Question for those with a Camper Shell?

I see it as a security feature. It's not common in the US to be camping in dangerous locations but if you were in a dangerous location and sleeping in the back of the truck, you can get back into the cab and drive away without getting out of the truck.

It can be useful in the same way in extreme weather conditions.

 

I sleep in the back frequently, I use a 6' cot that fits perfectly with the gate up. I use large carpet squares for the bottom that come right out for hauling the dirty stuff. Cuts down on the echo and keeps it warmer.
I use the pass thru as mentioned for hauling long stuff, or I strap it to the Thule bar on the canopy top.
For the most part the pass thru stays shut, not used much but nice to have when you need it.

 

I think that hinged side widows are a much more important selection criteria than a sliding front window. I'm a pretty lean guy but there ain't no way I'm fitting through the sliding front window of my cap any more then I could fit through the rear Taco slider. If I'm in the back, I have to get out and go around to get into the cab.

The hinged side windows on a cap let you access your stuff inside the cap without climbing in; trust me, that's a huge benefit.