Flated Air-Topper modifications for R1T

[rbrak29]

The Flated Air-Topper https://flated.com/products/air-topper-cap-small-truck-ford-maverick is not specifically designed for the R1T, but for the Ford Maverick (4.5 ft bed). Not designed for, but will work.

The main problem is securing the rear window to the tailgate and areas that prevent water ingress. One can attach Velcro to tailgate to secure the rear window. I choose not to.

Note: My wife and I are not seamstresses or upholsterers.

The topper comes with a strap with Velcro that attaches the lower part of the zippered rear window by wrapping around the tailgate. To secure the rear window, I added a ‘skirt’ to lower the strap position on the tailgate to more securely attach to the tailgate. NOTE: I added PPF tailgate directly above the taillight. About $150. Even if I did not use a topper, this area of the tailgate deserves PPF.

The material I used for this and other additions (corner skirts) is black marine seat cover material purchased from a local hardware store that has upholstery material. I tried to get some material from Flated, but could not.

Velcro was added to Velcro on the rear window.

Both corners of the topper on either side of the window needed ‘skirts’ to prevent water ingress. There is a fairly large gap at the corners. You may choose not to make them.

Making the corner pieces was trial and error as sides of the topper were slightly different on my topper. A small tab of the corner piece was glued to the topper using the patch cement provided with the topper.

Three inch wide foam rubber gasket material was added around the bed rails before topper goes on. Four small slots (2 on each side) near the cab were sealed with small strips of the same gasket material.

https://www.amazon.com/Neoprene-Dualplex-Weather-Density-Stripping/dp/B07WZH1516/ref=sr_1_4?th=1

The topper holds out water pretty well, but I would not take it through a carwash.

The zippers have a tendency to unzip if driving into a stiff wind pulling a trailer.

I take the main skirt off if there is not threat of rain.

There may be other ways of making the topper work with the R1T and provide a somewhat water tight topper. This is just how I did it.

Critique away.

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[Meinthe303]

The Flated Air-Topper https://flated.com/products/air-topper-cap-small-truck-ford-maverick is not specifically designed for the R1T, but for the Ford Maverick (4.5 ft bed). Not designed for, but will work.

The main problem is securing the rear window to the tailgate and areas that prevent water ingress. One can attach Velcro to tailgate to secure the rear window. I choose not to.

Note: My wife and I are not seamstresses or upholsterers.

The topper comes with a strap with Velcro that attaches the lower part of the zippered rear window by wrapping around the tailgate. To secure the rear window, I added a ‘skirt’ to lower the strap position on the tailgate to more securely attach to the tailgate. NOTE: I added PPF tailgate directly above the taillight. About $150. Even if I did not use a topper, this area of the tailgate deserves PPF.

The material I used for this and other additions (corner skirts) is black marine seat cover material purchased from a local hardware store that has upholstery material. I tried to get some material from Flated, but could not.

Velcro was added to Velcro on the rear window.

Both corners of the topper on either side of the window needed ‘skirts’ to prevent water ingress. There is a fairly large gap at the corners. You may choose not to make them.

Making the corner pieces was trial and error as sides of the topper were slightly different on my topper. A small tab of the corner piece was glued to the topper using the patch cement provided with the topper.

Three inch wide foam rubber gasket material was added around the bed rails before topper goes on. Four small slots (2 on each side) near the cab were sealed with small strips of the same gasket material.

https://www.amazon.com/Neoprene-Dualplex-Weather-Density-Stripping/dp/B07WZH1516/ref=sr_1_4?th=1

The topper holds out water pretty well, but I would not take it through a carwash.

The zippers have a tendency to unzip if driving into a stiff wind pulling a trailer.

I take the main skirt off if there is not threat of rain.

There may be other ways of making the topper work with the R1T and provide a somewhat water tight topper. This is just how I did it.

Critique away.

No critiques, looks like you've achieved what you needed/wanted to. Great job... I've been so torn between these, or the foldable pop up campers, or just going all in on a something like a dirtbox. While I like the idea of something that is easily inflated or flipped up, it seems like there are multiple steps to making it weather tight. Lately I've been leaning more toward the hardshell RTT design, but the price tag is just so difficult to be ok with! Ha ha!! However, I do like the idea of just needing to remove a few bolts, and I have my awesome truck to enjoy again... Too many options now days! I hope you enjoy your top, thanks for sharing.

 

[mcarver316]

The Flated Air-Topper https://flated.com/products/air-topper-cap-small-truck-ford-maverick is not specifically designed for the R1T, but for the Ford Maverick (4.5 ft bed). Not designed for, but will work.

