Camper shells

[brillmtb]

Whats the best camper shell for the 03 Dodge and why?

 

[illflem]

Do a search for toppers and you'll find lots of info.

I like my Raider because of it's mid range price, perfect color match and fit.

 

[JWChessell]

Which shell is good/better/best?

I'm in the market for a shell and have the same question. I did a search on "topper" as suggested and there is A LOT of information, but it's scattered all over, and usually buried in a thread on another topic. Let's keep this one going. I've picked up about 10 brochures on different cab-high shells, been to five different dealers, and STILL can't figure out which is the better unit, or the better value, or both.

 

[GFoley]

I have a Leer Gold Crown. It is 4 years old. It was replaced by the 100 series line (pretty sure that's the number).



I bought a cap that was cab high, color matched, has front slider and side sliding windows. The back door is frame-less glass. It is lined with an automotive type carpet and also has an additional insulation panel sandwiched in the top. It has a third brake light too.



The interior light sucks. It is powered by 2 C batteries and is located at the rear of the cap. The tool chest is in the front of the bed.



Color match has held up really well. I am pleased and cannot detect any fading. I have lived in MD, MN, FL, and NC since I purchased my cap.



It is HEAVY. Do not attempt to take it off by yourself, 4 guys is definitely better than 2 doing this job. I think I measured a 1" drop at the tailgate once I installed this thing.



Shop outside of your area for prices! I was traveling a lot and bought mine in Indiana for 2/3 of the local dealers price. I called the local guy up and asked him if he could meet the same price - no way he said.



After 4 years I am ready to replace the back door struts. Nobody carries this style because the door is frame-less. The latches are becoming troublesome too. Best news is I can get a new rear glass door, lift struts, lock and all related hardware for less than $200.



Overall I am very pleased with this and would buy another Leer cap again.

Next time I would give heavy consideration to a roof rack system installed at time of manufacturing, especially if I will not be concerned about overall height. I currently am running stock tires but even with the 255s on the truck I could still get in the home garage and public parking garages without concerns of hitting. I did not go in anything with less than 6'-8" clearance.



That's my experience



Glenn F

 

[JWChessell]

Glenn:



That's great info! The rest of you TDR mbrs, keep it coming.

 

[PRush]

The best and most durable camper shells I have ever seen can be found at CARGOBODY. COM. They make commercial and military grade utility camper shells that will outlast most vehicles. Take a peek.

 

[Clinton]

I've been happy with my Jeraco, but it seems that quite a few improvements have been adopted by all the manufacturers since I bought mine. Two of the improvements I wish were on mine are the frameless rear window and headliner. Jeracos are made in PA and don't seem to be widely available, but they are high quality and mine has weathered quite well. I like them because they offer a slightly raised model (4") without crazy window configurations.

 

[The patriot]

What cap do you recomend

I'm planning on purchasing a cap for the truck. What brand do you recomend?

I want fiberglass, std (cab) height, or maybe a slight raised top.

Not the high topper size. I dont go for the "standup sleeper" look.

Eric

 

[brillmtb]

Thanks for the info. Will begin there

 

[Loren]

brillmtb,



You don't have a signature so we can tell where you are, but if you are near the Cincinnati area I can suggest a brand. Swiss Caps makes fiberglass and aluminum shells in Patriot, Indiana.



They will sell to you directly from the factory, which is where I bought the fiberglass caps for my 1995 and 2000 trucks. They are painted to match the truck, with a long (maybe lifetime?) guarantee on the paint. When I went to pick up the first one, for the 1995 truck, they told me that they weren't happy with the paint match, so they repainted it. They used the fuel filler door to get the paint company to match the paint exactly.



If you order one through the factory, you can specify what window types you want, as well as adding accessories. My cap for the 2000 truck has four interior lights, all powered by the truck's batteries through the wiring to the cap. The cap is wired to the truck because it needs a power source for the center, high-mounted brake light, which is integral to the cap.



I highly recommend Swiss Caps to anyone in the Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky area. Their number is 800-232-2258. Ask for Gina.



