Hey now, have any of yous guys with built trucks and camper shells experienced any problems with your shell? For example, is it twisting and cracking from wheeling too hard? Any window breakage? I am looking at a Raven or Leer tall camper that goes 8 inches over cab height, that way I can install an elevated plywood bed in the back to sleep on and store camping gear underneath, yet still have room to sit up. Thanks <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

I have had no problems with mine. But, I have a cab high. Wanna buy it?

My Raven has held up fine, 8 yrs, 70K, plenty of dirt road bouncing.

I have had plenty of bouncing too, and the only breakage I have experienced was from a kayak being shoved too far into the bed....
the conversation went like this

me: "hey dont shove that too far, I think its too long

SMASH, Tinkle tinkle tinkle

friend: uh... think I might have broken the window

Me: yeah, I think your right...

nothing like lots of sharp glass around expensive paddling clothes...


I would be sure to bolt it to the bed rails and NOT use the clamps, my cap seemed to flex way more when I used clamps

Jeff

Been there, done that, except the boat was in the back when I was making a three point turn in the dark on a dirt road at 1:00 am. And it was a C-1 not a kayak. My conversation was like this -

me: Think we got room back there?
friend: No problem, back it on up.

SMASH, tinkle, tinkle

Grrr. At least it was only the shells' window and not also the truck's...

I clamp mine but have had better luck with 6 clamps than with 4. With 4 clamped to the bed rails (and the gasket tape) I got some leakage and it slid a bit. Now I have it with 6 clamps over the "rail guards" and it is solid and watertight (http://bookwoman.net/scott/truck/RailShellInterior.jpg).

I'm not wheeling as such, but I've carried some hefty loads on top on gravel/secondary roads with no problems. And that is with a no-name fiberglass shell.

Mine is a cab-high Leer, no cracks. The paint is holding up better than Toyota's. I agree with the clamp deal, they are OK if you check them occasionally. I use 6 bolts to hold mine on (when it's on).

Same story here...bolts over clamps

Bought the truck 8 months ago, previous owner had clamps (6). They were falling off after every gravel/dirt road, pothole, etc. I was literally tightening them every time I went out. Water came in at the front corners between the bed and the cap when driving highway in the rain.

Last month I replaced all the gasket tape, and went with 8 beefy bolts to hold it on. Took 2 evenings (including silicone sealer around the windows, and pressure washing everything). Cost $2 for bolts and washers, about $3 at the car wash, and $15 for new foam tape. Its been much better, the bolts don't loosen up (used lockwashers) and the leaks are gone. Plus I think its more rigid this way, the back door fits tighter and doesn't rattle any more.


Been out camping in it twice since, and I must say I trust it more than a tent in the rain.

I use 4 clamps on mine, never had problems with them leaking or anything, I am using a reusable seal that was like $45. I wonder if that is the difference?

Reusable seal? Where'd you get that? All I've seen is this cheap foam tape - but replacing it three times cost about as much as your $45 seal...

Are you guys drilling holes into the bed rails for the bolts? Any rust problems? Any specific place on the bed better or just evenly spaced?