Hunting Washington Forum

Equipment & Gear => Power Equipment & RV => Topic started by: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 08:34:37 AM

Title: Canopy for truck
Post by: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 08:34:37 AM: I would like to look into getting a canopy for my truck. Because the truck's a 2011, I think I'll have a hard time finding a used one, so I've accepted the fact I will probably need to buy new.

Any suggestions for where to look in the Vancouver, WA area?

Any advice on what to look for, think about, etc?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: GrainfedMuley on August 18, 2012, 08:52:15 AM: Years ago I bought a "Raeven" canopy for my Silverado. I am very pleased with my purchase. I have only taken it off a couple of times to load my quad, but it stays the truck all the time. I think it also helps gas milage because you do not have a bunch of air swirling around in the bed of your truck. My :twocents:
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: MADMAX on August 18, 2012, 08:56:35 AM: http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pts/3207101389.html (http://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/pts/3207101389.html)

depends on the truck but theres a few on CL
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Miles on August 18, 2012, 09:11:33 AM: I bought a new leer 180 model. It's the one thats a little higher than the cab and gives you a slightly taller back window/door. No complaints here... They have coupons online from time to time. You just have to call around and find the best price (they will negotiate).

The leer website will give you a list of all the local dealers.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: rasbo on August 18, 2012, 09:18:23 AM: had a leer myself and loved it :tup:
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 09:32:06 AM: I've been keeping an eye out on CL. Being a 2011, not many used ones yet :)
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: bobcat on August 18, 2012, 09:35:08 AM: So an older one won't fit your truck? Did the body style just change in 2011?
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 09:36:58 AM: I "think" it changed in 2010, but have not confirmed yet.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: royalbull on August 18, 2012, 09:39:15 AM: if you plan on taking it on & off alot I would go with a cheap aluminum canopy I paid $450 for mine brand new in Tacoma
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Dhoey07 on August 18, 2012, 09:44:22 AM: Quote from: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 09:36:58 AM
I "think" it changed in 2010, but have not confirmed yet.

What kind of truck?
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: washingtonmuley on August 18, 2012, 10:18:00 AM: I have had 2 leer xl canopies and I love them.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 10:22:49 AM: Quote from: fckfords07 on August 18, 2012, 09:44:22 AM
Quote from: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 09:36:58 AM
I "think" it changed in 2010, but have not confirmed yet.

What kind of truck?
2011 F-150 Scab w/ 6.5' bed.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Kowsrule30 on August 18, 2012, 10:38:24 AM: Quote from: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 10:22:49 AM
Quote from: fckfords07 on August 18, 2012, 09:44:22 AM
Quote from: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 09:36:58 AM
I "think" it changed in 2010, but have not confirmed yet.

What kind of truck?
2011 F-150 Scab w/ 6.5' bed.

Same as my 02 I believe.... Look on CL and ask for dimensions if they don't provide them.... Sure there is one that will fit... Probably just have to paint it along with making sure it's sealed up....
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: bassquatch on August 18, 2012, 10:39:03 AM: Quote from: royalbull on August 18, 2012, 09:39:15 AM
if you plan on taking it on & off alot I would go with a cheap aluminum canopy I paid $450 for mine brand new in Tacoma

Great point :tup:

I have a Leer and have not been very impressed...

1) They are HEAVY! Minimum 2 man job to take it on and off. I could remove my old aluminum one by myself!
2) My old aluminum canopy had sliding side windows, this Leer has windows that use a knob and slider contraption and only open the lower rear corner of the glass... and not very far.
3) My Leer is 6 years old and almost every rubber weatherproof gasket needs to be replaced...including the ones in the side glass that are a royal pain to access.
4) The tail opening is small...definitely opt for the larger rear opening whatever you buy.
5) The lock on my Leer broke and the cables that open it have broken twice. I beefed them up with stronger cable and butt-ends and they have been fine.

I think Leer is the best looking canopy by far, but for functionality I give mine a C at best!

Good luck with whatever you buy! :tup:
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Miles on August 18, 2012, 10:42:12 AM: Quote from: bassquatch on August 18, 2012, 10:39:03 AM
Quote from: royalbull on August 18, 2012, 09:39:15 AM
if you plan on taking it on & off alot I would go with a cheap aluminum canopy I paid $450 for mine brand new in Tacoma

Great point :tup:

I have a Leer and have not been very impressed...

