Tradesman Truck Tops commercial style topper/shell

Recent trip near the Sonora Pass

 

We just got back from there! Thought I saw ya Sunday evening.

Get any good storms yesterday?

 

Did you get hassled by any rangers for that fire?

 

I was there Sunday but left Monday afternoon to start heading south through Owens Valley to a different location. First time there after wanting to go for many years. You should have come say hello.

If a ranger was there most likely so. They would have had ample people to speak with too. Almost every camper had a fire going. While I didn't look at each one I did see one that was pretty big and throwing more sparks/embers than I approve of. I keep mine small and have a fire extinguisher nearby. Not justifying it but I am very cautious with mine dependent on location and conditions.

 

*Saw you whilst driving on 108, you were headed up the hill.*

Next time for sure! I just sold my contractor shell today. Sad to see it go. I hope the new cap works out ok in the wind. Ive had some wild nights at that lake!

 

Ah thought you were camped there. One of the things I don't miss about the FWC, and even moreso with the flippac, was the noise from windy conditions. The FWC wasn't too bad but sometimes you'd wonder if it was coming down or going to be damaged.

 

I hear ya man. Went camping with some friends a couple weeks ago in a location that doesn't typically get fire restrictions and a hail storm came through soaking everything. Of course the entire forest is on fire restrictions until Nov. We figured having a small responsible fire might convince a ranger that happened to show up to let us off with a warning rather than a fine.

 

Sometimes even with all the windows and the vent open if there isn’t a breeze it can get hot so I installed a fan. I used the wiring for the driver side windoor sensor. I hung the fan from some plexiglass and secured it with the bolts from the roof rack.

 

Requested a quote for a 26" T150. Built very similar to Toynado's unit. I asked them about a template for the Tacoma that I read about here on this post but they didn't know anything about a Tacoma World template.

Regarding the option for the Wall Angle (either 90 degree or to cab) Can anyone elaborate on which they prefer? I first thought I liked the angle, but now I am not sure.

Thank you!

 

I split the difference when I built mine. 90 would have the top dead into the wind, cab angle would narrow the top space. Your call but the heavy duty, utilitarian look is 90...pretty and streamline is cab.
Zim

 

Very nice Dave. It looks like a beast. Was this a custom build or a shell you order and customize?

 

Seems like most are going with the angle but I’ve seen a couple 90 deg that came out great. Both have their plus and minus points

 

Thank you Sir. I built it myself. Honestly I think the most badass topper on here belongs to andrew and Toynado (above is really cool).
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/andrwoos-nuclear-build.663699/
This think looks all business, and ready to kill...ahahahahaha.
Thanks again Jon.
Zim

 

Currently in talks with Maria on a build and was hoping for a long term review and had a few questions. (And I must have read through this thread 3 times now)

I nnow that some of you have had your tops for quite some time. Anything you’d wish you had done differently or would change? Features you couldn’t live without, or things you thoughts you’d use more but didn’t?

-Is the extra reinforcement required?
-Would you recommend the Yakima rack installed in house?
-The one that comes up often, those you opted not to insulate do you have issues with condensation or over heating? Those that did get the full insulation and interior skin, how strong is the skin, can you mount hooks and things to it, or do you still try and hit the frame rails?

@Toynado the smaller back door you went with, still happy with it? I love the idea of being able to mount a propane bottle and maybe a fire extinguisher on the back

@kylehorvath how was life with the wedge? Would you do it again? (Also, how did the A.R.E hold up)

My current build plan is a 24-30 wedge, painted black to match.
Half rear door with window
Solid passenger side with one small sliding window( I like the idea of being able to mount things inside on the wall)
Full length door on the drivers side with small sliding window.
Fold down front slider.
Sky light installed in the wedge section.

Thanks guys, it’s a long drive down from Canada so I need as much help as I can get.

 

I wouldn't have done anything differently.
Happy to have had the extra reinforcement.
Yakima tracks are definitely useful. I've made my own extruded aluminum rack on top which my awning and solar shower tube and lights are mounted to.
I didn't get insulation but it is carpeted. I get condensation in colder temps, especially with two mouth breathers inside.
If you are getting it painted black it is gonna be HOT inside so maybe insulation might help with that.

 

I’m still very happy with my smaller door. I did run into problems with the stock rough plastic tailgate grabbing the rubber dust strip at the bottom and it starting to rip. I had it replaced and also replaced the tailgate skin with the Relentless aluminum one which is smooth and slides under the rubber easier. Also it’s SO much nicer to have a fully flat surface to sit on.

insulation had been great camped out in the snow. My friends in RTTs have told me they were cold while I was toasty with a side window and the vent cracked to prevent condensation.

For sure go with the Yakima tracks. I may be biased as I’ve had Yakima racks on every vehicle since I was 16.

The toggles that turn on the lights when the doors open aren’t needed. I disabled mine when I recently added the interior fan. Now I just reach in and click on the lights: one in the main and one in the side compartment.

I think they now offer a backup camera/rear tail light combo. I have a swingout now so that would be nice to have. I relocated the stock camera to the swingout but it’s not the greatest view.

 

For anyone wondering, this is what an ARE DCU Wedge 26"-32" looks like on the 1st gen. Going to be setting it up as a weekend camper for myself and the wife. I'm glad I didn't go bigger

 

Nice setup Lochalpha. Should work great as a camper for you and the wife. I am thinking of using the same side doors. I love the idea of two doors on one side with one having a toolbox but I really feel like I need the limited interior space that comes with my short DCSB. Would you mind taking a measurement from the floor to the ceiling towards the rear of the camper? (I realize our trucks are different gens though) I am thinking your height will be about 50"?

Did you go with the carpet inside? I think ARE does a acrylic fabric with the beams exposed. Would love to see an inside picture of your camper!

Cheers,
Jon

 

Anymore photos? From the front?

 

Hey Jon,
Happy to get you those measurements as soon as I get a chance. I skipped the, probably very useful, toolboxes for the same reason. I wanted the most interior space possible since I'm sleeping two in it. I went with the single, very wide doors on each side so that I could pass almost full bed-length things in and out easily. I assume the dual doors would mean a separating bar in there. I put a fold up cargo carrier on the back hitch of the truck to use as a step in and out and a place to leave muddy gear and shoes. Problem being that I don't always want to fold it down just to open the rear doors. The long side doors have made that not a problem for the most part.

I also skipped the carpet on the inside which is exactly how you described it. It's a layer of carpet between the outer aluminum skin and the inner square tube frame. It was a good chunk of extra cost and I intended to insulate the shell from the get go. I was worried that if there was any moisture/condensation it would mold/mildew in there once it was covered with insulation and a plastic sheet and another layer of carpet. If you don't get the carpet installed, they put in foam tape between the structure and skin instead. I'll drop another pic once I've got the interior wired and finished. I've got most of the insulation installed but still need to cut the corrugated plastic sheets and carpet. Backup camera is wired and all of the power cables have been fed from my solar battery back into the shell. Switch bank is installed and partly done. Rear work light is installed and wired up. Hope to have it in some state of completion before the 26th when we're taking her out to Granite Falls for a couple nights. No power at the camp sites so we'll be giving the off grid power system a test and hoping I got the capacity right

This pic is from the day we bought it and had it installed. I had it handy.