keep my camper shell or build a custom rack ?

[roamingaz]

I know there are several threads on here about bed racks vs camper shells, I am starting a new one looking for pictures and ideas for my truck.

I have a nice ARE utility shell on my single cab pickup, it is a very functional camper but I am thinking of building a bed rack. When I first got the camper my plans were to make a sleeping platform but so far that hasn't worked out and with my new roof tent I have no need to sleep inside.
So far out of the pictures I could find on here I really like Tacodocs bed rack the best, it is high enough to open a tool box but keeps the rtt low.
I also considered just getting a ladder rack and side tool boxes but I would rather do something more custom.


here is a pic of my truck now.

If I keep the shell I want to build a roof rack to also work as a air scoop, anyone have single cab roof rack pics?

 

[Dave Bennett]

You have an EXCELLENT setup with that particular topper and RTT, IMHO. I would stay with that setup if I were you, very utilitarian arrangement!

With the RTT up there I'd consider an air dam like you see from Thule or Yakima on their products to alleviate drag/wind resistance but I would not add any more "weight" up there in the form of a rack or basket forward of that RTT, you should have plenty of storage in back.

 

[hillbillyjake]

i have watched your build closely and if it were me i would keep watch you have. i would love to have your setup on the back of my 08. i have had trucks with tops and open beds, and i miss the dry storage. if we could figure out some way to fit your set up on my truck, i would help fund the rack.:wings:. like i said just my opinions. good luck with the build.

jake

 

[mtnbike28]

I agree with the others...

I have watched your build and think you have a great set-up. I like the idea of dry/lockable storage. I own both a cap and ARE hard cover and thought when I got my trailer, I would never use the cap again... after one trip without and my bike sitting outside, then no where to throw stuff when coming off the beach, I put my cap back on. Like Silverstreak (I think that's his screen name) I love the look of my truck without the cap, but it's just too practical not to have and use!

Again, it depends on your hobbies, but last night I carried 4 bikes and racers to the coarse, had all our gear and post race refreshments and never had to think twice about how to carry it all (even with leaving all my day to day crap in the storage boxes... don't I remember you wanting to put in all your fishing stuff full-time?

Since you are just finishing your build up, I suggest using for a while and seeing what you think.

hth

 

[roamingaz]

Thanks everyone:victory:
I do like the current setup because I can keep my fishing and camping gear in it that has been a big reason to keep it so far.
So since the rtt sits so high on the camper I do want some sort of air scoop. My work truck doesn't have a scoop but most of the others do and I can really tell a difference in wind drag without it, granted the trailers are 13' tall though.
I need some ideas for a roof rack/air scoop, I like the rack Trail monkey had built but I dont know I want that much more weight up top.

 

[thecriscokid]

I really like the set up you have going as well.
I am in a very similar thought pattern about a wind foil/cab-over basket. I have all the height in my extra tall topper and have been thinking for some time now about a good solution.

My latest thought has been about an internal/external rack system. Something that in my case would be internally framed and supported with only the cantilevered basket over the cab on the outside. To make it easier to take on and off, I think having the basket/wind foil/light bar bolt on through the topper would be nice.

You would of coarse need some external supports for your RTT. Or would you?? Maybe you could get the overall height down by mounting the RTT through your roof to a internal rack?

I defiantly try to keep as much as possible inside and out of sight. I like driving trough and people just think I'm "just another construction worker".
All the while having bikes and gear inside that would say otherwise.

By the way, I really like those ambulance style doors!

 

[zolo]

Awesome truck pretty sure I saw it at the expo in Prescott. I am going the other way. I have built 3 different rack designs over the past year or so and I am finally giving in and bought an ARE topper similar to yours. Im worried about my RTT on top but I think it will be fine. Being a fellow single cab owner I like your set up and would stick with it.
My own rack designs went like this.
1.Soft topper and bed rail mounted custom rack for RTT on top. Ok but getting in the bed was a hassle.
2. No soft topper and a different custom rack that kept the RTT just bellow cab height. Better but no dry storage and hard to keep gear locked up and out of sight.
3. Rtt at bed height. Ok but a hassle to get under for gear. Would have been better with a bed slide.
Now I just went for the Mack of all ARE toppers. rear walk in door with Yakima rack on top. Im done! (with that part of the bed anyhow.)
I like your style.

 

[Co-opski]

Roamingaz~
I think others have said too keep the camper shell, and I agree with them. You have a very secure setup for your gear. I know every time I leave my truck at a trail head I fear the worst. Luckily the only thing ever swiped from my rig before I added the shell was a case of Rainer Beer that was in the back. I would be devastated if someone took one of my rods. :ylsmoke:

 

[roamingaz]

Awesome truck pretty sure I saw it at the expo in Prescott. I am going the other way. I have built 3 different rack designs over the past year or so and I am finally giving in and bought an ARE topper similar to yours. Im worried about my RTT on top but I think it will be fine. Being a fellow single cab owner I like your set up and would stick with it.
My own rack designs went like this.
1.Soft topper and bed rail mounted custom rack for RTT on top. Ok but getting in the bed was a hassle.
2. No soft topper and a different custom rack that kept the RTT just bellow cab height. Better but no dry storage and hard to keep gear locked up and out of sight.
3. Rtt at bed height. Ok but a hassle to get under for gear. Would have been better with a bed slide.
Now I just went for the Mack of all ARE toppers. rear walk in door with Yakima rack on top. Im done! (with that part of the bed anyhow.)
I like your style.

It sounds like you have tried everything I want to try, so it looks like the camper is staying. I got a couple new parts in today I will post up pics in my build thread later.

Co-opski- nice salmon:drool: