FHB Logo Facebook LinkedIn Email Pinterest Twitter Instagram Plus Icon Close Icon Navigation Search Icon Navigation Search Icon Arrow Down Icon Video Guide Icon Article Guide Icon Modal Close Icon Guide Search Icon Skip to content
Subscribe

In every issue you'll find...

  • Expert insights on techniques and principles
  • Unbiased tool reviews
  • Step-by-step details to master the job
  • Field-tested advice and know-how
Subscribe Now!
Subscribe
  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Videos
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House
  • Podcast
  • Join
  • Log In
Subscribe
Tips & Techniques

Removing a Truck Cap Alone

Issue 248 - Dec/Jan 2015

When I have to take the cap off my pickup truck for a dump run or to haul appliances or landscaping supplies, I can wait until a buddy is free to lend a hand, or I can try tilting it off the back and hope I don’t drop it. Both of these options leave me stranded when it’s time to put the cap back on, so I decided to build oversize sawhorses the same height as the pickup truck’s rails. These sawhorses let me remove and replace the cap by myself without damaging so much as the cap’s weatherstripping seal. With the tailgate up, I crouch in the bed with my back against the roof and stand just enough to lift the cap off the rails. I then waddle toward the back like a turtle with a shell several sizes too big. If I need a break, I can lower the cap because it’s fully supported by the rails and the sawhorses. I throw a couple of 2x8s or a scrap of 3/4-in. plywood across the bottom rails of the sawhorses so I can step over the tailgate onto solid footing and walk the cap all the way off the truck.

The real benefit of storing the cap on the horses is when it’s time to put the cap back on. With the sawhorse rails set at bed-rail height, lifting the cap back into place is comfortable and takes only two minutes. Plus, I can save calling in a favor for really heavy stuff like concrete work.

Sean Groom, Simsbury, CT

Edited and Illustrated by Charles Miller

From Fine Homebuilding #248

Sign up for the Fine Homebuilding Tip of the Day and get daily tips and special offers delivered to your inbox.

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters
×

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

New Feature

Fine Homebuilding Forums

Ask questions, offer advice, and share your work

View Comments

  1. JBugg12 | May 31, 2016 06:37pm | #1

    Instead of climbing in to the bed, lifting the cap, and duck-walking, I have found it easier to put a round dowel like a clothes pole under the cap about the midpoint of the cap and roll the cap toward the back of the truck. The pole should get to the back of the truck about the same time as front end of the cap, and it's much easier to roll than to lift and carry.

  2. Ladella | May 31, 2016 07:12pm | #2

    Our garage has two bicycle lifts with four inch-wide "hooks" that catch the edges of the shell. With one person, it takes 12-inch or so lifts or drops to remove or install the shell.

    When unneeded, the shell is up out of the way.

  3. tomcatn75 | Oct 11, 2016 05:21pm | #3

    I like this idea, especially using the dowel to roll the topper into place. Smart! Very Smart!!! However, I am a little luckier as I have a good sized shop with 12 foot walls so I plan to build a hoist system (hopefully an electric one) and suspend it from the "I" beam at the peak of the roof by using an "I" beam trolley. This way I can remove (or install) the topper using the hoist and with the amount of overhead space available I can just store the topper high above the floor on the hoist. It will be "up there" out of the way and the topper will be protected from the weather when I am not using it. I think I will probably use "eye bolts" (4 of them) fastened to the roof of the topper to lift it by. Now all I need is an electric lift. Hummmm..... Good luck to y'all on your project(s). ~ Tom

  4. User avater
    COcarpenter | Aug 21, 2018 05:28pm | #4

    I have used a gas pipe section as the dowel with a combo of the duck walk/squat to lift the shell. Think like an Egyptian.

  5. User avater
    CivilEng43 | Aug 22, 2018 12:26am | #5

    All sounds like a real pain if you have to do it regularly. Ever think of getting a trailer?

Log in or create an account to post a comment.

Sign up Log in

Become a member and get full access to FineHomebuilding.com

More Tips & Techniques

View All
  • Cleaner Tile Demo
  • Handy Hose Holder
  • Pipe-Stand Bucket for Plumbing Jobs
  • Avoid Rotten Posts
View All

Up Next

Video Shorts

Featured Story

A Durable Yet Affordable Timber-Framing Chisel

Arno's timber-framing chisels offer a quality cutting edge at a low price point.

