Camping in a Taco? Looking for camper shell thoughts

Hey folks! I've never had a camper shell before, so forgive me if some of these questions seem dumb. From research on this forum I already know that I definitely want windoors, and from research here and going to dealers I'm sure I want to go with SnugTop.

I'm planning on taking my 2016 long-bed on overland trips, and my current preference is to put an air mattress on a bed storage system. This would seem to work best with the traditional camper, but has anybody seen/used SnugTop's Outback system, with sideways-opening doors replacing the tailgate? How would those compare, would they interfere with a drawer system?

Is there any challenge in closing the tailgate or locking the regular lid from inside when you turn in for the night?

Does having the extra height of a Hi-Liner vs a Cab-Hi make a difference when camping atop a bed storage system?

Are there lids besides the Outback that incorporate back-up cameras? I'm pretty sure my spare tire is going to cover mine once I get a new rear bumper and swing-away and I'd love to still have that feature. (Or are there other options for that?)

Anything else I should know? Anything you guys wished you'd known before you bought?

 

I have a Leer 180, its not as tall as the snug top but the extra headroom does help alot vs. a cab hi. I believe the snug tops have a red knob to twist from the inside of the camper to lock it easily.
I have a 4' fold able memory foam pad as my bed, I would recommend it.

 

Another option is the shell with roof top tent. My shell is ARE Overlander v series and running a smittybilt Overlander XL tent. Honestly the tent is very comfortable and although I have slept in the camper itself it's pretty tight with my short bed, let alone it's tough to have gear if you are sleeping in the back.

 

Depends on how high your bed storage is and thick your mattress. If I any higher than say 1.5ft I would get the higher camper shell. And I don’t think the swinging doors would work with bed storage but I am thinking the roll ones. The doors don’t go all the way to the edge although the bed storages doesn’t it goes further than the doors I believe

 

Here’s my camping shell and bed build: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...between-4’-to-a-6-5’-bed-in-a-weekend.539080/

I built this bed to match up with my ARE MX shell- it gives extra headroom inside. This platform bed works pretty well and it extends from 4-feet to 6.5-feet. We we are going to be touring Death Valley this week and will be testing it out a lot.

 

Does your shell have a frame inside to support the weight of the tent and people? Or will a standard cx support the same?

I too have been looking at options

 

I bought the ARE MX shell for the purpose of building a sleep platform...going to start on the platform next month... if I sit on the fender well in the back I can almost sit completely straight up I’m 5’11”

 

It's a reinforced shell designed for the added weight. And the material on the shell is rhino lined or line-x. I actually got this shell second hand from forum member WILDPEAK last year. He took this setup along with all his gear all over the backcountry to road test the Falken Wildpeak tires. The roof racks are Bajarack flat utility. I have taken this setup myself out to the local Anza Borrego desert on some pretty good trails and love camping in this thing. You could always get the bed reinforcements from ATH if you were also concerned about the bed. I am not sure about the CX. Might have to contact the manufacturer on that one.

 

Get cozy. ARE V Series

 

I like the look of that shell. I know that model has the coating on part of the shell but I see yours is fully sprayed. Did you do that or was that an option?

 

You can ask them to spray the whole thing. The best part about black is it can go pretty much on any truck.

 

Use a 3" memory foam mattress and build yourself a platform with some slide out drawers like this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dCEGN9nMCs&list=PLp0AX3Czt3BChOUiJ9ID5D3mu8r4MMmv8

I just ordered the EZ Topper Lift with camping package too. Will post a review once I install it, but it looks sweet. https://www.topperezlift.com/product-page/copy-of-topperezlift-and-camper-package-sale

 

Did you ever get the ezlift installed?

 

Check out the Shell/Tonneau Forum. Lots of good info on sleeping/drawer systems + recs on tops.

 

We lived out of the back of a 2017 DCSB for a month on our honeymoon last July. From Michigan out to North Dakota, Montana, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and back. Century High-C with a 3/8” plywood bed with 4” memory foam mattress. We just threw a mosquito net over the back end (closed everything up when it rained). I’m 6’2”, she’s 4’11”. With the tailgate down, no issues. Tailgate up, it’s tight quarters.



I also just installed the Topped EZlift system with the “weekender package”. We plan on taking it out to RMNP soon to test it out, and I’ll post my thoughts on it when we get back home.

 

LEER 100XR...

 

So far so good. Haven’t had any rain yet, so I can’t comment on the potential leaking issue...




(I added a buckle strap to make sure the back of the tent would stay up)






(Added an additional foot rest for my side of the bed. I am 6’2”. We’re each using Costco self-inflating sleeping pads as mattresses. Fits well.)

 

I got this off Amazon. It is made by DAC Industries. I also use a large comfort deluxe Thermarest to sleep on. I like the simplicity of this setup.

 

I went to get a quote on the ARE Overland today and the sale guy told me I can't put an RTT on top of it due to the weight. How is your cap holding up with all the weight?

 

Flippac camper!