Why You Should Buy A Camper Shell | Outside
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 เม.ย. 2020
- We’re big fans of trucks as adventure rigs. In this episode of the 101, Bryan Rogala explains why a fiberglass camper shell is a great option for getting the most out of your truck and walks us through what to look for when buying one. When it’s safe to get back out there, this simple addition is sure to have you adventuring again in no time.
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THIS is a textbook on how to do a demonstration vid for a product. Moves right along, clear, a pinch of personality but not to nutty. Very well done. Future TH-camrs...take notice: this is how you do it.
so true. I checked out a few tonight b4 getting here, all were a waste, this was golden
for a moment i thought im watching alex honnold here :D
haha me too! He must get that a lot
Dude this was a suggested video after I watched one on Alex’s van haha
Alex + Mike Myers
@@riv6580 same lmao
For real!
Hello, I saw your video & I used to do a lot of trailer & truck camping. Let me pass on some things that I learned that might help you in your journey.
1) Get stuff you need at a camping store for backpacking. It's small, compact, & light weight.
2)Get splash guards for your truck. It'll help keep you & your rig clean. They work. I know. Also grease your ball & the cup on your hitch. This will help prevent metal on metal grinding.
3) When parking for the night, park headlong into the wind. That way if a storm comes you won't have to worry about a side wind ripping off your camper shell. Plus, if anything comes bouncing towards the truck, since you have a slimmer profile, it might miss you. If it does hit, the front of the truck is reinforced.
4) Use bug spray on the interior doors & windows/ screens openings to help keep bugs out. Use wasp & hornet spray around & on your tires to help keep critters out. Basically, all points of contact on the ground.
5) An inch is a lot of room. Learn how to stack & get used to sand & dirt. Use floor mats to put your shoes on too
6)Air out your sleeping area every morning or often. In an enclosed space the air gets stale.
7)Use a small fan to circulate the air in your sleeping area. This will help prevent hot & cold spots from forming & help prevent condensation & mold & mildew from forming.
8)Use a solid hooded sweatshirt. Draw the hood tight when you sleep to help encapsulate body heat. It can double as a pillow/ dirty clothes holder/ gear carrier.
I hope this helps. Great vid, thanks for sharing. Drive safe. 🤠
you're a great presenter; very well-spoken, excited but not obnoxious
One last option that you might want is a sliding/removable window in the front of the camper shell. Makes cleaning the windows between the cab and shell easier.... as well as allowing access from the cab to the bed.
Good point!
Finally, an intelligent proponent for the best camper shell for the smaller truck. I've been searching all over the net for this information. There are tents that have one side that connects to the back of a truck or SUV using it for changing clothes, inclement weather, etc while using the truck bed for your bedroom. I never did understand the preference for a tent on top of your vehicle. Thanks so much.
Tent on top of the truck would be more comfortable than trying to fit my 6'4 self into my 5'6 short bed lol.
I just got a quote for this exact same cap on my 2015 GMC from two different people and it was $4,500. That’s installed and everything. Crazy how much it’s gone up
Ya I got a quote for a pretty basic ARE canopy for a similar price. Are you in Canada?
@@robbarber7253 No. I'm in Tulsa, OK.
This 1 GEN Tundras are solid trucks. Bulletproof engine’s. A manual transmission even better!
I too own a MX. I went with the headliner, rooftop tracks, and slider windows on the side. I also had mine bolted (not clamped) to the truck bed and I added a bed rug. Throughly love mine. 😎🤙
I love my leer topper. I sleep in it all the time. I bought a fancy one that’s wired into the truck so it locks and unlocks with the door locks. My tailgate locks automatically too. I had to buy a utility trailer so I could still haul tall stuff.
What Decked drawer set up is that?
I called them and they say they don’t make one for 1st gen tundras.
This is the exact set up I’m looking for !
Thats unexpected. I have never seen someone go from shell to roof top tent to go fast camper....back to a shell.
It makes sense though if your style is to pack everything in an adventure trailer.
Thanks for the video.
@Atlantic Pacific lol
I guess we will never know what Atlantic Pacific said.
@@induction7895 he deleted his comment?
PLEASE TELL US HOW YOU GOT DECKED ON THAT FIRST GEN TUNDRA DUDE
First Gen Tundra for the win!
Also, aluminum options are uglier but often lighter weight and cheaper (and more height, door, window, storage, etc. options). Cheers!
I went cheap and bought a new high aluminum top. What a mistake. The first time it rained I found It had a small leak I never could locate. In cold weather the dripping condensation was terrible. In a hard rain it was like sleeping in a drum. Save your money and go fiberglass.
