Why a camper? (fiberglass shell topper, that is)

Regional difference. The largest local dealer calls them shells. Regardless of construction materials.

 

Go fast camper you get the best of both worlds
A shell that works great for anything she’ll related. Can hold 500lbs on the roof etc.
and a tent on top all while weighing the same as a fiberglass topper
And costing about the same as a fiberglass topper and a hard shell rtt

 

I had a shell on my '86 Toyota Pickup for 15+years. Not once did it leak. And, up front, it only had a rubber boot to the cab. With the 3rd gen Tacomas, you have to read thru TW to learn how to prep your bed properly before taking to shell dealer for install. You need to concentrate on sealing under bed rail caps and front corners.Then afterward, seal it some more, because dealer won't take the time to do it right. On my 2020, I've sealed the bedside cubby, added tailgate gasket, and full Bedrug. I've also removed the front window and added rubber boot. This allows me to open cab rear window and carry long items dry and secure. Hasn't leaked in over a year of daily driving.

 

Is the leaking coming from driving in the rain, do you know? with all that air turbulances push the water up into the mating surfaces?

 

Worst thing about my camper is when im driving fast down Forest Roads and the truck is shaking, bumping, bouncing, and I'm just thinking about how I have a shell clamped to my bed and I should take it a little easier.

I love the dry storage and added security but it makes the truck feel a little clunkier off road, if i had a bed rack instead I'm sure I'd be driving the truck harder

 

I have a Leer 100XR with a RoofNest Falcon XL on top. It's a pretty ideal set up, unless you're willing to spend close to $10k for a GFC System.

People say the fiberglass shells leak, but I've never had an issue. I prefer my set up to a tonneau cover + bed rack because you can stack more gear in your bed or access it super easily (windoors are a must) or put the bikes in the back if you're away from the truck for a while. Lot of people don't like RTTs either, but I think they're talking about the type that you have to fold out and pop up and put the fly on. The Roofnest falcon is up and ready to go in 30 seconds. I haven't taken any noticeable hit in gas mileage (it's six inches thick).

The only downside is that you'll probably have to do some suspension work. Between the shell and the tent I'm sitting at about 450 pounds over the rear axle. It bottomed out way easier so I went with a heavy duty leaf spring pack to keep it up in the travel. All in, it was about $6,400, but I average ~40 nights in it a year. Well worth it.

 

or get a gofast that is literally what it is designed to do

 

I did buy my gofast over two years ago but I paid 6500$ for it brand new
I had the mental debate about getting a roof nest and a shell similar to a tradesman topper
But the ability to access the tent from inside the truck bed was a game changer. And the price is literally plus or minus 1000$ either way.

 

Well yeah, but OP asked about fiberglass shells

 

Bed rug and carpet lined topper, my dogs ride in style.

 

yeah he did ask about fiberglass shells but also stated he wanted to get into over landing and camping more so. With that said gofast baby!! You won’t regret it

 

Good point, i ordered the superlite to throw on my shell

 

Fuck yeah dude big ups !

 

I don't have any leaks. I carry a lot of photo gear daily. It has to be dry.

 

Heh... lots of opinions... good luck parsing through the nonsense in this thread.

Love my simple low end Leer shell. If you're shait is still getting wet inside the bed then the installer did a poor job.

.. and a mpg hit? Nope. Not in my experience. I like having plenty of room to lock up gear.


My biggest complaint is that the locks/handles on the entry level model can freeze up with cold temps and precipitation. It's happened a couple times and was a PITA each time as I needed in the shell because it is super useful.

 

I'm currently looking at a camper shell myself for my long bed. This TRD Sport is the first Toyota I've ever had without one. My 1982 SR5 pickup and my 2011 Tacoma work truck both had them. I like the hard tonneau but I miss pulling up to a fishing spot in the middle of the night and climbing in back to sleep til daybreak. I like to be able to stay warm and dry.

 

I just sold a Diamondback and will be getting a shell on my truck later this week. Height limit on a Tacoma under a tonneau is the biggest drawback, especially when I load up the family for a weekend and also have bins of hunting gear, etc. A shell is effectively double the “inside” storage space of what you get with a tonneau.

 

True men know fibreglass is the way.

 

My best advice is to make sure you search TW and read thru all the threads that talk about how to seal your bed BEFORE you get the shell installed.