Pros and cons of a camper shell

I really want one. I have bakflip cover and I think I need a little bit more covered room.
I have a dakar AAL and more then likely, so I dont sag too much, ill have to upgrade but thats fine with me.

 

Pro: Still weatherproof. Can fit more things than a tonneau.

Con: Heavy. Not easily removable for when you see a 8 foot tall gorilla statue thats waiting for trash pickup along the side of the road. Your truck now looks like its driven by a retired HVAC inspector.

Conclusion: Softopper.

 

hmm link to yours?

 

https://softopper.com/

 

If cost isn't a major factor go aluminum with an Alu-Cab, A.R.E, Unicover.....weight savings and secure. Best of both worlds!

I have the Alu-Cab explorer and love it. Weighs 126 lbs.

 

Second this. It folds up so neat it tucks away nicely in a corner of the garage. Compare that to the ceiling hoist and or 2 helpers you’ll need every time with the hard shell. If you want a permanent solution, the hard shells are probably the better way to go, but the flexibility of the soft topper has been nice for me.

that being said, in theory, the hard camper shells will be better at keeping your items dry in inclement weather.

 

I love my camper shell. I can store things without fear of things getting stolen. Keeps my camping stuff dry.

also… I love the dad vibes I get from it

 

Just took mine off to prepare for a gofast. Pros: can keep shit in it, don't feel bad driving cross country and sleeping in truck stops with the risk of people grabbing shit. cons can be a bit heavy, but overall I loved mine. Definitely go for it imo.

 

Pros: they certainly have their purpose and many truck owners need them for very valid reasons. That's all I got!

Cons: pain in the ass to remove / store when needed and you better be good at driving with your mirrors. I've had them in the past but learned to loathe the things.

PS: one more con; a good quality new one will be very expensive.

 

Softopper

 

Pros, they can be found in a junk yard...






Cons....none, have another truck without a shell

 

Con: The price. The weight (maybe?). The possible water leakage.
Pro: You can use it as the roof to your new home, if you ever become homeless and have to live in your truck.

 

That's like throwing the towel in and saying "I've become my dad"

 

Pro - you get extra space you were missing from not getting a 4 runner in the first place.
Con - you look like you wanted a 4 runner, but settled for something less.

 

Had a fiberglass topper on my previous truck. Great for keeping things dry and secure. Moved kids back and forth to university for a number of years with it. Came off in five minutes with two people but about fifteen to go back on. Only disadvantage for me was height for carrying ATVs and motorcycles.

 

You can register it non commercial and save a good amount on registration. I did that with my 2020 and my tags are around 400 vs 700 without it

 

Still expensive and constantly worried about a meth head with a box cutter are the downsides to a soft topper though.

I do like how they give the truck a deuce-and-a-half troopy vibe though.

I get better MPG when I have my hard topper on so there's that too.

 

The only con I have is oversized items. I got a hitch platform for when the wife finds new large trees for us to plant. or yard sale treasure. My kids love the camper shell. Especially because we have a lil toilet suitcase for them. I also have a 12v shower. I've slept in it a few times. Camper shell can't be beat.

 

Yeah the oversized items thing is kinda an annoyance but I have brought home a goldwing under the shell, had to take it off get the bike in lay it on the side then put the top back on and earlier this week I hauled a stove.

Would have fit under if I didn't have a full size over the rails truck toolbox in the bed.