Hi everyone! Just got my Tundra Crew Max with the short 5.5-foot bed. For now, it’s mostly my daily driver, and I keep my stuff in the cab. My first family road trip won’t be until November, but I want to start budgeting for bed security now.
Here’s what I need:
It has to keep suitcases dry in the rain (I’ll probably throw in a tarp for good measure).
It needs to be reasonably secure. I know nothing’s 100% safe, but I’d like to at least make it hard to break into.
I’ve looked around and seen options from a few hundred bucks to several thousand. Are there any good, reliable options that aren’t crazy expensive? Or do I need to budget at least $1K to get what I’m looking for?
I have a Leer cap, and it’s great. I use it to haul bikes on fork mounts inside the cap, so they’re safe from weather and thieves. It also lets me lock up a lot of gear in the back, freeing up the cab.
The downside is you’re limited to hauling things that fit inside the cap. Forget about tall items like fridges or motorcycles.
On my last truck, I had a retractable cover, and I recommend those too. Some like the Retrax have aluminum slats that lock, making them more theft-resistant than vinyl roll-ups. Just make sure to seal the tailgate if you want it watertight.
For reference, I fit five guys and all our camping gear in a Sierra with a 6.5 bed and a cap. With a 5.5 bed and tonneau, you’d probably have enough room for regular luggage.
@Sadie
Leer was the first brand I looked at! The pricing is hard to figure out on their site, though. Should I talk to an installer to get a proper quote and compare features? How did you pick yours?
Hal said: @Sadie
Leer was the first brand I looked at! The pricing is hard to figure out on their site, though. Should I talk to an installer to get a proper quote and compare features? How did you pick yours?
I got a quote through the Leer website, and the dealer reached out. Mine cost around $3,500 with options like a carpeted headliner, roof rack tracks, fob locking, and a removable front window. They’re all pretty similar; it just depends on how sleek you want it and what type of windows you need.
I’ve had an ARE cap for 8 years, and it’s been a nightmare. It leaks, the finish is peeling, and the dealer support is terrible. Hope you have better luck than me.
LyamGenesis said:
I’ve had an ARE cap for 8 years, and it’s been a nightmare. It leaks, the finish is peeling, and the dealer support is terrible. Hope you have better luck than me.
Thanks for the heads-up! I’ve seen a lot of complaints about ARE in my research.
LyamGenesis said:
I’ve had an ARE cap for 8 years, and it’s been a nightmare. It leaks, the finish is peeling, and the dealer support is terrible. Hope you have better luck than me.
I’ve had Leer caps on my last three trucks, and their quality has gone downhill. Mine leaks, the paint is flaking, the hinges are rusted, and I’ve had to replace the locks twice. If I were buying again, I’d look at a GFC or Alu-Cab camper top instead.
I have a Truxedo tonneau, and it’s been great. I’ve driven through storms, rain, and hail, and everything stayed dry. It does flap a little at highway speeds, which gives me anxiety, but it hasn’t caused any issues.
Hal said: @Brandy
Thanks! Did you go for a soft or hard folding option? I’ve been avoiding soft ones because I’m worried someone could cut through them.
I went with this one: Truxedo TruXport Soft Roll-Up Cover. It’s thick, and there are bars inside that make it harder to cut through. Someone could still break in, but it wouldn’t be easy. I also like how it rolls up completely, unlike folding covers that take up bed space.
I’ve used roll-up tonneaus on almost every truck I’ve owned. They’re affordable and work well if installed properly. You can still use the bed for bigger items when needed. Like you said, nothing is 100% secure, but hiding what’s in the bed is better than nothing.
Hal said: @Hazel
Thanks! Have you used soft roll-ups or retractable ones? If you don’t mind, which specific one do you have?
I’ve used the Access Original soft roll-up on several trucks. It’s easy to use and keeps the bed dry if you secure the velcro properly. I also had a Bakflip MX4 hard folding cover, which adds security but blocks the rear window when flipped up. It depends on what matters most to you.