Pickup Truck Canopy Basics
If you are in the market for a truck canopy (aka canopy, bed cap, box cap or camper shell) you should know that there are several different types of build styles.
The key is finding the best option for you and your truck. In this article, we will take a look at some of the key features you should be looking for.
Features
A pickup truck canopy (also called a topper or bed cap) is an enclosed canopy that fits over your truck bed. These caps are specially fitted to sit cab-high, lower at mid-rise, or above as high-rise toppers. They keep tools and gear safe and secure, and provide space for customization options like side windows and shelving.
Another benefit of a topper is that it can be used as a semi-housing unit for campers, who may want to build a sleeping platform or comfortable mattress in the cap. It offers headroom, which means that campers can comfortably stretch out inside the cap and have room to walk around.
Moreover, many toppers have side windows that lock, which ensures the safety of your belongings while you’re driving or camping. Some toppers also have lighting features, including LED rope and LED dome lights that can be powered by your pickup’s electrical system.
Some of the most popular brands of truck canopies include LEER, ARE, and Century. These brands offer canopies that fit most pickup trucks on the road today, and they’re known for their quality and outstanding warranties. They also offer a range of features, such as tinted windows and insulated roofing.
Ventilation
Getting some airflow through the cab is key to keeping your truck bed cool on a hot summer’s day. If you’re lucky enough to own a cab-high canopy, it’s possible to install a small fan to help you out.
Besides boosting your comfort level, ventilating your bed is good for your health. The right system can help to reduce the concentration of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) emitted by things like paint, adhesives and fuel.
The best ventilation systems are surprisingly affordable. For pickup truck canopy instance, you can get a high-end air conditioner for around $500. The cheapest options can be found at your local home improvement store.
Aside from air conditioning, you can also use a simple window fan to keep the interior of your canopy cool without using up any of your electricity. This is a great option for camping with kids or guests, as they’ll be able to stay cool without being exposed to the fumes of the engine compartment.
To sum it all up, a pickup truck canopy with the right features can make your next camping trip one to remember. The key is to choose the right type of canopy and the appropriate accessories for your needs. With a little research, you can be sure to find the perfect match for your truck.
Locks
A pickup truck canopy is a great place to store and secure items that would otherwise be prone to theft or get wet when you’re in the rain. You can safely lock your dog in a kennel, carry a kayak, haul lumber or anything else you want to keep out of the elements.
To make the most out of your pickup truck canopy, it’s important to install the right locks. Fortunately, there are many options to choose from. For example, the Coshar T-Handle Door Latch Cam Lock is a stylish and reliable option that can be mounted on the passenger side of your truck. The handle rotates clockwise, so you can easily open and close the door.
Among the most effective locks you can install on your vehicle is the BOLT(r) Breakthrough One-Key Lock Technology system. The patented technology enables manufacturers to design locks that are permanently programmable to a single ignition key. This makes the BOLT(r) system a winner with commercial truck body and cap users, as it reduces downtime due to lost and broken keys while minimizing the frequency of theft. A number of manufacturers are now incorporating the one-key lock into their products to offer fleet managers and their contractors a winning combination. The most impressive part about this technology is that it’s simple to use and can save you time.
Windows
The windows on a pickup truck canopy can be a fantastic feature, providing light and ventilation to the interior of the cap. They can also help keep your cargo safe in case there is a break. These windows can be either solid sided or curved and come in various sizes.
The first thing to consider when choosing a pickup truck canopy is the window pickup truck canopy style and size. The curved windows offer better ventilation than the straight ones. They can also be screened in to block bugs and dirt from entering the truck bed.
Another great feature is the safety glass, which prevents injuries and damage to cargo in the event of a break. It also makes it easier to see inside the bed of your truck. This can be very helpful if you have young kids and need to ensure they are not getting into anything that they shouldn’t.
Finally, the windows on a pickup truck canopy should be able to handle rain and other weather conditions well. This is especially important if you plan on taking your camping trip in the middle of a storm.
In most cases, you will need to reseal the window frames as part of normal maintenance of your pickup truck canopy. This can be a tedious task, but it’s not as hard as it may seem. You can use butyl or putty tape under the flanges and a secondary top seal to keep water out. Alternatively, current Seitz windows have an integral triple-fin rubber perimeter seal gasket behind the flange that can be installed leak-free without tape.
Carpet
If you’re like most truck owners, you spend a lot of time on the road. That means your Ford pickup truck carpet may be starting to wear down. If this is the case, Auto Custom Carpets can provide you with a quality replacement truck carpet for your Ford.
The carpet inside a pickup truck canopy is designed to keep the interior dry and to provide insulation in the event that the truck bed becomes wet. Typically, the carpet is made from automotive style carpet and has plywood frames that are covered with padding to help keep the carpet dry. These carpets are usually a direct replacement for the original carpet that is installed in the bed of your truck.
Installation of a truck canopy carpet is fairly easy. Just fold the new carpet kit in half from front to rear and line up the molded contours to seat risers or other identifiable starting point on both driver and passenger sides. Once a proper fit has been achieved, roll the product forward making any cuts required for brackets, shifters and heater vents etc. Once the truck carpet is properly fitted, you can then work your way to the outer edges and final trimmings as desired.
The main thing to remember when installing a new truck canopy carpet is that you should only apply adhesive to the area where it will be held in place after a proper dry fit has been obtained. This will prevent the carpet from moving or pulling apart while in use and also help facilitate a bond between the rubber carpet base and the shell it will be covering. You should always be careful to check that the shell has no fiberglass dust on it before applying spray adhesive as this will ruin the bonding process and can lead to a number of issues with the product.