camper shell or small trailer?

[jvanhoy]

View attachment 359896

My dad’s old lol. Funny thing is he forgot the hose to the oven so never even got to use it lol

 

[1100RemingtonMan]

I had a topper for year on a half ton truck, also had a pickup camper.

 

[Rogerdoger]

Looked at some camper shells today. Trying to decide on if I need the side windows that open up or not. Part of me would like to be able to open them up and reach inside and get stuff out. But then again I don’t know how much I would use that

This photo is from my old truck, I special ordered with both window styles. I really liked having the higher topper profile. It also came with reinforced top so I could mount racks on top and fishing rod holders inside.

SnugTop Sportsman's Package Details | SnugTop

Tailor your truck for the outdoors with the Sportsman's package from SnugTop.

www.snugtop.com

 

[Maverick1]

Some nice setups here.

 

[apc57532]

Boreas XT was the best investment I have made for fishing and hunting plus skiiing. Plus American made which is always good.

 

[hank4elk]

I have used a shell for many years. Snugtop sportsmans. Carries more than I need. Security.
I often wonder how or why folks haul trailers into half the places I go. Half the time I'm sure they wished they hadn't.
I'm also solo,so there is that.

 

[apc57532]

I have used a shell for many years. Snugtop sportsmans. Carries more than I need. Security.
I often wonder how or why folks haul trailers into half the places I go. Half the time I'm sure they wished they hadn't.
I'm also solo,so there is that.

I usually get away from the people, drop the trailer for base camp and keep going without the trailer and head back in the evening to base. I do not bring the trailer everywhere I go, as I do not want to cause damage or get myself in a pinch.

 

[R.K.]

This is making me want to try a solo night or two in my topper. Biggest problem is the bed is 5’7”, and I’m 6’2”…

 

[grizzly63]

Fetal position.

 

[INMT]

This is making me want to try a solo night or two in my topper. Biggest problem is the bed is 5’7”, and I’m 6’2”…

Poor planning when you bought your truck!

 

[hank4elk]

6'2" and I sleep diagonally in my 6ft Tacoma.

 

[pabearhunter]

Get both !

 

[Zellhouse]

Have the same problem, either sleep diagonally or drop the tailgate & clip and moving blanket onto the liftgate to insulate. Works pretty well down to mid-twenties. Being from AZ also helps...

 

[R.K.]

Poor planning when you bought your truck!

The price was right at the time… And it has served me very well.

I’ve also spent several nights in the driver’s seat. Hardest part is getting flat and level, which I’ve mostly solved- Park facing uphill, recline all the way, fill the gap in the seat with a hoody, crack a couple windows, then use a full size pillow and a sleeping bag… It just doesn’t work as well in the rain. But that seat warmer is pretty nice on colder nights- just fire up for a few minutes and let it warm up.

6'2" and I sleep diagonally in my 6ft Tacoma.

Do you use a cot, sleeping pad, or some kind of mattress?

 

[hank4elk]

The price was right at the time… And it has served me very well.

I’ve also spent several nights in the driver’s seat. Hardest part is getting flat and level, which I’ve mostly solved- Park facing uphill, recline all the way, fill the gap in the seat with a hoody, crack a couple windows, then use a full size pillow and a sleeping bag… It just doesn’t work as well in the rain. But that seat warmer is pretty nice on colder nights- just fire up for a few minutes and let it warm up.


Do you use a cot, sleeping pad, or some kind of mattress?

An inflatable backpack pad,1 1/2". Plywood and carpet. Shell is insulated and carpeted , with frame built in.

 

[jtn]

Looked at some camper shells today. Trying to decide on if I need the side windows that open up or not. Part of me would like to be able to open them up and reach inside and get stuff out. But then again I don’t know how much I would use that

Absolutely get the flip up side windows, I use mine all the time. Forgot if you mentioned what truck you have, but I'm 5'9" and have no problem reaching through them on a tacoma with a 3" lift.

Roof top tents are nice, they give you the space in the back for gear but then it takes another 15 min to leave camp to take them down.

 

[PNWtrekker]

I have done a lot of overlanding. I preferred a ground camp with a pop-up tent. The family we ran with transitioned from a pop-up tent to a trailer with a pop-up tent, to a teardrop trailer. You're asking specifically about a campershell or a 6x10 enclosed trailer. A traditional camper shell will limit where you can go. A pop-up 4x4 style will not, but you have to reorganize things and put it down when you decide to travel. In both cases you lose the bed of your truck and should store it inside when not in use. The trailer is a drop and forget both when in use and not in use. It will limit where you can go, but you can base camp and take your truck if you want to explore some tighter areas. Carry a tent with you if you find a good spot you want to explore for a day or two. And... you don't lose the bed of your truck.

 

[Junebug]

I have been looking at getting a campershell for my truck but man for like another $1K I could get a 6x10 enclosed trailer. Not really sure what way to go. I like the convience of the shell but I am getting way more storage and space with the trailer. What do you guys who do more raod trip hunting than me like? And which way do you prefer?

I have both. My box trailer is 16’ double axle. I like a double axle because of pulling it a few states away to hunt gives a little more insurance. I travel with atv and wall tent and gear. I feel like a trailer you get more storage.

 

[Poynor]

I custom built this trailer.

Swapped the axles and put BF Goodrich KO2 to prevent flats.

Sliding windows on both sides and door on left side to get out of easier pulling in a side-by-side.

3 Drop down bunks inside.

Sink with 5 gallon clean and 5 gallon empty and overhead shelves.

Solar panel on roof, Dometic penguin II air conditioner.

Shoreline power for generator and diesel heater.

Allows me to pull the side-by-side in and sleep in a comfortable warm bed.

When people talk about truck camping with a topper for mobility, this thing goes wherever a truck can go.

But, having the topper is a much less expensive way to go. Just depends on financial circumstances and comfort level I guess. I didn’t want to purchase a massive toy hauler and be limited for mobility, so this was my trade off. Love every bit of it!

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Can you share pic’s of our trailer build? Thanks

 

[grizzly63]

You can check on the first page, the pic is there. I do take issue with the statement that this thing can go wherever a truck can go. Not in some of the places where I have taken my truck and i'm pretty conservative on where I go.