truck topper as a place to camp?

[DaveInDenver]

If I replace my Suburban with a truck I'd consider an aluminum topper over a fiberglass one. Yes, the 'glass ones look nicer and are probably better built. But the chief advantage of the aluminum topper is that they weigh considerably less and generally speaking, two healthy adults can pick one up for removal or reinstallation.

I'll tell you this about aluminum toppers (I've had two in my life). NEVER get a dark colored one. You touch the inside of them in the summer and you will be shopping for a fiberglass one just as soon as the skin grows back on your burns. White ones are a little better about this.

 

[Smileyshaun]

You can easily insulate the inside of an aluminum topper and then coat it with either a very thin wood veneer or plastic or something like that. If I dig through my box of pictures from that Toyota I had I did that in it and added some lights and gear Hooks and what not my hundred-dollar canopy ended up turning up pretty nice.

 

[slowtwitch]

It works great... from what you describe of your friends, would be a good move. Usually hinges on a sleeping platform.. search it, there is plenty of info and pics. A high rise topper is very nice. I worked backwards when making our platform.. how much height for being able to sit upright. That gave us 10" deep drawers in 06 Tundra DC. Also enables bikes to sit on top of platform with front wheels removed. I would get a carpet kit for the topper and not fuss with insulation (camping right?). Sliding windows with screens are nice.
No looking for a spot for the tent, no worries if it rains or blows, looks like a normal rig going down hwy, and can use as an everyday driver when back home. If you camp around Glacier or Yellowstone, etc there are often campgrounds that get closed to any kind of soft sided camping due to bears... that means we can camp in those instances, and someone in a FWC or similar can't.

 

[Martinjmpr]

@Martinjmpr

View attachment 487493

OK, several questions and one comment:

Questions: That picture actually raises more questions than it answers, like how does that hook onto the topper? Does it lift the topper from something attached to the top? If it hooks to the bottom edge of the topper how do you keep the weight of the topper from causing the topper sides to flex outwards? If there is some kind of bar underneath the topper how do you lift the topper up high enough to slide the bar through? And then once the topper is up, do you leave it hanging or lower it to the ground?

Comment: That's a crap-load of effort to go through for something that's only going to be used 1 or 2 times a year.

 

[slowtwitch]

Two guys can remove a topper.. just put it on saw horses. If you have a dock/wall to back up to, you can do it by yourself. Just get inside bed and put back against topper ceiling, lift with legs, walk it forward off tailgate. No prob for a smokejumper!

 

[Martinjmpr]

The one annoying thing I've found about truck caps/toppers/shells is this: It's almost impossible to find the two pieces of information most buyers want, that is: How much does it weigh and how much does it cost? Particlularly for cost, they always refer you to the dealer for a quote.

In this day and age there's no excuse for that (after all if the dealer can "look it up" then there's no reason the consumer can't as well) but all the manufacturers do it so they continue to get away with it.

 

[slowtwitch]

The one annoying thing I've found about truck caps/toppers/shells is this: It's almost impossible to find the two pieces of information most buyers want, that is: How much does it weigh and how much does it cost? Particlularly for cost, they always refer you to the dealer for a quote.

In this day and age there's no excuse for that (after all if the dealer can "look it up" then there's no reason the consumer can't as well) but all the manufacturers do it so they continue to get away with it.

I agree 100%. In process of buying new one now, and it's totally stupid. Al is lighter. Fglass are in the 150 lb range I'm guessing.

Just found this: https://www.4are.com/product/mx/dealers/specifications.php

 

[DaveInDenver]

You can easily insulate the inside of an aluminum topper and then coat it with either a very thin wood veneer or plastic or something like that. If I dig through my box of pictures from that Toyota I had I did that in it and added some lights and gear Hooks and what not my hundred-dollar canopy ended up turning up pretty nice.

Just pointing out that they do get hot. Make sure to use something that can tolerate being close to a warm-to-hot surface.

https://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/aluminum-topper-insulation.29321/

OK, several questions and one comment:

Questions: That picture actually raises more questions than it answers, like how does that hook onto the topper? Does it lift the topper from something attached to the top? If it hooks to the bottom edge of the topper how do you keep the weight of the topper from causing the topper sides to flex outwards? If there is some kind of bar underneath the topper how do you lift the topper up high enough to slide the bar through? And then once the topper is up, do you leave it hanging or lower it to the ground?

I have a center beam with 4 climbing bolt hangers bolted on it. I use a pair of straps around and under the camper shell (one at the front, one at the rear) connected to the bolts with a couple of shackles to form a basket cradle. I used to have a 12V ATV winch on my gantry but stupidly left it on the gantry and just like that I no longer had a 12V ATV winch one day.



