Camper top dilemma

[Lippyp]

After failing to find a top for my truck I finally found one on Ebay here in the UK, bid on it (a cool £20 so far) and then I get offered a second one. Both need some work, both are about the same distance from me at about 300 miles but in opposite directions! The aluminium one the guy wants £100 for and it needs work, the GRP one needs a little work too work but its looking like I may be the only bidder.

The fibreglass one looks like this although its not this exact one it came off a late 70's truck, quite sleek and modern looking.





and the second a more period aluminium one (this one) This one was made in 1968 and is currently on the IH in the picture Its kind of ugly cool.






Which do you prefer and why, I'm leaning towards the GRP one, I could live with it everyday whereas the aluminium one is maybe a bit too ugly and I'd want to take it ofee when I don't need it. The idea is to be able to sleep the odd night in it at car shows. I know also that when ally ones start to leak they can be a bear to make watertight as its usually worn rivets etc and the GRP one has no joins so should be less leaky.

[lpaine]

I'd go with the fibreglass canopy, they are far better than the old aluminum ones. I've had a fibreglass canopy on my '98 for about three years now it's been solid, never slept under it, but I'm sure it wouldn't leak in the rain or start falling apart like an aluminum one might.Definitely looks better too.

[nightmare]

i'm kinda partial to the fiberglass ones. i think that they look good on here.


you can basically do whatever you want with the interior


i've also sealed the cab and camper shell together, so there can be a "passthrough" to the camper shell. i need to brace the underside of the shelf, so there can be weight added to it when needed.

[Palf70Step]

For my $.02, the glass ones normally alwaysd look better, but if you are going to be taking on and off quite a bit, the aluminum is much lighter and a bit easire than the glass. My full sized aluminum topper on my 92, I could get off and pretty much get on by myself (no lifts or pullies either). The glass top for my mini truck I could barely get it off. No way could I get it on alone.

If it is pretty much going to be a perment fixture then go with the glass, but if you need it on and off quickly for life, then go aluminum.

[Lippyp]

It'll pretty much be a permanent fixture as I've not really got anywhere to store it off the vehicle other than outside. Nightmare that looks good, its very similar to what i want to do inside although I'll probably not connect it to the cab. It will get a couple of 12V striplamps and maybe some speakers back there and I intend to line the bed and make some storage lockers in the sides.

[Brad]

The fiberglass canopy looks waaaaaay better and you'll be happier with it.

[PanelDeland]

Fibreglass doesn't leak unless it's cracked.The windows and door may need to have the weatherstip tweaked.You will want to use the clamps to install it.And make sure to use a weatherstrip/rubber pad between it and the truck bed.Should be Ok for a night or two but you will wish you had the headroom of the "ally".
IMHO the fibreglass is the way to go.Get a good air materess or use a single bed one from the house and you are good to go.

[Palf70Step]

I agree with the others, since your not really planning on taking it on and off much, the glass looks way better and I think you'll be happier. Hey the extra weight smooths out the ride too!!

[drunkbus]

My dad had an aluminum one like that when I was a kid. The inside was a wood frame and it weighed a ton and eventually rotted away.

[badpeanut]

Originally Posted by drunkbus

My dad had an aluminum one like that when I was a kid. The inside was a wood frame and it weighed a ton and eventually rotted away.

I agree the aluminum ones with wood frames are heavy and can rot. The aluminum ones with aluminum frames are light weight.

I'd go with the fiberglass top if I were you.

[CG]

Well...Im partial to the old style ones. If that one was cleaned up real nice, repainted white with a small accent stripe down the side the same color as your truck (yellow?) and nice new marker lights on it I think it would look very cool.

I guess it depends on if you're going for an originalish style or? Nitemares does look pretty darn nice.

[Sport/Truck]

The fiberglass one will be quieter too. The aluminum will show hail dents etc.
s/t

[Lippyp]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I agree with the others, since your not really planning on taking it on and off much, the glass looks way better and I think you'll be happier. Hey the extra weight smooths out the ride too!!

Might give me some extra grip back there too as its hard not to spin the wheels in the wet it being a one wheeled wonder! Looks like its gonna be the glass one. At the moment I'm the only bidder with 15 hours to go and its standing at a mighty $32.

[Lippyp]

Well yesterday my Brother-in-law and I went for a little (610 mile round trip) up to Oban in Bonny Scotland in his Toyota truck to collect the fibreglass shell. Overall its pretty good, very dirty and it does need some work but I knew that when I bought it. The gas strut on one side of the lift gate has rusted solid as a result the glass has popped out of the seal on one side, the lock/handle is solid too. The wooden rails at the bottom that the cap sits on are rotten and need replacing but none of this is a big job really. It appears to have been supplied or manufactured by a company called DVOR in Lake Hoptacong New Jersey.

Does anyone know of a good source of spare parts sucha as handles/lock sets and gas struts although I may just find a set from a small hatchback car in a junkyard. I'll post some pictures when it stops raining. Oh and it even has a light and built in bug screens on the sliding side windows!

[nightmare]

cool. you should be able to find the hardware sets through Leer, Lund, Jason, or any other camper shell retailer.