Next Level Performance
June 14, 2026 • 12 min read
If you own a 2007–2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax and you are tired of throwing a tarp over the bed every time rain rolls through Tampa, the Westin EXP Truck Cap turns that 5.5 ft bed into a locked, weatherproof 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 second-generation Tundra CrewMax — 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 2007–2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax 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. At $942.99 (down from $1,178.75) it undercuts most molded fiberglass shells while lasting longer 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 2007–2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax fits the 5.5 ft (66 in) short bed specifically. 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 Tundra bed.
Key Specifications
Why an Aluminum Cap Beats Fiberglass on a Tundra
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, which gives the Tundra 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.
- It is lighter and easier to handle. An aluminum cap weighs far less than a comparable fiberglass shell, so it barely dents your CrewMax payload and is realistic to remove seasonally if you need an open bed.
- 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 Tundra'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 Tundra 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 CrewMax 5.5 ft bed only; Double Cab long-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 Tundra CrewMax ships in two separate boxes. Box 1 (part 16-13255A, the listing priced at $942.99) contains the roof/top section. Box 2 (part 16-13255B) 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. When you check out, confirm both the Box 1 and Box 2 line items are in your cart. Not sure you have the right pair for your CrewMax? Our Tampa team can confirm the complete kit 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 Tundra Bed Cover Is Right for You?
A full truck cap is not the only way to cover a Tundra bed. If you do not need a cab-height enclosure, a hard 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 2007–2021 Tundra 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 | CrewMax 5.5 ft | Locked, weatherproof cargo + 700 lb roof | $942.99 |
| Westin Hard Tri-Fold Tonneau | Folding hard cover | 5.7 ft bed | Low profile, fast bed access, security | $934.99 |
| Westin Tri-Fold w/ Cargo Mgmt | Folding hard cover | 6.5 ft bed | Longer bed plus cargo-channel tie-downs | $1,044.99 |
| 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.
Installation: What to Expect on a Tundra CrewMax
The headline feature of the EXP is the no-drill install. The cap clamps to the lip of your factory Tundra 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 CrewMax 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.
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 set of Westin EXP bed clamps if you ever need replacements
No-drill C-clamps grip the factory bed rails — nothing is bolted through the bed.
Complete the Build: Pairing Upgrades for Your Tundra
A cap that sits this clean deserves a matching set of accessories. The two upgrades our Tundra 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 a rear window protector to guard the cab glass from shifting cargo.
Inside the EXP: a fully enclosed, lockable cargo area over the CrewMax bed.
Want a beefier step? The Westin HDX Stainless Drop nerf bars ($891.99) step up to a heavier-duty stainless build with an aggressive drop step. Either way, matching the step bars to the cap gives the whole CrewMax 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 CrewMax 5.5 ft bed; if you have a Double 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 CrewMax 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 2007–2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax?
Yes. This Westin EXP Truck Cap (part 16-13255A) is built specifically for the 2007–2021 Toyota Tundra CrewMax with the 5.5 ft (66 in) bed. It does not fit the Double Cab models 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 Tundra 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 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 (16-13255A) holds the top section and Box 2 (16-13255B) 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.
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 Tundra bed into a lockable, weatherproof cargo box.
Truck cap or tonneau cover — which is better for a Tundra?
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 Tundra Bed?
Shop the Westin EXP Truck Cap for your 2007–2021 Tundra CrewMax and thousands more truck accessories at NLP Performance.
Shop the Westin EXP CapFree shipping on select brands • Located in Tampa, FL
