Truck topper for dog transport

Me too!

Hey Andrew, here’s another vote for a topper. My current truck has what I consider the best setup for me. I have an ARE fiberglass topper with the flip up side windows that allow me to reach everything in the truck. Last year I added a Decked system, and it works awesome with the kennels, and now all the hunting gear that used to go in the back of the truck in totes or duffel bags goes into the drawer system. The Decked has tie downs, and I push the kennels all the way to the back to create lots of space and tie them down. It also raises everything up a foot or so, making it lots easier to get at everything through the windows.

Brian G wrote:

Hey Andrew, here’s another vote for a topper. My current truck has what I consider the best setup for me. I have an ARE fiberglass topper with the flip up side windows that allow me to reach everything in the truck. Last year I added a Decked system, and it works awesome with the kennels, and now all the hunting gear that used to go in the back of the truck in totes or duffel bags goes into the drawer system. The Decked has tie downs, and I push the kennels all the way to the back to create lots of space and tie them down. It also raises everything up a foot or so, making it lots easier to get at everything through the windows.

I think this is the way to go. Had a similar setup in my last truck. Made my own “decked” drawer system out of plywood. Nice thing is anything you have in the drawers is quite secure with the tailgate locked. We run the kennels toward the rear of the bed on the deck and then access all the misc gear up front through the side windows.

Thanks everyone. Appreciate the insights

I ordered this one from Leer. Sides open and slider windows on top. Also front slider if it gets really warm.

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Looks nice! Very similar to the one I was quoted at Radco in Duluth. Anything you don’t like about it?

Are you able to reach in from the sides and reach what you need? I like Brian and Joe’s suggestion above with the Decked system, but not sure I have the funds for that right now.

I can reach most everything. To reach items from the back of the tailgate I tie a rope to milk crates or tubs and just pull them back. I haul wood for camping in lawn and leaf bags and push them ahead with a shovel and grab wood from the sides and then when the bag gets low I just pull the bag ahead.

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Lots of great reviews on these for bird hunters and their dogs. I have looked at a few first hand and this is the route I plan on going. Less than 1/5 of the price of the fiberglass I priced out.

I bought one from Lakeland brand. The have a special package you can buy just for dogs. It’s a heavy rubber coated 1/4 screen type layer that goes over the screens on the side windows. That way my dog (lab) can’t poke his nose through the screen. It was a extra $100 bucks with them installing but well worth it to me.

Michael Saal wrote:

I ordered this one from Leer. Sides open and slider windows on top. Also front slider if it gets really warm.

That is the same topper I have only mine is a 6.5 foot box. With the side windows open you can reach pretty much anything in there but might need a stick in there to help. I also put a shelf in the front. You would be amazed at how slick that is.