Show me your shell!

Make sure you take in consideration any taper. I did this on my dodge because it didn’t come with it and there was a huge taper to make them “even”

 

I have a Snug Top Hi-Liner Sport.

The distance between the tracks is 32 1/2", center to center.

Mine are mounted through the honeycomb, not outside of it. Now I'm confused, since this is the opposite of what I learned about composites (long ago, apparently...). Seems the material used as honeycomb for these shells has evolved over the years.

There is also no taper in the track mounting - center to center distance remains constant.

 

Yeah... your not the only one that's confused. Seems half say honey comb/half say outside of it lol. Just got a reply back from Sherpa (mounting a Sherpa crows nest.) They say... "There is no "right" place to put the track; we just recommend putting it in the standard location, which is usually just past the honeycomb." Guess i'll go outside at 44" between tracks as long as i'm not too far into the curvature of the shell on top. Maybe that's why Yakima provides 1" fasteners instead of the 1 1/2" that you need to buy if going through the thicker honey comb portion?

 

If I was doing mine myself, I would probably mount the tracks outside of the honeycomb - but it appears not to matter anymore. I've hauled my kayak around on the roof, and have not ever had an issue with the rack - so my honeycomb is non-compressible?

You could try to ask Snug Top (or a really smart dealer) about the honeycomb. They might have some insight.

Otherwise, mounting outside of the honeycomb should be issue-free.

Before you mount the tracks to the roof, why don't you mount the bars to the tracks, with the tracks just sitting on the roof. That will give you an idea as how the bars will sit, and how your tent will mount to the bars.

 

For sure going to mount the bars to tracks to get everything squared up. After more measuring i might just mount on the honeycomb. Outside of it gets too much into the outboard curve of shell and outboard of the black molding on the cab. Used to work with composites and honeycomb building aircraft at Boeing... don't think the 1/2" of it on the shell is going to be an issue plus i'm not torquing the bolts... just snugging up good with a dab of blue lock tite. It's a waste of time dealing with Snugtop now... sounds like they went downhill after covid (built south of the border now and quality went to shit) and might be on their way out from what the local offroad shop that used to carry them here said.

 

SnugTop was purchased by Leer some years ago. Then, they moved all production south of the border.

So, yeah, another great brand lost to corporate greed...

 

Yea I just found this out recently too. My dealer has been saying are are the best ones now. Which is why I went with the Mx even though I liked the look of snugtop and leer more. But I’m really starting to dig the Mx on my truck now

 

Ranch Skyline Midrise Camper Shell

 

HI guys, quick question, when they install the campershell, do they remove the OEM plastic rails on the side of the Tacoma, or does the shell sit on top of it?

 

Shell sits on top. Many people (myself included) try and waterproof the plastic rails. There are threads about it in some places.

 

As mentioned it’s over the plastic. But if you run the shell for a long time or over rough terrain the plastic rails will be damaged when you remove the shell. And I’m missing all the paint under those rails.