Camper Shell Mutilation..

[Corsair84]

Hey there, so I have a random quest / project that I may start in a few months and wanted to get your thoughts.

I have a ram 2500 w/ the RamBox setup. I would ideally like to get an A.R.E. camper shell with the TopperEZLift setup so I would retain access to the Ramboxes when needed..

That’s the easy stuff, the random thought is adding a RTT from GFC

https://gofastcampers.com/pages/rtt-info

Now their Camper shell version has an access hatch below the tent so if you get their shell, you can crawl inside the tent from inside your truck bed.

https://gofastcampers.com/pages/camper-landing

Would I be able to cut into the camper shell roof, create a sealable hatch door that I could open when I want to access the tent but closed the rest of the time to keep dust out and rain. Just curious on your guys’s expertise and thoughts on this random project.

My main concern is creating a hole that’s 2.5x4 feet or some size (not sure) and what it’d do to the integrity of the shell

( example of opening)

 

[Corsair84]

Now it doesn't need to necessarily be that wide, nor do I want it to be a 'sunroof' type..

I'd prefer to have a few hinges and a latch so it could seal, and then when I want access it could swing all the way backwards and attach to the roof of the shell and stay out of the way.

 

[WVI]

I would think if you re-enforced the cut out edges, it would work.
Some ARE caps had an extra layer on the top so it could carry a load on it.

 

[mudraider]

It might be easier to just bolt the RTT onto the camper shell roof and seal the entire outside. Then make access panels like Venture 4WD has on his jeeps roof. Look him up on YouTube.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[jpmatchbox]

Clay and Lindsay did something similar with a metal truck shell. Hole in the bottom of the RTT for access. https://expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/pan-am-highway-expedition-build-2015-trd-tacoma.205674/