Westin EXP Truck Cap Review: 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax

The Westin EXP truck cap for the 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax with the 5.5 ft (66.7 in) short bed is the closest thing on the market to a permanent garage on your truck. It is an aluminum gullwing topper engineered around the second-generation Tundra's exact bed dimensions, and it ships in a no-drill, bolt-on package that the average Tundra owner can install on a Saturday morning. At NLP Performance in Tampa, this is the cap we point CrewMax owners toward when they ask about secure dry storage, overland builds, or rooftop tent platforms — and it is the only Tundra-specific truck cap currently in our catalog. This guide breaks down what makes the Westin EXP different from a traditional fiberglass camper shell, what to expect during install, how to budget for the complete two-box system, and which complementary upgrades you should plan for at the same time.

Westin EXP Truck Cap at a Glance

EXP Truck Cap — 2007-2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 5.5 ft Bed (Box 1)

Key Specifications

The Westin EXP is best understood as a working hybrid of a camper shell and a roof rack. Two large gullwing doors hinge upward from the roofline, giving you full-height access along each side of the Tundra bed without crawling in over the tailgate. The roof itself is a structural T-slot platform — not a glued-on shell — rated for 700 lb static and approximately 250 lb dynamic, which is the rating most rooftop tent manufacturers ask for. The black powder-coated aluminum body shrugs off Florida sun, salt air on coastal trips, and the kind of impact that would crack a fiberglass shell.

Why Aluminum Beats Fiberglass for Most Tundra Owners

For decades, the default truck cap was a color-matched fiberglass camper shell from LEER, A.R.E., SnugTop, or Jason. Those products still sell, but for the second-generation Tundra CrewMax we keep coming back to aluminum — and specifically the Westin EXP — for four reasons:

• Real load capacity overhead. A typical fiberglass shell is rated for 100-150 lb on the roof, and most owners will tell you they wouldn't trust it with that. The Westin EXP's T-slot roof rails carry 700 lb static, which is enough for a fully loaded crossbar setup, kayaks, ladders, lumber, or a hardshell rooftop tent.
• Damage tolerance. Aluminum dents under heavy impact — fiberglass cracks and spider-webs. Dented aluminum can be straightened or panel-replaced; cracked fiberglass usually means a full shell.
• No paint matching. The Westin EXP arrives in black powder coat. You skip the typical 2-4 week color-match wait at a fiberglass dealer and the $300-$500 paint upcharge that comes with it.
• Resale flexibility. A black aluminum cap fits any Tundra. A "Magnetic Gray Metallic" 1G3 fiberglass shell from a 2014 Tundra is borderline impossible to sell to anyone but another 2014 Magnetic Gray Tundra owner.

If you live in your truck, frequently haul lumber and contractor gear, or run rooftop tents and overlanding loads, the EXP is built around the way you actually use the bed. If you only need a clean, low-profile cover for groceries and dog runs, a tonneau cover may be the better play — we cover those alternatives below.

The Two-Box System: 16-13255A and 16-13255B Explained

This is the single most important detail to get right when you order: the Westin EXP for the 2007-2021 Tundra CrewMax ships in two separate boxes, and you need both boxes to have a complete, installable cap.

• Box 1 (Westin part 16-13255A) contains the main aluminum body shell, the roof platform, and the rear hatch with tinted glass.
• Box 2 (Westin part 16-13255B) contains the gullwing side doors, hinge hardware, gas struts, weather seals, mounting clamps, and locks.

The product page you are reading is Box 1. When you check out, your shopping cart will prompt you to add Box 2 (16-13255B) before fitment is complete. We mention this on every order confirmation email and our team in Tampa will reach out if a CrewMax 5.5 ft customer orders only Box 1. The two-box system is a freight constraint — the EXP is too large to ship as a single LTL crate without significant damage risk — not a feature gate.

Plan for LTL freight delivery to a residential or commercial address. Both boxes are bulky and require liftgate service in most residential delivery scenarios. Inspect both boxes for shipping damage before signing the delivery receipt; aluminum is forgiving, but a deeply gouged door panel is worth a freight claim, not a touch-up.

