Shell and Roof Top Tent FAQ
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- čas přidán 18. 04. 2019
- I'm constantly asked about my shell, the roof top tent, and the pros and cons of the setup. I figured I may as well make a video on the subject. Hopefully it'll help someone who's considering a similar setup with their decision. It's not the greatest, and I'm no expert so take it all with a grain of salt and go easy.
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Bought this same canopy really based on this thorough review. I have to say, if Leer is watching, I would full reimburse this gentleman. He had made you a lot of money...
You hear that Leer!!!! Thanks for the compliment man. I just figured people kept asking the same questions, so I might as well make the video to help someone out. Glad it helped you make the decision. Enjoy your shell!!
Really nice review. Almost enough to put the aging Taco back into consideration when the day comes. Nicely done.
This rig is sweet! I love how you've set it up...well thought out and functional. I normally don't like shells over a pick up bed but this one is super nice. The carpeting is a great idea and adding all the patches provides a good conversation topic at camp. You've got me thinking about adding a shell should I opt to buy another pick up to replace my SUV. BTW I dig that mustache...reminds me of Robin Oulds, an ace pilot during the Vietnam Conflict.
I just got new shell and I’ve noticed on really rainy days it takes on water not bad but it dies leak right were you pointed out! So I don’t feel so bad the hear that they all leak👍🤣
Some people took that comment as a straight personal attack. It's wild and they legit got angry. I was just spitballing ideas on the video, but yeah they most all leak for sure in certain spots. Try some butyl rubber crammed in the front edge gaps. 👍🏼
Just bought my wife a 19’ RAV4 love the way it drives and never owned a Toyota before took it off road in search of a Christmas tree. Cannot wait to purchase a Toyota Tacoma I can only imagine the capabilities I’m barely finding all these videos now
Great video. I came away with some ideas for my Frontier. My Leer will be ready in August. It will have two functions. 1-it’s going to be a living room away from home. I commute to work. Drive a school bus. I have way too much time between my runs. So, I making myself a place to retreat to. 2-camping. I can take out the lounger and make a bed, carry gear etc, and camp. Your tape at the tailgate is great 👍🏻 I will be doing that.
Im totally gonna copy your setup once i get my 2020 trd tan . Great review thanks
Great! Thanks for the ideas and details...looking to build a new Tundra.
This was exactly the info I have been searching for! Thank you so much!!!
Happy to help!
Thanks for the great video! It’s been an inspiration for me and my 2019 crew cab Taco in cav blue. I decided to buy the SnugTop Rebel, but went with windoors and factory installed roof rails based on the wise counsel in your video. I’m really happy with the results. Well done! 👍
Congrats on the new shell and nice color choice. That Cavalry blue is phenomenal.
Good video. Thanks for the info. I was on the fence between the tonneau or shell. I still want it to do pickup things. Bark, dirt, rocks - so you helped me pick the tonneau.
Absolutely perfect build. Enjoy!
Nice overview and assessment, mate! And great looking rig. Love that you make sure folks understand the difference between dynamic and static weight. And you're right, truck shells are *not* water proof. A quality one is incredibly water tight, however. I've spent many a wet days and nights in pretty thick storms without any leaking in my Snugtop. Something I've learned over the years to keep an eye on is the shell brake light. I've found is that I have to retighten the light retaining bolts every year since they loosen with all the bouncing around and vibration from driving off road. And because of that, small amounts of water can find their way through the seals. But it's an easy thing to manage. And thanks for showing the Mountain Hatch board. Hate that ribbed slick tacoma liner. Gonna head over there and place an order right now. Cheers!
locktite
Thanks for going over the actual features of your shell. So many videos don't get into that. You're gonna LOVE that window to access the cab. Plus, with the rug liner, you could run the truck for heat briefly to warm up in the morn if you were sleeping in there (not for long without an exhaust snorkel). FWIW: I think your shell is pretty well water proof, just the Tacos have gaps for draining water if submerged. Rubber covering the gap between the bottom of the tailgate & bed is a great idea. It wouldn't look great, but maybe a magnetized rubber strip down the sides of the tailgate if you're going to run a dusty trail (or thru heavy rain). Take'em off when the weather dries out or you're back on pavement. $2300 for the shell with the roof rails and carpet liner in '19 means it's going to be $4k+ now - LOL!
