Camper Shell Question / Opinion

Hey guys

So I'll be going to college fall 2012, probably University of Oregon hopefully to major in product design, and I'm thinking I'll want a camper shell for my time in college. I currently live in San Diego, so I don't need a shell down here. I haul dirt bikes all the time, so I really don't even want one right now. And frankly, I like the way our trucks look more without the shell than with them. But while I'm in college, I think that it would be nice to have the shell so that that area is lockable. I could keep tools / air compressor / a ton of luggage back there. Possibly sleep back there on occasion if I'm camping or something. Anyway, I'll get to the point.

I want your opinions.

Should I go with a hard top / soft top? (I'm thinking hard)

Buy new? Or is that a waste so I should buy used?

If I buy new, can I get it already painted? ( My truck is only a yearish old, so it's color shouldn't have faded much ). Or do I have to buy it un painted and then have it painted locally?

How much money am I looking at new or used?

Which ones look the best?

Do some have different features than others?

I'll probably put lights inside it on the roof or something..

I may get a roof rack for it.

If I'm looking for one used, do they come up used a lot? Or, should I start looking now..? It would be important for me that it matches my paint color.

BTW, post links to any formation if they're handy!

*I know I could search, but I'd just like to get lots of peoples opinions on the whole thing in one place. I searched some, but it was a little confusing.

Thanks so much!

~Jack

 

1. Snug Top
2. Leer
3. The rest

A nice, color-matched, fiberglas canopy will cost you over 2K
The nugget is to find a used one here, if you're on a budget. I've seen some top shelf canopies go for half price here. That's still a grand, though. The good ones are not cheap. I paid $2300.
Put the word out.

I would not even entertain the idea of the soft top on a college campus.

 

I got a Leer 100XQ, its great. But I purchased it brand new and paid a ridiculous amount. One just went for around $850 used about a week ago on here. If you are not looking to buy in a hurry I would wait and keep your eyes open here until a good deal comes along.

 

2K sounds a little steep for my budget. What prices should I be looking for on a used one? How much do you think it would cost to have one painted if I find a top that matches my truck?

What are perks of buying new? Will latches or something work a lot better? Do they endure a lot of wear over a few years?

 

bestop. Hard tops look stupid, plus you can't carry big bulky items in one. The bestop you can fold down and take off and even fit in a dorm .

 

What did this cost you if you don't mind me asking? Sounds a lot like what I really want. Can you explain the keyless entry feature?

Is there any security to a soft top? I would want to permanently store wire compressor / tools / other things back there...

 

Hey guys

So I'll be going to college fall 2012, probably University of Oregon hopefully to major in product design, and I'm thinking I'll want a camper shell for my time in college. I currently live in San Diego, so I don't need a shell down here. I haul dirt bikes all the time, so I really don't even want one right now. And frankly, I like the way our trucks look more without the shell than with them. But while I'm in college, I think that it would be nice to have the shell so that that area is lockable. I could keep tools / air compressor / a ton of luggage back there. Possibly sleep back there on occasion if I'm camping or something. Anyway, I'll get to the point.

I want your opinions.

Should I go with a hard top / soft top? (I'm thinking hard)

there isnt anything secure in a soft topper.

Buy new? Or is that a waste so I should buy used?

If you can find used, for under 1k, I would buy it. Even if it needs paint matching you will still be money ahead. But be smart, dont buy something you dont want, or something thats trashed.

If I buy new, can I get it already painted? ( My truck is only a yearish old, so it's color shouldn't have faded much ). Or do I have to buy it un painted and then have it painted locally?

I would get it paint matched, well actually I did, ordered my Snugtop Rebel 2 weeks ago, paint matched.

How much money am I looking at new or used?

2150.00 is was I am spending, but thats with vented windoors. Woot!

Which ones look the best?

Depends on what you like. I like the skirted sides so you cant see the bed rails. And I like the all glass rear door.

Do some have different features than others?

If you want a roofrack, I believe Leer has a Outdoorsman package or something similar. They have a reinforced roof to hold more weight.

I'll probably put lights inside it on the roof or something..

Most come with a light, and carpet headliner, I think...

I may get a roof rack for it.

See above

If I'm looking for one used, do they come up used a lot? Or, should I start looking now..? It would be important for me that it matches my paint color.

I searched off and on for a few weeks, never came up with something I liked. But I am little more remote than you are.

BTW, post links to any formation if they're handy!

