Tonneau cover or Topper

[BIGGUY]

Personnel preferance Retrax Accessablity ease of operation,security and quality of workmanship

[CWhasp]

I dont haul much stuff in the bed (mostly my band equipment) and we currently have the split tunnel cover.
I really luv the cover, even though its not very "secure".

Im considering a topper. I can get one from a shop about 30miles away for about $1500. (Pricey!)

No doubt it looks great with one installed !!

This fall we purchased a Trailer camper (r-Pod 177) and intend on doing alot of camping starting next spring.
I was wondering if it was possible to keep the tunnel cover in place, only folded back, then put a topper on it. This would create a shelf-like situation near the cab. Of course keeping what ever is placed on the tunnel would require something to keep it there. (netting, or other method).

I know that getting to the shelf area would be ackward (below, or above) but having alot of storage space would be great for camping.

Has anyone tried this ?? or is it even possible?? Would the topper make the bed "secure" ??

[KSPhoto]

I've owned both. First I installed a Leer topper and now I have a Backflip HD. I liked the look of the topper and the functionality was pretty good for my needs...with just the occasional, "I wish it wasn't on there so I could haul something larger" issues.

The main reason I sold the Leer was because my teenage son was just about to get his driver's license and I really felt that the decreased visibility out the back and sides with the topper on was asking for trouble. My previous truck, which I had for 12 years also had a Leer topper, so I have plenty of experience dealing with the large blind spots and for me it wasn't a problem. But it is an issue with a lot of drivers and with a brand new driver, I just didn't think it was a good idea.

What it made it easy for me to make the change was the fact that I could sell the topper and buy a Backflip HD and a tailgate lock for no extra money and did not lose much functionality. I carry photography equipment in my truck a lot and the extra space below the topper was really handy sometimes. Now, I use the space in the back seat (with the back seats up) for bulkier items like soft boxes and everything else fits fine under the Backflip. And I do like the fact that I can easily remove the Backflip to carry large items when necessary, which I've done a couple of times in the eight or nine months since installing it. I researched the tonneau covers quite a bit before buying the Backflip HD. I'm very happy with it, but I will say that there are lots of good options in that category. Just depends on your needs and tastes.

-Kirk

[nhridge1]

Here's a link to an earlier post, but I love my BakFlip HD.

http://www.ridgelineownersclub.com/f...527#post449527

Just my own preference, but I personally don't like the looks of the topper on an RL, sort of odd looking.