Commercial shells, especially on DCSB?

Those Alu-cab seems really functional

 

Yeah. I just wonder how much weight the bed rails will hold!

 

Bed stiffeners are a must.

 

On 06/30 I should be getting my Tradesman Truck Tops custom aluminum shell. Designed it around wanting a sleep platform in the back so it'll be 27" above the bed. Some other options I went with are:
Insulated with second inner skin
Their 4x4 reinforcing for sytength
DS will have two doors, one with a window/one with a 12" deep tool box and fold down tray
PS one large door with two windows.
Rear door will be rectangular with 12" panels on each side - plan to mount a 5lb propane on one side.
All windows will have a solid security mesh behind them.
Reinforced roof area for Yakima tracks
Roof vent
And color matched to my '16 quicksand.
I spent many many nights on the ground and have no issues doing it and think RTT are sweet but I wanted to be super mobile and be able to steath camp at times.
Stay tuned I'll post pics when it gets installed

 

Looking forward to your review.

 

Anybody use this type of aluminum canopy?

http://www.superhawkcanopies.com/superhawk.html

I'm considering a smooth textured cab high with a roof rack.
It's a lot cheaper than a Snugtop or Leer so far.
Still shopping around.

 

Agreed, I have owned quite a few caps on various work trucks and I have to say the side doors on the Alum contractor style caps are much better. On my lemon of a ram (just sold for my new to me taco) I had the ARE fiberglass with solid side doors and it was a little disappointing. Mainly because opening size is not much as opposed to the contractor style where pretty much the whole side of the cab opens up, its easy to damage the weather stripping when pulling large items out...aka work truck with ladders, and the hinge design does not seem like it would last for many years of opening and closing several times a day. When I get around to buying a cap for my new truck Im pretty sure I will go with the aluminum contractor style. The other thing that is nice about them is the added roof capacity and if its not enough its really easy to make a reinforcement structure out of 1x1 tube. Additionally its easy to mount stuff to the internal frame(hooks, shelves, whatever) They also cost a bit less, I believe they started around 1500 where the fiberglass with solid doors was around 2300....but Im not sure if 1500 included paint matching.

 

Are you guys going overland with these shells? How are your setups? I have a 'swiss' aluminum tradesman shell with a box on one side and split window on the other door. The rear is a single door that matched perfectly with my tailgate reinforcement. Not sure how much weight it can hold but the rack that was on it from the manufacturer seems a little weak.

 

I'm just about ready to pull the trigger on the ARE Commercial DCU Aluminum cap with double barn doors (no tail gate) however, I have to find a solution for the bed rail caps...I already removed the plastic caps, now the sides are even with the front bulkhead...Voodoo fabrication makes nice 1/8 inch thick steel rail caps that are powder coated...just for the sides...I'm requesting if he can make one for the bulkhead...I'm using the truck for a X country road trip, very concerned about water leaks & dust. Having the cap on solid 3 sides, front left & right sides, will keep it from flexing besides making a better seal....

 

Preview of what's happening on Friday:

 

Now we're getting there....very impressed...Curious as to the reason you chose the flip up rear door leaving the tail gate on, opposed to barn doors with out the gate....

 

I like the barn doors but maybe it's my southern roots and sitting on a tailgate with a beer is just too ebgrainred in me.

 

LOL...I ask only, if I overlooked an advantage one over the other...My preference for the barn doors is to easily access getting my old bones in & out of the bed without crawling over the tail gate....I like the idea of your mounting the propane tank on one side, I guess the other side is for a gas can?

 

The barn doors would make getting in and out easier but having the tailgate to change out of hiking boots or mtn bike shoes and the afore mentioned beer drinking spot I'm a fan of the tailgate.
Yes going to see how a 2 galling rotopax will fit in that spot. Originally thought of a full size wavian but eventually I'll prob go with a swingout rear and I think the width of the wavian would hit the tire. 2 gallons ain't much but I'll also have my 5 gallon wavian on the Prinsu.

 

I gotta tell you I'm really liking your cap...The diamond plate on the rear is a nice touch....ARE makes a complete diamond plate aluminum cap, but not in a wedge style. I'm opting for an "ALU-Rack" that extends over the access cab that mounts on the bed rails....I'll have a solar panel on the front section and use the rear for traction boards ect.... Are you able to open the windows in the windors with the protective screen mesh?

 

At some point I want to configure a solar setup & fridge as well.
I hope I'll be able to open them. I'll find out on Friday.
One big thing between Tradesman Truck Tops and others like ARE is the hinge they use for their doors and windoors. When I'm out there I'm going to get a cross section to show how much more robust they are.

 

Just had Tradesman on the phone....No dealers east of Nevada.....Tried calling ARE several times, can't get anyone to answer the phone..and the dealers leave a lot to be desired...I'm figuring a ARB fridge, rack mounted shower system (DIY) along with rack mounted security camera's with a LED light bar in the rear, hooked up to a motion detector.....Big disadvantage getting out of the cap & into the cab....if things get hairy....Really looking forward in seeing more pics of your truck & cap....

 

@Toynado is the Tradesman rear liftgate always rectangular like yours, or can they make it wider with the sides parallel to the sidewall slope of the shell, for a larger opening? I stopped by Access last year and had a long talk with the owner, but don't remember that detail. Thanks

 

Actually the way you described is the normal way they do it. I thought I'd try something different and add some mounting points. With the large windoor I'll have on the passenger side I'll be able to load anything large.

 

Another advantage of the tailgate is if you need to carry something long, you have more support for it.