Westin EXP vs LEER, A.R.E., RSI SmartCap, and OVS Expedition

The Westin EXP is not the only aluminum or composite cap in the second-generation Tundra space, but it is the one that hits the value sweet spot. Here is how it stacks up against the competition Tundra CrewMax owners typically cross-shop:

The takeaway: the Westin EXP delivers roughly 90% of the SmartCap's load capacity and feature set at one-third the price, and it skips the LEER fiberglass paint match wait entirely. The two main reasons to step up to a SmartCap or A.R.E. DCU are if you require a thicker-walled commercial-grade load floor (think utility company, fleet service body) or you need a custom interior with permanent shelving and 12V wiring — both of which are the SmartCap's specialty.

Real-World Use Cases: Who Buys the EXP for Their Tundra?

Tradesmen and Contractors

If you keep $5,000-$15,000 in tools in the bed, you need lockable, weather-tight storage. The Westin EXP's gullwing doors lock with the same key as the rear hatch, the seals keep Florida summer rain out, and the aluminum body resists the dents and scratches that come from loading and unloading job-site gear. The 700 lb roof load is enough for a full ladder rack, conduit bundles, and a Yakima or Thule cargo box.

Overlanders and Rooftop Tent Users

The 250 lb dynamic roof rating is enough for almost every hardshell rooftop tent on the market — iKamper, Roofnest, Thule, and most softshell models all weigh between 110 and 175 lb empty. The CrewMax's 5.5 ft bed is short enough that the tent overhangs the rear, but Tundra owners regularly run this exact setup for week-long overland trips. Pair the EXP with a set of T-slot crossbars and you have a turnkey overland rig.

Daily Driver with Weekend Adventure

For Tundra owners who use the truck as a daily commuter Monday through Friday and as a kayak hauler, paddleboard rig, or mountain bike shuttle on weekends, the EXP gives you secure dry storage for groceries and gear five days a week and a load-bearing platform on weekends. Visibility through the rear glass is good, and the gullwing doors mean you can grab your kayak straps from the side without climbing into the bed at the trailhead.

Pet Transport (with Caveats)

The CrewMax bed under the EXP is large enough for a dog crate or a foam mattress, and the rear hatch + gullwing doors give plenty of airflow when parked. Two important caveats: there is no climate control in the bed, so this is not a substitute for cab transport in extreme Florida summer or freezing winter conditions, and you should add a battery-powered ventilation fan and crack the gullwing doors when stopped. The EXP is rated for transport, not unattended occupancy.

Installation: No-Drill, Bolt-On, About an Hour

Installing the Westin EXP on a 2007-2021 Tundra CrewMax is one of the most straightforward truck cap installs we have done at our Tampa shop. Two reasonably strong adults can complete it in roughly 60 minutes, no body shop visit required.

1. Unbox both boxes (16-13255A and 16-13255B). Lay out the gullwing doors, hardware, gas struts, and seals on a clean blanket so nothing gets stepped on.
2. Apply the included bed-rail seal foam tape along the top edge of the bed rails and the front of the bulkhead. This is what creates a weather-tight seal between the EXP and the bed.
3. Lift the main shell onto the bed — this is the only step that genuinely needs two people. Center it side-to-side and front-to-back, with the rear hatch flush to the tailgate.
4. Install the bed-rail clamps from inside the bed using the supplied hardware. Snug them in a star pattern, then torque to spec. No drilling into the bed rails is required.
5. Hang the gullwing doors and gas struts using the included hinge brackets. Adjust the gas struts so the doors hold open at full height without creep.
6. Test the locks and seals. Spray the cap with a hose. Any drip points usually mean a clamp needs another quarter-turn or a foam strip needs to be re-seated.

If you would rather have us handle it, our Tampa, FL shop installs Westin EXPs for local Tundra owners regularly. Email info@nlpperformance.com for an install quote.

Pros and Cons: Honest Assessment

Lower-Profile Alternatives: Tundra CrewMax Tonneau Covers

If a full truck cap is more than you need — you do not haul tall cargo, you do not run a rooftop tent, and you mostly want a clean bed cover that hides groceries and tools — a tonneau cover is the right answer. Two we recommend for the 2007-2021 Tundra CrewMax 5.5 ft bed:

Build Out Your Tundra CrewMax EXP Setup

Once the EXP is on the bed, two upgrades reliably come up in the same conversation: nerf step bars to make cab access easier when you are loaded down with gear, and Yakima or Thule T-slot crossbars for the EXP roof. Step bars first, since they pair with the cap immediately:

Frequently Asked Questions