I lower the WilderNest onto a dolly, which you can see behind my truck on the ground. I can roll it into the garage if I need to do something on the truck or work on the camper shell.

Comment: That's a crap-load of effort to go through for something that's only going to be used 1 or 2 times a year.

Having a gantry around is handy for lots of things, but sure, if you're only after a one time thing you can always just pay someone with a forklift. I take my topper off usually once a year to replace the rubber and foam seal, so it's worth a few dollars in lumber to have the ability to do it alone and even if you do have assistance raising and lowering it slowly and under control.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I agree 100%. In process of buying new one now, and it's totally stupid. Al is lighter. Fglass are in the 150 lb range I'm guessing.

Just found this: https://www.4are.com/product/mx/dealers/specifications.php

When I had my Tacoma I put on 2 different toppers. 6' bed, cab-high and high-rise both. In both cases, two adult males could lift the topper up and put it into place. I had the same experience with my last pickup, a 1996 Mazda B2300 (a/k/a Ford Ranger.)

But it wasn't much fun and certainly not something I would do on a regular basis. For a full size truck I would imagine the weight would increase by at least a third. 200lbs is more like it, would be my guess.

I find myself going back and forth on the whole aluminum vs fiberglass topper choice. Fiberglass is stronger, looks better, and is better insulated. Aluminum is lighter, easier to remove and considerably less expensive.

As I've said before, it would be interesting if someone cold come up with a modular frame that could have side and top pieces attach to turn it into a hard truck cap. One person could install that in his driveway in a few hours.

I'm sure someone could do it but then the problem is that a quality product would likely be quite expensive.

I guess like many things, you can have it good or you can have it cheap but not both.

 

[DaveInDenver]

Also consider that fiberglass toppers are better suited to punctures and branches and the rivets don't work loose over time. The main advantage of an aluminum topper is cheap and light. But they're not as durable. IMO they don't fill the same market niche.

I think fiberglass toppers are silly expensive but they'll last as long as you own the truck and can be repaired if they do get a chip or crack. And I don't mind that aluminum toppers don't look great, I really could care less. The Craigslist fiberglass topper I bought and later sold to put my 'Nest on the Tacoma wasn't even the same color.

I would treat an aluminum topper like an install when needed thing since they can be moved a lot easier.

 

[slowtwitch]

A glass topper would only be 200 lbs for an 8 ft bed.. more like 180 or less for a 6 footer. Fgalss is superior in every way except for weight and cost. More durable, quieter, little bit more insulative, more options, etc etc. I've had both.. Al falls apart if you drive offroad routinely.

 

[vintageracer]

Hail storms with very small hail stones easily love to customize aluminum toppers with a new visual effect that does not meet with the approval of most all aluminum topper owners.

 

[highwest]

My wife and I went from a tent to a truck/platform/shell - no frills, very simple. Love it! We probably do 20-30 nights in it each year, which was a bit more than the tent as it seems to be easier/faster. We have a mid-size Tacoma, so I can only think that a Silverado would have more room. If your friends are considering a platform, definitely go for a mid- or high-rise shell. Windoors are also highly recommended. Our tailgate is sealed with weatherstripping that the shell dealer offered and the drain holes in the bed are open - in hundreds (thousands?) of miles of dirt roads we’ve never had intolerable levels of dust in our sleeping area.

Pros:

• Sets up / puts away fast
• Easier to level the truck than finding a level spot for the tent
• Quieter in the wind/rain/storms
• Can’t beat the sunrise views from your bed

Cons:

• Less headroom
• Less breathability - can collect condensation in cooler temps

 

[XJLI]

I don't have any good pictures, but I have a twin size platform that I built to wheel well height in my Silverado. Its most of the time just me (or me and the dog) but my wife and I have no problem squeezing in on the small bed when she comes camping. I built the twin size to try and save space for storage to the side, but I'm not sure if I'd make a larger one or not next time. I'd love a Decked system but I'm not sure if I would go with one without a high topper because it dramatically lowers your total height for carrying stuff every day. My topper has full tinted windows with tilt out and screens, its great. A battery powered fan for the summer is a must.

Taking it on and off is easy, I back into my garage and slide some 2x4s under it that line up with my kayak rack and another 2x4 shelf I put between the studs on the exterior wall. I can do it by myself in under 10 minutes.

 

[2025 deleted member]

I think a thin mattress on top of a decked system would be a good way to rough it every now and then. With a crew cab you could put a fridge in the back seat.