Why a camper? (fiberglass shell topper, that is)

You're not wrong, but you're missing an important aspect. If I were to go camping (stationary camp site) I would elect for a ground tent. If I were to go "overlanding" (multiple camp sites) I would elect for an RTT.

 

Despite it's mostly aluminum, it's still a beast weightwise. I tried taking it off in one piece on my own and it totally sucks. Occasionally I need the whole bed for Home Depot runs and the trailer is full of shits (horse manure compost,) I...

1. undo the back panel props and wind-guard (while holding the panel with one hand so it doesn't flop one way or the other.)
2. wiggle out the panel, real carefully, so it doesn't drop on the truck body panels.
3. Jump of the truck holding the tonneau panel over my head, with a 3" lift. Hope I jumped far enough so the panel clears the tailgate.

4. Do the same with the front panel, but f@#k!!!, I have a DB cross bin installed too. It's twice as difficult because now I have no room whatsoever doing step 1 & 2.
5. Jump of the truck from the top of the bed side, again with the panel over your head (sometimes.)
6. Roll into the bed and undo the 4 bolts that hold the mid panel. It's simple enough.
7. undo the cross-bin. Jump off the truck with it.

I would love to rig a overhead lift in the garage but with the wife's Amazon habit, Let just say it's easier doing the above.

 

Great point. While we are not true overlanders, when we visit Colorado each summer we will hit the back roads for several days. We do not put up our tent until we reach final destination. We sleep in the truck on the platform. Sometimes we will put up an easy up and a potty shelter to keep Mom happy. As for a trailer...some of the roads we take are definitely not trailer friendly.

 

Understood.

I pull mine off somewhat regularly. Hauling a dirt bike, going to Home Depot, etc. The Bakflip might offer you a better solution. I'm sure you could sell the Diamondback and buy the Bakflip and still come out ahead.

 

That's a Prinsu with two of the Prinsu cargo basket attachments on top. Those are removable.

 

If you want to haul canoes, bikes, sleep in the bed, etc... I think a mid-rise shell is the way to go.

 

What a bitching nice truck...Love that color.

 

At one point, while I was doing all that tonneau acrobatic, I came up with this idea and sent it to DB. The panels would open up into sidewall panels to get proped and locked in place without removing. The mid reinforcement piece that span lengthwise can easily removed so you can get access to the WHOLE bed. What an idea...

Unfortunately it went into the DB virtual blackhole.

 

Other than it being heavier and 3 pieces, not much. Just have to remove the 4 c clamps that hold down the center piece and remove the panels. Takes me 3-4 minutes tops.

 

Hey do you have link for that water tank buddy?

 

Thanks for your reply. I didn't know Prinsu has a cargo basket. I will check it out

 

I have an ARE fiberglass topper. Doesn't leak, locks and fits my needs 11 months of the year. In the summer I will often take it off for for a month or so for mulch / topsoil runs etc. I have 4 eye hooks screwed into the joists of the garage ceiling strategically placed so that I can back in the garage, hook up 4 ratchet straps, and pull the topper off in a couple min all by myself. Easy peasy.

 

WaterPort.com

 

Thanks buddy!

 

Thanks man,

I'll be doing a lot of overnight fishing trips along the beach so there will be a bit of idle time in between waiting for the tides. To be able to pack up and go with minimal hassle and run where the bites are is key. I need to reserve the truck bed for sand recovery tools, air compressor and all that. I'll try out the RTT to see if that suits me, unless a used Silver Sky ARE camper come along at $1000 then all bets are off.

Not gonna lie. Being on the roof looking out to the blue Atlantic on a clear day, I'll take one of that, please.

 

That is perhaps the single most compelling argument I have read in favor of a RTT.

Not because they are cool, or that they are convenient, or that they are more comfortable than a ground tent... But because the ladder helps keep sand out of your bedsheets.


Last time I beach camped the wind was a 30mph sustained with short gusts of 45mph. The trailer took it without incident but I could tell that it was nearing it's limit. Locals said I picked a good night, they said it can easily pass 50, and on rare occasion, 70mph at that beach. Still, by the next morning every single dumpster we walked by was stuffed to the brim with tents, evidence of the mass culling of ground campers that happened in the night.

Be careful when shopping a RTT, make sure it can handle an occasional wind if you're taking it to the beach. Most beaches aren't that bad I know, but the occasional squall still happens.