To shell or not shell... That is the question...?

[mlmeans]

I've got a great half ton gmc with 5.8 bed bed slide and camper shell. The shell is a love hate scenario.. It has a light that's hot wired locked box for rifles and fishing pole hanger carpeted and dog guards on Windows. I use a bed slide get stuff in and out...not a bad set up

But it's heavy limits my ability to use the bed (I have a few rentals so usually spend time each week working on houses). Slows me down limits visibility and is a pain to crawl into to get something if fell behind slide etc... I like look of truck without shell but dang it I go back and forth..

Options keep it and live life or sell and get a rack for my front runner rack.

Future plans at fridge and rtt so shell would protect fridge and other stuff from elements and security it locks with my key fob... But dang it its heavy almost impossible to take off alone..

Suggestions? Anyone else deal with this issue? I'd appreciate hearing your suggestions

 

[Martinjmpr]

It's an age-old dilemma for people with pickups. I'm on pickup no. 5 and all of mine have had shells. 3 of my 5 were regular cab mini trucks (a Toyota and two Mazdas) and the cab on those things is tiny so the shell is neccessary if I wanted to have protected storage for anything.
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OTOH, I've also known people who refuse to get a shell because then they can't carry large items in the bed or access the forward part of the bed without crawling in. I think it all comes down to how you use the truck most. Basically it's a pick-your-poison situation, you have to make the choice that results in the lease amount of inconvenience.
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I've owned a pickup for about 5 of the last 10 years and the number of times I've taken the shell off because I had to move something large is maybe twice, three times at the most. OTOH the number of times I've been grateful to be able to put stuff in the bed of the truck and have it secure from the elements and reasonably secure from theft have been countless.

For example, back in March I bought a set of wheels and tires for my Suburban off of a guy on Craigslist. I had to drive all the way across town to get them and by the time I got home, I didn't feel like pulling them out and putting them in the back yard so I left them in the truck, securely locked inside the shell. I actually drove the truck around for a week or so with the tires and wheels in the back before I finally got around to taking them out. No way would I have been able to do that if I hadn't had the shell.

One possible solution that could work for you if you have a garage or shop is to rig up some kind of hoist. I've seen them for Jeep hardtops and I can't imagine it would be too difficult to make one for a truck topper. Get a hoist mounted on the ceiling and then all you'd have to do to remove the shell is unbolt it, disconnect the electrical wiring and then hook up the hoist, and hoist the shell off the truck either with a hand winch or an electric winch.

 

[kodiak-black]

Keep it. I built a rolling cradle which holds it on it's side. When I need to take it off I put it in the cradle and roll it to my side yard of my house. I find the shell to be quite useful and have it on my truck about 3/4 of the year. I also have rental property and store tools, supplies, etc. in the back when I'm out working on them. I find it useful when camping as well.

 

[SDDiver5]

Keep it. The reassurance that comes with a shell is great. I have taken my shell off twice in the 7 years I've had my truck. Once was within the first month I had the truck and it was to inspect everything and put on my surf racks. Second time was when I bought my dual sport motorcycle and had not yet gotten a Joe Hauler.

Similar to Martins tire story, I have had an outdoor patio set stuffed in my truck because when I bought it, I got home late and didn't feel like moving it. All I did was locked the shell and its been safe. I've also kept tools and all types of gear in the back. My surfboards are safe if I do something before or after my surf sesh. Hell, in my college days when I would be irresponsible and drink too much, I'd sleep in the back and the shell kept me safe and dry.

Yes, they are heavy and kind of a pain to take off but IMO the pros far outweigh the cons. It seems like keeping it would benefit you with your future plans also.. would you leave your fridge in the bed without a shell so anyone can swipe it? What about your rifles and fishing poles? Leave them in the cab so someone can smash your window and take them? It seems like you have a pretty legit setup as is.

I vote you keep it.

 

[themickeyd]

I went with the compromise for my Superduty, a soft top canopy. There are 2 that I know of that are available, softopper and Bestop. I have had both with a softopper on the wife's Honda Ridgeline and the Bestop on my Superduty. Both have their plus and minus but both fold up when you don't need them and if you want to totally take them off they take up little room in the garage.