Leer and ARE also appear to be good brands.



Patriot,

Swiss Caps makes a fiberglass bed cover called "The Patriot. " You need one of these.



Loren

 

[Crazy Horse]

You can check out Range Rider. I like mine; good fit, good paint match, and it doesn't leak.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I got some great responses from a thread I started a while back. Links galore!





https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=69476

 

[WatsonJ]

best camper shell

I have a Snug Top on my 1996 Toyota T100. It's color matched

with "win-doors" , headliner, and slider. It's was a fine product

in 1998 when I bought it and it's still a fine product.



My only complaint would be that the locking latches for the side

"win-doors" are not corrosion resistant. They are rusting like

banshee's and I'm in Arizona!



I bought an ARE tonneau cover for my Dodge short bed turbo diesel. IMHO-it is MUCH better looking and better built than the Snug-Top product, and about $100. 00 cheaper.

The ARE looks like a custom (almost hot rod) installation.

The Snug-Top looks like a cookie cutter-one size fits all.



While shopping for the toneau I also checked out the ARE camper

shells. There is no question that I would have gone with ARE.



IMHO- Snug Top is resting on their well deserved laurels.

 

[The patriot]

I just got a Leer for my 1st gen today. Free! Looks pretty good too!!

Does anyone know if this will fit the 2nd gen?

Eric

 

[JWChessell]

Reason for window in the front of the shell?

I'm trying to decide what I want and don't want in the new shell for my '03.



If the truck already has a sliding rear window in the rear of the cab, what is the reason to have another window in the front of the camper shell, as long as there is a boot sealing the front of the shell to the rear outside wall of the cab?



If the front of the shell has any window at all, then it makes sense to having a sliding window and to be able to fold it down for cleaning of both windows.



BUT -- why have a front window in the shell AT ALL, if there's already a sliding rear window in the truck itself?



All explanations gratefully accepted.

 

[Glen]

I have a boat loader on mine and carry a 260 pound boat. This load will destroy a fiberglass or aluminum canopy. My first was aluminum; I had a steady job repairing and reenforcing it.



I now use a steel canopy made by Gemtop. It works well and is very strong. I used a steel canopy on my 2001. I wanted to use it on the 2003 but the 3rd gens are a different size.



Glen

 

[illflem]

Re: Reason for window in the front of the shell?

Originally posted by JWChessell

why have a front window in the shell AT ALL, if there's already a sliding rear window in the truck itself?

Some people like to use their windshield rearview mirror is the only reason I can think of unless a person or pet is riding back there.

I ordered my Raider canopy without the front or the right side windows, only one on the left. Was going to have none but decided on just the one that fully hinges open from the outside to grab stuff in the front without crawling in.

Raider called me twice to make sure they had the right instructions, said mine was the first out of the thousands of shells they've made with only one window.



on edit Rereading your post it seems you are talking about having a hole for the front shell window but no glass then using a boot. Guess that would be ok except all the boots I've seen rub the paint off the cab of your truck and leak some.

 

[JWChessell]

Correct: Having a hole for the front shell window, no glass, and using a boot. Direct access into the shell from the rear seat of the cab through the sliding rear window in the rear of the cab, but NO GLASS in the front of the shell -- only a hole and the boot.



Other comments, please?

 

[24V-DSL]

I wouldn't have a boot. Every one I've ever seen eventually rubbed off the paint.



I doubt a boot will fit well enough to keep water out. These things can flex and move a little.



I really like my Snugtop Supersport, but it took awhile to get it absolutely water tight. Even a small weep at the bulkhead drove me nuts.



If you decide to give in to getting the window, I recommend you get a drop-down option so you can easily clean both windows. Over time, grime/spots, etc. build up and it looks pretty ugly.

 

[Blu-meanie]

Glen.

Gemtop has been sold to some company in Texas. . the warranty is now only good for a year, you pay the shipping. The older ones that had a lifetime warranty, forget it. They don't honor it.