Winter dog travel

[BBQBluesMan]

I was told I might as well get a minivan when I got a topper but I wouldn't go without one haha. Keeps the dog warmer even though he rides in the back seat most the time. Plus for ice fishing a topper is the cats meow.

 

[LBrandt]

If the wife and kids are with one sits in the back between the kids and the others at the wife’s feet. If it’s just me they both ride shotgun. Them dogs pick out ditch parrots well.

Extended cab F150 with both back windows down the pup can spot more ditch chickens then I do. Got the 8ft box and high rise fiberglass shell for hauling spraying tools for my drywall business. Doubles as a small camper when I want to be real mobile when fishing.

 

[Jigaman]

I had a box cover on my F150 before I found a nice used Leer topper for it. I have found that I get considerably less dust with the topper than I did with the box cover. Wont own another truck without a topper again.

 

[bigv]

Ive had toppers on all my pickups except current one. I miss having one badly. You can throw so much in back and not worry about blowing out or getting stolen. Great for dogs too. The added weight in back actually makes pickup ride tad smoother as well. I'm debating getting another one too for '14 silverado but prices are insane for new! But what you can do is call several different dealers. I was told yrs ago that many have them stacked up in storage because they take them off trades. Most guys don't want them. That is how I found my last one and paid 1/3 the price of new. Had to paint if though.

 

[Account Deleted]

Thanks Big V. That’s the kind of info I’m looking for.

 

[Duckslayer100]

We got a second dog months before my firstborn came on the scene. Just happenstance, but it is what it is. I thought I could get by with kennel covers and my tonneau cover.

Found out pretty quick that a topper is the way to go. I have side-access windows that can lift up as well as slide open and allow fresh air. I built a wooden platform that elevates the kennels (I have two Ruff Tough Kennels bolted together with tie-down kits attached) and I can ratchet strap them to the bed. This is rock solid. Unless it gets really, really cold, all the dogs need are their kennel mats and they stay toasty. Otherwise I have a wool army surplus blanket I throw over them that keeps the warmth in.

 

[BrokenBackJack]

Likely too new to find used. I've gotten my toppers from the last 3 pickup from New vision in Grand Forks and have been happy. I've never gotten one with a carpeted interior. I have the windows that flip up on both sides and has a light. The best thing about a topper I'd just throwing stuff in the back, closing the doors, and driving away. I have friends that don't have toppers who have lost decoys, life jackets, and even a Fish Trap. I know it goes with the stigma of an "Old Man's" pickup, but outside of deer season or hauling something tall, it's great. Except for my Dad's pickup. He has a 3/4 ton z71 Duramax with an 8ft box. Im 35 and fed up fetching things out of that for him. He doesn't have rhino liner and things always slide to the front. He built a custom fuel tank and things (usually a cooler) slide underneath and you can't get it out. He's 67 now and hasn't farmed in 7 yrs. I told him his next pickup better be a 6.5 ft box.

Go buy your Dad one of these cargo reaching tools from Access Cover https://www.accesscover.com/cargoreachingtools/
They make them for long or for short box pickups. Have one in every pickup and comes in handy every once in a while.
Should be able to order one online or buy from anyone who sells the Access roll covers.