Tradesman Truck Tops commercial style topper/shell

Nice! That’s what I’m looking for the added space is probably really nice. I had an are cx that was cab height but just wasn’t enough room for camping. I have a FWC now but I’m looking down size weight and I don’t use it that much so I’m just looking for just a weekend setup

 

I've had several shells, progressively getting taller and heavier. I had the wedge previous to my current Habitat. Wedge was perfect and may have kept it if I did a better drawer set-up. It got tight on 8 day trips with the GF and a dog... and a lot of canned beverages

 

Nice how do you like the habit? I was thinking of moving to like a vagabond or alu cab camper but the cost and weight times are crazy for what they are

 

After a couple years coffin camping out of 4Runner with slide, the wedge has been a game changer for us.

Added my own windows and a marine hatch. Solar panel mounts perfect to the wedge section. Lots of room to sit up. I built my platform modular so when going solo I could remove a section and have a bench seat.

 

I love your setup! Do you have any pics of the platform build I love the drawer system you made. Also was it hard adding the windows? I’d like to able to open the side doors but also have slider windows when closed and inside but ARE doesn’t offer the slider windows with the side hatch I don’t think

 

They don't offer slider windows with the side hatches, which is why I went with my own. They're just RV windows. I fabbed some frames and bolted them in.

Ordered some custom outdoor cushion covers and just cut foam to fit. I run a Jakery 1000 for power, it's stored under the front corner of the platform and powers a small fuse panel for lights, and the fridge (which is in the back seat) 400w anytime mod charges the jackery when we're on the move, solar panel does the rest when parked.

 

Dang brother you got the exact setup I’m hoping to build lol the platform is perfect I like how you can remove the center portion when not needed and the single drawer on the left. Good work!

 

The removable portion is also the same width as the slide and fits in a grove i routered into it to act as a table. You can see is some of the earlier photos with the bbq on the slide.

 

In case anyone is fighting the same issue I was, I hopefully have finally resolved my battle with keeping the rear hatch from splaying open. I added a piece of 10 series 80/20 extrusion between the cabinet and rear hatch, bolted to the cabinet and rear hatch using two 1/4-20 rivnuts. Then have it bolted down to the top bolt of my bed stiffener with another 1/4-20 bolt via the 90 degree brackets so that I can actually compress the cap on the seal. I put a sleeve over the bolt to help resist any potential bending/side to side action. I really hope this is enough to keep it from moving around. It finally feels rock solid so hopefully I can stop monkeying around with it!

 

Looks stout!

 

Did you order the T711-SS from Century? Any issues with install? My t-handles are looking identical to yours.

 

yes, ordered those. they are wonderful.

my only issue is that when i removed the old handles, portions of the old rivets were captured in the aluminum frame. makes a super awesome tiny rattling noise when i open and close the topper doors.

 

Same thing happened to me! I had to replace one (under warranty) and lost pieces of the rivots in the frame.

Thanks for confirming the Century part number, I’ll order a few to have on standby.

 

Awesome build! Looking to do something similar- what suspension are you running?

 

Elkas 2.0s on all 4 corners and Icon RXT leafs (option 3), about 1.5” of lift all around and usually right around GWRV when I’ve rolled across a scale fully loaded.

 

Incase anyone is interested. This looks like a good deal to me. I do not know the seller, just passing along.
https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/pts/d/steubenville-are-commercial-truck-canopy/7581920128.html

 

I'm trying to figure out cap height. Unfortunately, I do not have my truck yet, so can't just stroll outside with a tape to measure how high the cab is above the bed rails. Old man eyes couldn't find the wedge design height you went with, but I'm guessing 26-32? I'd like to keep the front as close to cab height as possible (23-29), but it's really only a 3 inch difference.....sigh....Heck, I'd be happy if somebody could just measure a top of bed rail to top of cab height for me.

 

Is tradesmen/access mfg still in business? When looking them up on google it says permanently closed

 

No longer in business. See post #705

 

Interested in one?