Camper Shell or Not?

[ramsport59]

I'm trying to justify putting a cap on my Cummins. I had one at one time and couldnt decide if I liked it so I sold it and moved back to my current setup. I have a custom built headache rack with a corss box and side rail boxes.

old setup

I just didnt care for the way the cap fit the truck. I had it all setup with lights in the cabinets and some shelfing made. Worked decently for a work rig(I do side work at times out of this truck).

My situtation, I dont need a cap year round, but I do need tools year round. About 4-5 times a year I pull my 4 wheeling rig on a trailer and would like to have a place to camp out of to save money on hotel rooms. I wont sleep in a tent on the ground, those days are long gone. My popup trailer has me spoiled. There are many times a year I could use the cap for storage of camping gear while we are out on a rainy weekend.

Thoughts? Random Thoughts?

Thanks
Rick

 

[mountainpete]

Do you ever carry things in your truck that wouldn't fit inside a shell? If no, I see zero reason not to have one. A protected cargo area is always better than an open one.

 

[ramsport59]

Every now and then, but 95% of the time I have my 4x8 or 7x18 trailer open to use.

Also, If I went back to a cap, I need storage ideas for tools.

Rick

 

[Buliwyf]

If a tent is out, then your stuck with a cap, slide in, or trailer. I'd love to have a simple pop up slide in camper. I've seen a few that cost less than a decent fibreglass cap. Just needed new cushions and some fresh paint on the outside.

I like the racks that are the entire size of the bed, then they roll out like a giant tool box drawer. I forget what those are called. Then just put your bed on a shelf above that and your tools. I just like being able to grab that giant shelf and being able to rack out all my cargo/tools in one motion. It's just tough to crawl up into those, allthough it's not like you have to do that alot anyways.

If a tent isn't comfy, you're doing it wrong. LOL. I don't see any of the cap setups really being any more conveniant yet. I usually prefer tents to camper shells because I have more room in the tent and it's easier to get in/out of. I just use huge Big Agnes mats or even inflatable beds in a Mountain Hardware Trango 2 (winter) tent or a Henry Shires Tarptent (summer). I use a propane tent heater so I can use summer bags. Every time I look at camper prices, I only see how many camping trips I can take for that cost with my tent setup.

A slide in camper sure would be nice. No idea where your tools would go though.

There's allways the "crazy" option. Remove the axle and hack the hitch and anything hanging under your poptrailers frame off. Mount it to the top front of a flatbed trailer and have your offroader behind that on the flatbed.

 

[Rovertrader]

First, let me say the H2 wheels look great!!
I too vacillate between cap and open bed, had both, liked and disliked both,etc. I made a trade earlier this year, and ended up with a nice cap: barn doors, tool bin on driver side, window on pass side. To add insult to injury, I have the rear camera in the tailgate as well as the step- expensive and heavy tailgate!! I also have a Jumping Jack trailer, and a M101, so lots of options. I also have been reading up on the bed slide mentioned above- very sweet option from Tuffy or others.
So after all that intro, I am open currently, but really considering the cap with barn doors, and the tray. I could then use the truck for everything, and IF I need an open bed, use the trailer. Point being, add a second battery to the rear bed area, ahead of the wheel well, and run all lights, fridge, etc from it. Mount the fridge and storage at the cab end of the bed on the tray, so it can be pulled out and have a kitchen, plus a table everyone can eat at. If we are traveling with the JJ, lunch can be had instantly by simply pulling out the tray. It really seems to make the most sense.
Another reason we use a JJ is for a base camp. We can then still explore the area with the truck/cap and have everything needed and of value secured. And with the addition of a tent/awning, spending a night away from base camp is no biggie.
Now, if I can just get over paying for all those extras built into the tailgate to set it in the attic of the barn...

 

[Foy]

Summer camping in the truck

In 2010, I put a used cap on my longbed Superduty with the intent to sleep in the back for just a few nights while running to Montana and back. I never had a decent night's sleep, mostly due to the July heat, even at night. I got used to the extra room for tools and gear with enough "lockability" to keep honest men honest.

I have a black plastic "gangbox" about 4' x 2.5' x 3' and most of my tools and spare parts fit easily in it. I built a frame of 2x4s on edge in the bed into which the gang box sits snugly. A second area "boxed" with the framing holds 4 milk crates and their odds and ends contents. Right down the middle the framing boxes in a 175 qt marine cooler. With all of the above secured, my gear doesn't slide all over the place, and loose gear fits easily over top of the heavier boxed-in items. I've got 8 or 10 small eyebolts screwed into the framing at various points to provide bungee anchor points to strap everything down.

Foy

 

[ramsport59]

Thanks for the replys guys. I see everyones point and ideas. I guess its a matter of if I find a deal on a cap or not. I might have to break down and sleep in a tent on the ground.

Rick