Do you regret your bed cap?

[Viking445]

Howdy yall. I'm just curious if you have regretted getting a bed cap on your ranger. I'm planning to get a 22-23 Tremor next year with the ultimate plan of getting a Topo Topper Mesa but in the near future thinking about getting a bed cap to make dispersed camping more comfy instead of having to use a ground tent.

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[miraculon]

I had bed caps on my 1989, 1990 and 1998 Rangers. The only thing is that the back window becomes opaque with salt and road grime in the winter. I see that you live in Louisiana, so that is probably not a problem unless you drive on wet dirt roads. I wished that someone made a rear wiper for the cap rear window, but I only could find them for full-sized trucks.

I got a folding tonneau for my '22 Ranger (5G) and I really like it. The cab back window stays clean and I can secure items under the tonneau.

Greg H.

 

[Viking445]

I thought about the tonneau cover solution but it just wouldn't work with my full intent to camp out of the back of the truck.

 

[underwhelmed]

No, I bought mine specifically to truck camp. I have a little more room with the scab so I can sleep with no issues. Way better for camping than my trifold hard tonne cover.

 

[Viking445]

Oh i was looking at your rig last night. the extended cab and long bed got me thinking about getting a FX4 Lariat instead of the Tremor to get that extra foot of bed space. Its just me so I don't have to worry about space in the cabin. haha

No, I bought mine specifically to truck camp. I have a little more room with the scab so I can sleep with no issues. Way better for camping than my trifold hard tonne cover.

 

[SFCHAMBERS]

I have not had a cap on my trucks since the 70's, but they used to have a seal that went between the truck window and cap window. That would keep both windows clean and see through if they still make them.

 

[Mighty Little Blue]

Oh i was looking at your rig last night. the extended cab and long bed got me thinking about getting a FX4 Lariat instead of the Tremor to get that extra foot of bed space. Its just me so I don't have to worry about space in the cabin. haha

Seems you would be happier with the Supercab. I love the extra bed length and being only my wife and I plus the little pup in the back. It is has all the room we need in the cab. Plus price wise in 2021 Supercab was about $2000 less IIRC, also Lariat vs Tremor is also a couple grand less. With the price difference you can upgrade suspension and have a Tremor minus the 6 switches on the dash. Just make sure you get the FX4 package. Locker, Terrain Mode and Trail Control are worth having in my opinion.

 

[Cmar]

Only regret it when I want to move a tall load like a fridge or washing machine or such. But I do love it for camping.

 

[FM AZ]

If your looking to get out of a ground tent, and considering a TOPO Topper, look into these Super Pacific X1s. They aren't cheap, but they are definitely the top of the pop-up tent class. The camper cab-side window drops right out so you can clean the truck's rear window.

With the bed platform pushed forward over the cab, you have standing room in the entire bed. I still have the build out to do for seating and storage.

 

[Tom_C]

Years ago when I did truck camping, I got a bed tent. It was great, and when I wasn't camping it was gone. I have a tonneau cover now for my Ranger, but even that has been taken off for a lot of hauling and hasn't been put back on for a year due to all the hauling I do.

The comment on the supercab is spot on, but I know that is hard to find on Rangers, and is not even available on the 6Gs. You can get tents that extend out over the tailgate, but that comes with it own set of challenges.

As for other types of toppers, it's similar to Tonneau covers, hard to haul big stuff, but not as bad as a tonneau. Everything has trade-offs.

 

[Retirednavy2010]

Howdy yall. I'm just curious if you have regretted getting a bed cap on your ranger. I'm planning to get a 22-23 Tremor next year with the ultimate plan of getting a Topo Topper Mesa but in the near future thinking about getting a bed cap to make dispersed camping more comfy instead of having to use a ground tent.

Look up bed cracking on 5g Rangers. Specifically putting a cap on them without strengthening the bed sides.

 

[Jason B]

Look up bed cracking on 5g Rangers. Specifically putting a cap on them without strengthening the bed sides.

I haven't heard much of that happening on US 5G. The first builds of the US 6G had that problem and needed load box reinforcement kits. But that was corrected on builds after Sept.

OP, if you get a topper, get one that has a sliding window, or better yet, one that has a drop down window between cap and topper. Makes it easy to clean the glass.

 

[theprinceofsnj]

The only time I looked at a cap, was for my 1991 S-10 EL short bed. But I didn't have that truck very long. I have a bed box that's 27 years old. Bought it for my 1997 Ranger XLT standard cab short bed.

 

[QuickSilver]

My 2 cents
I started with a tonneau and tent in the box. Loved the setup but was always wanting to pack more lol. I also have a kid and when the family wanted to join sometimes.

I went to a topper, I don’t haul anything really and if I need to grab something big I just rent a trailer for the day, keep the mess etc to a trailer. I have 2 tents that cover the back end of the truck so I can sleep in the back, works great as I have a queen size bed setup with the tailgate down. It does add weight and the back of the truck sags a bit but I also have drawers etc that add weight. I like having larger tent off the back for space to get dressed and store clothes etc.

Finally I borrowed a roof top tent and loved it. Will look into buying one.

 

[jswillard]

Howdy yall. I'm just curious if you have regretted getting a bed cap on your ranger. I'm planning to get a 22-23 Tremor next year with the ultimate plan of getting a Topo Topper Mesa but in the near future thinking about getting a bed cap to make dispersed camping more comfy instead of having to use a ground tent.

No regrets. I pull a travel trailer and it's great to have a dry secure place for all the gear.

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