Considering this custom canper shell

Found this pic on the Tradesman custom topper website. Called them and they say it weighs about 450 lbs. wondering if anyone has ideas on how much mileage would be reduced? Also any who may have experience with such a tall camper/shell. I have 2019 trd sport 4 door long bed. Thx

 

Your mileage is definitely going to take a hit and it'll act like a sail in a cross-breeze. I'd also stiffen up the suspension and tires.

Interesting, found it on this video at 1:06 (just a still):

 

My truck gets blown around enough as is with out any canopy/topper I think that would be suicide. However I do live where it can get pretty windy. I would also be concerned about the bed side and rails.

 

I had this sort of slide in camper w/ 5' or 5 1/2' interior height from a different mfg. on a mid 90's Ford Ranger for a couple years. With that much stuff sticking up above the cab, things will change:

You can forget about going 80 on the freeway. I struggled to go 55, OUT of overdrive. I hadda run premium gas to cope with the xtra weight and wind resistance. Mileage dropped. Don't remember to what. So, you may want to stay OFF hi speed freeways. And stay in the right lane. It wasn't a fast setup, but was very workable. A/T users will definitely want to plumb in a tranny cooler.

The compensation for the xtra weight and drag was a much nicer inside experience when stopped. MUCH Nicer. You absolutely could live out of one, w/o breaking a sweat, it was that comfy. Built in propane stove when turned on made the inside shirt sleeves weather when it was cold and chilly outside.

So, expect to make friends with slower secondary roads and back roads.

 

It strikes me as being heavier than 450 lbs.

 

I didn't see the video, but it might not have a bottom half. It could possibly be sitting on the bedrails to make that weight.

 

Looking at it, it appears it's just an aluminum shell, not a slide in camper. As it comes, bare, I could see it only being a couple of hundred pounds.

I looked at the one in the video again and it's actually a different shell- the front window is missing and it's on an older 6' bed Tundra. It still uses the tailgate but has a huge swing up rear window/door.

I would definitely want bedside stiffeners if I was going to try to mount anything that size. It reminds me a guy I met in Baja years ago who had been down there for three months in a home built wooden camper. Cheers Lance!

 

Thanks for the feedback. I had a tradesman wedge custom top on a Ram before. Well made (the shell. Not the truck)These are aluminum welded frames very light. Sits on the bed rails like a Leer type shell. I have been lookin for a poptop like the OVRLND but i need to put several kayaks on top but still want a shell that is light.

 

Pretty sure you could still use the OVRLND, you'd just have to change to heavier struts when you had the boats on top.

 

I have talked with Jay at OVRLND and he is doubtful the strut braces are strong enough but he is checking into it

 

That makes sense. I've only seen the pictures, just figured the aluminum frame would support it; guess not. I wonder what the roof is rated for? A couple of whitewater boats aren't nearly as bad as a couple of touring boats. My 17' touring is around 65#s while my recreational and creek boats are maybe 45#s

 

OVRLND says the roof is rated for 1000lbs when down but popped 100 lbs.
I would be traveling sometimes with up to 200lbs of kayaks. Play boats and creekers add up. Kinda wonder if those wedge pop ups could pop the weight

 

Well I ended up with a tradesman custom top.

 

Hell yeah looking good!

 

inside pics please!

 

Nice, definitely interested in the inside and how you set it up.

 

It came as empty shell with aluminum framing. Added insulation and wood paneling. 6’ slide out bed and so on. I am not a carpenter so its a little rough. Floor to ceiling is 5’9”. Gas mileage 15-17+. Empty shell weight 350lbs. Total weight probably 500ish lbs. pretty psyched on how it turned out.

 

Looks good.

 

spotted you outside Yosemite heading East on tioga hwy 120 on Sunday July 12 around 12ish while I was waiting in line to enter the park. Great looking setup.