Caper Shell Rack

[RollinWOT]

Ok, so in the next few days, I might be getting a free campershell for my Ranger(it was originally on it, but the two were seperated and may just become reunited). I believe it is fiberglass. So my question is, does anybody know if you can safely mount a rack onto the camper shell and not have it buckle? I know that Caravan Campers has a line of shells that have integrated racks that hold up to 2,000 pounds, but their campers have a steel frame. I don't plan on holding a ton of stuff up there, just a spare tire and maybe some trail tool, so would I be ok? Thanks for the help guys!

 

[407Link]

The survey company I worked at had racks on the flimsy metal ones and could hold about 600lbs I'm sure a fiber glass one would hold a lot more

 

[RollinWOT]

Dang. Looks like I'll be making a rack for it then!

 

[BRUTUS_T_HOG]

i see racks on fiberglass all the time. don't know about the holding capacity of them but im sure it could handle a spare tire and stuff

 

[strvger]

hopefully your camper shell has the aluminum frame/reinforcement and not the wood. the wood rots and there goes your support.
the support frame for the rack and basket should extend down the outside of the shell at least 12 inches or so at each corner and be through bolted with sizable backing plates on the inside. that should provide you with at least a couple hundred pounds of carrying capacity for the rack, and probably more. good luck with your project.

 

[RollinWOT]

Thanks for all the info guys! If it is wood, it shouldn't be a problem. It's sp dry in AZ that it wouldn't warp and it was stored in the shade, so it should be ok. I'll have pics up and a build thread for it in a while if it turns out that I can get it.

 

[RollinWOT]

Alright, turns out I will be getting the camper but the company who has it actually has 2. The boss will decide which one to get rid of, but they both fit the Ranger. They both have a ladder rack, one crappy, and one broke, so I will be making a new one for it. Anyway I should be getting it within the next couple days. I'll keep you guys updated.

 

[RollinWOT]

Update: the camper shell is actually an aluminum model, but the rack extends all the way down the sides. I might not need to make a new one, but just rebuild it with some new hardware and add a few crossbars in it for strength. I don't know when I'll be getting it but it should be within the next couple days. Anybody have anything else to throw at me before I start the rebuild?

 

[strvger]

just wish i had an aluminum one instead of my fiberglass one really. so much easier to work with, imho. good luck with yours for sure!

 

[RollinWOT]

Thanks strvger!

 

[RollinWOT]

Well, the decision came down to where I get my choice of the two camper shells, woo! So I'll be picking it up on monday. I'll get some pics up and then rebuild the rack.

 

[RollinWOT]

Got the shell on today and it looks good. For some reason my phone won't send me picture emails but I'll try to get some pics up later. It does have an aluminum ladder rack on the back and lots of aluminum support rails on the inside and the skin is also aluminum. I plan on building a frame for it to sit on and add some rigidity to the rack once I build it.

 

[strvger]

sounds real good. can't wait for the pics!

 

[RollinWOT]

Ok here it is.

 

[strvger]

wow! nice! and the color matches your truck perfectly. glad you found such a nice one for yourself.