VeloMello

Hey Everyone,

I'm leaning on getting a nice A.R.E fiberglass truck cap for a new F150 but am curious and concerned about security.

What options does one have or how have you handled the security of your items in the box such as tools, generators, cargo or for example an expensive racing bicycle and gear?

I realize a determined thief could get into just about anything with the right tools and time but is there a way to beef up security in truck caps or am I just rolling the dice hoping my valuable don't get stolen.

Previously I had thought about waiting for the new Ford Transit Van equipped with the diesel and definitely equipped with the optional AWD as offered in Europe but that won't be available in North America. I Figured the van would be more secure but I need 4wd and am not real excited about a Chevy Express AWD. I'd rather have a F150 then.

What options do I have with Fiberglass Truck caps rather than getting a commercial cap?

mike d

I was originally thinking of getting a Leer, but looked at all of the brands I could find around here (Leer, ARE, SnugTop) in person and decided on a SnugTop. It cost a little more, but I'm very happy with it.
I haul my race bike in it on all of my trips (Scott Addict R1, DA9000, Carbon Wheels, 13.75 lbs). I have the key fob lock option and even though the top is probably not as secure as the cab, It seems secure enough to me.
I bet you could get a car alarm installer to hook up something for the bed/top, but in the end, if someone wants to rip you off, they will.
BTW, I wanted to get a Transit Connect too, but no 4W was a deal breaker living here in SLC.

VeloMello

Hey Mike d,

Thank you for the reply! Nice bike and set up you have! I'll bet the riding and racing are awesome out there! When is SLC going to get a velodrome? lol Yeah I thought about getting at least an alarm set up too. One option I thought about was just getting the cap without windows and instead plastic panels which the manufacture seems to offer but then it reduces visibility and ventilation if you need it. Otherwise with truck cap windows I suppose I could tint them a little darker and do what I normally do cover my cargo with an old military blanket or something to help resist temptation from a thief and make sure everything is insured well.

There is no way I can spend the money for a Sportsmobile plus if your driving to races, trips or to camp the mileage would kill me.

Anyone else with experiences on what you have done to make sure your valuables are secure having a truck cap?

seaeagle2

All I can tell you is I've had a canopy on every truck I've owned in the last 25 years, and have never had anything taken from them. I think you need to use some common sense, get smaller windows for the canopy and have the the tinted color, out of sight, out of mind.. For my F150 I got a snugtop cause I liked the single handle. I also didn't get the slider window, to me the weakest link of truck security is the $2.00 latch used to secure a truck rear sliding window.....

mike d

[MENTION=113704]velo[/MENTION]Melo:
I keep hearing rumors about a velodrome, but have yet to see it materialize. I take it your a tracky?
The SnugTop I have (XTR) has very dark tinted glass on the side, and there is a support column between the smaller opening window and the larger fixed window. It would be a real hassle to get anything very big out through those. My bed has a tailgate lock too, (which I rarely lock), but seems to add to the security. Here's a picture of the inside.

VeloMello

Hey SeaEagle,

Good point about ordering the non slider for security but is there a way to get some ventilation in there for items I have? I wonder if it would get hot back there and fumes from gas and a generator. I've seen where some truck caps have some type of ventilation system where it pressurizes the cap to help keep out dust and water.

Out of site out of mind is key!

VeloMello

Hey Mike d,

I love track racing but enjoy road racing too since they compliment each other in what you gain from doing both. Actually I enjoy off road too but that would be more endurance cross country oriented. Most of my time and resources are dedicated to the top two mentioned. Yikes! So little time and money! lol

I like the bed rug and what you have on your cap with the fork mounts. Do you need to lower your seat tube for your bikes to fit in your cap since your cap looks level with your truck cab? I ride a 56 cm.

mike d

I'm riding a 54 but there is a lot of space, and since one of my bikes has an integrated seat post, I made sure it would fit with room to spare before I bought the cap. From floor to ceiling in the cap is 106cm. My bike, with the front wheel off, in the mount is about 94cm. It will depend on your seat height, but you have 12cm to play with, and my seat is fairly high, so you should have no problem (but measure with the the front wheel off to be sure).
I hear ya about the too little time and money. I do mainly endurance riding, and so it's a real time sink (an 8 to 10 hour ride on Sat. or Sun, a 3 to 4 hour ride the other weekend day, and at least an hour ride on the week days).
I sure love my truck for hauling the bike(s) around though (my wife rides too)!

Cdestuck

On my past several caps, Leer and Century, I went to Radio Shack and for about 20 bucks in parts, I built a alarm system for mine.

GOGMEN!

Mike D,
I'm looking into getting the XTR, too. I'm getting quotes in the $2700 range. Does this sound about right to you, or am I getting ripped off?