Camper Top Question

piscator · January 14, 2009

How useful is a camper top on a short bed crew-cab?

When I take my wife and two daughters canoeing (just day trips) somebody always wants to take a nap. That's hard to do in our current Silverado (extended cab) because the seats don't recline flat. I've never owned a cap (camper top) but always thought that might solve the problem.

Does a camper top make a good place to nap/read, while the rest of the family splashes in the lake? Are camper tops practical for this purpose?

Secondly, I'm only 5' 8" and so is the crew cab bed -- 5' 8" Can you nap back there and still keep your toes out of the weather?

I apologize if this is an odd question, but I've never tried a camper top.

Lastly, I really appreciate everyone's help in my other thread. This didn't seem to fit there, but I'd like to get the camper-top question off my mind before I buy the new Silverado crew-cab.

Thanks very much! Piscator

BuckFeverZ · January 14, 2009

You can always lay at a slight angle and still fit back there. If you do something like this, get a Bed Rug so it is nice and comfortable to lay on but still durable to haul shit.

Montana Bronco · January 14, 2009

In Montana we call them "toppers".

I like mine. I do alot of camping, skiing, hiking, fishing. I can just throw wet gear back there, close the hatch, and go. Same for my two dogs (chocolate lab & yellow lab).

I am over 6 foot, and I have slept back there (diagonally) with both dogs. It would be nice if the bed was longer, but I could not see getting a 3/4 ton with the longer bed just for the few nights I would actually use it.

Your kids would probably think it is cool, get one and be happy.

edit: you mentioned a canoe. My Leer topper came with factory installed Thule racks. I haul my canoe up there all the time.

97SierraGMC · January 14, 2009

bed rug... and get a carpeted cap interior..

also a few 12v plugs back there and should be good to go...

if you have a sliding rear window you can get a sliding window on the cap to communicate back and forth..

Wingnut · January 14, 2009

bed rug... and get a carpeted cap interior..

also a few 12v plugs back there and should be good to go...

if you have a sliding rear window you can get a sliding window on the cap to communicate back and forth..

I've got a carpeted interior and a Bedrug under my topper and it's NICE. The Bedrug isn't quite nice enough to sleep on (unless you're drunk), but I've got an inflatable mattress that fits between the wheels wells and it's about the best little setup I've had for light camping.

Keep in mind though, I don't have a CC short bed. I've got the regular old short bed.

Also...The sliding rear window thing...That can get complicated if you want a boot between the two, as it evidently was causing cracks in the fiberglass toppers.

Another option would be a truck bed tent. I've got one of those too (used it on my last truck). It fills the entire bed, but (and here's the good part for the extra-short-bed-folks) the tent encompasses the area of the tailgate (while it's down), so you wouldn't have to lay all catty-wompus. Keeps you off the ground and looks damn cool to boot! If you'd like pics of either setup (my topper or my truck-bed tent), just let me know and I'll dig 'em out.

piscator · January 14, 2009

Buckfever, Montana Bronco, Riggs, Wingnut,

Guys, thanks a lot!!

The camper thing is a small point, but it's been nagging at me. I really appreciate your helping me lay it to rest. Now I'm getting excited to try the ideas you've offered!!

I'm definitely going to look into the 'truck-bed tent' that Wingnut mentioned. I can probably live without a rear window pass through, but I like Rigg's idea for 12v back there.

Montana,

I am over 6 foot, and I have slept back there (diagonally) with both dogs. It would be nice if the bed was longer, but I could not see getting a 3/4 ton with the longer bed just for the few nights I would actually use it.

This is good to hear, I tend to feel the same way. The comfort of crew-cab back seats undoubtedly outweighs the few times I'd actually sleep back there.

Your kids would probably think it is cool, get one and be happy.

You got that right! My daughters love trucks. Right now they're very excited about the idea of running boards. Why, I don't know.

you mentioned a canoe. My Leer topper came with factory installed Thule racks. I haul my canoe up there all the time.

Definitely a 'must have' accessory! Up to now, I've simply lashed the canoe to the top.

Buckfever, nap on an angle? Well that makes sense! Also, I'll check into the 'Bed Rug' -- it sounds cozy!

