Caravan Camper Shell (Reno company)

[sarj]

I've been looking for a good shell/cap for traveling and I'm real close to buying one of these caravan shells, but I've never seen one in the real. I'm real picky about quality, and price is secondary. Any comments?



http://www.caravancamper.com/



What I'm really looking for is anyone in or near Southern Calif who has one I can look at. I don't have the 2 days it would take to fly to Reno and check it out, but I will if it's last resort. They run 3K, and I don't want to buy one blind. Any help will be greatly appreciated.



sarj

 

[AMink]

I have had one since 1994. Started on my gasser, now on my 97 ctd. Absolutely top notch. I have one that is about 6" higher than the cab with three racks (long bed). Also like the double rear doors. Makes it easy to open when pulling a trailer. My fatherinlaw had a single door and it wouldn't open all the way because of the tongue jack. The thing is built like a tank. I think they said that mine was around 500#. It's not something that you put on and take off without help from about 5 friends! I would absolutely buy one again if I were to get another truck. They matched the paint to my original truck perfectly. I special ordered my ctd so that it would match the cap! PM me if you have any particular questions.

 

[DUBLR]

There is a whole bunch of the Caravan Shells up here and all on top of serious trucks where guys have not cut corners on their equipment.

 

[AMink]

You may want to give Dan or Wally a call at Caravan and see if they have a name of someone in your area who purchased a Caravan. I'm sure they know where all the original owners are. As mentioned above, there are tons of Caravans around here. I know that when I bought mine, there was about a two month or more wait before it was finished. I've seen them clear up in Washington, but haven't been to SoCal.

 

[sarj]

yep, I've talked to them, and they're a couple a good guys. They didn't have a name of someone around here that I could visit to actually hook up with to check it out live, and it seemed a shame to take two days and fly up there just to look. I may have to anyway. I appreciate the positive comments eveyone is giving their product, I just have a hard time buying something like that sight unseen.



sarj

 

[AMink]

I know it's not the same as seeing one in person, but here's mine. Sorry, truck is a little dirty. Shell is 11 years old, they may have changed some things.

 

[big barney]

You should check of these guys http://www.callencamper.com/ They are down here in San Diego. Excellent camper shells.

 

[jrlawler]

Good but

they haven't really improved their shells over the last decades. They still don't use stainless hinges and have a big door handle as opposed to the flush mounted ones like on the professional shells. Their big deal is how strong they are but it will not protect like a roll bar and they weigh a bunch. Take one out of the desert climate and see how they rust. For my money I'll take a professionally made aluminum or fiberglass shell any day.

 

[AMink]

they haven't really improved their shells over the last decades

Which one of the companies are you referring to? Caravan or Callen? I'm not familiar with Callen, just Caravan. I've seen Caravans in the NW and they seem to hold up well. Just wondering.

 

[sarj]

That's the kind of stuff I'm interested in, particularly hardware and hinges. No one around here has one so I went ahead & booked a flight up there since they're open Sat mornings.



As far as quality goes, I saw Cargobody, and that's a well made glass shell, it's just butt-ugly. I give them an A on workmanship and hardware though. The double door option on the back is what I need though. I've looked at all the regular brand shells and searched all the threads, and none of those are really quality so far. If I really had the choice, I'd never put the shell on & I'd keep the open bed, but travelwise into Baja, you really like the added secure space with a shell, not to mention board storage. Thanks for all the input from everyone so far.



sarj

 

[AMink]

Sarge, do you need a ride over to Caravan? Let me know if you do.

 

[sarj]

thx for the offer, but my brother & sister in-laws live there in Reno, and they're happy to taxi me around, not to metion putting me up for the night. I'm not 100% on caravan yet, but I haven't seen them, & I want the best I can get, so I figured I owed myself a look.

 

[AMink]

Well, have fun in Reno! Spend your $$$$ on a Caravan, not the casinos! I'm sure you'll like the shells. The shop doesn't look like much, but they make some good stuff. I believe NV Highway Patrol uses them on their pickups.

 

[jrlawler]

am referring to Caravan

Don't get me wrong, its a good shell for what it is. If they want to be the best though they need to go with new stainless hardware and flush door locks. I mentioned this to Dale a long time ago but I see no changes.

 

[abdiver]

Camper shell wear & tear on truck Box

I have had one since 1994. Started on my gasser, now on my 97 ctd. Absolutely top notch. I have one that is about 6" higher than the cab with three racks (long bed). Also like the double rear doors. Makes it easy to open when pulling a trailer. My fatherinlaw had a single door and it wouldn't open all the way because of the tongue jack. The thing is built like a tank. I think they said that mine was around 500#. It's not something that you put on and take off without help from about 5 friends! I would absolutely buy one again if I were to get another truck. They matched the paint to my original truck perfectly. I special ordered my ctd so that it would match the cap! PM me if you have any particular questions.

AMink I liked the pictures thanks for posting them. I want to place a shell on my truck was thinking Snug top Never knew about Caravan till this thread. Does the shell 500# place any uneven wear or stress on your truck box?

My truck is an 05 they keep making the boxes with lighter sheetmetal that is why I ask I imagine most of the shell weight is placed on the bed rails?