1) They are HEAVY! Minimum 2 man job to take it on and off. I could remove my old aluminum one by myself!
2) My old aluminum canopy had sliding side windows, this Leer has windows that use a knob and slider contraption and only open the lower rear corner of the glass... and not very far.
3) My Leer is 6 years old and almost every rubber weatherproof gasket needs to be replaced...including the ones in the side glass that are a royal pain to access.
4) The tail opening is small...definitely opt for the larger rear opening whatever you buy.
5) The lock on my Leer broke and the cables that open it have broken twice. I beefed them up with stronger cable and butt-ends and they have been fine.

I think Leer is the best looking canopy by far, but for functionality I give mine a C at best!

Good luck with whatever you buy! :tup:

What model do you have? My windows slide all the way open.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Miles on August 18, 2012, 10:42:51 AM: Heavy helps when on snow and ice... Look on the bright side of things. ;)
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: GrainfedMuley on August 18, 2012, 10:43:30 AM: Quote from: Kowsrule30 on August 18, 2012, 10:38:24 AM
Quote from: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 10:22:49 AM
Quote from: fckfords07 on August 18, 2012, 09:44:22 AM
Quote from: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 09:36:58 AM
I "think" it changed in 2010, but have not confirmed yet.

What kind of truck?
2011 F-150 Scab w/ 6.5' bed.

Same as my 02 I believe.... Look on CL and ask for dimensions if they don't provide them.... Sure there is one that will fit... Probably just have to paint it along with making sure it's sealed up....

I can paint a used canopy for you. I paint for Boeing and paint motorcycles on the side. I have painted a canopy already for a buddy years ago in Spokane. I have all the equipment needed. :tup:
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: bobcat on August 18, 2012, 10:45:48 AM: Mine is an A.R.E. Got it off craigslist for $350 and it was like new. The color doesn't match my truck, but I don't care. The truck is dark blue and the canopy is black. I've had it for about 5 years now with no problems. It is heavy, but I don't mind because I very rarely take it off the truck. I think I've only done that once, when I had to haul a load of topsoil.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 12:23:05 PM: I think the dimensions are the same, but I think the cab design against the bed has changed over the years (I think it had more of a bubbled out cab a few years back). I'll look into it though.

Thanks.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: nontypical176 on August 18, 2012, 01:24:15 PM: 1 suggestion. Get a canopy that opens all the way up, like above the level of the canopy roof. My friend has a new toyota with matching canopy and it doesn't raise up hi enough. Gets in the way while trying to stand at the back of the truck or while loading/unloading stuff, especially if you are tall. The corner of my friends canopy left a nice divit in the side of my head when I turned around trying to put a cooler in her truck. Her canopy is nice but doesn't even open to the full height of the canopy roof, so I have to duck just to look in the bed of the truck. Pain in the ars.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Wa hunter on August 18, 2012, 02:37:45 PM: Quote from: bassquatch on August 18, 2012, 10:39:03 AM
Quote from: royalbull on August 18, 2012, 09:39:15 AM
if you plan on taking it on & off alot I would go with a cheap aluminum canopy I paid $450 for mine brand new in Tacoma

Great point :tup:

I have a Leer and have not been very impressed...

1) They are HEAVY! Minimum 2 man job to take it on and off. I could remove my old aluminum one by myself!
2) My old aluminum canopy had sliding side windows, this Leer has windows that use a knob and slider contraption and only open the lower rear corner of the glass... and not very far.
3) My Leer is 6 years old and almost every rubber weatherproof gasket needs to be replaced...including the ones in the side glass that are a royal pain to access.
4) The tail opening is small...definitely opt for the larger rear opening whatever you buy.
5) The lock on my Leer broke and the cables that open it have broken twice. I beefed them up with stronger cable and butt-ends and they have been fine.

I think Leer is the best looking canopy by far, but for functionality I give mine a C at best!

Good luck with whatever you buy! :tup:
I am with you bass they look good but mine has leaked since the day I bought it. The curved back window cost over 500.00 to replace, I guess that is why people drive around with missing back windows
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: bassquatch on August 18, 2012, 03:01:10 PM: Quote from: Miles on August 18, 2012, 10:42:12 AM
Quote from: bassquatch on August 18, 2012, 10:39:03 AM
Quote from: royalbull on August 18, 2012, 09:39:15 AM
if you plan on taking it on & off alot I would go with a cheap aluminum canopy I paid $450 for mine brand new in Tacoma

Great point :tup:

I have a Leer and have not been very impressed...

