Commercial shells, especially on DCSB?

That's awesome, thank you! To know you have experience with the same cap and it wasn't noticeable is good to hear.

For discussions sake: I looked to the DCU specifically to get the extra height without the weight of a midrise fiberglass cap (read: so heavy). My prior setup was in a Frontier with a cab height cap and it was alright but the Frontier's bed is deeper and the cab slightly higher; of course it didn't have the Tacoma's beautiful high stance haha. You're definitely right, even 23" is a trade off vs 26 or a wedge... maybe if I could afford it I'd just get this https://fourwheelcampers.com/model/project-m/ but it has downsides too.

Anyway, thanks again

 

I might add Tacoma's engine & transmissions have all to do with weight & performance...Mine is a 4 cylinder access cab with an automatic transmission...Payload is 1000 lbs give or take. ...A 5 speed with a V-6 does not have the struggles of my truck....something to greatly consider.....

 

I have the are dcu 23” cap and i haven’t really noticed much of a drop in my fuel economy, i would say barely noticeable, i did have a soft top on there before but found a deal on marketplace for the dcu cap. There is a slight wind noise bc of the ladder rack but not really an issue for me since i have my music turned up

 

I have the A.R.E. DCU with 26" height. While the shell is taller then the cab it is not by a significant amount. My mileage did drop but I also run 10 ply mud terrains that are much heavier then the stock tires. I think the 1-2 mpg drop was a combination of both changes. I previously had a Four Wheel Camper Grandby on a Ram truck and when it was closed up, it was still quite a bit higher over the cab then what the A.R.E. DCU is on the Tacoma. As I have learned in my old age is everything seems to be a compromise when it comes to trucks and camping. All depends on priority ranking. For us, camping and room came first over mpg but I understand if you do a lot of windshield time, you may not want to hurt your mpg. Picture is my 26" with ladder rack. I also now run two solar panels on the roof and am planning on maybe adding a DIY gravity Shower. Ugh...gotta stop adding weight. Having air bags installed as I type this.

 

Interesting, another previous FWC owner going to an aluminum shell. I just made a second shower for my truck. I can pressurize it but have found that it works fine being vented and gravity fed.

 

Anyone need shelves for a shortbed? Came off my century cap

 

(truck is V6 access cab) The power difference does matter; I've read about the impact a thule box can have on a small car-- 20-30% economy lose.
That 26 height looks good actually and is that the ARE grey?
It is truly a challenge not to just bolt fun stuff all over your truck! I find myself heading to BC and doing 8-16 hours of driving with a lot of it through the mountains so the fuel adds up fast.

 

Got out this week for some R & R

 

Regarding the A.R.E. Color. I gave them the paint code off the Taco (silver sky). Think it was 1D3. (((CORRECTION CODE 1D6)))

 

I didn't realize that you also had a 4WC prior to your Tradesman Aluminum shell until I read your ETAV8R Gini Build. Awesome thread.

So.....my question is after the Flippac and the 4WC, what was the reasoning for changing out to an aluminum 26" shell? Was it mainly due to weight and getting to where you wanted offroad?

ad my 4WC Grandby on a 17 Ram Tradesman regular cab 2WD. I replaced the Grandby with a A-Frame hard-side trailer and now have some regrets after 16 months later. Wish I had re-considered keeping the Grandby and replacing the 2WD regular cab with a 4WD extended cab truck. I bought the Tacoma 4x4 DCSB and the A.R.E. aluminum shell for storage when camping and if I decided to head off alone camping and leave the trailer at home I could sleep in the Tacoma. Thank you again for the great thread.

 

Thank you for the compliment on my thread.

I sold the FWC because I was starting nursing school and was reducing my debt. I enjoyed the FWC but it was heavy. IMO too heavy for the Tacoma. On a full-size truck FWC is a great option.

 

How much did your cap hurt your gas mileage?

 

Hard to say, I added a lot of weight also when I put it on. Bumpers, sliders, etc. Also I’m in Canada and our speed limits aren’t as high. But I usually average around 12-14L/100kms or around 16.5 to 19.5 mpg.

 

Update on the ARE DCU cap:
The cap is a well spring of utility and versatility and I think it looks cool on the truck.

It has impacted fuel economy more than I'd hoped, though.

Before the DCU I had a cab height fiberglass cap and consistently saw around 10.2 L/100 Km on flat-ish highway; up to 11.4 in a bad head-wind.

With the DUC the best I've seen is 12.8 L/100 Km and 13.2 pretty regularly. I've seen 15 to 15.6 in bad winds.

Sidenote: kayak on the roof rack doesn't seem to make any difference. Gear weight is consistent between fiberglass cap and DCU-aluminum cap.

All #s are for highway kms; city L/100km is a noticeable decrease but less so.

Overall I have to call it a solid 20% decrease in fuel efficiency--arguably higher.

I still really like the cap just putting the info here for anyone making choices.

 

Thanks for the information. That is exactly what I was afraid of.

 

Can confirm. Headwind is the biggest killer. And anything over 110km/h and you’ll start seeing a pretty big dip.

 

New ARE 26” cap on the double cab. Building out the shelves next for all my tools.

 

Edit @bodean - no TRD PRO wheels??

A cap like that will effect mileage but as bodean mentioned, when you have bumpers and lots of extra weight it doesn't help. I average between 13-15mpg with my truck. She is a brick on wheels and weights almost 7k all loaded up.

These trucks looks great with contractor type caps....especially if the truck is modified with other stuff. I really like the ulilitarian look.

Yep...I try to stay between 104-111km/h for my 'best' mileage but with a rolling brick and being pretty chonky, it's best just to keep a steady pace and not be in a rush.

 

I wish! Wife claimed them for her FJ.

We did just back from a 24 day road trip through Utah, Nevada and Arizona.

 

Looks like an awesome trip. It’s on my list to get down there.

I didn’t realize they weren’t going on the Taco….if I’d know that, I wouldn’t have sold you that single. Lol

Joking of course…..