The main problem is securing the rear window to the tailgate and areas that prevent water ingress. One can attach Velcro to tailgate to secure the rear window. I choose not to.

Note: My wife and I are not seamstresses or upholsterers.

The topper comes with a strap with Velcro that attaches the lower part of the zippered rear window by wrapping around the tailgate. To secure the rear window, I added a ‘skirt’ to lower the strap position on the tailgate to more securely attach to the tailgate. NOTE: I added PPF tailgate directly above the taillight. About $150. Even if I did not use a topper, this area of the tailgate deserves PPF.

The material I used for this and other additions (corner skirts) is black marine seat cover material purchased from a local hardware store that has upholstery material. I tried to get some material from Flated, but could not.

Velcro was added to Velcro on the rear window.

Both corners of the topper on either side of the window needed ‘skirts’ to prevent water ingress. There is a fairly large gap at the corners. You may choose not to make them.

Making the corner pieces was trial and error as sides of the topper were slightly different on my topper. A small tab of the corner piece was glued to the topper using the patch cement provided with the topper.

Three inch wide foam rubber gasket material was added around the bed rails before topper goes on. Four small slots (2 on each side) near the cab were sealed with small strips of the same gasket material.

https://www.amazon.com/Neoprene-Dualplex-Weather-Density-Stripping/dp/B07WZH1516/ref=sr_1_4?th=1

The topper holds out water pretty well, but I would not take it through a carwash.

The zippers have a tendency to unzip if driving into a stiff wind pulling a trailer.

I take the main skirt off if there is not threat of rain.

There may be other ways of making the topper work with the R1T and provide a somewhat water tight topper. This is just how I did it.

Critique away.

Really awesome thanks!

No critiques, looks like you've achieved what you needed/wanted to. Great job... I've been so torn between these, or the foldable pop up campers, or just going all in on a something like a dirtbox. While I like the idea of something that is easily inflated or flipped up, it seems like there are multiple steps to making it weather tight. Lately I've been leaning more toward the hardshell RTT design, but the price tag is just so difficult to be ok with! Ha ha!! However, I do like the idea of just needing to remove a few bolts, and I have my awesome truck to enjoy again... Too many options now days! I hope you enjoy your top, thanks for sharing.

Amazing simple topper indeed-

Here is another example from a youtuber:

 

[rbrak29]

.....Lately I've been leaning more toward the hardshell RTT design, but the price tag is just so difficult to be ok with! Ha ha!! However, I do like the idea of just needing to remove a few bolts, and I have my awesome truck to enjoy again....

I assume you looked into this:

https://www.wakeshield.biz/product-...mail&cid=8106da15-c14e-44d3-bd2a-39f09323406b

I did, but the rails along the side of the bed interfere with the cargo I carry. Need all the width I can get.

Nice design and you can get to gear tunnel, tonneau, and tailgate buttons,

 

[Hillbilly]

These are so weird. Just get a proper truck with topper if it's really needed. If it's for camping just get a tent. Rooftop or standard.

 

[Yossarian]

Great work @rbrak29 - thanks for sharing.

What gives me pause is the amount of additional work needed to make the Flated topper fit properly on the R1T: you've done a terrific job in customizing the fit of a product that was designed for a different vehicle. I'm not sure that very many of us have the skill or the nerve to do what you've done!

 

[silkyjohnson]

I have one of these as well. Didn’t bother with trying to fix the backend. It doesn’t flap around when the bottom isn’t secured. While driving, I don’t get water inside. When I park, I just make sure it’s flipped out/laying on the top of the tailgate.

 

[muckwomper]

The Flated Air-Topper https://flated.com/products/air-topper-cap-small-truck-ford-maverick is not specifically designed for the R1T, but for the Ford Maverick (4.5 ft bed). Not designed for, but will work.

The main problem is securing the rear window to the tailgate and areas that prevent water ingress. One can attach Velcro to tailgate to secure the rear window. I choose not to.

Note: My wife and I are not seamstresses or upholsterers.

The topper comes with a strap with Velcro that attaches the lower part of the zippered rear window by wrapping around the tailgate. To secure the rear window, I added a ‘skirt’ to lower the strap position on the tailgate to more securely attach to the tailgate. NOTE: I added PPF tailgate directly above the taillight. About $150. Even if I did not use a topper, this area of the tailgate deserves PPF.

The material I used for this and other additions (corner skirts) is black marine seat cover material purchased from a local hardware store that has upholstery material. I tried to get some material from Flated, but could not.

