After enjoying our 2012 for the past few weeks, my wife and I are yearning for some more secure storage. We're not sure if we want to get a canopy or a tonneau. I'm leaning towards a canopy because we have two medium/large dogs that I would love to throw in the back. However, my wife is worried that it will be difficult to take off the canopy when she needs to get a load of dirt/gravel/whatever.

Are there any nice canopies out there that are built specifically to be taken off easily?

 

I don't have one but check out....
Www.softopper.com

I believe mrpositraction on this forum wrote about having one.
You can get a screen window for the back (summer air flow) in addition to the standard window.

I think Bestop makes one as well with side windows but I like the no window approach for dogs and thought It may last longer.

 

Thanks Mandryk but that thing is fugly!

 

Last truck had a snug top with yakima racks mounted on rain gutter clips. Canopy removal was easy...unfasten four clamps, attach slings from racks to overhead chain fall, lift a few inches & drive away.
This canopy was taken off and put on a number of times over a ten year period and never leaked water or dust.

Nicer than rain gutter clips think I'd install Yakima tracks on top of a canopy nowadays.

When choosing a canopy check out the rear door hardware security. Some is a lot better than others.

 

I used to have a shell on an older F150 and built a lift system to remove it in my garage. It was easy to put on and off by myself. The shells are light enough for 2 people to remove by hand.
If you want a pre-built lift system, check out the Harken Hoister model 7806. A quick search found these at www.garagestrategies.com for under $200 and the kit has everything you need to set up a single line lift system. Harken products are always top of the line, I have several of their products on my sailboats.

Now, with all that said, I have a tonneau o n my truck and the 2 dogs ride in the back seat (SCrew) as my wife wouldw not dream of having her dogs ride without full climate control, lol.

 

actually saw this one on a truck... looks awesome http://www.bestop.com/truck-covers/supertopr-for-truck

 

For a fiberglass cap you are looking at about 2K give or take... If you're able to put the dogs in the back of the screw and get a tonneau you'll have and extra $1K+ in your pocket, and the tonneau will be easier to remove...

That said - I'm getting ready to order an ARE-Z fiberglass cap for my truck in the next few weeks as soon as the holiday bills are paid.