Love my ARE shell, but it was about three grand. I use a cot with clear plastic storage boxes underneath for my clothing and gear when camping. Allows me to sit on the side of the cot and get dressed without being on a platform. I have added side curtains and a rear window screen net for this year, anxious to get out there in the forest soon.
For those of us with classic trucks once you find the shell once pick it up and refurbish it the best you can. The big 3 manufacturers he mentioned only stock for 21st century trucks.
I ordered a topperlift for the A.R.E. topper on my Tacoma. Also just purchased an ez up camping cube for more room to chill with some weather protection and a place for the dogs to be. Moto is life.
Wish I had gotten one of those Tundras when I graduated college in ‘13
I just got my quote back on almost the exact same camper you have. For $6500 they can keep it!!! There is No Way in H that fiberglass camper shell is worth over $6500 lol. Thanks for the info but I'll buy used or wait for prices to get realistic again cause that is ridiculous!
Yeah, long gone are the $1,500-2,500 prices
Yo, do a video on your drawer set up in the back of the bed!
That’s a Decked truck bed system
I have the Decked System. Great product. decked.com/pages/truck
Does it allow access to the power port?
@@bernadettesandoval3990 You have to run an extension or pull the outlet out before you install the decked system.
It’s a damn shame Decked doesn’t build a drawer system for my ‘00 4Runner... the relevant DIY plans I’m finding online are all built with heavy lumber, and I’m certain their systems are *much* less weight 😔
Doing this build right now. Can't wait till my August Wyoming fly fishing trip
I almost bought the same top, but I have had durability issues because of off roading. I ended up with a Softopper with the Decked system. Been working great for me, I have a Slumberjack off the end of the bed, lot of room. Nice truck.
Awesome video. Rooftop tents are a great option for smaller vehicles. But I'm so dang grateful to have my camper shell on my truck. Wouldn't have it any other way.
Go with the padded insulated Bed Rugz. It transforms the whole camper.
Trouble I found with ARE, which I have had 3 of them is the dealers. They don’t know jack about installing the electric on the camper tops. The second one I got was installed at a Ford dealer. They didn’t know there was a dedicated wiring for the camper top 3rd brake light! Very poor! I also needed some replacement weather strip. Went to the dealer and ARE sent 1foot of weather strip to go around the entire window! They are so smart there!
For 30-40 years I have camped out during deer season in the worst of weather. I started with the old wooden frame aluminum caps, which were usually great for head height, but the weight was bad. You have to have your own system, just for you. For over 20 years I take along a small tent. This is where the extra totes and other gear are stored so you can empty the back of the truck out. This year I realized just how much I use that cap. I bought another truck and could not find a cap in time. I was lucky and the weather stayed nice. Every once and a while I have to break camp in a heavy rain or 8" of new snow. It is really easy to toss it in the back (With a cap) and sort it out when you get home.
Do more vids of simple truck camping like this
Great presentation! Yeah, definitely go for the "windoors" and the taller version cap. I lucked out when I bought my truck with one already on it. I built a bed platform on one side just high enough to sit up on without hitting my head on roof. A full 6 foot bed, so no need to sleep diagonally inside.
I previously truck-camped in a Toyota mini-pu longbed and later a 93 Ranger with a 6' bed.
Now I'm going to try a f150 Lightning, with a 5.5' bed (I'm 6'), if I can make it work! Definitely will be more challenging...
For a guy that never considered a camper shell this was a great video. The mid height does offer versatility. I wonder how easy they are to remove and reinstall?
I have a high rise ARE. Like yours I have the vented windoors, which are clutch. They’re expensive, but It makes life so much easier. I also got the carpet interior and lights. I went with an ARE so that I could get the topperezlift put on at the same time. My only regrets are not getting the tracks. I don’t need them now, but it would be tough to get them later if I needed them.
camper shell is my favorite set up, simple, Low key, will last a long time. good vid! happy adventuring !
Great upgades to have from this video: Windoors, definitely! The light and headliner are great to make the interior more pleasant to find stuff and not have condensation dripping. The roof tracks mean a solid mounting point for racks from the factory so way less chance of leaks from a DIY job. I have a Leer with the same upgrades: Pricey but great functionality and benefits.
Does your leer have a single handle on the rear to open or double?
@@dirtnsmores Yes, it is the one lateh in the centre; convenient but maybe less secure than the metal framed 2 handle model.
