Factory Installed Bed Cap

[Mav Driver]

I'm the owner of a '23 base model Ford Maverick (no upgrades except a dumb "dis-similar spare tire"). I'm also the recent recipient of a factory-installed bed cap that that my son found advertised on Craigslist as "free" (also a tale for another time).

So the cap itself was an easy fit, the appropriate hardware/clamps and padded tape also bought online (I've had no water leaking into the truck bed). But after several months of use I've learned this cap's disadvantages. Even with its slightly heightened hatch way, the hatch/window/door itself swings open "in my face". And more often than not, I find myself needing an open bed (and racks?) for hauling long and/or tall stuff, not any additional, sheltered space.

Instead of ridding myself of the cap, I'll probably build a hoist in my garage from which to suspend the cap when not in use. Anybody with a similar experience?

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[Ozarkbeard]

I had a shell on my last two trucks (F-150s). I, too, found them to be in the way sometimes and a PITA to remove/replace to haul something tall-ish. For that reason, I decided to just keep my Maverick truck bed open and not install a shell. The only thing I added to the bed was a rubber bed mat for the floor.

 

[prsncat]

I have a hoist in my garage that I can use to remove the shell on my Maverick if I want to. I decided, however, to bolt it down since I didn't want to worry about clamps loosening up while carrying items on the racks.

Would installing commercial racks on the shell help alleviate the issue of hauling longer items? It won't solve hauling taller items issues.

I have an A.R.E. V-series (cab high) shell on my Maverick, and the open fully position was at eye-level. Someone else on the MTC forum figured out the right clamp and door shock to replace the factory ones. This allows the rear door to open up. All you would need to do is to figure out the right shock to use for your application - you should be able to use the same bracket.

Let us know what you decide. And, if you decide to part with the cap, let me know since we plan on getting one for her Maverick.

 

[Maverickman74]

I love my ARE MX topper. Long stuff goes on the roof and tall stuff goes on my trailer or hitch carrier. Gotta plan ahead with it. but it is what it is. Living off grid, out of town. The amount of stuff I haul that I want to keep dry, if it werent for my topper I would need a Expedition or something.

Just posted this in another thread. With a plan, there is usually a way.

 

[jfg6869]

I love my ARE MX topper. Long stuff goes on the roof and tall stuff goes on my trailer or hitch carrier. Gotta plan ahead with it. but it is what it is. Living off grid, out of town. The amount of stuff I haul that I want to keep dry, if it werent for my topper I would need a Expedition or something.

Just posted this in another thread. With a plan, there is usually a way.

I love people that buy trucks, put toppers on them to limit what they can haul, then tow a trailer around.

 

[Maverickman74]

I love people that buy trucks, put toppers on them to limit what they can haul, then tow a trailer around.

Did you have another vehicle in mind that can haul 9-220 gallon yard waste bags full of recycling and 1500lbs worth of 20ft lumber, can get mid 20s mpg, has 4wd, rear locker, offroad tuned suspension, and costs $29,620(plus a $4000 topper), and has a wash out cargo area?

That statement goes against an entire industry with over a dozen companies, and goes back literally a 100 years, employing thousands and thousands of american workers.

Also I had the trailer first.

Sure a load like this would have fit in a full size truck with an 8ft bed but it would have been alot harder to load and unload. And I would have needed 240 month financing to keep the payments down to $500 a month.

 

[Mav Driver]

I had a shell on my last two trucks (F-150s). I, too, found them to be in the way sometimes and a PITA to remove/replace to haul something tall-ish. For that reason, I decided to just keep my Maverick truck bed open and not install a shell. The only thing I added to the bed was a rubber bed mat for the floor.

Thank you. There's a lot of appeal and attraction in the alternative (a bed mat) that you describe. It's certainly an idea that I haven't given up on, just yet.

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