Tradesman Truck Tops commercial style topper/shell

Good tips, I think it may have been mention somewhere previously in the thread, but was thinking the 1" pink foam backed with shower board may add some protection for the sheet metal against branches that might a bit further than baja racing stripes.

 

When I ordered I almost did the insulation but figured if I wanted it later on I could add it myself. Carpeting I preferred to have done at the factory.

 

I was under the impression that adding a 1" form style insulation would have to happen prior to the installation of carpet
(if it happens at the factory or at home). Am I mistaken? I might have concerns about moisture/ mildew build up under those layers if the carpet were sandwiched from... in this order. Exterior sheet metal, carpet, foam, then shower board. I would assumed a DYI assembly order might be: sheet metal, foam, shower board or 3/16 ply, and then carpet. Thoughts and construct criticism are greatly appreciated, we all now we ass-uming can get us. Also curious if anyone has tried a dynamte o cell/ bubble style insulation.

 

I think I’m responding to the guy with the quicksand truck, Garryck? I have been using your truck as a model and working with Maria and getting close to getting mine ordered, I decided not to get insulation or carpeting and to try to do it myself, as I don’t camp a lot in the winter..Also I guess they only make aluminum caps? Some people recommend fiberglass, wondering why you went with aluminum?

 

This is the best setup I’ve seen thus far! I’ve been thinking of going with the Snugtop Sport Hi Liner, but your setup looks way sturdier, more functional and built to last. Would you mind sending me a pm with your cost as well? I’m looking at $3500 for the Snugtop, so I want to be sure I’m making the right decision. Thanks!

 

For those of you who have a Tradesman shell with the fold-down front window -- have any of you ever had issues with water leaking around the window frame? A few weeks ago I drove through some pretty heavy rain on the way back from having our shell installed and afterwards noticed that the bottom of the front window was leaking. I was looking at the window and noticed that there are 4 drain holes/slots in the frame. While these are supposed to be there to let water drain to the outside, there doesn't appear to be anything preventing water from getting *into* the shell through these as well. I'm curious if this has been an issue for anyone else.

Access Mfg. suggested bringing it back for them to take a look, but since we're up in the Seattle area I'm hoping to come up with a temporary solution for the issue until we can next make it down to CA. I was thinking of adding some weather stripping at the window/frame interface but figured I check here first in case someone else has a better solution.

 

Thanks to everyone here, I was able to get this puppy dialed. Went super basic on the inside since I'm not doing any winter camping as you can tell by the boards.

 

I can not find their web site? Can someone email me at rideindian@yahoo.com Please?

 

Welcome to TW. I'm sure the website is somewhere in this thread but here you go...
http://tradesmantrucktops.com/tradesman-cab-hi/

 

Those of you with caps 3-4" above roof height, how much of a MPG hit did you take? I drive cross country a couple times a year, so mileage starts to add up in both cost and how far from civilization I can roam. I need ~40" of ceiling height.

 

I didn't notice it honestly. I've been daily driving it through the pandemic but my commute is pretty short and I've never paid very close attention so I don't have before/after data. Not terribly helpful, I know, but I can say it wasn't egregious. Worth it for the comfy sleep for me at any rate as I hate tents

 

I’m in Canada, so we deal with L/100kms.

I went from 12-13L/100kms to 14-15L/100kms.

I also added full skids, sliders, and rear swingout at the same time.

 

I have a 26" A.R.E. DCU Shell. I am sure it did effect mpg but I didn't really notice. I would guess around 1 or 2 mpg.

 

I have a 26" Century DCU and experienced the same results. It wasn't enough to worry about for me as the value of the shell utility wise out weighed any negatives from the install.

 

Quick update on the ARE wedge DCU: nothing leaks including the rear doors even when parked with the nose of the truck facing downhill. I live in the PNW so it's a consistent but not sideways (like FL) rain.

A beefy bike tire inflated between the cap and rear window of the truck works well in keeping water out if you want to keep the rear window of the truck open to your cap as a pass-through.

Having cut into the skin to install a vent fan now, it's thicker than I thought it was. Nice for dent and damage resistance but swiftly defeated the router I was planning to use to cut the vent hole initially. Take the good with the bad I guess

Not strictly related to thread but still relevant: I would definitely recommend getting one of the fold down cargo carriers from harbor freight or similar as a front stoop for camping to anyone who's interested in such a thing. Even just during the construction process, having a spot that's off the ground and within easy reach from inside was very handy. I got a set of aluminum scissor steps with a mount on the cargo carrier to make it even easier on the knees for getting in and out.

 

Hey there, I'm starting the process of ordering a Tradesman topper for my 2015 access cab. I was hoping I could get some help weighing some of the options.

First, I'm seeing a lot of folks have the full-width back lift-up door. But @Toynado , looks like you have a more narrow back lift door to accommodate the propane tank on the side? Do you mind the more narrow door? I really like the tank mount idea, what mount did you use?

Also, I live in Coachella Valley, CA, anyone nearby with an example of a Tradesman that I could check out? I'm hoping to see one in person before committing to purchase.

Thanks!

 

Also rocking the ARE wedge because covid closed the boarders and shipping the tradesmen to Canada wasn’t really an option.

But I thought I’d share one thing I did, that someone ordering a custom build may want to consider.

I installed a marine hatch, it’s 17x17 and is designed to hold weight so we can hang out on the roof.



I also had a custom HC swing out bumper built, so we could access the right side barn door without swing the tire.

 

Just a heads up for anyone contemplating a Tradesman order. I ordered mine 12 weeks ago. They just informed me that some parts are back-ordered and it will be at least 4 more weeks. Luckily, I don't need mine until August. But I am concerned that the back-ordered parts might delay this a couple of months. Nonetheless, I'm super excited for it to be done. The waiting is the hardest part ...