Velcro was added to Velcro on the rear window.

Both corners of the topper on either side of the window needed ‘skirts’ to prevent water ingress. There is a fairly large gap at the corners. You may choose not to make them.

Making the corner pieces was trial and error as sides of the topper were slightly different on my topper. A small tab of the corner piece was glued to the topper using the patch cement provided with the topper.

Three inch wide foam rubber gasket material was added around the bed rails before topper goes on. Four small slots (2 on each side) near the cab were sealed with small strips of the same gasket material.

https://www.amazon.com/Neoprene-Dualplex-Weather-Density-Stripping/dp/B07WZH1516/ref=sr_1_4?th=1

The topper holds out water pretty well, but I would not take it through a carwash.

The zippers have a tendency to unzip if driving into a stiff wind pulling a trailer.

I take the main skirt off if there is not threat of rain.

There may be other ways of making the topper work with the R1T and provide a somewhat water tight topper. This is just how I did it.

Critique away.

Do you have any dimensions or tips for creating the tailgate skirt? I'm interested in making one of these myself as I have the Flated air-topper and a Rivian.

 

[JamuJoe]

The Flated Air-Topper https://flated.com/products/air-topper-cap-small-truck-ford-maverick is not specifically designed for the R1T, but for the Ford Maverick (4.5 ft bed). Not designed for, but will work.

The main problem is securing the rear window to the tailgate and areas that prevent water ingress. One can attach Velcro to tailgate to secure the rear window. I choose not to.

Note: My wife and I are not seamstresses or upholsterers.

The topper comes with a strap with Velcro that attaches the lower part of the zippered rear window by wrapping around the tailgate. To secure the rear window, I added a ‘skirt’ to lower the strap position on the tailgate to more securely attach to the tailgate. NOTE: I added PPF tailgate directly above the taillight. About $150. Even if I did not use a topper, this area of the tailgate deserves PPF.

The material I used for this and other additions (corner skirts) is black marine seat cover material purchased from a local hardware store that has upholstery material. I tried to get some material from Flated, but could not.

Velcro was added to Velcro on the rear window.

Both corners of the topper on either side of the window needed ‘skirts’ to prevent water ingress. There is a fairly large gap at the corners. You may choose not to make them.

Making the corner pieces was trial and error as sides of the topper were slightly different on my topper. A small tab of the corner piece was glued to the topper using the patch cement provided with the topper.

Three inch wide foam rubber gasket material was added around the bed rails before topper goes on. Four small slots (2 on each side) near the cab were sealed with small strips of the same gasket material.

https://www.amazon.com/Neoprene-Dualplex-Weather-Density-Stripping/dp/B07WZH1516/ref=sr_1_4?th=1

The topper holds out water pretty well, but I would not take it through a carwash.

The zippers have a tendency to unzip if driving into a stiff wind pulling a trailer.

I take the main skirt off if there is not threat of rain.

There may be other ways of making the topper work with the R1T and provide a somewhat water tight topper. This is just how I did it.

Critique away.

Good job. I took a simpler approach, attaching velcro directly to my tailgate lid to mate with the Flated rear window flap. This works just fine, and with black on black, it is not obvious. I also added 1” neoprene weatherstripping along the front and side mating surfaces of the Flated, which eliminated water penetration and improves access to the gear tunnel buttons. . I just remounted the Flated yesterday for an upcoming camping trip. Easy to mount, easy to store, I’m still satisfied with this topper after a year of use.

 

[rbrak29]

Do you have any dimensions or tips for creating the tailgate skirt? I'm interested in making one of these myself as I have the Flated air-topper and a Rivian.

See attached.

Note position of Velcro attached to the shirt. I repositioned it to make the window fit tighter. Also driving at highway speeds the window zippers unzip slightly. Added a string attached to the zipper pulls and ran it under the velcro of the corner shirts.

Where in MN? I live in Fargo.

 

[muckwomper]

Thank you very much for the specs! Lakeville MN. Got the gen 2 R1T last fall and had this post bookmarked for when it got warm and I purchased the air-topper. Should be fun project!

 

[kimck99]

Hi. Question for those who have this topper. I have a 3rd party soft tonneau cover that has the 'raised' rails on each side. Will this work with the tonneau rails installed?

Thanks

 

[rbrak29]

Hi. Question for those who have this topper. I have a 3rd party soft tonneau cover that has the 'raised' rails on each side. Will this work with the tonneau rails installed?

Thanks

No, as the 6 tie down straps would get in the way.

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