I just purchased a new TRD Off Road similar to yours only white, and found your video really was informative in my selection of a camper top. Nice set-up! Thanks!
I'm glad you found it informative!! Please give the video a like and subscribe to the channel!! And feel free to follow me on Instagram @taco_nobodys
Great Looking Taco! Nice review of your top.
Looks nice and clean. I like the long bed option as well 👌💯
Great review with good information.
I've been scouring You Tube for thoughts as I'm setting up my new TACO off road. I decided to go a bit more low profile so I'm having an Undercover Ridgelander installed Saturday. Besides a duel battery setup that's as far as I've gone...... yet!
Thanks for the ideas and info!!
You're welcome!!
I just ordered a 2022 Tacoma TRD Pro. I really like your set up. I'm considering a Decked system. Great video.
Thank you for the compliment and congrats on the new truck!!
This pretty much exactly what I'm doin to my tacoma. Same color. This video is all the info needed. Thank you!
You are welcome!! I am glad it helped you out.
Love the setup! I was thinking about getting the 100xq sport and doing a similar setup but was worried about the weight
That is one beautiful truck! I used to work for Leer West out of Woodland CA back in the early 90’s. Not being bias either but I do agree Leer’s camper the way how they are designed is a lot better looking than most other brand campers out there
Nice rig. Subscribed, thanks for honest, no BS info & review. Stay safe.
Glad you liked it! Thanks for subscribing!
Nice looking taco, duder. I dig the mods and color.
Nicely done, very informative ~
Nice rig. I almost did the same exact setup except the middle inside shelf. I really wanted to build my own with maybe some drawers and your details on that was helpful.
Reid Anderson the “Decked” drawer system is really cool. I’ve got it in two of my trucks. Worth it.
Great video! I'm looking for ideas for my truck. This helps a lot!
Thanks for the video. Great detail in your descriptions.
Thank you!
My topper is waterproof. I camp in it and leave gear in it year round in Montana. Never had a problem with water. Great video though. Love your setup and the tan Tacoma is awesome as always.
david wood I like to know more about the cab rack and brand. How it’s installed
Thanks so much for doing this video. I too have a 100XR on my taco and I’ve Been holding back on purchasing a rooftop tent because I wasn’t sure on structural integrity with added weight on top.
No real issues so far. Go for it!! **warning - not responsible for any... Hahaha 😁
Great review and very helpful. Thank you
Great video man thanks sharing your sick camper top build!
Nice looking rig. I have the same canopy/shell from Leer on my DCSB Tacoma. I echo your comments on the huge advantage to getting the Windoors, the cleaner look and no condensation from the carpeted ceiling, and also getting the roof rails mounted at the factory. I've had my canopy for about 4 years and it's holding up great.
Nice truck, nice setup 👍🏼
Thank you for the review, very helpful, your set up looks very sweet, thanks for sharing, cheers.
Thanks for watching!!
Nice review. That is sweet looking rig and setup!
I'll be looking into a Mountain Hatch tailgate cover!
Mine's a capit on a 2013 taco. Never had water in it. Been up the Dempster with it. Waterproof but not dust proof
Thanks for making this video. LEER is a household name in caps, and for the price, it is extremely attractive. Unfortunately, the dynamic and static weight restrictions, have me heading towards the RSI and RDL stainless caps. Keep on truckin'
Those are definitely nice caps. They didn't exist when I bought mine, but I would definitely consider them if they did.
Thanks for taking the time on creating this video and sharing your thoughts on pro's, con's, and additional comments. I have been saving for a couple of years now and finally pulled the trigger last Thursday and purchased my 1st Tacoma and today purchased my Leer 100XR. I have watched A LOT of Topper video's, but yours truly sold me on Leer and which options to buy (same as yours). Needless to say Leer should give you some $$$ : ). Thanks again, I can't wait until mine arrives!
