camper shell thoughts?

So i have a 2019 DCSB in quicksand. I really want a camper shell to make the space in the bed more usable for trips etc. I have a tonneau cover right now but it's leaking- probably can fix with some weather stripping in front corners. I paid 200$ for that so it's not a big deal to eat that to get what i can use more- a shell.

from what i see, i don't like the look of the short bed with the shell. Some are ok, but others, just look like an after thought and its look weird. perhaps a matte black color would look ok? or maybe a shell that goes above the passenger cab?

thoughts?

 

Camper shells leak, too

 

yes, but they seem more permanent. As in, once you get the leaks fixed, then you won't be taking the thing off alot. You can also fit more stuff in the bed with a shell versus a tonnea cover. Unless you take the cover off but then it gets all wet if it rains or blows away as you drive. LOL.

 

Due to the design of the bed rails on Tacoma's it is hard to get a perfect seal. Chances are good a cap, even a good one, will leak some. Mine doesn't leak enough to be an issue. Just a few drops from the front corners in a hard rain. The water stays in the channels in the bed, cargo sits on top and doesn't get wet.

I think a cap looks just fine on any bed length. Some colors may be just too much though and I'm not opposed to having the cap a different color in some cases. It just depends.

If you're not wanting to leave it on all of the time and want to save some money I think the aluminum caps in white, black or gray look pretty good on trucks. Cost is about 1/2 to 1/3 the cost of fiberglass and they are light enough to put on and take off with no help.

 

Something like this:
https://gofastcampers.com/

It includes black panels standard. Also, white or gray.

 

ARE makes a cap that is partially covered in Line-X, if you're looking for a black/quicksand contrast.

Someone's got pictures of your truck with it in this thread:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/are-overland-cap-in-quicksand-on-a-trd-o-r.429276/

 

If money's not a concern, the AT Habitats are super cool, too.

 

Sounds about right, but as far as leaks & shells go, no matter how much "fixing" you do, water just seems to find it's way in. I live in a pretty rainy area of the country & my trucks have always been parked outside. I've had camper shells from most of the major manufacturers. In my experience, not matter how much prep sealing/butyl tape/silicon you use, all caps eventually leak. You fix the leaks, they come back or it starts leaking in another location. It's like a "wack a mole" game. I've just learned to accept leaks as part of the territory. If I needed a completely sealed bed, I would buy an 4runner.

 

Exactly. Your eventually going to throw wet things in there or whatever.

I didn't want an SUV and am okay with some leakage. With a canopy, tonneau, or camper top, as long as my stuff isn't getting more wet, I'm happy.

 

You may want to look into a Softopper if you haven’t already. It’s less permanent than a fiberglass topper but gives you the extra coverage when needed. I really enjoy mine for camping trips and things like that. I can take it on and off in about 10 minutes max.

 

This truck alone, solidified my need for a shell!

 

My shell does not leak. Not a drop, ever, even after two years parked outside in the PNW rain. You just need to avoid the following:

1-Avoid crappy installers who don’t know how to seal the two front bed gaps that are notorious on the Tacoma

2- Avoid vent style pop-out opening windows (they always leak)

3-Avoid “flush style SUV” windows without a proper window frame an gutter (water sits on top of the seal and will find its way in)

My cap has opening windoors on the sides and a solid removable front window (to clean the cabs back window). All windows, including the back are the “framed” style with gutters.

 

Would you mind posting pictures of the lower corners on your shell's rear hatch? I have a similar shell(Leer 180) and I can't figure out a good solution for sealing the point where the aluminum hatch frame ends and the curved plastic piece begins. Just down and out from the latches.

 

No problems. No leaks. Not an afterthought.

Just make sure there is a good gasket installed before the topper is placed.

 

Will do.

 

I guess there is a gap there. I never noticed. The water seems to shed to the outside.

 

So looking at this. The water runs down on the outside of the bed pillar. If any is ever in the bed, it either runs out the tailgate or is under my bed mat.

 

Happy with mine in Black.

 

I like the habitats and gfc but I've got an are hd shell and minimal leaking and I'm very happy with it.

 

i actually like the black topper on the quicksand.