Canopy mods!!!

[quadrafire]

Anyone running a canopy on their truck and have some mods they would like to share!!!!!!
Some cool u tubes but know this site rocks 
Just picked up a 2014 F150 short bed and will be adding a canopy.
I've had a topper on my last 2 rigs but woul like some new ideas
Thanks 

[Bango skank]

Not exactly a canopy mod, but i put one on my yota, and ordered a 4" thick chunk of memory foam that i cut out to fit the bed.  Awesome just being able to crawl in the bed of your truck anywhere and sleep comfortably.  I got a huge heavy sleeping bag for it too.  I can wake up with an iced over truck in the winter and feel great.  Dont know why i waited so long to do that.

[quadrafire]

Sounds good. I spend many nights in the back of my truck and am looking for any ideas to make it better. Hadn't thought about memory foam. But that is awesome. 

[Bango skank]

Pretty cheap on ebay

[BULLBLASTER]

Fred Meyer has camper foam pads like 7x4 feet for $20-30. I have a couple

[quadrafire]

My previous rig had a bed rug which was awesome for the dog but could likely get by without it with some added padding like you all are mentioning.
So here is another topic toppers ...... LEER , ARE, SNUG etc. any comments???

[pd]

Here are some ideas and tips for you.

1. Make sure your canopy is water-tight.  A simple garden hose will work.  Stay inside and let your kids spray the canopy.  The rubber gaskets around the windows get old, the bolts get loose, etc.  Check the seals frequently (rain in the canopy sucks during hunting season.)

2. Bed Rug is your friend.  Troll CraigsList for used, which is often as good as new.  Better than memory foam.

3. Cut a 5/8" sheet of plywood, about 2 1/2 feet wide and the length of your sidewalls.  This doubles your carrying capacity (not really, but it seems that way).  Stain it, to prevent mold growth.  This shelf is a great place to put your dirty boots at night time.  If you have a short box, cut the shelf shallow.  I have a 6.5' bed, so mine works fine at 2.5' deep.  YMMV.

4. Keep a small (12" x 18") sheet of plywood on your shelf.  I use this as a cooking board/cutting board.  I use a Jet Boil or other small gas stove directly on this plywood sheet.  Others will hate this idea, but it works for me.

[jackelope]

I'd build an elevated platform for the bed. There are notches in the walls of,the bed that will fit 2x6's. Plywood on top of the 2x6 base. Lift it up a little so you have some storage space underneath your bed. Then put the memory foam on top of that.

[quadrafire]

Here are some ideas and tips for you.

1. Make sure your canopy is water-tight.  A simple garden hose will work.  Stay inside and let your kids spray the canopy.  The rubber gaskets around the windows get old, the bolts get loose, etc.  Check the seals frequently (rain in the canopy sucks during hunting season.)

2. Bed Rug is your friend.  Troll CraigsList for used, which is often as good as new.  Better than memory foam.

3. Cut a 5/8" sheet of plywood, about 2 1/2 feet wide and the length of your sidewalls.  This doubles your carrying capacity (not really, but it seems that way).  Stain it, to prevent mold growth.  This shelf is a great place to put your dirty boots at night time.  If you have a short box, cut the shelf shallow.  I have a 6.5' bed, so mine works fine at 2.5' deep.  YMMV.

4. Keep a small (12" x 18") sheet of plywood on your shelf.  I use this as a cooking board/cutting board.  I use a Jet Boil or other small gas stove directly on this plywood sheet.  Others will hate this idea, but it works for me.

Could you post some pics ?   Having trouble picturing it

[pd]

Could you post some pics ?   Having trouble picturing it

Sure.  Tomorrow.

[quadrafire]

Could you post some pics ?   Having trouble picturing it

Sure.  Tomorrow.

Lol. That will work  fine as I'm about to hit the rack

[Bango skank]

Here are some ideas and tips for you.


2. Bed Rug is your friend.  Troll CraigsList for used, which is often as good as new.  Better than memory foam.

I want to say i looked at the bed rug thing, but maybe im thinking of something else.  Isnt that a bit more permanent?  I like the memory foam cause if i kill something i can just yank it out, roll it up and stuff it behing my truck seats, then throw a blood dripping carcass in the bed of the truck and scrub the blood out when i get home, then put my memory foam back in.

[blackveltbowhunter]

Not sure of the model you are planning to with. I have a leer and it has worked well for me. I am running a tacoma with a short bed so space is somewhat a premium.  But a few things i find extremely useful,

A cargo rack. Makes hauling longer items possible , and antlers carry much better up top than trying to fit them around your gear under the canopy.

Sliding window front window. If your pickup has a slider, this is very convenient for storing things inside the truck and having access without having to get out of the canopy. Sidenote: mine is also removable and in 4 years i have never used it. Wouldnt spend the money again on that option.

Cargo net in ceiling.  Mine came with it as an option, but it looks like an easy upgrade. This thing sees a ton of use. Everything from storing loose items during travel to hanging clothes and lights while camped.

Tool grip its/mounts. Makes it nice for keeping snow shovel or axe handy and from sliding around in the bed. Generally i stow them along the bed rails.

[Bango skank]

Cargo net in ceiling.  Mine came with it as an option, but it looks like an easy upgrade. This thing sees a ton of use. Everything from storing loose items during travel to hanging clothes and lights while camped.

That sounds awesome, ill have to look into that!  Glad i looked at this thread, thanks.

[KFhunter]

Mine has full length windows running down a long each side that lift straight up.  I can mount shotgun racks or fishing pole holders right inside the windows or just leave them open so I can reach the whole length of the bed through them without crawling inside.