Camper questions

[AlwaysExplr87]

Ok so the time has come for me to get a camper for my 07 taco for my next trip. Money is kind of tight and am trying to make it go as far as possible. I have been going back and forth between a fiberglass shell, aluminum shell, or a softtop (most likely bestop). I will be using this for me and my dog to sleep in during trips to the backcountry and will occasionaly be sleeping in town while trying to get somewere. I also use my truck to haul things on occasion and would like to be able to remove the top fairly easily (under and hour with 2 or 3 guys). I was wondering if I could get some input from you guys on this.

I love the look, security, and possible roof top storage of fiberglass but am concerned about the extra weight and loss of mileage (every $ counts on my trips). My truck is a 2.7l with 265/75s and I can use all the oomph I can get.

The softoper is nice because its light and can easily be moved out of the way when I need to haul things. I also like the openness of them with sides rolled up. I dont like how I can't add a roof rack, but I honestly don't know if I will ever need it. I'm also concerned about the heat of the black fabric in the summer and the lack of insulation in the winter.

While I haven't found an aluminum shell for the 05+ platform I feel fairly certain I can make one from a ranger or s-10 work and they pop up on CL all the time for around $100. I feel like it is a good comprimise between weight and security.

The bestop is at the top of the budget and the less I spend on this the more I have for other necessities and traveling. I've got a chance to buy a Leer 100XQ with windoors, front slider, and thule rack for a great deal ($250) and feel like its almost too good of a deal to pass up. I just want to make sure I'm going to be happy with it.

Any opinions? My whole goal for this is to keep things simple and not have to set up a tent all the time.

 

[Kilroy]

Don't get a soft top. You have no lockable storage and if you want to carry something on top, you have to add more brackets.

 

[OTR]

I would jump on the Leer for $250 in a heartbeat. The wieght shouldn't be to bad on your mileage. It could, in theory, help your mpg secondary to better areodynamics (as long as you don't have a bunch of stuff on the roof). If you don't like the Leer after buying it, you could resale it and pocket a little profit.

 

[RockyMtnFamily]

Leer

The Leer shells come with a lifetime warranty and I have seen the company honor this when the sides of the shell were cracking after multiple back country washboard roads over a number of years. They also have a sandwiched fiberglass roof that cuts down on the condensation a bit. I would jump on that one and consider putting some velcro around the windows if you want to add curtains.

Kevin

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

Thanks for confirming my thoughts. I'm waiting for the guy to call me back so I can set up a time to meet him. Hopefully I'll have some pics and a build post up soon.

 

[CLynn85]

Considering the fact that I just bought mine today, I can't shed a whole lot of light on the subject, but I just picked up an almost mint Leer that matched my truck for $500, but no rack or windoors.

I've got a chance to buy a Leer 100XQ with windoors, front slider, and thule rack for a great deal ($250) and feel like its almost too good of a deal to pass up. I just want to make sure I'm going to be happy with it.

If this was on craigslist, I think it's the same one I *tried* to buy last night, in which case I had a terrible experience. This was at the top of my list, as it had the most options and was the least price, so I drove all the way down from VA to look at it (Gaston County, NC). Upon arriving the owner had just slipped out and wasn't there to answer questions, and the top wasn't really at all like it was described. It looked nothing like a 100xq (xq's have a sleek look and I don't even think are available with windoors) so I'm fairly certain it's a different model. It is also very scratched up, with a few small chunks of fiberglass missing around the edges. Also, I didn't even get to see the load bars, but there were only 3 of 4 mounts in the tracks, and the only person there had no idea where the 4th one or the bars were at. She was also frantically searching for the missing keys. The weatherstripping wasn't in the best of shape and it's clearly been sitting out on the ground for a little while.

After all that I decided to cut my losses and head up to a friend's place in Danville, where I found the other one that I bought. It's not that the first one was a total POS, as the price was relative to its condition, but it was definitely not what I was expecting when I pulled up.

Sorry, not trying to turn you off, it might be fine for what you're looking for, and might not even be the same one, just wanted to share before you go look at it.

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

Clynn thanks for the tip, check your PMs I dont want to cloud this up with that.

If the fiberglass falls through, what are the opinions on the aluminum and bestop options?

For those of you with the soft tops, how are they in the heat? Is it like a sauna?

 

[njtaco]

FWIW, I have had two different fiberglass shells on my 2.7L Tacoma:

The cab-high model is a Leer, fuel economy increased by 1-2 mpg.

The taller-than-cab-high model was an Eagle, which dropped fuel economy by 1-2 mpg, especially on the highway.

I also would not use a soft top for your needs.

I can install and remove the caps by myself in less that 30 minutes. It is a lot easier with two people, and I have never needed more than one helper to move one cap sized for a small truck. Full size trucks...different story.

As far as trying to match a cap for a different model, I've regretted it every time I've tried that. You are much better off being patient. The right cap will turn up eventually.

 

[AlwaysExplr87]

Thanks,good to hear some first hand experience. I'm going to keep an eye out for another glass shell. I'm going to call a few dealers tomorrow and try to work something out. I dont know why but I really just like the versatility and looks of the bestop. I know its not the ideal thing for sleeping but Im not looking for super comfort, its more about the adventure, so I might end up going with it. It would be a short term solution for the next year or two until I can get out of college.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Don't know what your budget is but you can probably find a used fiberglass shell for less than the cost of a bestop. I found both of my shells on CL.

Also, I had both a cab-high and a high-rise shell on my '04 Taco and it never required more than 2 people to put on and take off, and the whole process took maybe 10 minutes.

 

[7wt]

I had a Leer 100R on my Tacoma and after seven months it came off. I drove my truck for six years without a cap and I just couldn't get use to it being back there. That being said, if I even wanted to put something else back there again it would be another fiberglass shell due to it's lockability. I would scour the web until I found a nice used one. I bought mine new for $1100 and sold it for $700. I took a bath on it for sure but the way I am now works better for me. There seems to be a run of caps on the used market when the weather gets warmer so start keeping an eye out. Good luck.

 

[austintaco]

Soft top:
I have a kayline that came with my 4runner, but I have the hard top on it now for the winter months and for a long road trip. The soft top is great for Jeep like activity, but I could never leave it downtown or out of sight. Its just too easy to get into. For me, I didn't leave anything in the truck that I didn't want stolen, and I left the doors open to hopefully, prevent a thief from slashing the top. They are fun but not secure, and noisy on the road. However, they are great for short wheeling trips where you want to roll up the sides but sleep under its protection at night.

Campershell on my Tacoma:
For a truck, this is the way to go. I searched all over, Searchtempest(multi city Craigslist search, Ebay, autotrader) and I found a setup on Ebay. It was in VA, and I am in TX, but the price was good, ($275). I bid on it after a few beers, but lost the bid. However, the winner backed out so I got it with a bed rug thrown in for $275. I made a little road trip vacation out of it, and we drove there, put it on, stayed one night on the beach, and drove home. One of my all time favorite road trips.