Camper Shells: your experiences and suggestions

[ntsqd]

I have a fiberglass shell on Patch. A brand that has since gone under, I think. I echo those who like camping with one, but don't like driving with one. I keep pondering how to get rid of it, only to come back to keeping it. Maybe if it were easier to R&R by myself it wouldn't be so bad.

[Martinjmpr]

I have seen a hoist you can put in your garage, uses a series of pulleys. I guess the idea is you back the truck into the garage, unbolt the shell, put the hooks from the hoist (or more likely some kind of long support like a carpet-covered 2x4) under the edge of the shell and then crank the thing up and it lifts the shell off the truck. This resolves the two big hassles of removing a shell which are (1) how to get it off and (2) where to keep it.

I have been really wanting to take mine off for the summer, just because I don't want to carry around extra weight and also in case I decide to buy another motorcycle and need a way to carry it. Fortunately we have a big backyard so if I can convince the SO not to complain about the shell in the yard I should be OK. In winter I like having the shell and carpet kit for a number of reasons. For one thing, when I buy groceries I can put them in the back instead of trying to shoehorn them into the cab. It also gives me weight in the rear of the truck which is good for traction.

[ntsqd]

I did build something like that when my shop was an industrial bay. Perhaps those offered for sale work better, but it was a scary & ungainly procedure. Only did it once, that cured me.
My current 40's era garage's door opening is too low to contemplate such a device.

[akphotobob]

I wanted a hightop, aerodynamic shell I could camp and live in (not a camper, I didn't want the weight or extra width). I couldn't find anything I wanted so I built my own. You can see the story with pictures here:

http://cheaprvliving.com/BuildYourOwnCamper.html

It is about 500 lbs and built to last 100 years. I am very happy with it.

[Kilroy]

I forgot to mention in my last post, the Yakima mounting system has worked for me as points to hoist the shell off the truck when I want to install the FWC.

I had a home made a hoist, but now using a hoist sold by a home improvement store in WI (Menards). It is a rack that is designed to go on your garage ceiling to store stuff on. There is a handle like a skylight uses to raise and lower the rack. The rack is rated at 250 lbs and seems to handle the shell fine.

It goes without saying (guess not because I'm saying it) that any hoist needs to be very securely mounted.

[Streakerfreak]

I have a Leer and I have had no problems with it.... so far. The only thing I wish I had are windoors. It is strong enough to carry two sea kayaks off road and no leaks.

Here is a pic two days after getting the truck and canopy. Yeah the truck looks much different now


I don't have any better pics of it.

EDIT: I have started getting leaks around the windows.

[articulate]

I'm continuously impressed with all the responses, and different angles here. Thanks for sharing. Those who don't have the windoors all express that they wish they had 'em. Noted.

That home built canopy/camper is intense, and quite beyond what I care to do. What a cool project, though.

[NorCalBronco]

I have a SnugTop on my Ranger. It came with the truck. Heres a pick...


I love it. Its usually the home for my dog or tools, and keeps those secure. The top is extra thick and it seems to help keep inside cool when its hot and warm when its cold. I have slept in it and stayed nice and warm when it was super cold outside. I like to have the structured sides as opposed to a tent. I've never had a problem with it leaking, it has some sort of built in gasket fastened to the bottom of the sides which is nice.

The problems that I have with it is the side windows dont open very wide at all, although it seemed to have decent air flow with both sides open and the front slider open. Also, one side window has fallen off before, but when it hit the ground it didn't even crack. Oh, and the worst thing about it is the fact that it blocks vision but it looks like that isn't going to matter to you.

[articulate]

The Snugtop I have now is a bit sexier as it has some nice contours to it. I have carried heavy loads on it such as fuel, RTT and even my Hobie 14. It does however tend to splay out at the rear door under load making closing of the rear door sometimes difficult.

I'm putting ARE and Snugtop at the top of my list to take a look at. I happened to get a PM about a black ARE for sale for $550 in Georgia. What a bummer that the logistics just don't work out.

I thought I had a photo of your truck from the past Trophy, because I remember making a mental note that I liked your whole set up.

Alas, here it is. The Mario MJ, "300k+ of dust and joy", sporting a nice Snugtop, RTT, and Chaser while perched on a rock slab in the middle of Arizona. A little overexposed, and I wish I would have shot the other side; but the subject matter sure is nice:

[Chucaro]

I used a FG shell to make a camping trailer using the back of a ute, and I am very happy with the performance considering the vibration that have in the trailer without shocks.
I am planning to fit a roof rack for a tent and extra cargo.
I am not kin in supporting the rack directly in the roof of the shell (also it is not recommended by the manufacturer).
I going to make a roll cage to support the rack and also support a side awing and the brackets for the solar panel. In the same roll cage you can hold the rear frame for supporting the spare wheel and a jerry can.
With the roll cage you do a lot of improvements, safety & protection, solid mounting and support for accessories.
Cheers