Off-road truck caps out there?

[cstencel]

hey everyone… I’m going to be moving down to Arizona and want to convert my ranger bed into a camper shell. Was wondering if anyone knew who to contact to buy something like this. (Pictured below)

my truck is the white one also pictured

 

[Uncle Gump]

I would just keep an eye on Craigslist.... they pop up all the time.

I also moved your post to General Discussions....

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

Toppers that actually have a weight rating for the roof are going to be harder to turn up.

Normal ones can be pretty cheap. $40 on craigslist scratched my itch.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I did some research on my cap... Leer 100XQ looking for weight rating on a roof rack. I believe all Leer caps are made to carry a load on top. I believe it was 400 lbs.

I plan to do a roof rack on mine... nothing too heavy... but I know it will come in handy.

 

[cstencel]

I did some research on my cap... Leer 100XQ looking for weight rating on a roof rack. I believe all Leer caps are made to carry a load on top. I believe it was 400 lbs.

I plan to do a roof rack on mine... nothing too heavy... but I know it will come in handy.

View attachment 66245

Love the color!

 

[Curious Hound]

You seem to be picturing equipment for overlanding. That is the new word for "camping out of your truck". So Overlanding gear is what you would search for. But it's not cheap. As stated, if you put a cap on your truck and then want to add equipment racks or a rooftop tent, then you need to make sure the cap is rated for the load. Not just the weight of the tent, but that plus you and maybe another person inside it. Most people are using purpose built racks to hold the tent and other equipment and many also add reinforcement to the truck's besides so the weight is properly transferred down to the frame. Once you start researching it, you'll see what I'm talking about. It can all be home built cheaper. But make sure you design it for the purpose. Don't skimp on strength.

 

[sgtsandman]

I had to special order my Leer and Pace caps with a load rated roof. While they do exist in the secondary market, ask for proof they were made that way.

The other route to go is to build an exoskeleton that wraps around the cap so you don't have to worry about a cap roof load rating. There will need to be something to sit between the cap and the truck bed for the support and built out and up and over from there.

Also, keep in mind, most load ratings for roofs and racks are for on road. Figure the load rating for off road to be reduced 1/2 to 1/3 of the stated rating. Some manufacturer's will list both but others do not. Better to figure out those limits now before you end up with all your gear departing the roof and flopping down on the trail.

 

[Uncle Gump]

I also think If I were in the market... I would certainly consider a contractor cap with the large rear door and side windows that open to allow access to the bed. Way better then crawling in.

 

[Roert42]

+1 for the Contractor cap

 

[sgtsandman]

Crawling in is good for the constitution. Harden up you ninnies!

 

[Snoranger]

If you plan on carrying a lot of weight on top of the cap, you’ll want to build some kind of internal reinforcement (something like this)
Maybe a little simpler, but you get the idea.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I also think If I were in the market... I would certainly consider a contractor cap with the large rear door and side windows that open to allow access to the bed. Way better then crawling in.

Easier to seal dirt out than the normal tailgate setup too.

Easy access would be great too, crawling is one thing, unloading the truck so you can crawl to get to the front is another thing.

Like me, I have my tools and stuff to the front for weight distribution. However if I ever need tools on the road all the fluffy stuff like my tent/luggage has to come out so I can get to my tools.

Cooler stays at the back for easy access though.

 

[sgtsandman]

One thing I need to do after I finish more pressing projects is to rework the platform in the bed so it has drawers instead of hinged lids that lift up. The lid concept was great in concept but if I have gear loaded in the truck, I don’t have access to what is stored under the platform. Like tie down straps, fluids, recovery gear, etc.

The other thing I want to try to do is build a tray on the top that slides out so getting at things in the back is easier. That part is going to be a little tougher without invading into storage space above the whole platform. The whole thing needs to slide but also remain secure so it doesn’t bang around or flop out on the ground when extended. Do able but it’s gonna take some thinking.

There are all kinds of plan ideas out there for the drawers. Not so much for the tray. C-channel and some roller bearings is probably going to be the answer.

The general idea is that the whole thing stops right at the top of the wheel wells no higher than 1/2” plywood covering the top to make a flat surface all the way across.