Camper Shell for truck camping

i have a leer. i bought used. the ONLY way to go! new is a major ripoff.

 

Thanks for all the feedback guys! Everyone I know uses leer but I like the a.r.e. Whichever I get, I definitely plan on getting used.

 

One more question, this may be silly, but does having a camper shell have a major effect on gas mileage?

 

No

 

Perfect thanks!

 

Old thread but I'm in the market for a camper shell for my '03 Tacoma w/ a 5VZ engine. How much weight in the bed is considered safe? I would assume some of these camper shell builds with wood shelving, bed frames, water tanks and what not can start to get up there.

 

Check the payload rating of your truck and that should give you an idea of what you can haul safely.

 

Me too. Every time I see someone hauling a truck camper in a Toyota truck I find myself calculating how many lbs overloaded the truck is. Your truck's weight capacity is probably around 1300-1500 lbs. That includes you, your passengers, your gear, water, fuels, and any aftermarket accessories including bumpers, recovery gear, and racks.

Just start adding it all up and what you have left over is how much you can add with a cap or camper.

Also, remember what is safe, and what is practical to carry around may not be the same.