Best camper shell?

What's the best camper shell?
currently running a softopper and am pretty happy with it
but saw a friend's camper shell (2g taco) and man it was nice. Got me thinking I kind of want one now.

Never really did because of:
-hard to remove
-can't move big cargo in the bed
-adds weight, might break off roading
-need whole rear leafpack upgrade
-etc.

but the pros are:
-need to move big cargo? Just rent a trailer
-more secure
-can sleep in it

that being said, if getting one, which is best?
Top 2 that come to mind are:
-1. Leer, as I hear it's metal. vs. Snugtop, ARE, etc. and probably a 5ft shortbed 100XR with glass back window, and sliding half windoors with mesh vent screens to breathe, if such a combo even exists
I'm not sure how to judge their used condition or what a good price is

2. (might even be better), that one guy's DIY here on how to build your own metal one that pops up at the top with a tent. Though a major DIY project, looks awesome.

Are the other brands even worth considering?
ARE does not look as good design-wise, and Snugtop may be fiberglass. I don't know if the fiberglass chips and falls apart overtime, or if it's repairable like a boat which does just fine

kind of curious to know the best places to get a deal. From what I've seen, they're always cheaper in CO than CA for some reason.
Kind of like how Tacoma 4x4 values fluctuate. These trucks are always a few thousand more in CO where people want 4x4, and less in TX, FL, and CA where people don't really need/value it.

No idea how hard painting is or what people do about that. Paintmatch is probably ideal. But the odds of finding a good shell AND in the same exact color you have seems pretty rare. So far any Leer I'm seeing are different colors like blue

 

Had a Leer XR on my 08 and liked it. For my 17 I went woth a leer XL and like the crank open vent windows in the back. They are easier to operate and better in my opinion. Also for the newer shells the window behind the cab drops out very easily. This is nice for when you wash the truck, drop that window out and dry the rear cab window of the truck. They also have a single handle in the middle to open up the rear of the campershell. That mechanism does seem to attract rust though. I am partial to leer just because they are easier to get in my area.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/tonneau-covers-caps-and-shells.198/

 

All of the top brands are good, and with very similar features and prices. It depends on which dealer gives the best service where you live. For me that means Leer. I don't need, or want anything fancy, the basic model from any of them has always worked for me. If buying used you just have to watch for ad's. If you buy used, AND have to pay to paint it you'll not save much over just buying new. But some colors look good together. I have a BIL with a silver truck and a dark gray cap. Looks fine to me.

I've had a cap on every truck I've owned since the 1970's. Back in the day I used aluminum. They were under 100 lbs each and I could remove, and reinstall by myself. The fiberglass cap weighs 180 lbs. Just enough weight to keep the tires in contact with the road when the pavement is wet or snowy. You aren't going to need to replace any springs. Occasionally I remove clamps, slide it back a few inches to wash the back of the cab and front of the cap, but once installed I never remove one.

You aren't going to carry anything of any size or weight in the bed of a Tacoma anyway. I bought a 10'X6' utility trailer years ago for big, heavy loads. I can haul more cargo by weight or volume in that trailer than I could carry in a 3/4 ton truck with an 8' bed. And the Tacoma easily pulls it. Plus, the trailer with a ramp is much easier to load/unload and I don't beat up my bed hauling firewood or rock.

 

RSI Smart Cap

 

I want a Smart Cap REAL BAD... but sadly, no room in the budget for a while... so I'm back on the hunt for an "affordable" used one... I don't even care the color. I want windoors, but I can't be picky for "my budget".

 

My buddy has the non window version and loves it.

 

Just like @Marshall R, I have had caps on all my trucks since my 1976 LUV, followed by my 77 Mazda Rotary truck. I then had a bunch of S-10 trucks starting in 82. They were all aluminum caps, up to my 97 S10 ZR2. From there I went to Dakota's and the start of fiberglass caps. Leer fiberglass shells have worked great for me. Heavy they are, but at almost 67 I'm still able to remove it from my truck without too much trouble. I've seen a few new aluminum caps on trucks which pleasantly suprised me and is an option if weight matters.

I bought a used fiberglass cap for my first Dakota and had it painted to match the truck. The paint job turned out perfect since the guy who painted it also made camper shells.
PICS for attention.

 

I've got the Leer 100xq and really like it. Wish the side windows were window-doors tho. I never really expected to ever own a shell, but found a good deal here on TW and I can't imagine not having it now.

 

I absolutely love my Leer 100XR, it's been a core part of my truck and has served me well to sleep in and camp out of for 40 or so nights so far. That being said, there are some things I wish I could change about my shell, mainly windoors. For the love of God just fork up the extra money, I thought having a 5 ft bed would eliminate the need for one but I kick myself every time something slides to the front of the bed and I have to climb in like an idiot to grab it. Also I would suggest a two handled door like the one you have in your post. The middle handle can be a bit finicky as it is actuated by cables which have to be adjusted properly for it to work well. The T-handles seem a bit more rugged and I believe they would last a lot longer.

Pictures of my setup:

 

I have an ARE Z Series, in a shortbed. I wish I could find the Leer. I have massive dogs that really need the air in the summer. Only thing I can do is fold down the front window and the vents out to run the air through.

I truly believe that Leer makes the best *looking* and the best *functioning* cap for the Tacoma. They are everywhere up here in Tol, Dtw.

Feel free to check the dog sizes out on Insta. @randy_and_pippet

 

I have a Leer !00R on my puckup and I love it for camping. I feel like it adds a little bit of security, though in Albuquerque if they want in theyre getting in. I would like to get windoors installed on mine otherwise its great!

 

I don't believe there is a "Best Camper Shell", there is only a "Best Camper Shell for You".

I went with an ARE MX on my DCLB for the added internal clearance for actually using it to camp. I had an older Ford Ranger with a standard cab height shell and it was claustrophobic while camping.

I got the windoors. I've had it for a month and have used them exactly once so I am wondering how much I really needed them. But I think as I go camping int hem more I will find them more useful. There were a few times I crawled in the back to get something and I need to remember I don't have to do that. I also think in warmer weather I will appreciate the air flow.

 

I'd say the best shell you can get is the one with the most features for the least amount of $$. For me, that was a Leer 100XR. I bought it off a guy who was selling his 2nd Gen Taco on CL. He agreed to sell me the shell separately for $600, so maybe you can get a deal like that somewhere?



For what it's worth, you can fix up a shell pretty easily. I regasketed mine, updated the locks, added windoors (photo above is old) and added interior LED lights to it. Don't be afraid to track down a used one bud

 

I’ve had 3 shells in the 2 years of owning my truck. I honestly liked them all for different reasons but the rsi is by far the most durable and well made.

 

My second Leer... 2014 Tacoma XL. Had an XR on an 06. Both were/are good canopies.
I had Leer add carpet to interior, Thule OEM rack, tip out front window, and cargo net up top inside.

If need to haul anything big, motorcycles, etc... I have a trailer.

 

Take your time and finding the right shell. In the meantime, you could sleep in the soft topper. I've done it a bunch of times with my son when camping and plenty of naps on my lunch break at work

 

I was looking for a tri-fold tonneau cover when I stumbled across a used high top leer in my bed length and color for cheap. With a small lift though i have to be careful about parking garages and my garage. I was checking Facebook marketplace and Craigslist for a few weeks when I came across it. I was checking out surrounding cities and had to drive 1.5 hours out on short notice to pick it up. I really like the height when loading and unloading and plan to hang a couple of 2x4 from the roof in the garage to be able to take it off when needed. Good luck and hope a little patience pays off.

 

I ordered a alucab canopy explorer. Should be here this week hopefully.

 

Ive been looking at Alucab for a few years now — definitely interested in your observations and any pix.