from their website:

The Flated Air-Toppers boast an impressive lightweight design, making them effortlessly manageable for a single person. The use of advanced materials and engineering techniques ensures that users can easily handle the inflatable structure with minimal effort. Whether inflating, transporting, setting up, deflating, or storing, the Flated Air-Toppers streamline the process, allowing individuals to enjoy the benefits of a premium product without the burden of cumbersome weight.

FLATED® Inflatable Automobile Accessories

FLATED® innovative inflatable automobile accessories, featuring the patented Air-Carrier® inflatable rooftop cargo carrier, the patented Air-Topper® inflatable truck caps, shells and campers, and the patent pending Air-Deck® inflatable raised deck. Designed and built for all types of cars...

getflated.com

 

from their website:

FLATED® Inflatable Automobile Accessories

FLATED® innovative inflatable automobile accessories, featuring the patented Air-Carrier® inflatable rooftop cargo carrier, the patented Air-Topper® inflatable truck caps, shells and campers, and the patent pending Air-Deck® inflatable raised deck. Designed and built for all types of cars...

getflated.com

have one on my Ridgeline. It's okay. You need to buy additional kit to seal edges. It will leak along a couple of edges and allow rain in between bed and flated. Easy to put on, but as I write you'll need additional kit to seal edges. I was pretty much on my own after I bought it. Company could have been more helpful. It can be a pain zipping and unzipping back panel. Those are the cons.
Pros are doesn't vibrate even at 80 mph. It's easy to install. Just don't overthink it. I put like little circlet hooks to tie to. Hasn't moved. Hasn't deflated. Had it on all winter and even ran through car wash few times and no issues.

 

Have seen that and watched several vids...any personal experience?

 

Great choice to visit Glacier National Park — I used to live in Montana and it’s absolutely gorgeous up there. However, check weather and road conditions before you attempt to transverse The Going To The Sun Road — one of the most beautiful drives in the world! I’ve been there over 4th of July and found the road was still closed due to snow! Watch-out for bears too — leave no food or garbage out — the news stories can be horrific about those who have been attacked. I’m not saying don’t go — I’m just saying that you need a heathy respect for bears in and around the park. You don’t ever want to find yourself between a mother and her cubs!

 

Been to Galcier a few times. Have fun, definitely hope the Road to the sun is open. It's well worth the drive up. Pack a lunch and have a picnic at the summit.

 

Agree! We got married in Glacier...shorts and hiking boots and nobody but the two of us...the perfect wedding.
My first trip was in '99-00 for a two week backpacking trip with a buddy, and yes...respect for the environment and the critters within goes a long way toward keeping you alive in the backcountry. It was amazing, and that's why I wanted to get married there. That time GTS was open but lot's of snow. We're going for our 20th anniv., and since I teach...we have the summer to do it hence driving out (like the last time).

 

I had never seen these “Flated” toppers. Interesting option.

As fars as things you might not have considered… When ensuring compatibility/functionality, I always start with the Ridgeline’s unique tailgate and trunk access. Watching their video of the low profile version on the Tacoma, I don’t see any big red flags for the tailgate, but I would want to make sure the trunk can fully open.

If you end up getting one of these, please report back with an after-trip update on how well this works with a Ridgeline.

 

Yes...I absolutely will share whatever happens. I'm with you...I don't see anything in the design that would interfere with the trunk.

 

We are taking a cross-country camping trip this summer for about a month (GA-Glacier/Waterton), and I am trying to add cargo space. The options I'm currently considering are rails/bars/basket or carrier, hard topper, and this very interesting Flated topper product.
I've been researching these, and have been in contact with the company. So far it's a very attractive option, and the folks have been very responsive. The upsides are considerable, with the main points being cost, ease of install with one person, and the ability to take it off and store it compact-deflated (so your truck is still a truck). It also seems to be very sturdy allowing for kayak transport on top, and it also appears weatherproof (from reviews). The downsides are that as it's a relatively new product, the long-term durability is unknown. Obviously it's not as secure as a hard topper, but if someone wants in....
There's a low-profile model and one with more of a "camper top" profile...haven't decided which is for me yet (if I end up going this route).
I'm interested to know if anyone here has experience with these...good or bad. Also would value input as to whether there's something I am overlooking or might be viewing from the "wrong angle" in your opinion.
The responses I have gotten from my emails to Flated have been answered within an hour or so in most cases, and they seem to be focused on quality. I have reached out to companies of various types recently whose philosophy seems to be, "If you don't like our stuff, go buy something else." When I come across a company that cares...it's refreshing.
Ok...whatchoothink?

Never touched one, so all I can do is speculate. I did repeatedly haul a large Zodiak inflatable 100 miles in the back of a Suburban that worked fine after 100+ trips to the ocean, beach inflation/deflation and dozens of dive student dives off it for each of those 100+ trips. The Zodiac held up fine; my point being that the better products using the technology described can work very reliably; low end products I do not touch.

IMO it gets to your use case. If you want short term storage like for an annual camping trip it looks ideal, if you are willing to do the work of deflating and then storing it covered somewhere (basement, shed or garage) until next time (SCUBA tanks work great for inflating). If you have room for outdoor storage inflated a hard shell that would store similarly probably makes more sense.

