SoCal Camper shells

Hey TW - has anyone purchased a camper shell recently? I put out a request for a quote through the Leer website for 5 different dealers in the area (a couple of them more than once) and only one of them has gotten back to me. Would love to shop around to get the best deal, but I'm inclined to give my business (which once all the add-ons are figured in is going to be north of 4K) to the one shop that actually seems to want to sell me one. Has anyone here who has gotten a new shell recently been able to compare prices at different dealers? And if so, has there been much difference in prices?

 

You are better off finding a a solid used one. 4k+ is about the going rate for a new one. Bonkers.

They are out there, just be patient. Took me 1yr to find exactly what I wanted, but i wanted a snowflake unicorn. Might be easier depending on what you want/need.

 

been looking for months for a used one that meets my needs (size, color, features) and really slim-pickings for anything pre-owned. And yep - 4K almost on the button for well-equipped topper. It's nuts. FWIW I did finally hear from one other dealer. About $150 more quoted than the first dealer to answer me back.

 

Fuller Truck accessories (in Fullerton) They have been pretty good to me. I actually bought an ARB DCU from an individual who bought it new there. I wanted to add a window and broke a piece of trim. They were very willing to get me the parts I needed. Prices seemed reasonable. I would go there if I was looking for a new one..

 

Get an RSI Smartcap. I've owned fiberglass ones all my life. Won't do that again now that I've owned my RSI for almost 2 years.

 

Used, like stated above, new ones are way too much $$$. FB Marketplace always seems to have decent deals on them. As much as I love a camper shell I couldn't figure out how I could easily get the shell off if I needed to haul stuff. I went with a soft shell for convertibility....

 

They are super nice but still 4-5k starting. Not a very budget friendly option.


OP Setup an IFTTT for a shell, camper, topper and any other variant of what someone might call it for sale. It'll comb fb market, cl, offer up, and any other sales markets. Helped me find my first stepside shell. Local used stores will charge up to 2k, might be worth a look also if that's more inline with convenience.

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/CotO9YvLHGn/?igshid=NmE0MzVhZDY=

 

https://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/pts/d/downey-tacoma-5ft-bed-camper-shell-white/7590166389.html

Is this a good deal? I'm gonna try to go check it out today. It is so ugly though lol

Trying to decide if I should just get a cheap one or save up and get a ARE MX with the glass door...I wish I had a ACLB lol

 

It's overpriced if it's not what you want.

 

Turns out ARE does not make the glass door on short beds...guess I gotta save up and get something different lol

 

Are you talking about the windoors?
Time to get a long bed

 

No, I'm talking about that goofy looking door that replaces the tailgate lol. I watched some videos and it gives you a few extra inches so it would be perfect for a short bed to make it more comfortable but I guess they stopped making them for short bed Tacomas

 

Ohhh yeah that's a rare option for sure.
And if they stopped making them then you need to really look only used. Someone somewhere has one with your name on it if your patient. Could get something in the interim while you hunt to tide your need for covered storage

 

do those goofy looking back doors seal up better than the regular rear windows? i've got an ARE shell (with the high-ish top) that i would love to seal up a bit better for my camping setup. on a first gen 6ft bed

i know it'll never be perfectly sealed (unless the welder comes out) but i'd like to get mine a bit more dust-proof

 

I don't care what anybody says those things are awesome. When I was on a road trip to Alaska I saw a couple that had one on their 8' F250 and it was like a damn apartment inside lol. I was super tempted to get one before I went softopper

 

dam on an 8ft bed that would be insane, my six foot bed with a mid top feels luxurious but an extra two feet...man the possibilities are out there

also @Faroutspacenut i'm not sure if it'd be easier to find, but some commercial tops replace the tailgate and could be a (at least temporary) viable option

 

I just picked up a brand new Leer 100XR from South Bay Truck Tops in Torrance.

Paid $3,300

Options: Headliner, front slider/ removable window, remote lock.

 

How tall are you? I feel like this would be useless on a short bed if you plan to use it for camping since you'd have to lay diagonal if you're taller.

 

I'm 5'7". I watched some videos on youtube and one guy has this exact set up on a 5' Tundra and he is 5'9" and can lay vertically. The fiberglass door gives you an extra 2-3 inches instead of the tailgate. I think my ideal set up would be the MX Cap with fiberglass door and some bed drawer set up to secure items and create a sleeping platform. But if there's no fiberglass door I guess I need to think about another vehicle to sleep comfortably lol

It's a lot of money so it'll be a while before I get one...it's also like a 6-8 week lead time according to my local shop

Nice cap you got there!! Wish I coulda waited for an AC everyday...lol