*I know I could search, but I'd just like to get lots of peoples opinions on the whole thing in one place. I searched some, but it was a little confusing.

Thanks so much!

~Jack


Good luck in your seaches.
T.J.

 

You get it exactly the way you want it.

Mine :

Super White
Frameless, tinted glass
Keyless entry
Drop down slider
Reinforced, load bearing capable roof

 

Keyless entry unlocks and locks with your trucks keyless...

On buying used, when I bought my 89 toyota pickup in 2001, it had a shell on it, that I believe was a raven brand. The lady I bought it from said it was installed the year the truck was bought, in 1989. Everything worked as it should have from the day it was new, even until I sold it in 2006.

 

Well kinda, it get dirty fairly quickly and makes it hard to see in. If someone wants to steal anything they will always find a way in. Hard tops are not hard to break into and windows are not un breakable. If anything is really valuable then cover it up/ hide it.

 

if you want to store tools and what not then best bet is a tool box. I don't trust any kind of topper to be secure enough.

 

Thanks for the info Skidooman and JFlan

I'm rather particular on things that I want in these kinda things ( as I want to be an auto / product designer ).

Sounds like buying new may be my best way to go if I can get the money together. I don't need it for a long while, so I'll probably spend a good amount of time looking around for used ones. Things like lights I could add myself. A carpeted roof liner though.. that I couldn't do...

Can people post pics of there campers if they have them. I'd like to see some, especially what they look like on the interior. Theres so much I want to do *cough cough* fox suspension.. and so much I need *cough cough* lap top... who knows if I'll be able to do this by the time I go to college, but I really would love to. Seems really useful.. How do these hold value if I want to resell it in a couple years.. after I'm done with dorm life, I might want to go back to an open back if I have a place to keep some stuff in an apartment or something.

It would just be basic tools and 40 dollar air compressor.

keyless entry for topper sounds awesome. Good to know that these hold up over time.

 

We clown on mine here :
http://www.piscatorialpursuits.com/...012_HM_Steelheader_spotted_on.html#Post713119

 

I personally think neither are secure. If someone sees something they want there gonna take it. ie smashing windows. Yeah you can't lock a softtop but you can't brake the window. I got my softtoper cause im not a fan of the prices of hardtops and I haul a lot of shit. heaters, washers, dirt bikes ect Got mine for 450 on here folds down in seconds, completely waterproof and badass looking.IMO as for hardtops I'd go used and shop around new is always so expensive. You don't have to have it painted just look for the same color as it truck. I'd go with a softtopper tho more functionality. Just my .02

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/13598-show-me-your-shell.html

CHeck this out^^^^^^ pages and pages of camper shell pictures

 

I do like soft tops...

So they do have at least a lock? I know anyone could knife through them.. but a lock would be better than nothing. Was it 450 new? I like the folding down feature! Can I see pics from the inside of it? Top brands?

A place in the back for permanent storage may not be as necessary a thing. I just would like that more.

 

Haven't seen a locking one. Maybe design one But if someone wants in I'd hope they unzip go in and take shit. (don't keep much in there unless camping traveling ect.) rather then smash a window and get in. But if sliced I think it can be repaired. It was not new. Used on here the seller was close and I was able to have my cousin bring it up to me. But it was 9.8 outa 10 small scratch on the frame. Yeah it folds down quick or pull 2 pins unbutton it and the whole top comes off. The brand I have is Softtopper there based out of colorado. All around good company. New these are 729 I believe. Yeah I'll snap some pictures in the morning for ya.

 

thanks in advanced for pix

 

I got a used LEER for $500 and couldn't be happier.

 

You can get a standard cab hi painted to match new for around $1200-1400 from most of the top name manufactures. What happens is you go in and then you see all the different styles and options which add up quickly. Many of the options are way over priced IMO. I would agree some of the models with the frameless windows/doors and nice curves look great, but most of these styles jump up quickly in price. If I had a "show or street truck" I would have to have one of these styles. But for utility use, the standard cab hi is typically the workhorse of the line and my choice for everyday use. If you buy used, it might be difficult to find your ideal choice in style and options. I have been looking for "any used shell" that fits my truck and have not found any available in the state of FL for 3 months. If I had my choice, the only option I want is the windoors, the roof rack would be nice but I currently have no need for it. I have had a shell on all my trucks for the last twenty years, and I bet you will never look back if you get one. Great for when in school, going home, moving, etc. For the dirt bikes, if you get a small trailer, the bed area opens up for a more secure area for all the gear needed. Good luck...