Girl Taco owner here - needs a camper shell and advice

I'm planning to be semi-nomadic soon - traveling and living part-time in my Taco and towing a tiny RV (RPod or similar) with 2 small dogs and a cat. I want to maximize the use of my bed for storage, maybe a litter box for my cat when we are doing 6-8 hours driving days...anyway, I want something reliable, that won't leak and that will let me use my Taco as much as possible as a second home - even when my RV is parked or stored.

For some reason, I have SnugTop as my top choice but that is based on literally nothing so I am asking you all for advice. I live near Bakersfield CA but am willing to travel a bit to get a better price like in AZ or NV.

What do you think?

ps: I have looked on and off for 3 years for a cap for my Taco - short bed - with sero luck and now my timeline is 5 months out. I want to get the topper first, then the Rv, then do the mods, then hit the road.

 

I have a Ranch, plain Jane cap on My 2010 AC ( 6 ft bed). They all look kind of similar to me so don't get hung up on bigger "name" brands. Good luck

 

Which is why I am asking for recs - but to be clear, I don't want a plain Jane cap. I want to be able to sleep in there if necessary, leave my pets in there with excellent ventilation, be able to access stuff easily, have it be insulated if that is even a thing...never heard of the Ranch brand but I'll look into it. thanks!

 

Maybe look into an aluminum contractor cap, they come with flip open side doors and windows and most will have a storage bin that can be accessed from one of the side doors.
Also, they are lightweight and easy to insulate.

 

No specific brand rec but I highly recommend a high-rise style cap if you plan to sleep back there for any length of time, especially if you want storage that takes up height.

I never leave my dogs unattended in mine in the summer, it gets hot even with all the windows open. Insulation may help but only to slow the heating, I imagine. I've thought about adding a fan but then my dogs are at the mercy of whatever electrical system I devise, so I just avoid it.

 

https://www.4runnerlifestyle.com/collections/camping-gear/products/luno-4runner-air-mattress-2-0

Trade for a 4R.
Doesn’t leak. Insulated. And not “plane Jane”.
Don’t leave pets unattended regardless.

 

I've been happy with my Leer. I ordered it from a vendor spec'd to my desires. I highly recommend the windoors on the sides. If the pups ride in the bed, you might want the sliders with screens instead.

 

used 5 ft tacoma shells are always for sale
in the San Fancisco area... i guess what price are you willing to pay and what color/ are you open to a mismatched shell

 

Like an ARE? And, thanks bc ARE wasn't yet on my radar.

 

I was thinking about a fan too but I wouldn't leave my pets longer than maybe a 20-minute grocery shopping or similar. Right now, I don't feel like I can leave my pets in my truck for longer than 5 mins bc I fear leaving the windows open so much that someone can unlock the doors and steal them. It's probably an irrational fear (that someone would steal my dogs) but it's still a fear!

 

Hmmm interesting idea. Ill look into a 4R but do they have the same tow capacity?

As far as my dogs, Ive traveled across the country 6 times with them and as a solo traveler, I have to leave them in my truck all the time unattended (getting gas and to pee or stopping in a store to get supplies while on the road) so I crack the windows but if put them down too far, I fear them getting stolen so screens would be (I think) much better.

Right now, I am limited to a 5 min shopping or pee break (I set a timer)

Open to ideas. thanks for thinking of my pets - they are my life.

 

I have not been looking int he Bay Area so I will start. If I buy it used, who would install it for me?

 

Agree, I have a Leer 100XL on mine with screens and sliding glass and it works well.

 

Yes, ARE make a variety of the contractor caps but finding one for a short bed might be tough

 

Start reading
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/show-me-your-shell.13598/

 

i bought my used snugtop from this guy. he buys shells, and resells them. He will install it for you and hook up the brakelight.

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/pts/d/santa-clara-toyota-tacoma-5ft-shortbed/7817330826.html

he posts alot of shells on CL.

He also replaced a sidewindow on the Snugtop when i went to get it. He gets alot of tacoma shells because there is always a market for them.

just do a search on CL for "tacoma 2016 short shell"
most of the ones listed in Santa Clara will be his postings. you might pay a little more than from a private seller, but he installs it

 

Thank you SO much. I love a personal rec. I just talked to Gabe and this Leer sounds like it has everything I need and want. I can send a deposit and he'll hold onto it for me til I can get up there. My god daughter is gonna go see it in person just to make sure it looks nice, no scratches and everything works.

Thank you so much! This may be the one!!

 

i hope it works out for you!

 

Anyone have a link or contact info for the shell reseller? I'm trying to sell my MGM Shortbed Snugtop shell

 

Shells Plus
3583 The Alameda
Santa Clara CA

(408) 243-8000

Tell Gabe or Jay that Anjali referred you!!