POLL: Camper Shell Yes / No

[Plasma800]

I'm considering whether or not to put a camper shell on my truck for the long, multi week trips...

What's your thoughts? Camper Shell Yes or No?

[kscherzi]

Had one on my last truck. Plus's are security, more storage, look sleek on truck, can carry long things on top like kayaks. Minus's are weight, limits rear driving visibility, makes getting to stuff in the bed harder.

I had a carpet kit too and used it to camp and carry dogs. Took it off when I need to use the truck like a truck for construction. Getting it on and off is a two person job.

[Jaxon]

We'll have a camper shell for our truck for sure when we hit the road full time again - keeps bins of gear and clothes (change outs for winter/summer), etc safe & dry. We had been contemplating a slide out floor but decided the weight would "compete" with gear.

Had thought about a tonneau cover but for us, the topper makes more sense. They can be ordered (ARE), with side windows that slide open as well as flip up to access stuff inside easily. Also a safe place to store a generator

[HiJoeSilver]

Truck cap or truck bed camper?

[Plasma800]

Well one consideration I'm having is I'm not 100% positive I'll be keeping this truck... i've been considering moving to a diesel in the next two years....

[Plasma800]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

We'll have a camper shell for our truck for sure when we hit the road full time again - keeps bins of gear and clothes (change outs for winter/summer), etc safe & dry. We had been contemplating a slide out floor but decided the weight would "compete" with gear.

Had thought about a tonneau cover but for us, the topper makes more sense. They can be ordered (ARE), with side windows that slide open as well as flip up to access stuff inside easily. Also a safe place to store a generator...

ARE would be my choice, and possibly a fishing rod tube on top... lord knows I'm going to fish anywhere I can, and as often as I can...

[Jaxon]

Originally Posted by Plasma800

lord knows I'm going to fish anywhere I can, and as often as I can...

.
Amen to that!
.

[Plasma800]

Originally Posted by Jaxon

.
Amen to that!
.

lol.... looky what I scared up last night...

now you just know this is a state record!

[RxGuy]

I have the ARE Z series. Very nice topper. Make sure you get a LED light string for lighting the inside, and at least a tilt down window between the topper and the cab so you can clean the back window on the cab.

[sandlapper]

IMHO, the topper is a must have for serious traveling. I went with the Lear high rise (aerodynamics, headroom) with flip out windoors ( full length running boards let me reach in), removable front window ( for cleaning), and the reinforced roof with Tule Roof Rack (haul the long stuff).

Took it one step farther, built in shelving down each side of the bed to store the essentials, still leave room in the bed.

Love it.

[sandlapper]

Truck Bed, with topper
Attached Thumbnails



__________________
John
WBCCI #3892
Region 3 , 1st VP

Go often to the house of a friend, for weeds choke the unused path........Emerson

Never pick a fight with an old

[rmkrum]

Had cab height shell on prior TV, this one has tonneau. Liked the shell better. More storage, better coverage. Tonneau is ok, but limits height of stuff in the truck. Have to select ice chests, etc very carefully.


Sent from my pocket Internet using Airstream Forums

[Al and Missy]

I have had two hard tonneaus, and now a 3-segment hard folding Tonneau. For a Tonneau I like the folder, but I'm seriously considering a shell. The folder leaks a little at the back fold and I'm feeling storage-limited due to height.

I'm looking at a Century Ultra or Ultra Sport. Does anyone have experience with them?

Al

[AirEgger]

I've had a Century Ultra for just over two years, no problems to date. Did go to the dealer for a latch adjustment. Also bought a roll out bed. Been a good thing for a senior rv'er. Makes things more accessible and saves the knees, IMHO.

[Ray Eklund]

Get yourself a USED shell for less than 50% of retail... even less on Craigs List. Our Snug Top was in excellent, garaged vehicle condition!

The Topper company will usually get the topper for $300 from a dealership when one is traded in on a vehicle. We got $600 credit on our Snug Top from our 2012 Tundra Crew Max, which might have cost $1750 when new. We negotiated with the Ford dealership and the Snug Top dealer while at Ford. The Ford dealership sold them all of the toppers that were traded in.

I asked WHY? The dealership said that anyone driving by would think the pickup was a SUV with the topper. So... stupid people exist everywhere!

Used: Blue is cheaper as fewer people have blue trucks. Silver and white are most popular. Color DOES make a difference in used shells. The topper sales company will deal with you... so act mildly interested, one of you be the 'bad person' while the other the mildly interested one. If that does not work... you at least tried.

Our SNUG tops never leaked. The window by the cab folded down so you could clean windows. Side windows with screen. A secure closing mechanism for the rear entry.

Ordered a new Snug Top for our 2016 F350 Ford. Should be here next week. Will always have one as you can travel with confidence your stuff in back will not blow out onto the highway, and makes a great temporary camp when in need.

Buy USED. You cannot wear it out. If it looks good in the back lot... and same color code for you vehicle... it is worth at least $300 when you no longer need it.

Just some advice: Everyone knows a cheap top from an expensive top. More buyers for the best... and leave the rest. So listen to those posting on this Thread. Only an owner knows what leaks and what served them well. I have had no Snug Top issues, so keep coming back for more.

[KJRitchie]

Had a tonneau (BakFlip VP) on my Tundra. My Ram 2500 has an ARE Z shell, color coordinated with Thule rack, LED center light strip (one is all you need), folding front window, shell is lined and has swing out windows. Bed has full Bedrug. Like the camper shell better. Only downside it was about 4x expensive as the tonneau ($750). If we weren't close to retiring and traveling extensively I'd probably just have gone with another tonneau (not Bakflip).

Kelvin

[Rocinante]

We're happy with our ARE Z-series cap. Matches the truck and keeps what little stuff we carry in the truck bed dry & clean. You may want to check the load capacity of your truck to be sure you have enough "headroom" there to add a cap and still put stuff in the bed without overloading the vehicle while towing.

[m.hony]

If you can afford it, go for it.
I got a hard folding tonneau cover because I didn't have the money to buy a shell.
I wanted a mid-rise with "windoors" on the sides.
The shell I wanted would have been about $2,200.
The tonneau was $800.
The mid-rise cap would allow for much more storage and you could almost stand upright and walk around inside.
More stuff-
Easier to get to your stuff-

[Riverdrifter]

I would never again order a topper without hing up side windows. Makes packing so much easier!

[m.hony]

"Windoors" rule!