Softtopper has been great for me, I'm surprised you haven't tried one.
Awesome video I have the same Tundra but in grey is that a decked draw system? I didn’t know they made them for that year
I recently bought a Century brand fiberglass cap, it is just as good a brand as the three he mentioned, mine was $2300 when it was new 3 years ago, I bought it used from a camper dealer for $750 total, installed and wired.
What's that Decked Box system? They say that they don't sell one for the 1st Gen Tundras. I'd love to get one for mine!
I have the same type of shell by Lear and I added the Lear Locker. Way better than any roof top tent. The wind can howl and you will have no problems. Roof too tents are a waist!
I just got the same exact shell for the same truck. The only differences: mine has ONE central light bar and my windows do NOT pop out like doors AND mine was $3200, NOT $2600! GOOD JOB!
I am still very happy with my purchase. Do you have any videos on your camping set up now?
Nice looking rig! I bought a camper shell for $100 from a salvaged tundra for my 01 which I bought with a tonneau cover. The camper was nice for some things, but my lifestyle just didnt work with it. It restricted the height of my usual loads mainly. Long story short, I sold it for $500.. these shells are just about $1500 new basic so, good deal.
this is pretty much the set up im gonna go for, im looking forward to it! Thanks for the video!
Were you able to replicate?
Just starting my search -- for a f150 Lightning, with a 5.5' bed (I'm 6'), if I can make it work!
Just picked my first A.R.E. cap. Really excited to customize the box and have a large dry space for gear and camping if needed.
Had a first gen Taoma with a nice shell on it and switched to a 4th gen 4Runner. I have to say I miss the versatility of the trucked/topper. Throwing wet ski gear and skis back there, a wet hairy dog, or even sleeping was all better in the pickup instead of the 4Runner.. The 4R is leaps and bounds better for daily driving especially in the winter.
I didn’t know about the carpet helping condensation. Good tip
Great video. Really appreciate the progression recap to show how you got to this setup.
I have the same ARE shell. That extra ht on the MX is a big deal. I have room under plywood across the wheel wells to put plastic boxes and room on top to sleep. Basically i can say the same setup is as functional as he says it is.
Dude super happy I found your video. I'm literally gonna follow your lead. Iv been fighting myself on the gofast camper. Almost 3 grand is better than 9 grand. This set up works. Great video.
Depending on what truck you have and where you live, used utility caps are easy to find and hard to beat. I picked my ARE DCU with dual barn doors and an extra 6" height on it for $400 and built out sliders and a platform. I did a 5600 mile trip through 9 western states and wouldn't want any other type of system. Go fast or any other shell with fabric sides suck for many reasons. Same thing goes for roof top tents. They are garbage for anything serious.
@@mattstewart2750 i have a single cab tacoma that I use for work and offroading. Im not all into the bed rack or spending over 5 grand for a camper shell. Ill be getting the decked system and the MX series are camper... ill sleep in that thing. I'm only 5'5 so my 6 foot bed is plenty lol. Thanks for the reply! I appreciste the inspiration
@@javiergonzalez7932 That's a common truck that will be easy to set up man. The decked kits do make it nice and clean. Enjoy your journey Gonzo!
@tillallareoneluv Agreed they are a fad. And even out West they don't hold heat or fair well in the wind or sand. I have been camping out of my truck or SUV for nearly 30 years now. I'll take an SUV or a truck with a hard shell any day over any type of tent.
Good to know this info. Thank you.
Love my Colorado with Leer shell. I’ve got a $10 intex mattress I keep in there. Take my grub box out when I camp and throw my bed in the back. I always throw a tarp over my shell when I sleep.
Where did you get that sleeping platform? It's perfect!
Well done. Excellent video.
So sensible. This one video made me a subscriber.
Nice video. You are a good speaker. Thank you for your tips and tricks.
The liner does a great job at hiding mold too🙃
I suppose you ought to dry it out once in a while
@@Yowzoe more like very often
Great video. How do you keep the dust out of the back?
I went back to a pop up ground tent the gazelle T4 Hub. Tried it all, something about keeping it simple.
I have two trucks a 2 wd and a 4wd and both have cab height camper aluminum camper shells and I wouldn't do anything else. They are light and are easy for one person take off and put back on. Mine have both crank open windows and slide open - I would have the slide open on both. Great in all weather and if you need to take the dog(s) you just throw them in the back and go. Too many advantages to list.
Good job on the video bro. Quick, Simple and Informative, just like it should be(two thumbs up).
Totally helpful, answered so many questions, thank you!
