What’s A Truck Topper?

For the outdoorsy person, a truck topper can be a valuable addition that will make road trips and camping trips more relaxing and secure.

A truck topper is an accessory designed for pick-ups that fits snugly over the bed of the truck. When it was first invented, it was more commonly referred to as a camper shell, because of its practical use for shelter when camping. Nowadays, the camper shell’s use has expanded to safely store tools and other supplies. Its insulated design ensures that valuable cargo is protected from bad weather or even theft. This shift in practicality earned it its new name as the truck topper. However, you still hear the terms used interchangeably depending on who you speak to, so it’s handy to be aware of both.

When it comes to buying your truck topper, you should take into consideration what you plan to primarily use it for. If you’re mostly intending to use it for storage, you can get one that’s made of a lighter weight material that may be less expensive. This type of topper doesn’t have the best insulation, so it may not keep cold temperatures or noise out very well, but if you’re not planning on spending time inside of it, then is should still suit your purposes quite well.

More expensive toppers will provide this type of insulation, to keep the space warm and quiet for a more comfortable atmosphere. These toppers also tend to fit over the cab of the truck as well. Because of their higher price and increased headroom, this type of topper should only be used if you’re intending to sleep or take shelter inside on a regular basis. Crosswinds can be a problem since they’re so top heavy, and you may even have head clearance issues depending on how tall it is.

Regardless of which type you choose, be aware that toppers need to be secured tightly, and attaching and removing them requires a minimum of two people to lift it safely. Truck toppers are useful for long trips, camping, hunting, fishing or any other activity that puts you out in the wilderness with little to no shelter. Even if it’s properly insulated, the smell of food can still lure animals so be sure not to leave anything open that may attract hungry wildlife.

If you spend a lot of time on the road or find yourself storing and transporting a lot of equipment, consider buying a topper to keep secured on your truck or even as an additional accessory in your shed that you can pull out as you need it. With many designs and options, you can easily find one that will work best for you.

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National Auto Body Council Opens Nominations for 2015 Award of Distinction and Body Shop Image Award

Do you know of an auto body shop that had a great facility makeover last year? Or an individual in the collision industry whose selfless actions were for the benefit of …read more

 

Tips For Choosing the Best Auto Glass Repair Shop

When you need auto glass repair, you want it done right away – but if you’ve never had to choose an auto glass repair shop before, you may have no idea how to determine which one is your best option. Here are some important factors to consider when sorting through your options:

• Do they take insurance? A repair shop that will work directly with your insurance company can save you a lot of time and hassle. If they also offer rental car assistance, that’s even better – with one stop you can set the repair process in motion and secure a replacement vehicle, minimizing your inconvenience.

• What do previous customers think? Don’t just skim a few ratings – look for multiple reviews from customers who have had work done for issues similar to yours. Ask the shop if they can put you in touch with previous customers. A quality business that cares about its reputation will be happy to accommodate you.

• What awards or professional affiliations do they have? Most shops proudly display any commendations or endorsements they’ve received. If you don’t see any of these when you visit their location or web site, ask.

• How long have they been around? A newer business might be a good option, but you would need to weigh some of the other factors more heavily in order to determine whether this is the case. A shop that’s been around for a long time is also likely to have a long history of satisfied customers – or they wouldn’t still be in business.

When taken together, the answers to these questions can help you feel much more confident when choosing a repair shop for your car. For more information on auto glass repair in Raleigh, visit this website.

 

Lawsuit Claims Apple is Poaching Engineers in Auto Industry

Electric-car battery maker A123 Systems has filed suit against Apple for allegedly poaching top engineers to build a large-scale battery division for the California-based tech company, according to a report…read more

 

Reasons to Paint Your Old Car Before Selling

Unlike other repairs, which are usually covered by your car’s insurance policy, a new coat of paint is typically paid for out of your own pocket. Because of this, most people never consider upgrading their vehicle’s exterior. However, there are good reasons to spring for a new paint job for your car, especially if you’re looking to sell it:

• Your car is an unpopular or unusual color: This can reduce your chances of selling or lower the amount people are willing to pay. When you bought your car you thought that brilliant neon purple hue would set you apart from the crowd, and it did – now no one else wants it.

• Your exterior is significantly faded or scratched: There are lots of other used cars out there that have been meticulously cared for. If yours isn’t among them, consider bumping up its resale value with a new coat of paint.

• Your car is a classic or custom vehicle: If you own a car that could actually gain value as it ages, investing in paint is a no-brainer. Consider the market for your particular model and choose paint work that will add to its appeal. For a classic, you’ll want to restore its original appearance as much as possible. For a custom automobile, you may want to add graphics or use multiple colors.