Do you hear that Leer!! Do ya!! 😂😂
Love it!! Love my windoors! And the fire extinguisher mount is slick..
The windoors are an excellent add on. If I get another shell I will definitely get windoors.
Subbed.....what an awesome detailed review!
Nice taco. You can replace the wood 2X6 with aluminum rectangular tubes so you won't need to worry about future cracks or need a center support beam.
I'm certain you could. Just cut them to length and I'm sure it would work fine.
Awesome setup love that colour too ✌😁🛵
I like the set up. I as thinking about putting a snugtop on my 2019 TRD Off-Road but after watching this video I really like the windows on the leer and thats exactly what I am looking for. Nice looking truck!I went with the Cement color but the quicksand was my second option.
Cement is definitely a great color.
This is basically my dream setup
Thank you! We certainly enjoy it. 👍
I’ve had two shells personally, and my dad have 3. I have never had a leak, ever!
yep i have a snug top shell on a 2002 f250 diesel. never leaks. not sure what this guy is smoking and i think he is full of it..... how would he know anyway? has he owned them all on every vehicle? a little arrogant.
Lovely build! Subscribed for future adventures
Thanks for the subscribe!!
Super helpful. Thanks. Passing it on.
Clean!
Somewhere along the way these shells became less dominant
In the general over-landing community
The bed racks have become pretty common.
I don't think it's that they've become "less dominant" per-se. I think a lot of the older fiberglass canopies were poorly designed, rattled, and could not really hold much of a roof load. With rutted roads and frequent exposure to sun the fiberglass also cracks and the paint peels/fades. That's why for off-road or "overlanding" use you see a lot more of the aluminum or stainless steel canopies from australian and south african companies hit the US market. Those were specifically designed for off-road use and to take a beating. The ARE, LEER, Snugtops were are designed for daily road use.
Taco_Nobodys is your group still around. Are you in San Diego?
2:07 Couldn’t agree more. When I got my Snugtop shell, I didn’t order it with windoors. It didn’t occur to me at the time how useful they would be. I eventually ordered the windoors separately and installed them myself (which was a lot of work).
Great video. Extremely informative!
Great vid! I have been looking for more options for attaching the cap on a Tacoma for days now. Thank you🧡👊🏻🇨🇦
I'm glad it helped!! 😁👍🏼
I had a 17 nearly identical- no bed cap- funny thing is I bought for better mpg compared to my 99 LX470 - by the time I finished adding stuff to the Tacoma, the mpg were about 13-15....exactly the same as my Lx470 haha- sold the Tacoma. Plus, the LX(land cruiser) has tons of room for storage and IS waterproof!
Funny. I average about that. Haha
The lack of security was one of the things that bothered me when I owned a truck. There was this huge Walmart an hour away from our big camping trip we always stopped there after driving many hours. I hated having to worry about my grear in the bed. Nothing was ever taken, but you never really can relax. I guess that's why I got a 4runner.
Agreed. I had left things in the bed before the shell as well and it was always worrisome whether it would be there or not when I got back.
I was looking at 4runners for this idea. I have the fully loaded tacoma, but even if I did get a topper and do all this, doesn't feel properly enclosed like a 4runner or such. Really don't know at this point but maybe better safe than sorry, and it doesn't break the bank to have two Toyotas hehe..
thank you for letting us know your set up! helps me do a camper build for my tacoma
Glad it helps!
Awesome looking setup!
Thank you!!
great video that blanket looks like a body under it :)
Hahaha, maybe. 😎
I really like your shell! Would you provide a information where to buy it? I will really appreciate. Nice Tacoma looking forward to do my as your.
Great video man. You have a good nack for breaking it down, and I can tell you know what you are talking about. Love it man
Thank you for the compliment!!
Bro, you got over half a million views BUT ONLY LESS THAN 3K SUBSCRIBERS? That's not cool. We need to show you more love hommie. Love your content too.
You earned my subscription 🙌👏
Dude, you made my day!! Thank you for the huge compliment and for subscribing!! I am awaiting a new truck to build and will have more content soon!!
Nice rig. I wish I'd gone with a 6' bed vs 5.2' one.