 

[TXscout]

I am facing the same dilemma. I have a 8ft bed on my F350 and the shell has been great for keeping gear and such, but I am getting way too frustrated with managing the storage at the back of the bed. I have a decked drawer system which is awesome for dry, secure storage, but the longest they offered was a 6'9" short bed application. I found a tool box that will fit perfectly between it and the front of the bed, but it still makes me crawl inside to access it. I also carry a skiff and was forced to constantly remove the hatch window to carry the boat. On top of that, the shell is leaking in numerous spots. I love it, but it just doesn't seem to work for what i do. I also have a front runner rack on top that I plan on mounting on a bed rack. With the tool box and decked system, i have good, dry, secure storage that I'll be able to access. I might even put a bed slide on top of the decked. How do you like your slide? does it rattle on/off road.

 

[mlmeans]

I love the bed slide. I haven't heard any rattles but i wish it was the kind that slide all the way out of the bed. The actual bed part is ply wood and that makes putting attachments points for say a fridge attachment points is super easy and the slide has ratching attachment points on side of it as well. I had the deck system but with a shell it was too tight to crawl in bed and stuff slid on the plastic top of the deck system. Drawers were great and for me if no shell then I'd love to have decked system with shell I love bed slide.




QUOTE=TXscout;2119277]I am facing the same dilemma. I have a 8ft bed on my F350 and the shell has been great for keeping gear and such, but I am getting way too frustrated with managing the storage at the back of the bed. I have a decked drawer system which is awesome for dry, secure storage, but the longest they offered was a 6'9" short bed application. I found a tool box that will fit perfectly between it and the front of the bed, but it still makes me crawl inside to access it. I also carry a skiff and was forced to constantly remove the hatch window to carry the boat. On top of that, the shell is leaking in numerous spots. I love it, but it just doesn't seem to work for what i do. I also have a front runner rack on top that I plan on mounting on a bed rack. With the tool box and decked system, i have good, dry, secure storage that I'll be able to access. I might even put a bed slide on top of the decked. How do you like your slide? does it rattle on/off road.[/QUOTE]

 

[Ducky's Dad]

A roof rack helps a lot. I have shells on my trucks because I'm always hauling stuff that can grow feet when the truck is parked.

 

[fiddypal]

It sounds like access to items in the front of the bed is your main issue. What are you storing all the way up there? I'd start by rearranging things so your least used items are way up front, and the stuff you use all the time is near the back within easy reach. Another thing to consider is 'windoors' on your cap. Then you can just flip a window up and reach right in the front and sides of the bed.

I'd keep it personally, I have a crew cab with the back seats gutted and a subfloor put in, there is hardly enough room for storage back there so it's nice to have the secure storage in the bed. Also nice in winter when you want to haul stuff and don't have to clear a foot of snow and ice from your bed

 

[ZMagic97]

I'll say keep it and live with it. Have one on my 6' bed Chevy I thought of selling after a few months, but when I got my 5.8' GMC without a shell I found myself missing it, so both trucks have a shell now along with a bedrug in each.

Though it may be limiting on occasion, I find it almost impossible for myself to separate from the security and convenience of the shells.

 

[Flakchaser]

Have you looked at work pods as an alternative to a shell? They look the same from the outside but have fully enclosed floors and sides. I put a "Master 50 truck body" on my ram 2500... works great for a camper. I ordered it out of Canada without the side opening doors and can sleep above the rails sideways, am 6'2". Windows were easy to install. The roof is reinforced for a rack. Used Brand FX and Fibre Body pods can often be found on the Denver area craigslists.

 

[SFROMAN]

Do most people have "custom" set ups under their shells? Or do most people typically keep the truck bed empty to be able to use the bed for more than one thing?

I did not read most of the thread so apologize if I'm off topic

 

[rayra]

had a shell on a pickup long years ago and it was indeed a PITA to get things from up front in the bed. I like the more modern utility shells with the lifting sides and also think they would be swell in an 'expo' use.
I'd say keep it if it suits your fun time uses, which it sounds like it does.

But also, you can get a real nice harbor freight trailer for <$300 for your rental property maintenance.

 

[Regcabguy]

had a shell on a pickup long years ago and it was indeed a PITA to get things from up front in the bed. I like the more modern utility shells with the lifting sides and also think they would be swell in an 'expo' use.
I'd say keep it if it suits your fun time uses, which it sounds like it does.

But also, you can get a real nice harbor freight trailer for <$300 for your rental property maintenance.

If I ever sell my popup,I think I'd get a slightly higher Snugtop or similar. Easier to crawl back there. I've always had a camper or shell on my trucks. They just look naked without one and the secure storage is a plus. A little weight back there sure helps with traction also.

 

[ttravis5446]

I've been debating on my truck between a topper shell and one of the beefier locking retractable tonneau covers. I'm leaning toward the tonneau because I need to pull a gooseneck trailer from time to time.