Truck canopy/topper vs tonneau cover

[Leafguy]

Hey,

Just looking to see if anyone uses a tonneau cover for there work truck and how they like it?

I've always had a canopy on the truck but will be getting a different truck this winter. Thinking about trying a tonneau cover to instead of the canopy.
Anyone had both and found some pros and cons?

Thanks

 

[27RMT0N]

My old boss used to have one of the 'contractors style' caps which I thought worked great because you can access things from the side of the truck that are in the far end of the bed, and doors at the rear make for a lot easier access the inside with the tailgate out of the way. Height in this over a low tonneau cover means you can make shelves for a lot more storage than the single layer on the bottom of the bed. I always prefer dry and out of sight storage.

These caps are pricier and harder to find though, so check auction sites for units the gov or contractors are passing on.

 

[Alec A.]

A contractor canopy with a nice bed-slide tray would be the best option I think. Definitely pricey though and that's one reason I am rocking a tonneau cover. I was quoted for an ARE contractor canopy, minimal options, with a ladder rack and bed slide, total price installed was ~ $9k.

I had canopies for years on my pickups, but have really been enjoying a basic roll-up tonneau on my current rig. Total bed access and the ability to stand up in the bed add a lot of versatility.

 

[colb]

I'm currently working with a tonneau cover on a class 1 2x4 Silverado pickup. Pickup trucks are status symbols - they are not built for work. By the time a slideout is installed in a bed with tonneau cover you've lost half your volume. My traffic cones are too tall, on their side. If you have to have a truck... ...still sell it and get a work vehicle. If you really have to have a pickup truck, grab a drink with me so we can talk about how deficient they are and how good we look on approach to the job site. If we do manage to still get work done, it's a bonus and we're obviously supremely talented...

 

[Rusticus]

We just recently moved one crew from a chip truck to a 1 ton with the toolbox/bedslide setup. It's the best for us. We mostly do fine pruning and work with a dump trailer or chip on site. I think a tonneau cover would be a little limiting, especially with a slide system. I am not on the production side 100%, but I have a toolbox with a roll-n-lock cover that I would get again...lockable and covered when I want it, but still have the gooseneck access.

 

[southsoundtree]

Contractor canopy for me for the last 10 years+.

Barn doors are way, way better than a tailgate with canopy lid, especially in a taller truck.

My front tool boxes are cut out, allowing a reach through for saws on top a built-in 4x4 shelf with bins below.
The rear 4x4 space has stacking bins and crates, with a side slot for long tools.

I have an shelf across the top of the canopy (taller than the cab by 4") that holds long, wide tools like rakes, and pole saws, KombiSystem, signs, etc.

 

[Chris Schultz]

This/these setup/s has been working quite well for me. I just picked up this low mileage f550 with boxes already on….. the box dimensions aren’t ideal, but got some appropriate sized boxes headed my way

 

[VenasNursery]

This/these setup/s has been working quite well for me. I just picked up this low mileage f550 with boxes already on….. the box dimensions aren’t ideal, but got some appropriate sized boxes headed my way View attachment 90995

Congrats