Camper shells/Toppers

Looking to get a shell for my Taco. It's been 35 years since I've bought one and looking at different websites (Anyone near me) there is no pricing. Looking at something like the picture. Something with a slight rise to it. Anyone buy one recently? What's a ballpark on what I should expect to pay? Any brands clearly better than the others?

 

New: $2000-$3000+ depending on model and options.

Mike

 

A lot of (all?) the fiberglass ones are made to order, sold through distributors. I priced some out earlier this year with a few bells and whistles and landed anywhere from $2800 to $3600 with a lead time of 6-12 weeks. There are a couple of metal ones available as well - Alucab and RSI (which I have) that are a little pricier and don't look as conventional, but obviously have other pros and cons compared to fiberglass as well.

 

I spent the extra on the RSI Smart Cap but the cab high leer and are were about 2800 here in missouri with a bar rack and sliding rear window. Also, good luck finding used. I looked for over a year and the only ones I found were almost new prices.

 

Thanks all ... What y'all say is kinda' sorta' what I figured. I plan on buying new. The biggest dealer near me is 'Leer heavy' and I notice a lot of them around here.
Leer seems to have a 'standard' model and a 'heavy duty' one with a more secure locking system for the rear window. Any comments on that? As is it that much better and worth the price?
Where I'm at, security is not a huge issue, but if I travel somewhere, it could be...
Oh and BTW... How do they attach them nowdays? I really don't want to drill holes in the bed rails or anything...

 

You should be fine. Most designs use clamps that attach to the bed rail and require no drilling:

 

I’m not sure about standard vs heavy duty, but I prefer the double T-locks on the LEER 100r. You won’t get the frameless rear glass, but the locks are simpler and have proven to have less issues for me. Easy to replace when the salt eventually gets to them (I’m in the rust belt), and my dogs can’t open the window if they press a cable. Also check into ordering your topper with windoors on the side - they are really nice when you’re loading the truck with gear.

Mike

 

They'll attach to the bed rails unobtrusively - usually a clamp of some sort. I would consider what features you want. Do you store stuff near the cab? You may want doors/windoors. Do you plan on camping/keeping dogs in the back? You may want screens/sliding windows. There are a LOT of options for these things.

 

The pic is of Leer's 180. I ordered on on 12/8/20 from my local dealer - it was installed on 2/9/21. Was painted MGM to match my '21 TRD OR AC. Included with the cap at that price was: headliner, single dome light, removable sliding front window, Thule rack, overhead cargo hooks & installation. Overall I'm happy, but I am troubleshooting a few small water leaks (possible with almost any cap).

 

ive been wondering this for awhile.

i know there are leer and snugtops for fiberglass shells.

alucab and rsi seem to make metal ones.

prices are like 2k-4k depending on options.

any other brands someone can think of? i didn't see a sticky in the caps/covers/shells portion for 3rd gens of the forum either.

 

I've also not needed one in quite a few years and now having the smallest box I had the dealer keep the tonneau
and now I'm waiting on a Snug Top ( https://www.snugtop.com/make/toyota ) I looked at all of them and for my
style and needs is why I went with Snug. I'm having the flip down front window, Carpet Headliner & Dual T-Lock Handles,
Side Sliding Screened Tinted Windows installed and Painted to match. I opted out of the dome light as I have box lights.

If you visit the site be sure to check out the ' Monthly Specials '

My dealer was not only very helpful but added a discount besides the ' Monthly Special ' I'm all in including install for $2,600.00

 

I have an ARE mid-rise shell. Really similar to the Leer that was posted at the start of this thread. Two years ago, my local dealer was having a hell of a sale: $500 off, so I got a $2,500 shell for $2,000. I've been happy with it so far.

 

im also interested in mounting a roof top tent on whatever shell i get and heard the fiberglass ones don't support a ton of weight on top.

 

Ahhhh... OK, that's what I wanna see. That will work!

 

Just camping. Basically just a 'Keep The Weather Out' thing. I guess like anything else there are a ga-zillion different options..
Just looking for crawling inside, button the tailgate/rear window up and sleep easy.

 

Thanks ... I never really thought of going back to my dealer and asking 'Whatcha' got?' or getting a deal.
Does make sense though .. Guessing a Toyota dealer is only gonna deal with/fits Toyota stuff though, right?

 

Just did exactly that during a trip to TN. Some observations to consider:
- The perimeter seal between the cap & truck bed is not always 100% waterproof. Mine leaked a few drops at the front corners and a bit around the rear door/window. Need to troubleshoot with the dealer.
- The rear T-handles can be operated from inside, but are NOT lockable from inside. I plan to make a bar that will span from t-handle to t-handle (inside) that can slip over the shafts and prevent the t-handles from turning.
- If you climb in with the tailgate down, it is difficult/awkward to pull it up and close it from inside the bed.
- Manually lock the truck doors. You'll no doubt have the key fob in your pocket - its proximity may allow for auto-unlock by touching the door handle if you don't. BTW, I just tried locking the doors using the door button, placing the fob in the bed, then trying the doors - they do not auto-unlock. That's a plus if you're sleeping in the bed.
- You may find it more convenient to have a dome light that's wired to the battery directly. Mine is wired to the bed lights - convenient for my needs but useless when occupying the bed for sleeping. Direct battery wired creates other issues like forgetting to shut the light off and drawing down the battery if the light is left on.
If you have any other questions, PM me.

 

I want to go this route and have found a few sparingly used. Anyone ever put their RTT on top of the fiberglass adn had it fail. I know companies like kb voodoo fab bars that bend around tonneau covers adn such possibly for shells as well?

 

I love the idea of a camper but only want to use it a few times a year. What's the process/cost of installing and uninstalling these things?

 

Guess that depends on what you're considering a 'camper.'
Do you mean a slide-in or are you referring to a cap/topper?