Next Level Performance
June 17, 2026 • 12 min read
The F-150 is the best-selling truck in America, but a wide-open 5.5 ft SuperCrew bed leaves your tools, gear, and groceries exposed to every Tampa thunderstorm and every curious set of eyes in a parking lot. The Westin EXP Truck Cap for the 2015–2026 Ford F-150 SuperCrew turns that open short bed into a locked, weatherproof aluminum cargo box. It is a five-piece extruded aluminum cap with gullwing side doors, a 700 lb static roof load, and a true no-drill, bed-rail clamp install. After fitting these caps on customer trucks in our Tampa shop, we put together this full review of the Westin EXP Truck Cap for the SuperCrew F-150 — what it is, how it mounts, how it compares to a tonneau cover, and exactly what you need to order.
Our Verdict
The Westin EXP is the best-value aluminum truck cap for the 2015–2026 Ford F-150 SuperCrew 5.5 ft bed.
Lightweight extruded aluminum that will not rust or crack like fiberglass, dual gullwing doors for easy side access, a 700 lb static roof for racks and gear, and a no-drill clamp install that bolts to the factory bed rails. The Box 1 listing starts at $942.99 (down from $1,178.75), and the aluminum construction outlasts molded fiberglass shells in Florida sun and salt air.
Shop Our Top Pick →Westin EXP Truck Cap at a Glance
A truck cap (also called a camper shell or bed topper) is a hard, cab-height enclosure that bolts over your pickup bed to lock and weatherproof everything inside. The Westin EXP is Westin's aluminum take on the format, and the version built for the Ford F-150 SuperCrew fits the 5.5 ft (67 in) short bed across both the 2015–2020 thirteenth-generation truck and the 2021–2026 fourteenth-generation F-150. Unlike a heavy fiberglass shell that has to be color-matched and craned into place, the EXP ships flat-packed in panels and assembles into a rigid box that you clamp down without a single hole drilled in the truck.
Gullwing side doors swing up for full-length reach into the F-150 bed.
Key Specifications
Why an Aluminum Cap Beats Fiberglass on an F-150
The biggest reason to choose the Westin EXP over a traditional cap comes down to the material. Most camper shells are molded fiberglass — heavy, prone to spider-cracking, and a nightmare to repair if a tree branch or a ladder catches a corner. The EXP is built from extruded aluminum panels, and that gives the F-150 owner three concrete advantages:
- It will not rust or rot. Aluminum shrugs off the humidity, coastal salt, and relentless UV that destroy paint and gelcoat in Florida. There is no clearcoat to oxidize and no seams to leak — a natural match for the F-150's own aluminum-alloy body.
- It is lighter and easier to handle. An aluminum cap weighs far less than a comparable fiberglass shell, so it barely dents your SuperCrew payload and is realistic to remove seasonally if you need an open bed for mulch or a dirt bike.
- It is modular. Because the EXP is panelized rather than one molded piece, a damaged door or window can be serviced individually instead of replacing the whole shell.
Cab-height aluminum profile keeps the F-150's lines clean and aerodynamic.
What We Like
- + Extruded aluminum will not rust, crack, or fade in Florida heat and salt air
- + 700 lb static roof load handles roof racks, kayaks, and rooftop cargo baskets
- + True no-drill install clamps to the factory F-150 bed rails — no holes, no adhesive
- + Locking gullwing side doors and rear glass keep tools and gear secure
Things to Consider
- – Ships as a two-box system — you must order both boxes to complete the cap
- – Fits the SuperCrew 5.5 ft bed only; 6.5 ft and 8 ft bed owners need a different cover
- – Ships LTL freight, so plan for a curbside delivery and a helper to assemble
The Two-Box System — What You Actually Order
This is the single most important thing to understand before you buy, and it trips up a lot of first-time cap shoppers. The Westin EXP for the F-150 SuperCrew ships in two separate boxes. Box 1 (part 16-14065A, the listing priced at $942.99) contains the roof/top section. Box 2 (part 16-14065B) contains the side panels and mounting hardware. You need both boxes for a complete, installable truck cap — ordering only Box 1 leaves you with a lid and no sides.
