Nowadays, simplicity is key. The trend of big and excess has been winding down for a while and folks are finding more and more ways to work with what they have. Some people have found creative ways to do that and realized it's worth sharing with others. One is Tod Bruestle, owner of TopperEZlift - a product that lifts the topper off the back of a pickup truck.
"I kept trying to get my four wheelers and tractors to the cabin and it's frustrating with a topper on," says Bruestle, "It seems you always end up missing by just a few inches." Originally, Bruestle made his own topper out of aluminum and made it so it would roll up. "It was really ugly on a new truck, though," Bruestle says. He started to work with products already on the market. "Since the 80s, manufacturers have made most toppers as a one piece molded fiberglass, so it's basically like a boat haul," he says. As such, toppers are really strong and they do not need to be reinvented. Instead, a product needed to be made to accommodate large loads.Meet the TopperLift. This topper lifting system is all electric and powered directly from a trucks' 12 volt battery. The linear actuators that raise it are capable of lifting a total of 900 LBS and life the topper 17.5 inches. After the load is put in, simply press the button to lower the topper. Best of all - it is universal. It fits every truck and topper on the market, whether the truck has an 8' bed or a 5' bed. "Essentially we redesigned the way the topper is clamped on," Bruestle says.
The Topperlift is being shown to be used for storage of an off-road vehicle in the back of a pickup. [Photo/TopperEZlift]
Since 2009, the TopperLift has been causing a small stir with truck owners. "It can turn a regular pickup into a box truck," Bruestle says. People who put their toys like ATVs or businesses who load a pallet in with a forklift are all impressed with the lift. "A big load used to be a big hassle and calling a couple of friends over to take the topper off, now can be done with a press of the button," he says. Coming up with the universal fit took a bit of measuring when trucks would come in or visits to dealerships to check them out, but Bruestle found that most of the trucks had similar sizes, so it became pretty easy to make sure it fits. TopperEZlift does not recommend driving with the topper lifted, mainly because not all toppers are made equally. They do say that having it up 8 inches or less is generally okay, though.
The kit is entirely made in the USA. "The wiring harness is made in Wisconsin and the Actuators are made in Kentucky," Bruestle says. He says it is important that the company makes its products here, especially at the current level of product movement. "It costs more to make them here, of course," he says, "But it is much easier to make sure the product is made well from good materials."
After a couple of years, Bruestle realized he could expand on the lift idea and add a camping component to it. He invented a weekender package that is basically like a mini pop-up camper in the back of the pickup. The website notes, "Large zippered side windows allow for easy side load access, good ventilation and a big view of those amazing vistas." The panels extend out to the tailgate, which is important for the smaller pickup beds because an average person is taller than 5'. "When not in use, it rolls up to about the size of your fist so you can just leave it on all the time," Bruestle says.
The camper has been really popular, especially in places like California, where nature opportunities are everywhere. "In California, a lot of people don't have room for a big RV, so having a small pop-up in the back of the truck is perfect," Bruestle says. He noticed that a lot of folks out there have the smaller Toyota Tacomas, whereas people in the north like Minnesota, where the company is from, folks drive full-size pickups. TopperEZlift ended up buying a Toyota Tacoma to experiment with and try different designs in. There is a video on the website where Bruestle himself describes the possibilities with the weekender package in a Tacoma. He shows it pop-up, complete with a bed, bottle of wine, TV and small refrigerator. Bruestle put a $300 solar panel on top that is able to power the LED lights and TV and make it an ideal place to sleep for a weekend out in nature.
The simplicity of the product, the way it is made, and how many different people can use it make it a great investment. Anyone who has tried to fit things inside their topper can relate to the hassle of doing so, especially with a large load. “The great thing with the lift is that it can be used with any truck and can be transferred to the next truck you buy,” Bruestle says. "But won’t it stop working eventually?", is a frequently asked question by consumers. As the company is small and aims to provide a product that lasts, Bruestle explains in the video that as long as he owns the company, he’ll replace parts that break free of charge. So you can spend less time loading and worrying about how things are going to fit, and more time enjoying those great outdoors.