1) They are HEAVY! Minimum 2 man job to take it on and off. I could remove my old aluminum one by myself!
2) My old aluminum canopy had sliding side windows, this Leer has windows that use a knob and slider contraption and only open the lower rear corner of the glass... and not very far.
3) My Leer is 6 years old and almost every rubber weatherproof gasket needs to be replaced...including the ones in the side glass that are a royal pain to access.
4) The tail opening is small...definitely opt for the larger rear opening whatever you buy.
5) The lock on my Leer broke and the cables that open it have broken twice. I beefed them up with stronger cable and butt-ends and they have been fine.

I think Leer is the best looking canopy by far, but for functionality I give mine a C at best!

Good luck with whatever you buy! :tup:

What model do you have? My windows slide all the way open.

Not sure the model, it came with the truck... I figured they had other models, mine is fiberglass with the 1 piece tinted side windows.

Quote from: Miles on August 18, 2012, 10:42:51 AM
Heavy helps when on snow and ice... Look on the bright side of things. ;)

Very true, but I can throw sandbags in and out by myself if needed, I cannot, nor would I attempt to remove this thing without help, whereas I could handle my aluminum one by myself :twocents:
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Huntbear on August 18, 2012, 04:04:07 PM: Quote from: xd2005 on August 18, 2012, 08:34:37 AM
I would like to look into getting a canopy for my truck. Because the truck's a 2011, I think I'll have a hard time finding a used one, so I've accepted the fact I will probably need to buy new.

Any suggestions for where to look in the Vancouver, WA area?

Any advice on what to look for, think about, etc?

Thanks.

Big Name Canopy place (can not remember who it is) off I205 down toward Clackamas? Oregon City? You can see it from the freeway... plus no Sales Tax!
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Bean Counter on August 18, 2012, 04:42:12 PM: I have an Astro. Came with the truck. Original owner spent $1,500 on it (it sure did depreciate by the time it got to me :IBCOOL: ). It has insulation, a roof rack, a high/center brake light, knobs to open for ventillation with bug screens. I am also glad it has a lock but I suppose that's superfluous if your tailgate doesn't lock, too. I've had a problem with the latch and getting it to open but I don't know if that's from some damage the original owner did to it or if its shoddy workmanship. Otherwise, the canopy is awesome.

If I'm not backpacking, my preference in the woods is to sleep in the bed of my truck. :cmp1:
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: washelkhunter on August 18, 2012, 04:57:10 PM: I put a leer overthetop canopy on my silverado with just the reg door. I wish i had got the big door that replaces the tailgate with the small glass access door instead.
I use mine as a camper from time to time and that feature would have been sweet.
With the high canopy i can set my army cot up in it and sitting up not hit my head on the top and it provides quite abit of extra storage capability.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Bofire on August 18, 2012, 05:33:15 PM: My leer is about 6 inch taller than the cab, I am old and retired and can put it on/off alone. I love it. this one is my 3rd leer.
Carl
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: Tim in Wa. on August 19, 2012, 07:41:00 PM: http://www.caravancamper.com/ (http://www.caravancamper.com/) this will be the next one I buy
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: rosscrazyelk on August 20, 2012, 08:54:41 PM: I have been looking for one myself. I dont need any fancy one thou. Just for hunting season..
I always see them on craigslist.. good luck in your search
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:58:08 PM: I have one in the classifieds. Its white and fits a short box. Not in perfect shape and needs a new key for the lock but decent.
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: rosscrazyelk on August 20, 2012, 09:21:28 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 08:58:08 PM
I have one in the classifieds. Its white and fits a short box. Not in perfect shape and needs a new key for the lock but decent.
Have a link? could not find it
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 09:25:11 PM: Yeah here ya go.

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=101117.msg1315032#msg1315032 (http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=101117.msg1315032#msg1315032)
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: xd2005 on August 20, 2012, 09:28:01 PM: Were you the one with the RV too? Is this just some ploy to get me to stop by and end up taking both? :chuckle:

Do you have actual dimensions on the canopy?
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 20, 2012, 09:49:14 PM: Yes that is me :chuckle:

I will have to meassure if for 100% numbers on it. Like I said it is not perfect but works fine. It has a small crack above the brake light on the top of the canopy in the back. One of the bug screens has a tare in it. I can't find the key. It has some bubbles in the paint. I am always open and honest but for someone that is not into beauty and just wants one to get dusty and haul some gear around. It will work great and I think I am pretty fair on the price with the c clamps thrown in :dunno:
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: rosscrazyelk on August 21, 2012, 08:59:18 PM: Not sure if the dimensions are the same as my truck
Title: Re: Canopy for truck
Post by: carpsniperg2 on August 21, 2012, 09:40:24 PM: You want me to throw a tape on it to be able to let you know?