Tonneau cover or topper?

[LANdrew4]

I agree with the comment that it all has to do with what you plan to use truck for.

I bought my truck to be as flexible as possible. I never know when I show up at my grandkids' homes what use they are going to put me and my truck to (or for that matter, what plans my wife has for me on the weekends). It could be going to a nursery to pick up dozens of delicate plants. It could be going to Costco to pick up a new flatscreen TV (which should be transported vertically). It could be loading all the bicycles in for a short drive to the bike trails. It could be picking up a load of mulch.

I couldn't be more pleased with my truck in this respect. I have a crew cab (so plenty of room in back of cab for things that need a bit more protection) and the cab has internal tie downs, flexible partitions to keep things from sliding and all kinds of other subtle but useful features. In the back I have RamBoxes which are great for all kind of things from tools, to my computer bag, to small plants, tarps, tie downs, or even filling them with ice for a cooler. They keep things out of site and locked (against the curious - ANY lock can be broken). In the bed I have the bed divider/bed extender (even though in 2020 FCA was forced to no longer call it a bed extender as lights could be obscured from some angles, I bought the extra pieces on eBay and it works great). As a divider, it is great at keeping things from sliding around and I also bolted fork clamps to it so it serves as a bicycle rack. As an extender it is great for carrying longer items. I prefer to keep the bed covered for fuel efficiency, to protect plants, yard tools, luggage, or anything small enough to fit under a cover from wind and rain, and to protect the curious/covetous from themselves; however, I did not want a cover that was hard to remove or provide an issue of what to do with it when you did remove it if you needed to put in something that would not fit under the cover (or to ease loading). I ended up with the TruXedo Pro X15 soft cover (roll-up). It installs almost flat and looks great. It has kept the bed dry even through car washes and is very easy to roll up out of the way (or to remove). The latch to open it requires the tailgate to be opened so it does provide some security, but as with a soft top convertible, a quick slash of a box cutter would defeat it so its main security is keeping tempting things out of site.

So far, the combination has handled everything that has been thrown at it, so very pleased.

 

[Yarek]

I load dirt, mulch, rocks, construction debris etc all under the camper shell. I just spread a tarp in there to make the clean-up easier. I like the camper shell for carrying stuff like drywall, when it's rainy. Sure: it is a bit of a pain when you need to unload stuff and cannot stand up straight, but that's called compromise.

 

[Fatbob Frank]

I really like the tri-fold!
I forgot how nice it is to be able to see out my back window...

 

[mikeru]

I load dirt, mulch, rocks, construction debris etc all under the camper shell. I just spread a tarp in there to make the clean-up easier. I like the camper shell for carrying stuff like drywall, when it's rainy. Sure: it is a bit of a pain when you need to unload stuff and cannot stand up straight, but that's called compromise.

Haha...I never said I couldn't do it. Just that I'm not willing to load/unload those things with a topper. It's called getting old

 

[DerricksRam]

On my third Ram, put an Undercover tonneau on each. Yup, gotta take it off to haul big stuff but that’s something I rarely do. It only weighs in at 70lbs and is easy to release. I get the ABS black ones. Can’t scratch them up if you try and can put >500lbs on top of it. Kids used to take my 03 to the drive in, yes we still have one, and sit in lawn chairs up on it. Watched a few Little League games that way myself too. Used to be able to handle taking them off and putting them back on myself but Father Time barks at me these days when I try, so my wife helps now.

You’ll have to evaluate how you’re going to use your truck to decide which is best for you. There are a plethora of options in bed covers.

I just had to buy a new truck after someone hit me head on and totaled mine. The painted ones are $2000+. Does anyone know what year they changed anything with the bed? There is a 2020 pretty much brand new but will it fit my 2023 same bed size.

 

[mikeru]

I just had to buy a new truck after someone hit me head on and totaled mine. The painted ones are $2000+. Does anyone know what year they changed anything with the bed? There is a 2020 pretty much brand new but will it fit my 2023 same bed size.

If the 2020 and 2023 are both 5th gen 1500's (DT) then yes, bed dimensions are the same and it will transfer right over. Assuming both have the same length beds. Conversely, if the 2020 and 2023 are both 1500 Classics (DS) it will also transfer over. Again, assuming the same bed lengths.

 

[KeithP]

I just had to buy a new truck after someone hit me head on and totaled mine. The painted ones are $2000+. Does anyone know what year they changed anything with the bed? There is a 2020 pretty much brand new but will it fit my 2023 same bed size.

If you had/have the new body style (DT) then 2019 through 2024 and probably 25, but I can’t say that for sure, are the same. If you had/have the “Classic” (DS) body style then 2009 through 2024 are the same. Provided, you have the same bed length and don’t have any upgraded features like the Rambox or split tailgate on one and not the other.

 

[BlueHemi1500]

I prefer a trifold soft cover on my 2020 5.7 bed. Very easy to remove when needed (I can remove and carry it with no help, easier with the wife to square it up on reinstall.) It is very water resistant, some minimal leaks from the tailgate area. I did not buy/install any kind of tailgate seal for my truck. If it has to be watertight I use very large trash bags, and or plastic tubs. I have the flexibility to fold and store the cover in the bed or the backseat (requires help and some adjusting, not recommended.) My cover also requires the tailgate to be opened, my tailgate automatically locks with the door locks. Not a high-security device as noted, but it keeps the honest folks out, and if someone wants in as noted a sharp instrument, and they can see that most of the time, just air in the bed. But hopefully minimal damage to the truck. FYI, I have the Truxedo Trifecta 2.0 cover, I would buy it again if required, it fully meets MY needs, but your mileage may vary.

BlueHemi1500