Best Camper Shells?

[DancesWithKnives]

After around 17 years of driving 4WD trails and awful washboard from Mexico to the Arctic Ocean, my old camper shell was really cracked and beaten. I took it off and am looking for a replacement. I want a fairly simple shell that doesn't rise more than about 6 inches over cab height. The truck is a '93 Chevy K2500 extended cab shortbed.

Anyone have any particularly good experiences with camper shells?*

Thanks for the advice,

DWK

[*I'd buy another like the one I had but that company isn't around these days.]

[Rock Chuck]

Why do you want to limit it to 6" over the cab? Mine is about a foot above, about 4' of clearance inside. That extra space in invaluable. I even load my atv in there using a pulley. I've slept in there many times when hunting and sitting up on a cot is sure better than putting my boots on lying on my back.

[ncboman]

I have a Leonard (http://www.leonardusa.com/browse.cfm/2,5.htm) and it's been a good one.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v50/ncboman/Ohio%2007/12807Ohio107r.jpg

A friend had a Leonard on one of his trucks and I liked it so I kept my eyes open and sure nuff, after a couple months of lookin around I spied one for sale in a farmer's yard. It looked to be in good shape and the price was right, I think 3 or 400, so I bought it. That was years ago and it's still goin strong, although the door doesn't stay open as well as it use to.

I see em on Craigslist all the time. :)

[DancesWithKnives]

Rock Chuck,

I might consider a foot of rise in a camper shell. The reason I went with 6" previously is that I live in Los Smogeles. Periodically I drive my truck in the city and much of the parking is in garages. Most don't have more than about 7 ft. of clearance. I can manage that with a 6" higher shell but a foot wouldn't fit because I have somewhat larger tires and a couple inches of lift.

What's the brand of your foot high shell?

Thanks,

DWK

[DancesWithKnives]

NC,

I've seen those Leer tops that Leonard sells and they look like a fine product. Thanks!

DWK

[Rock Chuck]

Mine is a Glasstite. It's a good 20 years old and I don't know if my model is made anymore. It look a little like this pic from the web except mine has a single full length side window. My pickup is a '91 and it sits lower than many of the new ones. I have no problem with 7' clearances. It doesn't pay to be wrong. I also have an 8' garage door. Nice!
I see some of the new Glasstite's have a rear door that slides forward over the top when opened to give more clearance. Mine doesn't have that and I'm glad. Mine is handy for a shelter when working in the truck in rain or sun.
http://cstrucktops.com/images/glasstiteravenhighc-353x210.jpg

[Phil T]

If you want tough, check out Gem Tops. They are made of steel. Lots of contractors use them. One lives across the street from me. It has reinforced glass windows and heavy-duty locks on the doors.

[Smokey]

Mine is a Snugtop, about 15 years old. Has been great except I keep going through those hydralic{I think] shocks that hold the top door up.

[DancesWithKnives]

Thanks for all the good suggestions.

I looked at some really nice steel shells custom made by a small outfit in Reno. I'm sure they were worth the money but they were a bit out of my price range ($2500-3500). I'll have to see if the Gem tops are closer to my target cost.

Much appreciated,

DWK

[M99ER]

Gazelle`s `Maxi` is another one to keep an eye out for in the used market as they went out of business but the replacement parts are relatively standardized so you can find parts like seals, windows, trim and gaskets at camper dealers.

I have one for an 8` bed, cost me $400 ~10 years ago. I`m about to rebuild it as in new hatch gasket and a paint job. The rest is still nice even though Ive been on some mighty rough terrain with it! Oh yeah, the screens in the sliders are a little ripped... doesn`t mean I AM! Its served me v-e-r-y well. :cool:

[Robie]

Are they high enough to load an ATV?

[M99ER]

Mine will fit a smaller 4 wheeler like my 2WD 250CC Yamaha Beartracker. I don`t think you`d get anything much bigger inside one, esp if it has mirrors and such.

[Rock Chuck]

Mirrors are a problem loading an ATV into a shell. Mine has a 45" high door and I have to take the mirror off to load it. It sticks up to about 48". I rigged a clevis in the front of the bed and use a block and tackle to pull the atv in. I drive it up the ramp until the fronts are on the tailgate, then start pulling. Some ATV's are higher than others, too, so a high one might not fit in any shell.

[Bushman]

I had a Glasstite cap on my last truck that had the raised above the cab top. I liked that cap a lot because it hinged at the top so that I could wheel in taller cargo, mostly dirt bikes. The problem that I ran into was not so much the height once inside, but the transition from the tailgate area to flat and level. That is where that raised rear portion like NCB's cap would come in handy. I'm saddled with a 7' garage door now, so the cap needs to be level with the cab and I have found that much less cargo friendly.

[DancesWithKnives]

I've heard those Glasstites seal up well in rainy areas. Not a big issue in SoCal but good to know.

DWK