LOL i feel the same way. I have a '19 TRD OR crew w/short bed. Every time I see the long bed it looks like a land yacht... and I am glad I have the short bed for looks, (to me they look way better) and if you have a wife, gf, etc that extra length could mean the side of you truck being destroyed... The shells cost the same, but for wheeling the short beds take the cake (again, to me). I am putting a shell and am going to try and sleep in it just to try.. I'm 5'11''... wish me luck
Dude!!! I feel in love with this video and the great way to explain EVERYTHING!!
Hope this gets you motivated to make more videos like this one brother!!! Ohh yeah I like the name of the channel!!
@_siskooo_
Thanks for the compliment! I'm actually debating if I should make more videos. Some like them, others judge way to harsh. Still debating.
@@TravelingNobodys Do it man, I subbed and wanna see more!
Tres Amigos Offroad Club there are always haters. Please ignore them and make more videos.
You are a talented communicator. You should make videos on any topic that inspires you and screw the low-lifes
awesome rig. thanks for the tour!
Thanks for watching!
Really helpful .I will buy one of these for my voodoo blue 2020 tacoma.
I LOVE TOYOTA MAN!!!
I was trying to place your voice for most of this video and then I figured it out. Very Robert Downey Jr.
metal pipes wrapped in insulation and gorilla tape work great for cross-beam bed supports
Great video. Thanks!
Thank you just bought F150 and outfitting now
The wind doors kinda kills the lines imo, but I get the convenience of them. I just prefer the smooth look of recessed solid glass. Nice build!
Function > Fashion.
He’s got a boxy roof rack on the truck, an odd shaped RTT, but the lines of the windows is what bothers you.
I've had 3 different shells, all used. All installed by myself, and all 3 were watertight
Dunno what's up with yours, but shells should not leak
Agree if its semipermanant i silicone them also
I had a shell on my 2000 GMC 4x4 ...never leaked a drop in the bed. I have a 2019 Tacoma now but no shell just a bed cover..maybe the problem is the way the Tacoma is designed
Same here.
Glass top on my Chevy and snug top on my ram and I've never had water getting into truck bed.
I had the same model on an 09 f150 no leaks.
Same.
Why even buy a shell if it's letting water in? Maybe it was his definition of water proof, but If I paid $2300 for a shell and I'm getting puddles of water in the bed, I'd be pissed.
I find it captivating to watch a video about a truck shell with George Clooney and RDJ alternately giving the narration! :)
lol. Thanks for the compliment.
Great reviews on your gear! Thanks man!
Glad you enjoyed it!! 😁👍
You might want to install security film on the shell glasses.
Good idea. I've since upgraded to a Vagabond Outdoors Drifter.
Just a quick question, could you post a detail look at the sleeping platform you built. Thanks you. P.S I have windoors!
Sorry, I've since removed the platform due to upgrading to something else. All I did to make it was measure across, subtract one inch, then divide by two and that is the width of the two flat boards you sleep on. Measure the length to the back wall in the bed and cut the boards to dimensions. I the wrapped them in a lightweight felt carpet material and used 3M adhesive to hold it on and stapled the edges. Then measure across the bed to the two cutouts for the 2x6 or 2x8 boards to support the platform and voila!! you're done in under $100.
@@TravelingNobodys Thanks!
Thanks! Definitely ordering up that mountain hatch tailgate upgrade for my new Tundra
They are a sweet upgrade for sure. You'll dig it. 😎👍🏼
Thanks for this informative video !! Have my canopy on order!!
Glad you liked it!! Congrats on the order!!
For the climbing anchors, what bots did you use and how long?
I have the same canopy and mounted my maxtraxx inside of the roof using screw eye hooks but they pull out
I can't remember the length. I ran to the local store and grabbed a few until i found the right length.
Total spelt it the way you said it in the video 🤦🏻♂️
It’s truly pronounced
Ya-kuh-muh 🤘🏼🤘🏼
Genial saludos cordiales desde Patagonia Chile... It's what I need to travel with my puppies
This video highlighted a myriad of great accessories, thanks. I’ll never buy a cap knowing they’re not waterproof!
