I'm working with older vehicles here, so no experience with anything from the last 10-15 years. I can't help but wonder how the drive line, especially the transmissions, are holding up with towing. How many miles did you put on your older truck and any major issues?
I'm working with older vehicles here, so no experience with anything from the last 10-15 years. I can't help but wonder how the drive line, especially the transmissions, are holding up with towing. How many miles did you put on your older truck and any major issues?
120k - a big chunk of that towing the Jeep. Never any driveline related issues. I did have to replace the fuel system once, thought. All in all - happy enough with the old Ford to get another.
Went from a '12 to a '21 - so I just switched the numbers around. This one is a Platinum with only 11k on it, and it's spotless. Jumped on it when I saw it.
While I really love my A.R.E. topper with one flip up side window I have considered trading it for one of the new high top ones with "walk in" back doors. The entire rear part where the door is also opens up like an SUV lift gate for easier access.
You can get dual slider windows that also lift. Not cheap at over $5,000 but offer good accessibility, as good as you can expect when working out of a pickup which is not as ideal as a van. The lifting rear eliminates having to lower and crawl over the tailgate while ducking under the rear window. BTW that's a nice looking truck!
I have a topper that i put on when i want to take my truck camping and I'll be changing locations often,especially when its rainy,wet,snowing or bears/cats are an issue.
I inflate a queen mattress and leave it and bedding in there. Lift it up and shove coolers and totes under it while driving.
Nice part is setting up camp is just starting a fire and pulling a couple things out of the back.
My dad used to have a topper on his F150 and had a toolbox similar to what you have in the front. I think he had to install the top and then install the tool box so that the tool box was sitting on top of the topper flange (which was sitting on and clamped to the bed flange). I always thought it was a pain to have to climb up in the truck to get something out of the toolbox but he never seemed to mind. It was an 8' bed and I slept in the back of that thing all the time using a cot.
Nice new truck! Can't wait to see it in person. You planning on doing any type of rig shakedown before you head to Moab? If so, let me know if I am available I will definitely join in on the fun!
When I bought my 2016 half ton (which I later traded for my current 3/4 ton), it had a Leer topper, bedrug, and slideout from the previous owner. I wanted the topper, but planned to remove the rest. After having it for a few months, I kept it all. The slideout was the best thing ever. I can't find any pictures, but I had a small toolbox (around 34"Lx18"Wx15"T) I kept secured to the slideout. When I needed the full bed space to haul plywood, I just moved the toolbox out, and put it on top of the wood.
They make several attachments for the slideouts as well. Plus, it's easy to fab up stuff for them on your own. I miss that truck a LOT. But I needed a 3/4 ton and a full crew cab. Still considering a topper and slideout for it, but i don't ever drive it so it's hard to justify the cost.
Just to close out this thread, I did decide to stay with my existing Truck Covers sliding cover and tool chest. Mainly because it fit the new truck, which I did not expect. So, I transferred it over, and it will do for now. I can always pick up a topper in the future. For now, I'm happy with the easy access to the tools - and I've always liked how it looks.