When we had kayaks, we wound up with the yakima sport trailer. Just flopped the yaks on it and you can drag it around by hand (basically two thin motorcycle type wheels). It made launch and recovery super easy. Also kept my roof clear so I can get my quad 50s and rocket launcher installed when I finish getting all the parts.

 

We kicked the idea of a topper around for the 350 but decided against it. My 150 has one and it looks fine with the shorter bed but I am not a fan of the look on a long bed crew cab.

 

I just saw one of those RSI Smart Caps on a short bed F250 driving around Dallas this week. They look pretty cool, even with lack of color matching. That's not really a huge obstacle to me, though.

I've had two ARE shells and love them. First I had an ARE Z Series and sold it to a friend. Now I've got a V Series fleet side with no side windows and actually love it even more.

 

 

I have always felt a CCSB Super duty with a sleek topper has an 'Excursion look' to it. My all time favorite Ford vehicle is the Excursion; wish they would make a modern version.

 

What brand/model is that? I plan to put one on a truck at work to secure random crap inside (guy wont drive a van lol).

 

check you state dmv rules. Ny has a side window requirement for covers and with out it....your a commercial plate registerant.....commercial plate vehicles can’t park in residential areas for more than 4 hours, can’t use patkways, etc.

 

Must be nice to have a choice!! Had no options but to drive an old chevy work van summer & winter for years until it fell apart. Boss replaced it with another old ford van. Got so tired of driving old work vans that I bought the company. First purchase was a new 4x4 truck.

 

ARE VSeries. Panel sides with interior carpet, LED dome light, and sliding front glass.

 

Apparently.... But i was pleasantly surprised at the replacement cost of the window. Thought it would have been much more.

 

2017 f350
Leer 100xl with power lock

 

Thanks I’ll look into it. Have seen them around without windows locally but will check into it.

 

ARE Z….I like the fit and finish and hidden hinge system.



Mt Mitchell, NC

 

Our truck has many different duties: hauling truck camper, towing boat, towing AirStream, hauling kayaks, firewood, gravel...you get the idea.
Tried a hard topper many years ago, found it too limiting. They are not easy to take off.
Had a soft tonneau on our last couple of trucks-they worked well for us when we need to keep something dry, and easy to roll up out of the way. (Didn’t bother to get one for the new truck-yet).
I do use Thule rack that can fit 2 kayaks on the roof, and of course is easy to remove.
Hard topper is ok if you have some dedicated requirements, but they certainly limit what you can do with your truck IMO.
Flexibility/quick change over is key for us.

 

Gotta roll with what’s works best for you. I have never owned a soft topper and likely never will. They look cheap and are cheaper for many reasons and just don’t appeal to me on an 80k truck.