Westin splits the shipment this way because a fully assembled aluminum cap is bulky and easily damaged in transit; flat-packing it into two manageable boxes protects the panels and keeps freight costs down. Box 2 ships as its own freight line item, so when you check out, confirm both the Box 1 and Box 2 parts are in your cart. Not sure you have the right pair for your SuperCrew? Our Tampa team can confirm the complete two-box kit and your total before your order ships — that is the advantage of buying a freight item from a real shop instead of a faceless marketplace listing.
Locking T-handles secure the rear glass and both gullwing doors.
Truck Cap vs Tonneau: Which F-150 Bed Cover Is Right for You?
A full truck cap is not the only way to cover an F-150 bed. If you do not need a cab-height enclosure, a hard or soft tri-fold tonneau cover gives you weather protection and security with a low, sleek profile and faster bed access. Here is how the Westin bed-cover options for the 2015–2026 F-150 stack up so you can match the cover to how you actually use the truck.
| Kit | Style | Bed Fit | Best For | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westin EXP Truck CapTop Pick | Enclosed aluminum cap | SuperCrew 5.5 ft | Locked, weatherproof cargo + 700 lb roof | $942.99 |
| Westin Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau | Folding hard cover | 5.5 ft (5ft 7in) bed | Low profile, fast bed access, security | $934.99 |
| Westin Soft Tri-Fold Tonneau | Folding soft cover | 5.5 ft bed | Budget weather protection, easy DIY install | $340.99 |
| Westin EXP Toolbox Shell | Cab-high toolbox shell | 5.5 ft bed | Side toolbox access with partial cover | $747.99 |
The low-profile hard tri-fold tonneau is the sleeker alternative to a full cap.
Bottom line: choose the EXP Truck Cap if you haul gear that needs to stay dry, locked, and out of sight, or if you want a rack-capable roof for kayaks and cargo baskets. Choose a hard tri-fold tonneau if you prioritize a low profile, easy reach into the bed, and the ability to fold it back for tall loads — or the budget-friendly soft tri-fold if you mainly want to keep rain off the bed.
Installation: What to Expect on an F-150 SuperCrew
The headline feature of the EXP is the no-drill install. The cap clamps to the lip of your factory F-150 bed rails using internal C-clamps — there is no drilling into the bed, no factory hardware removed, and no adhesive. That means no rust-prone holes and a clean reversal if you ever sell the truck or want an open bed again. Plan on assembling the panels first (this is where Box 1 and Box 2 come together), then setting the completed cap onto the bed and snugging the clamps.
Budget a couple of hours and grab a friend — an assembled cap is awkward for one person to lift onto a SuperCrew bed even though the aluminum keeps the weight down. Work slowly, keep the clamps finger-tight until everything is squared, then torque them down evenly so the doors and rear glass seal flush. If your F-150 has the factory bed rail caps or a spray-in liner, the C-clamps still grip the rail lip without issue.
No-drill C-clamps grip the factory bed rails — nothing is bolted through the bed.
Tools You'll Need
- Socket and wrench set for the included bed-rail clamps
- A second set of hands to lift the assembled cap onto the bed
- Painter's tape and a tape measure to center the cap before clamping
- Optional: a spare Westin EXP clamp bed and cover kit ($154.99) if you ever need replacement clamps
Inside the EXP: a fully enclosed, lockable cargo area over the SuperCrew bed.
Complete the Build: Pairing Upgrades for Your F-150
A cap that sits this clean deserves a matching set of accessories. The two upgrades our F-150 customers add most often alongside the EXP cap are a set of drop step bars (so you can actually reach the now-taller bed and the cab) and an EXP front window that opens the cab-facing panel for light and a clear view through the bed.