• Your vehicle’s body has exposed metal: Paint is absolutely necessary in this case to prevent rust damage. You could do a patch job, but it might not match seamlessly with the rest of the vehicle’s exterior if bare spots are prominent or large. You’re likely to be better off replacing the entire coat of paint.

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The Benefits of a Nitrogen Painting System

Chelsea Hebert, body shop manager at Barker Buick GMC in Houma, La., was having big problems with the old air compressors in his paint department. The compressors had oil problems and poor air quality. And his painter..read more

 

Fixing a Windshield

Replacing a windshield is a quick job for the professionals. Maintain the safety of your car when you repair the cracked glass. Don’t drive around with impaired vision so that you can see everything that the road brings your way.

 

Four Things to Look for in an Auto Scratch Repair Shop

Scratches are a part of life for car owners, and sometimes repairs are best left to the pros. Make sure you’re choosing the best scratch repair shop in your area.

It’s inevitable: if you park your car in public places, sooner or later, it is likely to suffer some sort of cosmetic damage. The world is full of potential hazards, from keys, to shopping carts, to the errant doors of other cars. Often, it is best to leave repairs to the professionals—but how can you be sure that you’re spending your money wisely? Consult this list to feel confident when you need to bring your car in for scratch repair.

Reasonable Prices

No one wants to get ripped off on auto repairs. However, it’s important to find a balance between price and service. A good auto body repair shop is, as a rule, usually not one that will consistently offer the lowest price. As the saying goes, you get what you pay for. A reliable shop will be one that is ready and willing to compare their rates with other quotes (which you should always pursue), in order to make sure you’re getting a fair price on their services.

Business Reputation

The Internet has transformed business reviews, empowering consumers with more information than ever before. However, sometimes there is just no replacement for traditional word-of-mouth wisdom. Automotive services are the type that vary widely by region, and often the most reliable information will come from people you know who have lived in the area and had their cars serviced nearby on multiple occasions.

Overhead Expenses

Different types of people prefer to patronize different types of businesses. Some scratch repair shops offer more in the way of accommodations, such as reception workers and other employees. Keep in mind that these are all sources of additional overhead for the company, and as such, that cost will likely be evident via higher prices when compared with a more no-frills operation.

Gut Feeling

Whether or not you’re knowledgeable in the world of automotive repairs, it’s always important to trust your best judgment. If your intuition gives you pause about doing business with a particular shop, it’s better to continue shopping before making a commitment. Just as you might hesitate to patronize a messy store or restaurant, poor garage conditions can be a sign that the business is not detail-oriented. Trust your gut and don’t regret a hasty decision.

Scratches are an unfortunate fact of life, but you don’t need to live with imperfections on an otherwise flawless automobile. Do your research, shop around, study a shop before you bring them your business, and you’ll be much more likely to feel happy with the end results. Visit this website for more details regarding car scratch repairs in Raleigh.

 

A New Paint Job

Upgrade the look of your vehicle with a new paint job that complements your personality and style. Your car’s finish doesn’t have to be damaged for you to improve how your car looks, but if it has been marred, you’ll feel like you’re driving a brand new vehicle.

 

Five Reasons Why Auto Body Repair Is Cheaper in the Long Run

When your vehicle has minor damage, it can be tempting to delay repairs to save money in the short term. A few scratches here and a couple dents there probably don’t seem like a big deal, but if you don’t take care of them quickly, you can create additional costs for yourself.

Things Are Not Always As They Seem

If your car was dinged in a minor fender bender, there may be more amiss than meets the eye. It’s important to have the damage professionally inspected to rule out underlying problems that could worsen over time.

Protect Your Investment

Unless you plan to drive your car until it’s on its last spark plug, you’ll want to ensure that your vehicle can command top dollar as a trade in when you’re ready to upgrade. Even minor damage detracts from your car’s value.

Quick Repairs Prevent Rust

It’s pretty straightforward: scratches are breaches to your vehicle’s rust protection system. Leave them to fester and you’ll soon have a rust problem.

Avoid Hassles

If you procrastinate and let a minor problem become major, you’ll compound the inconvenience of repairs. You’ll likely be without a vehicle for a longer period of time, forcing you to rent a car or find alternate transportation.

A Stitch in Time Saves Your Insurance Coverage

Most insurance companies impose time limits on when claims may be filed. If it takes several months for you to discover that your minor collision wasn’t so minor after all, it may be too late to file a claim.

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