Can-Back is back!

[n3wd4ddy]

Hey guys, ..

I have not posted to this forum for a number of years but I was pretty regular participant when the forum first started (even though there no longer seems to be any record of my prior posts years ago).

In any event, about 6 years ago, I first read about a canvas canopy on this forum made by a company called Can-Back out of Los Angeles (Can-Back Canvas Truck Camper Shell) and I ended up purchasing one of them for my Tundra.

[disclaimer] I am in no way affiliated with the folks at Can-Back but it is fair to say that this canopy/shell has been the most amazing shell I have ever owned. It has marine grade canvas, is dry as a bone when closed and my dogs *love* to ride in the back of the truck with the sides of the canopy rolled up.

For years, I had been asked (countless times) where I got the shell. It was an eye catcher and looked very unique with all of the canvas sides rolled up.

This canopy/shell served me well for close to seven years until recently when a car parked next to me in a parking lot caught fire and burned both the side of my truck and the canvas part of canopy (not something that happens to you everyday ). The side of my truck has recently been repaired and now I need to replace the canopy/shell.

Long story short is that some time ago (I do not have the details), the folks at Can-Back seemed to hit some tough times and appeared to go belly-up. However, I recently discovered that like the proverbial 'phoenix from the flame', Can-Back has resurfaced and moved to Phoenix.

I share this information for two reasons:

1) I first learned of the shell in this forum and I wanted to give back to the community that helped me so much originally. Also let everyone know that the good folks at Can-Back are back in business

2) Can-Back is currently rebuilding inventory and I have a new shell on order that is currently backlogged for a few months (awaiting the Tundra production run) so I was hoping to get more interest in the shell here in the hope that increased interest may move the Tundra manufacturing run closer.

I am told by Bryon at Can-Back that, realistically, he will need another couple of months to get his tooling in place for the upcoming Tundra run so even though Can-Back is back in business, they are working feverishly to rebuild their inventory and this will take some time.

On the other hand, given the delay, an opportunity exists to influence the timing of the next Tundra production run. If enough people are interested in the Can-Back shell, I am told that a group order will allow everyone in the group to get a discount. I do not have specific details of the amount of the discount but expect the discount to be a function of how many orders there are from the group.

Seriously, if you get a moment, check out some of the pictures on the can-Back site Can-Back Canvas Truck Camper Shell. It really is a great design.

I am guessing that if there was enougn interest in a group order, we would have to somehow figure out a way to track the order so everyone benefited from being a part of the same group.

I hope that by suggesting a group order, I am not violating any terms of usage within the forum, but my intent is simply to let everyone know that the opportunity exists.

I hope this helps, ...

Joe

[ThomasE]

I added my name and email to Can-back's interested parties page. I'd like to get something that's well made and waterproof, but easy to remove as I'd be using it only when camping.

[n3wd4ddy]

The cool thing about the Can-Back is that not only is it completely removable (although I typically kept mine attached), but you can disassemble the shell so it takes up less room in the garage (or wherever you are storing it).

I used mine for camping a lot. It is great for protecting gear during the comute and when you get there, it it makes a great tent as well.

i slept in the bed of the truck with the canopy sides both rolled down and up. it is a very versatile setup.

another great thing is being able to load things in the shell from both the sides and the back, ...

joe

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[TundraBear]

i remember seeing this a few years back, but i could never purchase it because any hoodlum with a knife can get to my stuff. yeah . . . sorry to make a statistic, but i do live and work in los angeles!

[dyogim]

Great news!!!

I'd like to get one for my truck as well. Another item I looked at was the folding one. Anyone seen/experience those?

[ThomasE]

Originally Posted by dyogim

Great news!!!

I'd like to get one for my truck as well. Another item I looked at was the folding one. Anyone seen/experience those?

Are you talking about the softtopper? I've seen them twice, but not up close, while driving on the highway. One was on a F150 another on a Titan. They looked alright, the canvas didn't flap around much, as I thought they might. They didn't match the curvature of the back of the cab well, the topper was more squared off looking. It seems like the softtopper isn't customized for each truck, since the part numbers are the same for any full size short bed. On the titan, I thought the topper looked a little too narrow for the bed. The canback looks better with a stouter frame from the website pictures. The softtopper is a bunch cheaper though.

[dyogim]

Originally Posted by ThomasE

Are you talking about the softtopper?

