Carpeted canopies... are they worth it?

[CUSO]

Looking to buy a Raiser Nomad II canopy, just for the looks, but carpet comes standard with it. The phantom is 200 bucks cheaper, but has the carpet as an option.

What are the benefits of a carpeted cap, is it just for looks? does it have any other benefit, like moisture control I.E: frost?

Also are the leers any better or worse, how about arrow? Which one fits best for an 09 f 150?

Thanks in advance,

CUSO

 

[kbrunlees]

insulation maybe? I think it is just for looks. It would just be adding more weight to the truck, mind you not a lot. I had a leer on my 97 and it fit very well. mak sure it has the weather strip or it leaks like a bastard.

 

[wiseguy]

Be careful if you order a canopy from Arrow. I ordered one 3 years ago. I wanted one that was made in Canada, basically just to support our local economy. When it got to the dealership to pick it up, it was actually a Century canopy. Still an awesome canopy with everything on it that I had ordered, but not made in Canada. We then phoned them up and asked what was up with sending one from Century? They said that because they don't sell many canopies for long boxes that they will outsource them. I wasn't to impressed with this concept but if I wouldn't have taken it, I would have lost my deposit.

 

[Summiteer]

Carpet would probably deaden the sound inside the canopy quite a bit.

 

[Shitfly]

We ended up getting the same topper (LEER?) with the carpeted roof, more for the insulation factor, the dogs ride in there in the winter, also put some plywood and foam on the floor for them when they need it. It's the 'missus' daily driver, mostly on gravel. I've given up trying to keep the dust out...and the back window gets dusty right away, I have not been able to find the old-school window back-wash deflector for these..biggest issue with toppers on country/back roads IMO..
I figured with the short 5.5' box, not much use for the box for large items, might as well cover it, my truck does the work..
Overall, glad we have a topper one at least one of the trucks, and happy with the one we decided on. Fits perfect, looks 'factory' I guess.

 

[woody_tobius_jr]

I've got the Leer with carpet as well. I don't see any advantage of having it, unless your doing what Shifty is doing, then it would be kind of handy. I store mine outside on a rack, and I'm a little worried about moisture in there. I put a 3/8"th x 1" piece of flat bar aluminum across the top of the front of my box rail to make it level with the side rails ( the plastic rail covers add 3/8"). I wanted to make sure I got a good seal on the railes all the way around.

 

[Lem Lamb]

I'm doing a insulated winter topper this year

Nothing fancy...
Insulated sub floor

Ill make a storage bed on the 1 side...
Open spot for mtb, winter gear, outdoor crap

Honda generator, small wood stove and a few other things...

I'll start on the side panels tommrow,,, reflective bubble wrap along the sides,,, I got a 48" x 25 ft roll,,, I can tuck a few inches under the edges of the sub-floor...

Most likely a thin aluminum rib too seal it above the box edge,,, I lay in some thick double'ed-up poly then some Mold & Mildew resistant Out-door carpet... carpet the whole thing except the roof for now...

I'll game plan it later...

Under-storage bins under bed,,, 1 cabnet and open-face closet,,, things need too breath...

Make it simple keep it simple

I'll throw up some photos on the project...

I will pick up a fuse-ible 7 or 10 pin power block for for electrical war fair at night,,, if I need more power then that I can run the generator...

 

[Lem Lamb]

I prepped all the open seams in the truck box leaving a few small drain holes up front,,, im doing a vapor barrier just incase...

Every once in-awhile I"ll stick a wedge under the sub-sub-floor and let the forced-air heater dry things out...

The foam-board and ply-wood will be on the back-side of the doubled-up poly...

In-side the poly will be Mold & Mildew Out-door carpet...

Hang wet gear over a large plastic tub,,, wet boots and gloves ect........

Leave a window or roof vent partly open too allow moisture too escape ,,, 1/4 inch is lots,,, a person won't loose much heat...

A 1500 watt electric heater would be more then enough too heat a insulated 150 square ft canopy ,,, a small wood heater w/ circulating fan will really heat thing's up,,, leave the topper door open on the winter months...

Make it simple keep it simple...

 

[imdoo'n]

I'm doing a insulated winter topper this year
View attachment 288421

Nothing fancy...
Insulated sub floor
View attachment 288422

Ill make a storage bed on the 1 side...
Open spot for mtb, winter gear, outdoor crap

Honda generator, small wood stove and a few other things...

I'll start on the side panels tommrow,,, reflective bubble wrap along the sides,,, I got a 48" x 25 ft roll,,, I can tuck a few inches under the edges of the sub-floor...

Most likely a thin aluminum rib too seal it above the box edge,,, I lay in some thick double'ed-up poly then some Mold & Mildew resistant Out-door carpet... carpet the whole thing except the roof for now...

I'll game plan it later...

