Cross Country Advice

Hi all. I am hoping to get some advice for an upcoming move. I have downsized everything to fit within my DCSB. Mostly just clothes and electronics. I was hoping to find a decent used camper shell before the move so I could lock everything in the bed. Sadly I haven't been able to find one under the $700+ price point in the Phoenix area.

So I am hoping to get some advice from the always reliable Tacomaworld. Do you think I should splurge for a camper shell for the security, rent a Uhaul for ~$150 (+$200 or so in gas), or just leave the bed open and take a chance with theft?

I would really rather not be stressed about someone unloading the truck at night, so I am leaning towards a Uhaul. I have a fair bit of experience towing but with much larger/heavier trucks than the Tacoma. The only problem with towing is that I have to tow... never a fun way to travel long distance. I would not need anything more than the 5' x 8' trailer and probably just under 1,000 lbs total cargo.

Any thoughts?

 

Are you only looking for a camper shell for this trip?? Will it get used after this if you buy it?
If you ONLY need to get cross country - Then I'd rent the trailer. 1000 lbs is nothing..I tow 5K ish pretty regularly with mine and haven't had any problems.
If you plan on using it as a camper or storage space at your new home-I"d spend the coin to get a new one, properly fitted shell.

 

I did a cross country trip from FL to WY and back for college. I got most of my stuff in my access cab but still had to use the bed. I just got a big plastic container from walmart and put the rest of my stuff in there to keep it dry. Taped it closed, stopped it down and called it a day. Nothing got stolen. But nothing really could have been stolen seeing as I didn't leave the truck for more that 5 min. 25 straight hours on the road.