Thanks again, if you guys can sleep back their for a couple of days, I'm sure my family will be 'comfy' for an afternoon nap!

piscator

Wingnut · January 14, 2009

No problem...That's why we're here!

I got the truck bed tent from one of the forum sponsors (links on the left side of the page).

I'll throw a pic or two up tomorrow of it. It's pretty slick.

Oh...And the Bedrug is more of a liner. It looks and feels like padded carpet, but it's a plastic fiber that won't stain or mildew OR mess up your truck bed if you remove it.

Volucris · January 14, 2009

I'm 6-4 and I sleep in my crew cab camper shell all the time. If it's nice and not buggy, then I leave the tailgate down and stick my feet out. If it's buggy and rainy, then I sleep diagonal.

The whole familuy went camping last summer and got caught in an amazing thunder storm. I slept in the back seat and the wife and kids slept in the back. I never thought I had a truck that would sleep 4, but it did.

For a rack I made my own using 1"x3" steel tubing and some quik-n-easys. Then you can buy Yakima rails to clip them too. Works pretty good, and they are easy to take off when you don't need them.

Quik-n-easys - http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product_list.asp?deptid=1379

piscator · January 14, 2009

Volucris,

You're a half-foot taller than me, so if it works for you, I guess it'll work here.

I never considered camping in the truck and enjoyed your story about the rainstorm. There's a couple of streams I can't reach without staying overnight, so this might be the answer.

At times, I've thought about buying a conversion van; my neighbor has a beauty. Lots of room for kids and toys, but it must be a 'slug' to drive every day. It's my neighbor's 'daily driver,' but to me, it seems like an awful lot of vehicle to run out for pizza!

Thanks, piscator

satisfied1999 · January 14, 2009

Does anyone have any pics of campers on their trucks?

I would be interested to see them and hear what brands folks are running.

This has me thinking about one for my '08 extended cab.

MadCity Hoosier · January 14, 2009

I've got an Eagle cap on my 08 Sierra Crew cab. I sprung for the opening side windows and drop down front slider as well as a ProRack roof rack system and LED thrird brake light. Total price was about $1400 before tax. I love it! My previous truck had a fiberglass tonneau cover, which was better (for security and weather) than an open bed, but I was always having a problem of needing to carry stuff that was just a bit too tall for it to close.

I also must put in a plug for the BedRug. It's great! It's got foam on the bottom that fills in the ridges in the factory bed so that you end up with a flat bed once installed. It's very easy on the knees if you need to crawl up into the bed to retrieve stuff or just want to take a nap. I got mine for about $350 shipped right to my door. My wife installed it in about an hour.

piscator · January 14, 2009

Madcity, beautiful truck! Thanks for the pix and suggestions.

Volucris, I folded forward the rear seats in a crew-cab today and tried lying down. I was surprised! I guess you're right that you can sleep 4 in the truck, but I don't think I'd want to do a week back there!

piscator

Spurshot · January 14, 2009

Yeah, I like that color. (my new truck is a red chevy just like that only no AT option, but have the Vmax 4x4)

This pic is of my 99 2500. It has a Snugtop Expo on a 6' 6" bed. I wouldn't know what to do without it. The new 1500 crew 5' 8" bed is getting a new Snugtop SuperSport.

http://www.pbase.com/roaniecowpony/image/47414285.jpg

Volucris · January 14, 2009

Volucris, I folded forward the rear seats in a crew-cab today and tried lying down. I was surprised! I guess you're right that you can sleep 4 in the truck, but I don't think I'd want to do a week back there!

No, it was pretty uncomfortable, but it beat the alternative. We were camped at 10,200 feet on a ridge in the Rockies. It was raining like hell and lightning was zotting down everywhere. Pretty incredible storm. My oldest and I were n a tent. My wife and the youngest were in ther back. I threw the oldest in the back and drove to a lower area back in the trees, crawled in the back and watched the strom.

My camper is a Raider Saratoga. Not the best camper shell in the world, but it gets the job done. It was only $600 new, custom painted Silver Birch. It also has an LED brake light and sliding side windows with screens.