Featured Video

How to Install Exterior Window Trim

Learn how to measure, cut, and build window casing made of cellular PVC, solid wood, poly-ash boards, or any common molding material. Plus, get tips for a clean and solid installation.

Related Stories

  • Fine Homebuilding – Aug/Sept 2022, Issue #309
  • Keep Craft Alive Podcast: Ep.14, Ryan Shanahan, Birdsmouth Design-Build
  • Find a Female Tradesperson With Matriarchy Build
  • Schneider Electric Recalls Line of Electrical Panels

Discussion Forum

Recent Posts and Replies

  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
  • |
View More Create Post

Highlights

Fine Homebuilding All Access
Fine Homebuilding Podcast
Tool Tech
Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20

"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Video

View All
  • Podcast 468: PRO TALK With Shutter Manufacturer Rick Skidmore
  • Podcast 462: PRO TALK With Construction Attorney Karalynn Cromeens
  • Podcast 461: Adding a Screened Porch, Insulating a Raised Addition, and Preventing Termites in Exterior Foam
  • Podcast 459: Leaky Attic Stairs, Right-Sizing Heat Pumps, and Vapor Barriers in Dirt Crawlspaces
View All

BOOKS, DVDs, & MERCH

Shop the Store
  • Code Check Building 4th Edition
    Buy Now
  • 2021 Fine Homebuilding Archive
    Buy Now
  • Pretty Good House
    Buy Now
  • Outdoor Projects
    Buy Now
  • Shop the Store

Fine Homebuilding Magazine

  • Issue 309 - Aug/Sept
    • 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets
    • How to Get Sturdy Walls Without OSB
    • Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job
  • Issue 308 - July 2022
    • Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse
    • 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat
    • A Sturdy Rail for Outdoor Stairs
  • Issue 307 - June 2022
    • How to Raise a Post-Frame Home
    • Trimming Deck Stairs
    • Evolving an Energy-Efficient Envelope
  • Issue 306 - April/May 2022
    • Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing
    • Building a Zero-Energy Home for Less
    • Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters
  • Issue 305 - Feb/March 2022
    • The Steady Surge in Residential Solar
    • The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. Rose
    • How Good Is Your Air Barrier?

Fine Homebuilding

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Membership & Magazine

  • Online Archive
  • Start Free Trial
  • Magazine Subscription
  • Magazine Renewal
  • Gift a Subscription
  • Customer Support
  • Privacy Preferences

Taunton Network

  • Green Building Advisor
  • Fine Woodworking
  • Fine Gardening
  • Threads
  • About
  • Contact
  • Advertise
  • Careers
  • Copyright
  • Terms of Use
  • Site Map
  • Do not sell my information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • California Privacy Rights

© 2022 The Taunton Press, Inc. All rights reserved.

X
X
This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. The modal window is a 'site map' of the most critical areas of the site. Pressing the Escape (ESC) button will close the modal and bring you back to where you were on the page.

Main Menu

  • How-To
  • Design
  • Tools & Materials
  • Video
  • Blogs
  • Forum
  • Reader Projects
  • Magazine
  • Members
  • FHB House

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Podcasts

  • FHB Podcast
  • ProTalk

Webinars

  • Upcoming and On-Demand

Popular Topics

  • Kitchens
  • Business
  • Bedrooms
  • Roofs
  • Architecture and Design
  • Green Building
  • Decks
  • Framing
  • Safety
  • Remodeling
  • Bathrooms
  • Windows
  • Tilework
  • Ceilings
  • HVAC

Magazine

  • Current Issue
  • Past Issues
  • Magazine Index
  • Subscribe
  • Online Archive
  • Author Guidelines

All Access

  • Member Home
  • Start Free Trial
  • Gift Membership

Shop the Store

  • Books
  • DVDs
  • Taunton Workshops

More

  • FHB Ambassadors
  • Reader Projects
  • Podcast
  • Customer Support

Account

  • Log In
  • Join

Newsletter

Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox

Signing you up...

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
See all newsletters
See all newsletters

Follow

  • twitter
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • pinterest

Join All Access

Become a member and get instant access to thousands of videos, how-tos, tool reviews, and design features.

Start Your Free Trial

Subscribe

FHB Magazine

Start your subscription today and save up to 70%

Subscribe

We hope you’ve enjoyed your free articles. To keep reading, become a member today.

Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine.

Start your FREE trial

Already a member? Log in