Under-storage bins under bed,,, 1 cabnet and open-face closet,,, things need too breath...

Make it simple keep it simple

I'll throw up some photos on the project...

I will pick up a fuse-ible 7 or 10 pin power block for for electrical war fair at night,,, if I need more power then that I can run the generator...

just a thought Lem, maybe put the bar grip in a tennis ball, cup something, as the plywood will ruin the end of the hand grip, as it moves around in the truck!

 

[pano-dude]

I prepped all the open seams in the truck box leaving a few small drain holes up front,,, im doing a vapor barrier just incase...

Every once in-awhile I"ll stick a wedge under the sub-sub-floor and let the forced-air heater dry things out...

The foam-board and ply-wood will be on the back-side of the doubled-up poly...

In-side the poly will be Mold & Mildew Out-door carpet...

Hang wet gear over a large plastic tub,,, wet boots and gloves ect........

Leave a window or roof vent partly open too allow moisture too escape ,,, 1/4 inch is lots,,, a person won't loose much heat...

A 1500 watt electric heater would be more then enough too heat a insulated 150 square ft canopy ,,, a small wood heater w/ circulating fan will really heat thing's up,,, leave the topper door open on the winter months...

Make it simple keep it simple...

Buddy has a mini wood stove in his camper, works great but needs to be fed every hour or so.

 

[MP Kid]

Buddy has a mini wood stove in his camper, works great but needs to be fed every hour or so.

Wood pellets with auto feed…?

 

[lilduke]

Just need a pair of skis now lol

 

[pano-dude]

No pellets, it's just a small firebox. Can only fit pieces of wood the size of a stick of butter lol.
The other good part is it's quiet, unlike a furnace.

CB-1000-BL CUB Cubic Mini Wood Stove Black

Mini wood stove designed to heat boats, cabins and RV's up to 40' long. Durable! Constructed from laser cut steel plate 1/8 to 3/16 thick! Produces 6000 to 14000 BTU's!

cubicminiwoodstoves.com

Wood pellets with auto feed…?

 

[pano-dude]

Just need a pair of skis now lol


View attachment 288433

Or this

 

[lilduke]

I was almost going to post that one too.

Only cause I couldnt find TJs car with the chimney out the roof. Lol

 

[imdoo'n]

diesel heater, or small gen with electric heater might work better, wood will work but it looks like more work than benefits!

 

[Lem Lamb]

I'll either throw in a glass front wood burner or use my propane heater as a back-up...

The electric heater by itself will be more then enough...

Its a good idea too find a wood heater that can handle 14" peaces ,,, more of the nostalgic thing in the winter month's...

Drink Cofffeee Vokacheeno's and stoke the stove...

I don't need the canopy heated at night...

It's sure nice having warmth in the morning... lol

The plan is keep it simple...

 

[imdoo'n]

I would think you should feel the difference with just the floor insulated, should only get better with ceiling, sides insulated. sealing holes in the truck box will also help. looks good! will your bike stand up in the canopy? or need to lean a bit

 

[Lem Lamb]

My friend suggested putting in the extra $22 bucks and the 1 hour it takes too sheet off more of the box sides then vaper barrier the whole thing...

It's like double the protection when dealing with -20 and colder plus the high speed winter winds that blow threw...

Every little bit helps in the long hual...
Seal off around the wheel-wells...

The vape will cover the clamps,,, light aluminum strips too seal the top seams ...

The sides will be blanked in with furniture moving blankets and Out-door mild and mold resistant carpet...

I need to add heavy duty blanket rods front and back,,, double them up and let the tail ends freeze onto the floor... lol...

We have a game plan for the topper once the box is sorted...

A bit of over kill,,, maybe the little extra will pay off ...

Double blanket the back tail-gate and topper door since it will be the weakest link in heat loss...

I'm still planning on the rear inside sliding entrance way...

Security more then anything...

 

[Lem Lamb]

I would think you should feel the difference with just the floor insulated, should only get better with ceiling, sides insulated. sealing holes in the truck box will also help. looks good! will your bike stand up in the canopy? or need to lean a bit

Yes the insulated floor worked ok last weekend but the metal box side where a bit frosty without the bubble-wrap vap barrier...

My friend suggested i put in a bit more effort too reap the rewards...

I think its a good plan,,, I'm into the show for $200 ish so far,,, the whole thing might work out too $3 or $400 bucks ...

A fairly frugal price point...

I might put my left over side windows in in the spring,,, I kept all my camper add-ons which is a good thing...

An adjustable bed/ lazy-boy,,, flip down table,,, a few draws,,, open cloths and gear rack so stuff can dry out at night time...

Open the topper door a bit too let it breath a bit...

It ain't no 5 star hotel but at least I'll have a place too relax on the odd trips out West...

Comfy warm and dry