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14 2020 Ram 1500 Rebel Crawl 1

Solid Side Camper Shells – Things You Need to Know

If you’re looking into buying a camper shell, truck topper, canopy or a truck cap there are a few things you need to know. First off, camper shells, truck toppers, canopies and truck caps are the same thing. Different words, but they’re all describing the same thing. No, not the flat lid-like bed covers that cover your cargo. These are the tall, roomy caps that turn your truck bed into a spare bedroom of space. Throw an air mattress, cot, sleeping bag or blankets back there and it’ll beat a tent on the ground any night. You have enough space to easily store all of your gear, cargo, supplies or mother-in-law back there. Or add a level of security and protection to all the tools that contractors use.

Whatever you want to use yours for, you need to know the difference between truck toppers with and without windows. Lot’s of people ask about “Solid side camper shells”. The solid sides modes and those with windows have different pros and cons. The purpose of this article is to set your expectations.  All too often, customers think “that won’t happen to me”, or, “My last one wasn’t like that so why would this one be any different?”.     Since most camper shells are custom built to order, the manufacturer doesn’t allow returns. We want to help you make an informed decision when it comes to spending your hard earned cash.

 

Don’t buy your camper shell without knowing the differences.

  • Let’s start with the most important thing – cost. That’s easy. The cost is usually about the same for camper shells with or without windows. With windows on the sides, the metal frame around each window gives the topper extra structural support. Without windows, truck cap makers have to add extra fiberglass to make up for not having the window frame support. So you either pay for windows or for extra fiberglass.
  • If you’re a perfectionist, you might want to steer clear of full fiberglass sides. With window sides, there aren’t a lot of large areas of fiberglass since the sliding windows eat up most of the real estate. On the solid sides it’s nothing but a fiberglass highway. With that large of a space, it’s nearly impossible to get that much fiberglass smooth and completely flat. You’ll end up with ever so slightly wavy sides, which is absolutely normal on all solid camper shells, no matter what brand. If you can stand the slightly wavy sides, go for it. If you think it’s going to be as smooth and flat as a sheet of glass you’ll be highly disappointed.   If you want to sand them flat every time you look at them, (which is impossible) you may want to go for windows.  They will look pretty good from 10′ away, but if you are looking down the side of it, it will be rather obvious.
  • Most camper shells and truck caps weigh between 180 to 250lbs. Fiberglass weighs more than window glass so throw an extra 50lbs or so to a smooth, windowless side.
  • If you want a solid side to your camper shell, you’ll probably end up with an entry-level cap. You can only get the solid sides on one that wasn’t designed to have recessed windows, and since most are, you’ll likely be stuck with the plain-Jane model in most cases.   Although you may still have the ability to add options. Ask our sales pros for advice here.
  • Without windows, the solid sided truck caps have much less visibility than caps with windows. But you could have figured that one out on your own.
  • If you live in the Midwest, it gets HOT here.  But we don’t have to tell you that. Solid side camper shells don’t have anything to open so it’s almost impossible to get air in.  So inside your bed becomes a 6.5’ long oven.  So don’t even think about putting your dog in there in the summer.
  • Since there aren’t windows on the solid sided style, you’ll want to order yours with extra lights inside. Nothing is worse than losing something in the bed of your truck and having to search for it in the darkness of a window-less camper shell. Well, there are probably lots of worse things, but you’ll want to skip it anyway.
  • If you want a solid side camper shell to use for advertising your business, you may be better off getting one with the glass side windows and having the perforated decals put on them to promote yourself.  You’ve seen these on city buses, shuttle buses and more.  They look like a giant painted ad, but they have tiny holes in them allowing you to see out.  Good visibility for you, but privacy from potentially unwanted prying eyes.

If you’re looking into buying a camper shell, truck topper, canopy or a truck cap there are a few things you need to know. First off, camper shells, truck toppers, canopies and truck caps are the same thing. Different words, but they’re all describing the same thing. No, not the flat lid-like bed covers that cover your cargo. These are the tall, roomy caps that turn your truck bed into a spare bedroom of space. Throw an air mattress, cot, sleeping bag or blankets back there and it’ll beat a tent on the ground any night. You have enough space to easily store all of your gear, cargo, supplies or mother-in-law back there. Or add a level of security and protection to all the tools that contractors use.

Whatever you want to use yours for, you need to know the difference between truck toppers with and without windows. Lot’s of people ask about “Solid side camper shells”. The solid sides modes and those with windows have different pros and cons. The purpose of this article is to set your expectations.  All too often, customers think “that won’t happen to me”, or, “My last one wasn’t like that so why would this one be any different?”.     Since most camper shells are custom built to order, the manufacturer doesn’t allow returns. We want to help you make an informed decision when it comes to spending your hard earned cash.