I am concidering a Bedrug liner also would anyone know if the bedrug would interfere with the fit of the camper?



Thanks Bill

 

[AMink]

I haven't noticed any weird wear. I rarely take it off though. It is bolted on with 10 bolts, so there isn't any movement. That weight is spread out all the way around the bed, including where the tailgate was. The times I've take it off I had to supply beer :-laf to my helpers. They said thanks for the beer, don't call us again . Even with 6 people, it's a job!

 

[sarj]

hey Bill



I was the one that started the thread, and had the same questions. I took the trip to Reno like I mentioned, and it was well worth it. Here's my thoughts, since I went there looking with the same questions in mind.



The weight is distributed on all 4 edges, all the way around. My shortbed shell will run 375 lbs with 3 racks on top. The racks will be built to your spec. I have an over-the-rail line-X. The shell will work perfect that way. My plan on the interior floor is to build a two-piece removeable floor with a padded durable carpet for comfort and insulation, but removeable and reversible for heavier use and occasional cleaning. I don't know how the bedrug fits, but the frame of the shell drops down to the bed, and across the floor in the bed along the tailgate line, which adds to it's overall strength and integity, so if you get a bedrug, it will have to be trimmed that 1". I couldn't imagine that being a problem, but that's it.



I was completely satisfied with the quality of this shell, and I looked at it with a very critical eye. The workmanship actually exceeded what I was hoping for. The one thing I'll do when I get it, is machine a bronze sleeve and replacement shaft (and a spare while I'm at it), to tighten the feel of the door handle. It's not that it's weak or anything, I just want it to feel and move like a safe's handle, and it will wear better over it's life.



I talked a few hours with one of the owners, and they have good reasons for pretty much every detail of construction they use, and based on the answers of my questions, they're a real sraight-forward outfit to deal with. What I found out, it was the same company my grandfather bought his shell from in '73. He ran with that shell for 25 years of retired travelling from SoCal up to Victoria,B. C every year with a 16 foot boat on top, and 6-8 trips a year down to baja in the fall/winter/spring time. His held up great with no problems, but I will say it was butt-ugly... but that might of been because it was on a ford. The new ones with the contoured front and tapered sides fit well.



When I flew to look at it, I got in at 11 pm & flew out at 2pm the next day. I don't do much spontaneously, and promised myself not to buy when I was there. I mailed in the order 2 days after I got home. There is a 3 month lead time, and I'm due to drive up there to pick it up the latter part of May. Hope this helps your decision.



sarj

 

[abdiver]

AMink your last picture of the camper rear door it appears that the latch side of the door Frame extends below the bed of truck is this the case or just the way the looks in the picture?

 

[abdiver]

hey Bill



I was the one that started the thread, and had the same questions. I took the trip to Reno like I mentioned, and it was well worth it. Here's my thoughts, since I went there looking with the same questions in mind.



The weight is distributed on all 4 edges, all the way around. My shortbed shell will run 375 lbs with 3 racks on top. The racks will be built to your spec. I have an over-the-rail line-X. The shell will work perfect that way. My plan on the interior floor is to build a two-piece removeable floor with a padded durable carpet for comfort and insulation, but removeable and reversible for heavier use and occasional cleaning. I don't know how the bedrug fits, but the frame of the shell drops down to the bed, and across the floor in the bed along the tailgate line, which adds to it's overall strength and integity, so if you get a bedrug, it will have to be trimmed that 1". I couldn't imagine that being a problem, but that's it.



I was completely satisfied with the quality of this shell, and I looked at it with a very critical eye. The workmanship actually exceeded what I was hoping for. The one thing I'll do when I get it, is machine a bronze sleeve and replacement shaft (and a spare while I'm at it), to tighten the feel of the door handle. It's not that it's weak or anything, I just want it to feel and move like a safe's handle, and it will wear better over it's life.



I talked a few hours with one of the owners, and they have good reasons for pretty much every detail of construction they use, and based on the answers of my questions, they're a real sraight-forward outfit to deal with. What I found out, it was the same company my grandfather bought his shell from in '73. He ran with that shell for 25 years of retired travelling from SoCal up to Victoria,B. C every year with a 16 foot boat on top, and 6-8 trips a year down to baja in the fall/winter/spring time. His held up great with no problems, but I will say it was butt-ugly... but that might of been because it was on a ford. The new ones with the contoured front and tapered sides fit well.



When I flew to look at it, I got in at 11 pm & flew out at 2pm the next day. I don't do much spontaneously, and promised myself not to buy when I was there. I mailed in the order 2 days after I got home. There is a 3 month lead time, and I'm due to drive up there to pick it up the latter part of May. Hope this helps your decision.



sarj

Sarj, A 3 month lead time, Wow. I had better make up my mind quick. I do think I will get one. I may forget about the bedrug till I get a shell. I am glad you liked it's quality I like you like quality first before the cost factor. Thanks for your information.

My main concern now is how it would look installed on my Dodge. Did you see any while in reno on a new Dodge?



Bill

 

[abdiver]

AMink or Sarj



How does the Caravan compare in looks and quality to the Gemtop's Outfitter?



Gemtop states it uses - 24 gauge Galvanized Steel Skin & 16 gauge Galvanized Steel Framing



http://gemtopmfg.com/home1.html