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Are Truck Camper Shells Universal? Avoid Expensive Mistakes
So, are truck camper shells universal? For the most part, no, they are not universal. While some versatile designs on the market may fit a broad range of truck models, most shells are vehicle-specific. Therefore, it’s crucial to assess compatibility before making a purchase.
- They are designed for specific makes, models, and years.
- Mismatched shells may cause sealing and stability issues.
- Precise dimensions of truck beds are crucial.
- Tailgate, cab, and wheel well positions impact fit.
- Incorrect fitment leads to various problems.
If you take the time to notice the pickup trucks around you, you will most likely see that quite a few have a shell over their bed.
Some shells are streamlined and smooth, while others appear poorly sized or hunchbacked for the pickups. They stay on top.
It does not matter if you are looking for the SUV look, raw functionality, and efficiency or simply searching for some time different from a regular slide-in camper, a truck camper shell, also referred to as a topper, cap or shell, can be an excellent addition to any pickup truck.
From weatherproofing and load security to having a minimalist camping trip in the woods, almost any truck has a camper shell that can fit it without any modification while using the existing hardware of the truck’s bed.
A truck camper shell can provide not just utility but convenience.
Truck camper shells can be used from one truck to another as long as the beds are in the same length class. However, this depends on the material used to make it.
Some models of truck campers are made to be universal, such as the Scout Campers Olympic. Read on to find out more.
Why Should You Use a Truck Camper Shell?
Just about anyone with an open-bed truck has probably experienced an item flying out on the road, something sensitive getting wet when caught out in the rain, losing something seemingly worthless to theft, or having other people throw garbage into the truck’s bed.
A camper shell can transform an exposed truck into a weatherproof, lockable space where cargo can be stored, or a bed can be made when you go on camping trips.
Having a shell can be an essential upgrade if you live in an area prone to theft or sudden rain.
Compared to a toolbox mounted on the bed, a camper shell does not force you to sacrifice the rest of your truck’s bed, which can be quite an issue for those who have trucks with short beds.
Additionally, most shells come with a locking mechanism on the back door, which can also be used to ensure the tailgate cannot be opened.
What are the Types of Shells Available?
A typical camper shell is light, weighing around 300 pounds. This weight is ideal for midsized and half-ton trucks with a limited payload. For the most part, camper shells provide at least cab-height cargo clearance.
Mid-sized and high-rise shells add one or two feet of vertical space without making it awkward to move around with loads higher than the cab.
Additionally, certain camper shells come with roof racks, ensuring you can mount just about any oversized cargo that might not typically fit in the bed.
Apart from protecting your precious bed cargo, a truck camper shell, as the name hints, can also be used as a miniaturized truck camper.
Compared to regular slide-in campers, truck camper shells are relatively inexpensive. They also require less effort to stock, secure, drive with, and mount.
This makes them perfect for a weekend out in the woods. Additionally, their low profile and weight mean that almost any small truck can have a camper shell without fuss.
On the other hand, a slide-in might cause problems with insurance liability, efficiency, or handling.
Setting up a camper shell can be quite as simple as having a sleeping pad and bad. It can also be an elaborate creation with integrated heaters, drawers, and a futon mattress.
An additional benefit of a truck camper shell is that it can be easily dismounted when you no longer require it.
What Should a Truck Camper Shell be Made Of?
Typically, truck camper shells are made from either fiberglass or aluminum. The material selected is normally down to budget and personal preference.
Fiberglass
Regarding costs, fiberglass shells are more expensive than aluminum ones; however, commercial, heavy-duty aluminum shells are numerous manufacturers’ priciest option.
A fiberglass truck camper shell is more streamlined, making it a better choice for high or mid-rise options. Fiberglass also offers more color options to ensure the camper shell matches the truck’s color.
With fiberglass, you get a little bit of insulation due to the insulating properties that fiberglass has.
If the choice were solely based on price, then a bare camper shell made from aluminum would be the choice. However, variables such as roof road limits, truck configurations, and accessory choices all have a role to play in the selection process.
Aluminum
Aluminum shells vary from barebones, thin-walled basement price models to industrial-grade camper shells that can efficiently hold at least a quarter-ton on their roof.
The basic models might not be capable of holding a roof rack; however, they tend to be the lightest of camper shell selections.
If you are a midsized pickup truck owner who will likely carry heavy loads in their trucks, weight savings, typically around 200 pounds, from a barebones aluminum model can increase your payload compared to more severe choices such as fiberglass or contractor-grade aluminum shells.
If you are a truck owner who does not care if your truck camper influences your maximum payload capability, you could get a heavier and sturdier aluminum shell that can support an increased weight on its roof rack.
Not only is this useful for putting weight on the roof, but it can come in handy when you need to get up to the camper shell’s roof to secure the payload without a ladder.
Lighter, thinner aluminum shells could fail or dent with the increased gear weight and a person on top.
This is why numerous camper shell owners, private and commercial alike, tend to go for reinforced or thick-walled aluminum shells.
These shells can typically integrate ladder or cargo racks to hold much more than the typical load of a traditional sports rack.
Fibreglass vs Aluminium
Just about every camper shell made from fiberglass utilizes chopper gun construction. This makes the fiberglass cheap, but it also makes it heavy.
Certain manufacturers reinforce their fiberglass camper shells to make them suitable for commercial use.
This can add more weight to the shell. Another benefit of a fiberglass truck camper shell is that it can be el-coated to match the color of your truck for aesthetic reasons.
Furthermore, fiberglass shells are created from molds specifically developed to fit sure truck generations and models.
This causes them to not only be closer fits but also match the style of the trucks better than universal aluminum shells.
Are Camper Shells Easy to Take On and Off?
Are camper shells easy to take on and off? Yes, they are. Removing a camper shell is relatively straightforward and can be accomplished with four sturdy individuals, each positioned in a corner.
To facilitate removal, the shell is first unclamped. Investing in a garage hoist can be an effective solution if frequent removal is required.
This lets you single-handedly hoist the shell off by backing your truck into the garage.
Therefore, the process is uncomplicated and manageable whether you need to remove your camper shell occasionally or regularly.
Are Truck Camper Shells Waterproof?
This is a common question among truck owners, and the answer is, generally, yes. However, it is essential to understand that while most truck camper shells are designed to resist water, they are not entirely waterproof.
Despite the high-quality materials and craftsmanship that go into creating these covers, they are prone to have tiny cracks and openings where water can potentially seep through.
These instances can be minimized with proper maintenance and care. Still, absolute waterproofing is challenging to achieve, making it essential for owners to have realistic expectations about the waterproof capabilities of their truck camper shells.
Final Words
It is essential to acknowledge that truck camper shells are not universal. They are designed to fit a particular make, model, and truck year.
The design considerations include the precise dimensions of the truck bed, tailgate, cab, and wheel well positions. Using a mismatched shell may result in sealing and stability issues that could affect the overall performance and safety of the vehicle.
Incorrect fitment also leads to problems such as potential damage to the camper shell or the truck, increased fuel consumption due to poor aerodynamics, and reduced functionality.
Therefore, when purchasing a camper shell, it is crucial to ensure it is the right fit for your specific truck model and to avoid these potential issues.
Each shell has been tailored for a specific model and year of truck to ensure optimal performance and safety.
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