Great video. My Tacoma is on the way. What rock slider is that? Did you go with new bumpers and a lift? If so, what kind? Thank you!
The sliders are from FabZone Armor in San Diego, CA. THey ship and you can find them on Instagram.
We did end up putting C4 Fabrications bumpers on the truck and you can actually see our truck displayed on their website!
The lift was comprised of Elka 2.5" shocks, Dirt King Upper and lower contgrol arms, and Dobinson Heavy leaf springs and sat at around 2.5" of lift.
Take any truck, with a cap, under water, and you'll get water in the bed. Not "water proof". Most caps however, are "weather proof", and won't get wet in rain, snow etc. if fitted and installed properly. Using them for decades, and no problems in that respect. BTW, mine have all been Canadian made, and yes, most Canadian trucks have beer holders built in to the tailgate............
Take any truck under water an get water in your intake... "NOT WATERPROOF" DUMBEST shit I've heard lmao
Awesome rig man.
my cap slid as well. i also have a leak issue in the front. i filled that hole with foam... i agree what a fail area sucks at the tail gate as well.. Great truck, looks like we are almost twins
Tried to see if you answered this question but couldn't find it. Did you opt for Frameless Hidden Hinge Curved Rear Door ? Was that an option? I'm looking into getting a leer but the brochure isnt listing the hidden hinge as an option for the XR, only the XQ.
I can't remember what the door option was called, but the shell I had was a XR model and I was able to upgrade to the frameless, twist lock/hidden hinge door. It's a really great option and I recommend it as it's the only way to have the door wired into the trucks central locking system. Forget the website, find your local knowledgeable dealer and go have a chat with them. Send an email with pictures of you have to. They should be able to tell you what is and is not currently available.
@@935AV word to the 🕊️
It’s like you’re trying to flex on us with your shell
Haha, no. Not trying to flex. Haha
@@TravelingNobodys - Damn, you're triggering a lot of wingnuts in the comments on this one for some reason.
@@OMGWTFLOLSMH Right? Honestly I regret making a definitive statement in this video. I will refrain from doing that in the future as I've officially learned my lesson. haha
Very Nice! I'm almost there... Been looking at the CVT Tent & Prinsu Rack!
It's a solid combo for sure. I actually saw a Roam Adventure Co tent the other day and was extremely impressed. Worth looking into. 👍
Awesome tips and setup
Thank you and glad you enjoyed the video! 👍
Very nice set up.
Are those BFGs 265s, 285s?
I knew that mustache had to belong to a fireman.
Mike FDNY E63
Hahaha, yep. SDFD here 🍻. The tires are 265/70/17. We're about to go bigger though. 😁
My SnugTop is waterproof. No, I am not lying.
Your topper might be, but the Tacoma bed is not.
@@integraloutdoors It would be if you knew how to make it waterproof!
Clean setup man! 🤙🏽
Thanks!! 🤙
I have an ATC shell on my Tundra and paint chips seem the norm. I do like the my aluminum clamps over those bolts you have. But I wish I had that lip clearance from the inner shell lip to the bed track. I can't use the cleats on my Tundra but that could also be due to the bed differences. I like your setup.
How’d you swing this for $2300? I was quoted $3200 for the same setup!
I misspoke in the video. In actuality I paid $2,800 after calling all the dealers within 100miles with requests for an identical spec'd out shell.
Anyone else think he's hauling a body up there in the front of the shell?
🤫
@@TravelingNobodys Wow. Must be really stinky in there by now.
@@michaelnelson3469 😂 buried long ago. Haha
Great video! Lots of good info.
Thanks for the support!!
Sh** I learned so much about camper shells in one video. Good stuff.
Hahaha, glad to hear you got something out of it.
Is that silver strand? 1904!!!
You nailed it!! I take it you've visited there?
Poor mounting system, I would expect more from leer
Lazy engineering dept.
all kind of good ideas in this video, thanks!
@@martinchen3838 thank you for the compliment! I'm glad you liked the video!
Great review and awesome truck! To stop shell from sliding I would add a slide stop in the existing t-slot.
Solid idea. 👍