This Pickup Game-Changer Pairs Radical Efficiency with Versatile Utility

This modular pickup topper shows tons of potential, no matter if you’re looking to haul gear, tools or even rooftop tents.

Gray Ford Ranger Raptor pickup truck with a black Modular Truck Gear canopy and off-road tires in a wooded area.

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By Gray Van Dyke

Published 2 hours ago

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While truck caps have come a long way from the primitive fiberglass toppers of old, that doesn’t mean they’re without compromise.

For instance, single-piece units might allow a faster install, but they’re usually bulkier and/or more limited in functionality. Conversely, folding and modular options can offer more flexibility, though they’re not always the most intuitive in set-up.

White Chevrolet Colorado Trail Boss pickup truck with black camper shell and black wheels on gravel road. — MTG’s ADV-BOX is much more than a way to add shelter and security to your pickup truck bed.

That’s the beauty of what this Kickstarter campaign offering from Modular Truck Gear (MTG) promises. Between its assembly and its versatility, it delivers the best of both worlds and a whole lot more.

Build your own box

It’s called the ADV-BOX or Adventure Box, and it’s a six-piece composite truck topper that can be put together completely tool-free. However, the real headlining feature is that MTG claims solo installation in all of 15 minutes. (Most outfits are a little more conservative at an hour-plus).

Interior view of a vehicle's rear canopy with a black cargo net attached to the ceiling and multiple latches and handles. — The latch system supports the ADV-BOX’s assembly as well as its fitment to your truck’s bed.

This is possible because of its slick locking construction. Inspired by tactical military cargo boxes and their quick-latch systems, MTG built the ADV-BOX around a dual-safety fastener design that’s secure while still being efficient to use.

Moreover, it’s compatible with interchangeable modules that can customize it for different applications. Along with hinging windows and storage lockers, MTG is also planning to offer toolboxes and various other commercial fitments.

Black metal shovel mounted on a black MTC-branded rear vehicle rack. — An integrated exterior rack system allows for fitment of MOLLE panels, crossbars and even rooftop tents.

And that’s not even addressing the exterior attachment points. Thanks to its integrated rack system, the ADV-BOX supports dynamic loads of up to 400 pounds and static loads of up to 800 pounds, and it can accommodate MOLLE panels, nets, crossbars and even rooftop tents.

Toward that end, the multi-piece assembly means that the topmost panels can be removed. In more practical applications that might be good for hauling taller loads, but it could also act as a pass-through for your nightly overlanding accommodations.

A smarter take-off

In any case, the modularity of MTG’s ADV-Box means that it should be easy to live with, even when it’s not attached to your truck.

Gray pickup truck with a black camper shell featuring a large rectangular sunroof opening with an orange trim, showing a potted palm plant inside. — The multi-part construction has its practical benefits, too.

For one, it tips the scales at 175 pounds altogether. In addition to being lightweight as a whole, this means each constituent part is less to heft compared to full-size alternatives.

By that same logic, MTG also sees the six-piece construction as a more storage-friendly design. When mounted on its compatible rack (either on a dolly or on a wall), the ADV-BOX supposedly packs down to just a quarter of its assembled footprint.

Add to that features like built-in water channels, dust seals, interior LED lighting and a brake light, and it promises to be quite the addition to your pickup.

Tan pickup truck with off-road tires and a rooftop tent mounted on a black rack in a mountainous outdoor setting. — Whether you’re using it for work or play, this topper promises to take your truck’s utility to new heights.

Availability and pricing

If you’re interested in the MTG ADV-BOX, you can back it now on Kickstarter starting at $4,699. Accessories like the MOLLE panels will be available separately.

The initial offering is for trucks with five-foot beds, including the Toyota Tacoma, the Ford Ranger and the Chevy Colorado. MTG will later offer additional launches supporting caps for the Ford F-150, Chevy Silverado, RAM 1500 and Jeep Gladiator, as well as mid-size six-foot beds.

Tan pickup truck with black off-road tires and a black modular camper shell, with a dog lying on the open tailgate.

MTG ADV-BOX Pickup Truck Cap

Starts at $4,700

About the Author: Gray is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, motorcycles and anything else with wheels. When he’s not chasing the latest industry news, he’s probably wrenching on one of many projects. For better or worse, he believes classics make perfectly practical daily drivers.

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