Previously truck-camped in a Toyota mini-pu longbed and a 93 Ranger with a 6' bed.
Now I'm going to try a f150 Lightning, with a 5.5' bed (I'm 6'), if I can make it work!
8' bed is the best option for pickup camping. I'll never go back to a short bed truck.
@@zone4garlicfarm I must’ve been high when I wrote that.
Do you have a video about your bed platform? What brand is it and what type of storage is that? Thanks!
You nailed it.
Nice setup. I went with a Leer on my Ram if I did it over I would go back to a ARE dcu like I had on my Tacoma
Any ideas on this Decked Drawer System? I'm pretty confident they don't make them for first generation tundras. Checked the website and the forums. Is there a hack I don't know about to use a different trucks kit?
I love how folks here critique the video production rather than just enjoying the content.
awesome rig!
A similar top with the decked system is exactly what I intend to build.
same here. gonna go with an ARE aluminium shell. Same brand as this guys but they are way more affordable.
Great review and tips. I was leaning towards this exact setup with a Decked storage system. This confirms my thinking.
Same here! I've been planning this same setup for my 2019 GMC Canyon.
Way back in 1983 I had a Toyota sr5 pickup longbed brand and bought a cap by a company Glasstite that looks like the same shape but glastite uses a fiberglass door it looked like a 4Runner even though it was many years before that existed I wished they made those now I have 2020 Tacoma 4dr now and looking for a cap
Hi Brian. I have the same setup as you with the decked drawers in the Back of my Dodge Ram. I have a regular sized canopy currently. With the raised ARE MX series can you sit-up straight while in the Back even with the decked drawers?
Excellent video. Thanks -
Nicely done, lots of great ideas, thx
excellent production
I'm looking at the same truck shell and curious how you like the Decked system you are using inside. Has it performed well for you versus building a system from scratch?
Sick set up
I learned a lot about what I thought very little about.
Very informative on camper shell options.
Thanks, that was really helpful!...
Dude, you voice is so good. I won't be surprised if you used to be a new anchor.
Good video
Thanks for the good info
What kind of storage is that on the bed? Thanks! And great video!
Sir, granted I am late on this but can you please talk about the drawer system you installed along with your camper shell?
It really depends on how you’re using your truck. I know when I had my truck. I didn’t like having the camper shell on it. I ended up going back to a trifold tonneau cover.
I still like the idea of getting something like a pop up camper trailer or a tear drop trailer.
Did you find a decent pop-up camper trailer?
@@Yowzoe no. The camper trailer ended up getting delayed a few years cause of kids
Have you seen the RSI smart cap? I’ve been strongly considering it for our Jeep Gladiator
Love the topper, do they make that for a 8ft bed tundra? And what was the price?
Thank you
Yup I like it
I like the honesty
Very well done video.
I've been considering an RSI Smartcap, but I like the larger, screened sliding portion of the side opening windows on this. Do you know what the roof top weight capacity is on this? Could I use a Roofnest condor2 or Sparrow2 popup tent on top of this? Thanks.
I like that mid height topper. Are you able sit-up on your sleeping platform? I’m 5’10” I have a 2003. I think they’re just the right size truck, between Tacoma (v6 less room) 2,3 gen tundra, too big. Thanks for sharing
A couple of questions: does your Tundra have the roll down rear window? I was wondering for those vehicles that do, are you aware of any camper shells that have -- if not a full size equivalent window -- at least something that is quite large that will fit the back of aTundra. Thinking of trying to reach in from the back of the cab without having to go out.
This one is probably a dumb question, are there camper shells that come with lock mechanisms on the inside if you're sleeping in the back? I'm assuming probably not... And that one would have to find a way to add that aftermarket.
i love this camper
Those windoors are really cool.
Excellent video!
Do you have any info on what decked system works for first gen Tundras??
This was very well done. Where in NM do you live?
In the next month, I am going to purchase a new 4 wheel drive truck and a truck cap that I can use to sleep in when I go hunting and also use with my wife when we want to cheaply tour the country. I am thinking of getting crew cab and 6.5 foot bed. Since you have been living out of your truck for a while, what size cab and truck bed do you recommend.
Door at rear? Single t lock is better or the double t lock? Sturdy? Security? Pls let me know. Thanks
Would you be comfortable driving at hwy speeds with bikes on a tailgate pad and the camper shell rear window open?
Do you have any problems with dust in the back when you go on dirt roads?
Omg dude, I have that exact truck! Would love one of those toppers! Is it fairly easy to remove?