Want a wider running surface and a more aggressive stance? The Westin Outlaw Drop Running Boards ($624.99) step up to a full-length drop running board that covers 2015–2025 SuperCrew trucks. Either way, matching the step to the cap gives the whole F-150 a finished, purpose-built look.
Where the Westin EXP Falls Short
No cap is perfect, and it is worth being honest about the trade-offs. The two-box freight system, while protective, means there are two line items to track and an LTL delivery to receive — this is not a doorstep parcel you toss in a closet. Assembly takes time and a second person, so if you were hoping to clamp it on in ten minutes in the driveway, set expectations accordingly. And the EXP is built specifically for the SuperCrew 5.5 ft bed; if you have a SuperCab or Regular Cab with the 6.5 ft or 8 ft bed, this exact cap will not fit and you will want a tonneau or a bed-length-correct cover instead.
Finally, a cap raises the cab-height silhouette of the truck. That is the point if you want a secure, weatherproof box — but if you frequently haul dirt bikes, mulch, or anything tall, a folding tonneau that opens the bed completely may suit you better. For most SuperCrew owners who want lockable, dry, rack-ready storage, those trade-offs are easy to live with.
Full rear glass lifts for loading; the aluminum shell locks the whole bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Westin EXP fit my Ford F-150 SuperCrew?
Yes. This Westin EXP Truck Cap (Box 1 part 16-14065A) is built for the 2015–2026 Ford F-150 SuperCrew (crew cab) with the 5.5 ft (67 in) short bed, covering both the 2015–2020 and 2021–2026 F-150 generations. It does not fit the SuperCab or Regular Cab with the 6.5 ft or 8 ft bed — those need a different cover.
How much weight can the Westin EXP roof hold?
The EXP is rated for a 700 lb static (parked) roof load. That is enough for a roof rack with kayaks, a cargo basket, or rooftop gear. As with any rack, reduce the load for dynamic driving conditions and distribute weight evenly across crossbars.
Do I need to drill my F-150 bed to install the EXP cap?
No. The EXP uses internal C-clamps that grip the lip of the factory bed rails. There is no drilling, no removed factory hardware, and no adhesive, so the install is fully reversible and leaves no rust-prone holes in your aluminum F-150 bed.
Why does the Westin EXP ship in two boxes?
The cap ships flat-packed in two boxes to protect the aluminum panels in transit and keep freight manageable. Box 1 (16-14065A) holds the top section and Box 2 (16-14065B) holds the side panels and hardware. You must order both boxes to build a complete cap.
Is the Westin EXP cap aluminum or fiberglass?
It is extruded aluminum, not fiberglass. That means it will not rust, spider-crack, or fade in UV, and it is lighter and easier to service than a molded fiberglass shell — a real advantage in Florida's heat and coastal air, and a natural match for the F-150's aluminum body.
Can I lock the Westin EXP truck cap?
Yes. The EXP uses locking T-handles on both gullwing side doors and the rear glass, so your bed contents stay secure. It turns an open F-150 bed into a lockable, weatherproof cargo box.
Truck cap or tonneau cover — which is better for an F-150?
Pick the EXP cap if you want a cab-height, lockable enclosure with a rack-rated roof. Pick a hard tri-fold tonneau if you want a low profile, faster bed access, and the option to fold it back for tall loads. The cap protects more; the tonneau is sleeker and easier to open.
Does NLP Performance ship the Westin EXP cap?
Yes. The EXP cap ships LTL freight from NLP Performance in Tampa, FL. Because it is a two-box freight item, our team can confirm you have both boxes for the complete kit before the order goes out. Reach us at info@nlpperformance.com with any fitment questions.
Ready to Lock Down Your F-150 Bed?
Shop the Westin EXP Truck Cap for your 2015–2026 F-150 SuperCrew and thousands more truck accessories at NLP Performance.
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