Would a commercial truck cap make sense?

[ganchan]

I would consider RVing in a truck with a cap, but the low headroom scares me away from the notion. So I got to thinking, would the caps designed for commercial vehicles offer more options? For example, this one looks like it can store all kinds of handy items, plus it's got some decent headroom as these things go....

http://www.4are.com/fleet/commander/

Failing that, I just want to find the tallest truck cap available that can't actually be classified as a camper. I'm only 5'11 but I couldn't imagine having to lie down every time I came "home"....

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

Sure, whatever works. TelcoBilly has a great thread on his utility shell bell in a tacoma.

https://vanlivingforum.com/Thread-T...-shell-for-a-stealth-adventure-vehicle-camper

You might be surprised how comfy you can make a topper.

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I would definitely hit up craigslist, I seen one of those are ones for 200 and regular ones like in that video above for 50.

 

[Almost There]

To me, a commercial cap on a truck wouldn't make any sense at all, but then that's just me. It makes perfect sense to other people..

It's still not going to be high enough for you to stand up in which is one of the things you said you wanted (and I agree, I need to be able to stand up straight in whatever my home is).

The other thing with the commercial cap is that while it provides lots of good storage, it's all outside! Everything you put there could only be accessed by getting out of the truck and opening up one of the compartments. I'm also betting that the outside storage compartments are at the sacrifice of inside space. It's not that it's any bigger than a regular cap it's just that it's compartmentalized differently.

Standing room is achieved in either a van built with the high roof (think Sprinter), a van with a fiberglass high top added, a pick up with a camper top, a cargo trailer converted inside and the assortment of regular RV vehicles.

The decision will be what you 'have to have' and what you can sacrifice.

 

[LeeRevell]

I have seen simple bed toppers with enough height to at least sit up in. Getting one tall enough to stand in will be difficult, and it would be cumbersome.

 

[SoulRaven]

The model in the link is not even 30" high off the bed or not enough headroom.

My cap is 42" high plus bed for a total of 63".

They really don't make them any higher.

 

[highdesertranger]

they used to make shells that were tall enough to stand up in. they almost looked like a cab over without the part over the cab. why are you worried about it being called a camper? highdesertranger

 

[Bdog1]

Like this?

 

[akrvbob]

I think tall shells on trucks are a great idea, but I have to be able to get close to standing up, even if I hunch over a little bit. This is the one I'd buy:

http://belairshells.com/wood-n-alum

Here is a pic from their website:

 

[masterplumber]

I have a ARE commercial cap that is 6" taller than the truck can. Even with a raised floor for ladder storage, I can still sit up in it. I've done a few trips of a couple nights in it, but I don't think I'd want to do extended trips. Now that I have my cargo trailer conversion functional I just leave my truck loaded with tools and take the trailer. The comfort of being able to stand up and move around cant be overstated. Especially when the weather is bad and being outdoors isn't possible. If you don't want to tow, I'd look for a van with a raised top, or if money isn't as much of a concern, then a high top Sprinter.

 

[Willy]

OK, so this is what I picked up today. It's your basic high commercial truck cap with rear barn doors. Insulated, but needs work. Evidently, the side sills are wood/fibreglass and the wood rotted. No biggy.. fixed the like before. One puncture on a corner needs to be glassed in and that gawdawful roof-rack has gotta go! Got it for $300 CDN (abt $250 US). I'll post some decent pics tomorrow (this is from the ad and on his truck) since it's raining cats 'n dogs with a howlin' wind. ..Willy.

 

[akrvbob]

That's a great looking rig and a steal!! Way to go!!!

Id' sure love to find that good a deal.
Bob

 

[Willy]

Here's what it looks like on my truck. I took it off today and will be doing some repairs. removed the roof cargo rack and ladder, cut it up, and took it to the scrap pile. Solar is going up there. ..Willy.