While they might not be every truck owner’s style, a truck cap or topper is an easy way to create secure storage in the bed. Caps are popular among blue-collar workers who keep tools in their trucks, outdoor enthusiasts who want to protect their gear on the road, or anyone else who wants to protect whatever they’re hauling.
Unfortunately, they can be downright expensive, with options from a brand like SmartCap starting at around $4,000 or more. That’s where the new Westin EXP Truck Topper comes in. Designed to fit most Chevy, Ford, GMC, Jeep, Ram, and Toyota trucks built since 2019 — or 2016 for the Tacoma — these new Westin caps range from $2,999.99 to $3,299.99. This is a savings of about $1,000 to $1,500 compared to SmartCap while offering similar performance.
Delivered in five pieces and made from extruded aluminum, these Westin caps are lightweight and strong. The powder-coated finish protects the topper from rust and corrosion, while the EPDM sponge seals around the perimeter keep everything watertight, protecting whatever is in the bed. These caps can also be installed at home without paying a body shop or other automotive professionals.
I watched the 12-minute install video and looked through the provided instructions, and it all seems relatively simple. Designed to be installed with just a few basic hand tools like wrenches, ratchets, and sockets, it looks like something a DIYer could knock out in a few hours or less. Since the installation doesn’t require drilling into the truck, the cap can also come back off without leaving a mark.
Once installed, the EXP Truck Toppers have gullwing side doors that pop up and stay open, a nice touch that makes it easy to quickly grab a few things without going in through the rear. Speaking of, the back door has built-in auto lock/unlock for easy access. When it’s time to hit the road, heavy-duty T-handles keep it shut tight and secure.
These truck toppers also come with integrated roof rails that other gear and accessories can attach to, though crossbars are not included. When sitting still, the new Westin truck cap can support up to 700 pounds, which is right up there with the 770-pound capacity of the SmartCap EVOa Cap. While moving, this is reduced to 300 pounds, 30 pounds less than what the EVOa Cap can do.
The bottom line is that the Westin EXP Truck Toppers offer similar strength, durability, and performance at a lower price than some of the other options on the market.
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