New Chevy 09 3500 4x4

[Outback]

A few days ago I recieved a call from Caravan Camper in Reno Nevada. They said my Camper would be ready Thursday. So instead of taking a week off of work I headed for Reno Nevada to get my bed lined and topper put on. This morning I arrived at Linex in Sparks, Nevada and dropped my truck off with them. 3 hours later my bed looked reallly good. They did a professional job and had excellent customer skills. They even dropped me off and then picked me up at Starbucks! Heres the finished product.

 

[Outback]

After a quick lunch I headed for Caravan Campers factory. The finish product is absolutely the best! The customer skills and patience with me are something that need to be noted. Mike At Carvan Camper now takes American Express since the company I work for changed from a Master card Purchase card to an American Express Purchase Card. Without boring you with the whole story lets just say Mike has the patience of Job (Holy Bible Job folks). After about 45 minutes My truck keys were handed back and the Caravan Camper is now riding behind me! I really love this Camper shell. It is built tough! She weighs in at about 400 lbs and levels out the MMM end high Chevy trucks. The ride is nicer and level! If you ever need a Camper Shell do your self a favor and give Mike a call at Caravan Campers! 775 323-0270.

 

[Outback]

The back view:coffeedrink:

 

[Outback]

Next week my new seat covers should arrive as well as my brush guard and PIA lights.

 

[OTR]

Looks good. Can I borrow the AMEX for a few hours

 

[Outback]

lol. Not until Im done with it!

 

[brut4s]

Wow.... Looks good! How big are the bolts that hold the top?

 

[Outback]

They fully sealed the bottom then when they lowered the top on. They then drilled out 4 holes on each side. I believe 5/16" but dont hold me to that. May be 1/4". After they drilled they lifted off the top and then blew out any debris with a high pressure airhose. They then lowered and bolted the top down using Nylocks. Very well done and this unit wont be coming off easy! Caravan Campers have been in business since 1955 and in the building pictured since 1961. There #1 customers are hunters. Hunters use these units as campers when in the field. They have been doing this since the begining.

 

[Zatara]

How well does the back door seal to the body ?
Is dust an issue like you would find with other camper shells ?

 

[Outback]

The back door seals 100%! The entire camper shell is completely sealed. The bed has a few holes I will need to seal. BUT I do have a fan the that positively pressurizes the camper/bed area. The fan is located on the roof and can be turned on anytime needed. I took her out yesterday and no dust was in the rear cab. The roads were not that poof dust though. That will be the ultimate test!

 

[Reata Rover]

Outback,

Sure is a fine looking truck. I was shopping last week for the exact same rig. You mentioned the problems experienced with the Chevy. I have a question, do you and your team leave these engines idling for long periods? Longer than 30 minutes?

When I was shopping them last weekend, one of the things the cowboy (Fort Worth, TX) salesman told me was that they cannot sit idling due to new environmental requirements of the exhaust fumes having to be re-burned....please let me know, as I chose not to buy one and hold on to my 99 Ford Diesel for thsi reason.

 

[Outback]

No we do not idle them at all. We drive them just like everyone else except all the time. The Chevys GMCs are just not the best rig out there for your money. They really suck off road compared to all the other trucks. Just look at the ground clearance! Its horrible! Again if your just drivingfbthem down the highways or dirt roads then Im sure that they would be fine (as long as the safe mode doesnt jump up and bite you on the ********). Right now I would buy a Dodge (which I did for my personal truck). Hope this helps.

 

[Outback]

Im not sure what the sales man is talking about. Yes I know about the burn off cycle of the exhaust gasses. But we are not driving big rigs that need to remain warm. As any other diesel truck driver who drives a "small" diesel we just let them idle down for a few minutes to cool off the turbo and the oil before shutting it down. This few minutes does not hurt the catalyst. It does however save the bearings on the turbo. Beware of salemen. Most dont know there MMM from a hole in the ground. Usually we the consumer know more about a certain product (or should) before we go and buy it.

 

[Reata Rover]

Agreed completely on the salesman....the only reason I leave it running here is in the summer. On a job or otherwise, it is so hot down here in WEST Texas that we might leave it running for an our or so if we run in for lunch or have a task that is not going to take too long. Even an afternoon nap of an hour or so. Just wondering if maybe that could be the cause of the problems you have experienced.

 

[Outback]

Nope. The problem is its a Chevy.......... lol. I better be quiet or the young gal might here me and go into safe mode.