BUYING ADVICE--CAMPER SHELL TUCSON

I just purchased a Ranch camper shell up in Phx. It was about $600 dollars less than Leer, ARE and Snugtop with all the options. Call around to a few dealers and they can typically do a build of the specs you want (model, front fold down window, carpet, etc) and give you a quote.

I got a Ranch Skyline which I cant even find pictures of on a Tacoma. So I am excited for it and it should do the job. My wait time is 8 weeks which I think is typical. If you don’t need certain specs I would wait for one to show up on the used market. I waited for 6 months looking and then finally put a deposit down on one. Then of course one came up a week after I put the deposit down Patience is your friend in the used market.

 

Hmm stainless though right?

 

I would have gone with rsi again for my long bed but my other truck was a SB and didn’t any to spend the price new

 

RSI is stainless. And EVRYTHING from glass to struts is top notch.

I have some OVS gear. But I can always see where the corners are cut.

The big thing to consider is what are you going to use it for? I carry and tent and surf gear.
I carry dogs back there (in fact I’d have a bed rack if not for our other kids) and the positive pressure is incredibly good for them.

Dog hair and dust all goes bye bye. (Not all. But it’s far less aggravating.).

 

Yeah I agree with you 100%. If I ever find a LB one used I’m jumping on it.

 

ARE DCU is solid and way harder to break into and steal stuff. I had one on my 1st gen and regret selling it.

it was about 100-125lbs because I was able to remove and install on my own standing up in the bed and then stepping down on a step stool out the tailgate.

 

it sounds better
looks like only RSI Smartcap and ARE DCU offer windows
except RSI windows are tiny, and don't have mesh
ARE DCU windows are bigger, and might have mesh

And, DCU can have ambulance doors which may be better, and look awesome
sell the tailgate and whatnot recoup some money
not an option with RSI

 

Just throwing the Gaia cap option into mix…

Not sure why these seem to have not gained ground on this forum. Maybe primarily because the only dealers are in Denver and LA (and apparently now also NJ)?

But, it’s a solid unit made in South Korea (definitely not to be confused with China). And, after about a year, no issues at all for me.

https://gaiacampersusa.com/products/toyota-tacoma-3rd-gen-2016-shortbed-5ft-truck-cap

 

Sweet! Never heard of these!

 

I've been quite pleased with my ARE Overland. If I was doing it again I'd get the RSI. However, when I bought mine, the lead time was longer than I wanted to wait on the RSI

 

Looks sweet!

 

Gotta disagree with you statement on Alu-Cab. Construction, materials and functionality are top notch. I had Snugtops on my last two trucks—they are good shells but I believe the Alu-Cab is superior.

 

it might be
but still doesn't offer good windows

fiberglass it is I guess
about the same price as a softopper and cheaper than a new ARE ambulance door DCU

 

That is a nice cap

 

https://caravancampershells.com/toyota-camper-shell-gallery/

 

These are based out of Reno?

 

Yep. https://caravancampershells.com/contact/

Traditional looking made out of steel. Bunch of options too.

https://caravancampershells.com/options/

 

That Gaia 'shadow' top is interesting. Very original. I wonder about aerodynamic benefits...

It Looks good.

It could work for some, but seems limited from a practical perspective. Awkwatd side openings - how can you grab anything if the panel flips down in front between you and tge opening instead of flipping up and out of tge way...
And it is more expensive tgan the normal cap. (Which is not good looking... whats with the slanted latches!)

I would do the 2nd gen RSI AGAIN if I had to find a cap again. It looks great on the taco with some countours, not just a square box. The quality is great too.

 

I've been running my alu cab contour since June '23 and have had zero issues. We camped out of it all summer with a RTT, 270 awning, and two people and a dog with no problems. IMO it's made solid and hasn't shown a single sign of wear or tear.
I'm not doubting the one negative reviewer on here, but it could just be a fluke thing. My only single complaint was some powdercoat overspray in the channels where the C clamps go to secure it to the bed, but it wasn't anything a wirebrush couldn't fix.
I can't overstate the importance of weight savings too if you're going to be camping or running a similar setup to me with lots of added gear. It's about 150lbs less than the RSI and that does mean something when you're already loaded down.

 

I’m looking at the contour with sliding windows right now for purchase. Can you tell me do those sliding windows open and close from the inside? Is there a front cab side sliding window? Does it come with its own clamps or do you have to buy your own? Are the locks a pain in the butt? What accessories do you recommend?