do so the paint job wouldn't get messed up, and the frame of the shell is made to support the weight.

The lights are interesting. I have two dome lights inside mounted on two switches just inside the door. The clear outside lights on the back are an option. A switch on the inside lights the area behind you with the ignition off, and for me, when we were doing some early/late boat launches in the dark, they came in pretty useful. They're also tied to the backup lights when you're in reverse. I'm not that far from salt water, and 14 years later, the paint on the first shell I had was as good as day one.

When the truck got rear-ended, I didn't hesitate ordering a replacement. A BIG mistake though... I neglected to write in the added value on the insurance policy, and because it was an uninsured motorist, my insurance only covered up to $1500. You want to avoid that mistake