Alibaba topper

[Edge Haley]

I've ordered hundreds of items from Alibaba. Small ticket items off the shelf take 20-22 days to receive. Manufactured items take xx days to make and usually take 20-24 days when received at the shipping port, but a lot of that is how far you are from the arrival port, final leg is often UPS. I ordered an elaborate BMW motorcycle rack that was $600+ from a major brand manufacturer XYZ but found it on Alibaba for $125...when I received it the instruction and box label and installation manual had XYZ as the OEM manufacturer....but it was actually made in South Korea.

I've had excellent luck with Alibaba except the long shipping time is frustrating. I find items all the time on Amazon that are manufactured by the same factories Alibaba uses, but usually double the price including shipping. I try to buy US made but when I find China makes the item I see at Walmart...why waste hard earned money when it often 1/2 the price. Just ordered a motorcycle helmet that was $130 locally, but $31 on Alibaba, including shipping...one risk is there are realistically no returns.

Edit:3/02/24 AliExpress products are sold by the manufacturer but also Dealers sale their products. I always try to buy directly from the manufacturer...usually lower price and much more knowledgeable about their product.
Edit: 3/15/25 - Order a motorcycle helmet that arrived broken. Received a full credit within 30 minutes. Admittedly, it's a little risky to order a $1,400 item but to save a grand+ I'd gamble.

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[Glen Baker LLC]

Utilitarian, simple, easy to assemble.
Thanks and congratulations.

That topper looks better built than the Maverick.

 

[Edge Haley]

Here is the pics I promised. From the box it was shipped in to putting it together and finally on the truck. I like it so far but will drive it for a week or so and give a better evaluation. If anyone has any questions or input feel free to respond.

Looks like aluminum panels and steel frame...way better than fiberglass.
Look forward to a review and difficulty of installation.

 

[Buckshot62]

That topper looks better built than the Maverick.

Hoping the topper doesn't have as many recalls as the Maverick!

 

[BoboysTruck]

Here is the pics I promised. From the box it was shipped in to putting it together and finally on the truck. I like it so far but will drive it for a week or so and give a better evaluation. If anyone has any questions or input feel free to respond.

Looks like a real f'ing topper to me. Looks well built and could hold some weight on top. Very nice.

 

[Glen Baker LLC]

Hoping the topper doesn't have as many recalls as the Maverick!

I forgot to ask.
Is it Steel or Aluminum?

 

[Buckshot62]

Said it was aluminum. I will put a magnet to it on my next days off.

 

[Prickly Pear]

That's a nice looking topper - brings back some memories. One of my early jobs was building canopies - the old aluminum skin over wood frame type.

Do you have a weight or at least a shipping weight you could share with us?

 

[Iakona]

Here is the pics I promised. From the box it was shipped in to putting it together and finally on the truck. I like it so far but will drive it for a week or so and give a better evaluation. If anyone has any questions or input feel free to respond.

Man, I am super excited to order.mine now. I can't wait to get a more in depth review. Thank you so much for all the information you have provided.

 

[Buckshot62]

Shipping weight with all cardboard was 155 lbs. I believe. I will look at the label again when I get days off.

 

[Iakona]

Shipping weight with all cardboard was 155 lbs. I believe. I will look at the label again when I get days off.

Last question before I order mine, who did you order from? Have a model number or anything to determine exactly what you ordered? Thanks.

 

[HyphyStryke]

All my homies hate @tom_tucker

 

[tom_tucker]

All my homies hate @tom_tucker

West coast vibe. It's gonna let in rain water in the front between the topper and the cab. I went through a lot of effort to seal my cap in a wet climate. If you can seal the Alibaba and keep it out of the landfill, then I'll be mistaken. Better in drier climates perhaps. I think long term and I if I take care of it, my topper will last the life of the truck and go on a 2nd truck. Perhaps this one will as well. In terms of looks, it's just not there over the long haul for me, I'd get sick of it.

If I owned it, I'd still be very stoked to have a sturdy cap, but if you don't at least pump the breaks before you buy.

 

[HyphyStryke]

West coast vibe. It's gonna let in rain water in the front between the topper and the cab. I went through a lot of effort to seal my cap in a wet climate. If you can seal the Alibaba and keep it out of the landfill, then I'll be mistaken. Better in drier climates perhaps. I think long term and I if I take care of it, my topper will last the life of the truck and go on a 2nd truck. Perhaps this one will as well. In terms of looks, it's just not there over the long haul for me, I'd get sick of it.

If I owned it, I'd still be very stoked to have a sturdy cap, but if you don't at least pump the breaks before you buy.

I'm just messing with you Tommy boy! Thanks for being a good sport.

 

[McSwine]

Hopefully that cap won’t brake.

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