Hi all,
I just bought a used 2023 Lariat with a 3.5L Powerboost Hybrid engine and now I need a cover for the bed. I like the tonneaus: better looking, I can put my bike in the back, and my back will appreciate not loading heavy objects into the front of my bed. My wife likes the cap: more storage space, more secure, more waterproof.
We are buying our truck for one reason: pulling a trailer and going on long trips. Maybe this will sway opinions.
What do y'all think?

 

I have always had a topper and love the utility of them.

My current truck has a tonneau and the only thing it does better is look better.

Almost every time I haul stuff I wish I had the topper. At some point I will bite the bullet and get one.

 

Have had both. Strongly prefer a cap.

• Much more cargo space.
• Much easier to sleep under. Tonneau isn't impossible but gets tight with two people. With a cap you can set up cots or even build a deck.
• Generally more durable.
• Built in roof rack. Makes it super easy to add crossbars for hauling long objects.

 

 

I have a hard folding tonneau. Covered storage is great for all my camping, hunting, and even tailgating activates.. But I like the option of opening it up to load an ATV or anything that would be too tall for a cap. While loading such things may only happen 6 times a year, even once would be a huge PITA with a cap.

The hard folding is great as it is more secure than a soft tonneau.

And yea, it looks better than the old man cap.

 

For me I like a cap, don't care about the old man look cause I am old. I also have a trailer for things that don't fit so that makes the decision easier. I highly recommend a bed slid with the cap, your knees will love it!

 

I think both can look good, but in the OP's use of his truck, a cap, "topper", may be the best for him.
I used to always throw a nice cap on with 7 different trucks. The last two, they've always had a tonneau. Just don't need a cap on a pavement princess, grocery getter, mallcrawler, what ever.
Won't lie, I have thought of sticking a cap on this 2020, I think it would look good, but don't really need it.
And the prices have gone though the roof, insane.

 

If I wanted a topper, I would have gotten an expedition. Why buy a truck?

 

I have had soft and hard tonneau covers and caps. I like the looks better with a tonneau cover, but I need the extra room of a cap. I have a Jeraco fiberglass ordered for the '23.

 

Had both, did not like crawling into the front with the cap nor the driver vision to the rear. Just use a BakFlip hard bed cover now. KM