GMC Sonoma or S-10 Camper?

[Varmint]

Does anyone know of an actual case where someone used a smaller pickup like the GMC Sonoma or S-10 to mount a camper shell on the top rails instead of sliding one between them. I'm not talking about those heavy fiberglass low-top caps you see everywhere. I mean something tall enough to overhang the cab? Something made out of aluminum to keep weight down to a minimum. I think it would have to extend behind the tailgate, actually resting on it in order to be long enough, as the bed is rather short...about six feet, as I recall.

Just curious if anyone else has tried that option.

 

[Saguache]

Bed length depends on the year and options you get. I had an S-10 back at the turn of the century. A little two wheel drive single cab modle with ta full size bed. I mounted a high rise fiberglass topper (think it was a Hi-Liner from SnugTop) and had a hatch door which replaced the tail gate sort of hatch-back style. I'm 6'1" and slept comfortably in this truck for about eight months. Insulation and curtains really helped.

 

[bobbert]

<p>I am sorry in advance if these pics DON'T address yer' question. But nonetheless... Here's some pics:<br><br>Earlier 1991/'92 s-10.<br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://www.s10forum.com/forum/attac...-make-slide-in-campers-for-s-10s-dsc02216.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>THESE DUDE'S MAKE ONE: <a href="http://www.six-pac.com/fits.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">SIX-PAC</a>&nbsp;<br><br>Here's a porp-up from: &nbsp; &nbsp;http://www.tomscamperland.com/happy_camper_pictures</p><p><img rel="lightbox" src="http://www.tomscamperland.com/Conte...7e57-44f7-924b-2202ad41d70f/happycamper25.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br>This is one beautiful bitch:<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...ttachmentid=646934&amp;stc=1&amp;d=1287798109" class="bbc_img"><br><br>I dearly miss my Colorado <img src="/images/boards/smilies/frown.gif" border="0" align="absmiddle">. Here's what I would've gotten (A.R.E. MX-series) if I would've kept it:<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://www.tomscamperland.com/Conte...-7e57-44f7-924b-2202ad41d70f/happycamper3.jpg" class="bbc_img"><br><br><br></p>

 

[Varmint]

Nice. The "Mirage" is a beautiful unit, albeit heavy, I think. The second one comes closest, but it's still a "slide-in", and appears to use up space along the sides of the bed, which I want access to.

I want a "sits on top" unit that doesn't slide into and consume the side space below the top of the truck bed. I'll likely have to build this myself from scratch using aluminum or light steel angle for the perimeter over as a framework. Then I can overlay it with aluminum sheet. I don't think these things need to be elaborate, heavy, or expensive. It's just a TOP, after all, and no weight will be on it, other than it's own. A small 1-2" lip along the top/inside of the truck bed would hold it in, and I think weight would be far less than 200lbs. My current fiberglass low-top unit uses four clamps to hold it on, and I can get in on my knees and lift it right off by myself.

The commercial-made units I see max out the weight limitations of every truck bed I've seen so far, and I just can't see the sense in that. 400-600lbs? Seriously? The only reason I'd use a hard top at all is because it's easier to keep warm or cool, and harder for a bear to eat me in a hardshell than in a tent. I hate surprises almost as much as bear, and I tend to react about the same. Otherwise I'd make a tent-top camper, or just use a tent.

I like the outline of Bob's original camper top, but I don't want to use wood, either, due to weight, although that would seem quite resilient for a home-built. I'm no carpenter. I'm a former sheet-metal worker, so I'll stick to what I've had experience with.

Thanks for the replies, gang!

 

[rokahljr]

Hi.....what Lance model is the one sitting on the s-10?

 

[Ballenxj]

Those Lance Campers are nice, but aren't they a bit pricey? <br>-Bruce

 

[highdesertranger]

most slide ins utilize the space on the sides around the wheel wells for storage.&nbsp;&nbsp; accessible from the inside.&nbsp; as far as the weight goes you really need a bigger truck to have a camper with any more than just a sleeping area on a truck.&nbsp; I say this because on a truck you need some sort of a shell first and no mater what you make it out off it's going to put a dent in your gvwr.&nbsp; on a van you already have the shell.&nbsp; highdesertranger