Canopy Camper cap/tents

[TwinStick]

I would like to start a civil discussion about the Canopy Camper style for midsize trucks. I am trying to educate myself on these. I have no idea what is good or bad. Or even what all is available. But arguing about brand names or personalities is NOT what I want. Not even sure that this is the proper place for this but I trust someone will move it if I messed up.

Where we live, there is no place to easily see one and there is zero competent shops and no place I would trust to put it on our 2023 ZR2 .

So, I know aluminum is the choice of material and extruded aluminum rails is what many use & because of the T tracks you are only limited by your imagination for mounting things.

The reason I am looking hard at these is, it checks all the boxes for the wife and for me when the wife is not with me. Security: can lock the tailgate, all the doors and if up in the tent, you can lock the entrance to the tent. Convenience: can put porta toilet in bed of truck and then you never have to leave the truck in the middle of the night. Quickness: literally can park and be ready to sleep in under a minute. Cost: we are retired and are NOT rolling in money, so maximum bang for our buck is also a concern.


Concerns I have: waterproofness. I have no idea what type of material is used. Leaking under any circumstances is unacceptable. I would probably have an aneurism if I spent 10k and it leaked or wore anything out quickly, like the hinges.

The only 2 I currently know of is Alu-Cab & Dirtbox Overland. We simply can't afford anything much over 10k. I have been watching every video on YouTube and watching hours upon hours of Overland Expo footage.

We live in the oppressed state of Ny, Specifically WNY. So there is no off roading here that's legal unless you own the land and that is not a guarantee because everyone seems to think they can tell you what you can or can not do on your own land.

We are technology challenged but I can use my phone to some degree and I watch YouTube on the tv. So anyone who can help educate me about these so I can actually make an informed decision would be greatly appreciated.

 

[MisterNoisy]

Congratulations on your new ZR2! I wish I could help with your decision, but I went with a soft cap for my '23 ZR2 since I have less in the way of security concerns and still wanted to be able to do 'truck stuff' at the drop of a hat when I'm not out innawoods.

 

[m-l_johnny]

Your concerns are legitimate. It also kind of boils down to personal preference, to a large degree, which as you stated, can devolve the conversation into a p!$$ing match.

After much looking at the various plethora of brands/ manufacturers out there and where they are located, we decided the best option for us was the Snap Treehouse on our Gladiator. Snap is located in south central PA, 1 1/2 hrs from us, as opposed to driving 3/4 across the country to get a different brand. Don’t know if you are on fecesbook, but someone recently posted on the Snap group a Treehouse for a Colorado for sale. The person didn’t say where they are located or what they were asking, but I wouldn’t doubt somewhere on the east coast. Mandy at Snap would no doubt be happy to get you in contact with them if you were interested. They have been awesome to work with.

 

[TwinStick]

Thanks, I have never even heard of that brand but like you said it's not clear across the country, and is doable to drive there for a day or so.

Another thing that I have noticed is that some are angled and some go straight up. I have heard people say to never buy one that is wider than the truck. But it also seems intuitive to get one that gives maximum space and/or gives you a small shelf or be able to sit up with back to either side if waiting out a storm.

We generally don't do tight trails but we are looking to use the capabilities of our ZR2 when traveling out west but nothing extreme.

And no, no fecebook or IG or any of that stuff. I use my phone to type here and the home computer. That's it. Period, full stop. Honestly, if it wasn't for the music on my phone, I'd chuck it completely. Lol

 

[llamalander]

I just picked-up a Topo Topper, a wedge, but they also make a straight pop-up. It is no wider than my truck but at least 3-4 times the space of a regular (tall) fiberglass truck cap. Topo will ship if you don't want to drive to them, and the quality of their work is impressive, especially as it cost the same as imported goods. Worth a look or a call, they are really responsive and had mine made in under 3 months

Topo Toppers - Pop-up Truck Camper Shells

We make livable, comfortable, and spacious pop-up truck camper shells made to live outside, in any weather & handle any terrain - because adventure knows no bounds. Designed, fabricated and assembled in California. Visit our website & build yours today.

www.topotoppers.com

 

[TwinStick]

Good to know, thanks.

 

[TwinStick]

We are hoping to make a weekend trip to Mainline Overland and actually look at a Dirtbox Overland Canopy Camper in person. But no sense until they have one in the showroom.

 

[GetOutThere]

Just picked up a used Alu Cab Canopy Camper from a friend last week.

It currently definitely leaks into the bed (EDIT: The TRUCK bed, not the sleeping bed) a bunch, but that's just a sealing issue, and it will take some time to track down and seal all the ingress points. From what I hear, this is par for the course, even if you get one professionally installed. That being said, no water ingress into the tent, or through the door/window seals at all.

The one I purchased is 4 years old, and nothing is worn out in terms of hinges, struts, etc. Everything operates as day one. The thing is damn impressive with its build quality.

Any other questions, ask away.