That would be the one.

I wonder how much it would cost to make your own?

[baja rob]

I have seen these caps on a few trucks in my neighborhood. I really like the look but worry about security. I don't want someone to be able to easily cut in and snatch my tools or surfboard. I filled out the interest sheet.
N3wd4ddy if you get a group buy going, count me in.

[n3wd4ddy]

Hey folks,

Sorry for being absent from the forum but it's been kinda busy at work lately, ...

Just a couple of words to address the security concerns referenced in this thread. To be honest, security has never been an issue for me because I keep the sides of the canopy rolled up most of the time.

The times when I rolled the sides down was when I was actually hauling something in the back that I did not want to get blown around or wet (if it was raining). Most of time I kept the sides rolled up because it is easier to see behind me while driving and the dogs like it better when the sides are rolled up as well.

For me, I never had a need to have a 'secure' shell because i am not one who would leave anything of value in the shell anyway. Most of the shells I have seen would be much easier to break into than the cab so as a rule, I don't let myself entertain keeping valuable stuff in the back of the truck. if I did need that, I would get a secure locker or some other secure storage for the bed. Again, I am not trying to be preachy here but that is just what works for me. your mileage may vary, ...

Seriously, If I had to make a short list of why I love this canopy, it mght be something like this:

1) It is dry as a bone when closed up
2) dogs love to ride in the back with the sides rolled up
3) it is fantastic to be able to load the bed from the sides and then close the sides up. Also great for unloading as well.
4) Can't be beat for camping. In a pinch it also makes a great tent.
5) The canvas is fitted for the shell so it does not flap or make any noisy. Folks who have seen me on the freeway, say it looks like a firm surface at speed since there is no flapping or visible movement in the canvas surface.
6) Much easier to see behind me while driving with the sides up and I know I always have the option of rolling the sides down if I need to.

I guess the bottom line is that I am going to get one either way but I think I still have a few more months to wait before Can-Back starts the Tundra production run. If we can get a group of folks together then that is great and maybe we can all save a few bucks. My understanding is that discounts start at around 5 or so orders and keep gettng more aggressive as the order count gets higher.

N3wd4ddy if you get a group buy going, count me in.

Thanks, just let them know you are part of the Tundra Solutions group and with any luck, maybe we can all save a few bucks. I will make sure that the Can-Back folks are aware that they should be getting some orders from us and to price accordingly.

Hope this helps, ...

[StatCoder]

I have owned a Can-Back for my 2002 Ram and now have a SofTopper for my new Tundra CrewMax. I prefer the SofTopper because:

1. It folds down nicely when not needed. I always had a problem with the rear visibility with the Can-Back on my Ram to the extent that I only put it on for long trips with the dogs in the back.
2. The Can-Back is heavy and bulky to store. The SofTopper can be taken apart and put in a bag the size of two pillowcases.
3. The Can-Back is custom made for the model truck so when I had to sell it, I had to find the owner of a Ram short box from those years.
4. No drilling. With the Can-Back, I had to drill 4 half-inch holes into the bedrail of my brand new truck.
5. I believe the price is about half of a Can-Back.

With the rear camera and the sonar, the rear view issue isn't really a problem anymore. And, the Can-Back is definitely sturdy. However, I do have power sliding rear window and I'd like to use it once in a while so the SofTopper is mostly down. But, anytime I need a cover for the bed i.e. an unexpected shower with something in the back, I've got one. I do wish it were a little more custom shaped to the truck but it doesn't bother me.

[ThomasE]

StatCoder, how is the quality of the actual covering/tarp? How do you think it would hold up say, for a road trip of a couple thousand miles? The way I would use it is put it on the truck (and up) in the spring, remove for the fall, for camping during the summer months. I would like to get the can-back, but I'm not sure if they're ever going to produce one for the 1st generation Tundra's now that the 2nd gen. is out.

[StatCoder]

I'm no expert on material but it seems to be made of material that you would cover a boat with. It comes with a can of spray sealant that you are supposed to spray on the inside seams. The cloth is water-proof but the seams supposedly need treatment. I sprayed it on the seams both inside and out since I wasn't that worried about glossy shade changes. I think it's basically waterproof if you match the edges together correctly. I can't see that weather would be an issue short-term. I guess my main concern would be the visibility of the window-parts since those are clear plastic and, I suppose, would get cloudy with age.