My concern is security.

• - Not for bears, because in bear country any shell had better be left empty and/or open, and never with a cooler inside. A bear (easily) peeled open the back of my friend's L.E.E.R. topper to get at an open, empty, clean cooler inside. Bears like people have learned to associate coolers with lunch, yumm.
• - For people thieves I worry that they may look at the fabric and say "cool, the utility knife I stole out of the last pickup truck parked here will get me right into that w/o breaking glass." But as long as your plan is not to use it for secure city storage personally I would not worry about it. Either treat the city (and remote trailheads, which are highest risk) the same as bear country (i.e. open), or be well insured.

Good luck and report back!

 

Appreciate that take. We always put our "bear food" in the cab, so that should not be an issue, and yup...totally aware of the security issues surrounding things.

 

I wonder if there are other RL owners near you that you could rent out the topper when you aren't using it to help defray the cost. Something I could see myself renting/borrowing a few times a year.

 

From my crazy whitewater floating days in the Rockies using inflatable boats, I learned what sunshine on a hot summer day does to air pressure, with the reverse from a cold mountain night, and how pressure affects inflated structures.

 

From what I am seeing from the people who have reviewed them...that's a pretty easy to handle phenomenon. There's always a compromise with physics...I'm okay with that aspect, but I do appreciate you pointing it out.

 

Update...I ordered the camper-style topper and it should arrive Thursday. I will let you know first impressions. So far, they've been a very responsive group.

 

What size did you get? From what I can find on their website, the mid-size are for a 5' bed, which is too short for the Ridgeline.

 

I was directed by Flated to get the 5' which is listed as the one that fits the Ridgeline. I was told it may actually overhang by a couple of inches. I'll find out when I get it.

 

Arrived yesterday and hope to install this weekend...if weather allows. Weight with the bag, pump, and packing materials is about 35-40lbs. Took about two weeks to arrive and it's well packed.

 

Very cool. Thanks for keeping us apprised. The first time putting it together will no doubt be time consuming, but try not to get too frustrated. We look forward to as-installed pics.

 

From the videos that I have viewed (from Flated and other owners), it really doesn't look like it takes very long at all. Check them out...it's part of what I found appealing.

 

This thing us pretty awesome...gotta say. I have a few things to try out but first impressions are overwhelmingly positive. It overhangs the tail by about 2", but that may actually help with water. It took me about 10 minutes to pump by hand and another ten to strap it down. I can cut that time in half .

They are very responsive to questions and seem to really care that I'm satisfied.

 

Is it sealed in all corners and sides from water? Because mine leaks everywhere when it rains

 

Looks good!

 

Something I realize now is that I could lend/rent this to anyone with the same size truck bed. It is that easy to install and remove. There are two small openings at the front where the topper meets the bed. I am going to cut a triangular gasket from a silicone rubber sheet, and lay a semicircular ridge with silicone caulk to follow the contour of the topper. I can just lay it on there when using the topper and store it when it's off. Otherwise...it's pretty tightly sealed. I'll take a picture when I do that and let you know if it works. Can also use regular bulb insulation, but I think this will be easier, more effective, and more durable. At least I hope so.

 

How does it feel when you touch it? Solid or it has some give? Would you feel safe leaving stuff in the bed overnight with it?

 

It's pretty solid ay 6 psi. You can feel it give if you push hard, but I can jump on top and it's sturdy. I have no qualms about leaving it but I rigged some d-rings and a cable with a Master lock for security. If someone wants in a vehicle...they're getting in, but this will prevent spontaneous snatch and grabbers.

 

Thanks for the posts. I have a 2023 Honda Ridgeline and I am seriously considering buying a Flated topper. My biggest concern is security when I'm parked overnight at a campsite or hotel. The Flated website states that they don't provide a lock and that users should store valuables in their vehicle. How did you rig up the d-rings and cable to be able to lock the topper? With pictures of seen of the topper on their website and other places (yours included), I just can't see how the back flap can be securely locked. Thanks!

 

Fits pretty good, but ran into the same issue with flated edges by cab, so going to try fix you suggest. I have a 2023 Ridgeline, so any suggestions are helpful.

 

Hey OP… any updates for us on this? I am considering one of these Flated toppers and I’d love to hear your experience.

 

I have one on my Ridgeline. It's okay. You need to buy additional kit to seal edges. It will leak along a couple of edges and allow rain in between bed and flated. Easy to put on, but as I write you'll need additional kit to seal edges. I was pretty much on my own after I bought it. Company could have been more helpful. It can be a pain zipping and unzipping back panel. Those are the cons.
Pros are doesn't vibrate even at 80 mph. It's easy to install. Just don't overthink it. I put like little circlet hooks to tie to. Hasn't moved. Hasn't deflated. Had it on all winter and even ran through car wash few times and no issues.

 

How did you seal it from water leaks? Can you show in pictures. I'm having same water leaking issues and am thinking of returning it. Also is your solution prevented water from leaking in the bed completely?