Need to Know/FAQ’s

There may not be a more valuable accessory you can add to your pickup than a truck cap, commonly known as a “camper shell” or “truck topper.” It’s like doubling the square footage of your bed, more than doubling actually, while enhancing the looks of your pickup. 

Each fiberglass truck cap is made-to-order when you buy it, with the specific options you choose.

All caps are made to fit your specific vehicle within a range of a few model years. For example, Ford F-150 short beds, from 2015-2020.  They are not interchangeable between the different makes, for example, a Ford F-150 cap will not fit on a Chevy, and it will not fit a 2014.

Each unit is painted to match your trucks factory paint color. We get your truck’s paint code at the time of purchase and that color is matched at the factory.

Most truck caps come with a lifetime warranty on the structure and the paint. Hardware warranty can be anywhere from one to two years.  Every unit purchased and installed comes with our free warranty assistance.

We have been selling and installing truck caps since 1965.

FAQ’s: The Frequently Asked Questions

  • What are the benefits of a truck cap?

You get covered room above the bed, it adds height and storage room to your bed.

Looks Great.

Protects expensive possessions.

Can be used for camping.

  • Is a truck cap right for you?

A cap is a lifestyle addition to your truck. Great if you need extra storage for frequent trips and vacations. Great for outdoorsman for fishing and hunting gear.

Secure storage for valuables and tools.

Great for taking dogs on trips and hunting.

Gives you dry storage.

A cap is great for work trucks who need more room for tools and equipment.

  • Is it Not for you?

If you want to maintain that truck look, a tonneau bed cover would be a better option

It can limit the height volume of some trucks. If you want to haul something taller than your cab, it will limit what you can put in the bed.

  • How much do truck shells cost?

Like most things, there is a wide variety of prices depending on the model and features you want.  The range of prices will be somewhere from about $1700 - $2700 for most models without options. 

  • Important things to consider:

Which window configuration is right for you? There are several side window options.

  • Lighting: do you need it, what kind of lighting do you need?
  • Roof Rack – Will you ever want to mount anything on the top of your cap? Ask about roof options.
  • Front window options: This is HUGE. Will you want to wash the front of your cap or window with a drop down window? Do you have a sliding rear window in your truck? Will you have dogs riding in the back?
  • Can you really camp in them?

You sure can!  Part of that depends on the size of your bed and whether or not you can stretch your legs out when you sleep.  There are a couple of really cool accessories you can add to your truck cap to really kick your camping up a notch.

  • Are truck caps an investment?

Not really, it’s an addition for convenience and lifestyle but rarely will you sell it for more later on.

  • Is there a deposit is required to order a camper shell?

We ask for a $500 down to purchase a camper shell.

  • Can I install the cap?

Most likely, no. There is knowledge needed to install it properly. You need to know things like proper cap placement, wiring, taping and clamping. These are not floor mats, you don’t just throw it on.

Can negate the warranty if you damage the cap during install or install it improperly.

If you install yourself, you are responsible for all warranty and installation issues.

  • How long do camper shells take to install?

A typical installation time for a standard camper shell is about 2 - 4 hours depending on the features.

What is included in the standard $125 installation cost for camper shells and $75 for tonneau covers? 

For camper shells, installation includes:

Wiring the camper shell's 3rd brake light to your brake light.

Wiring 12 Volt accessories or dome lights.

Applying foam seal tape on the camper shell and butyl tape to the truck bed corners.

Providing the clamps to secure it to your truck, in addition to securing it to your truck.

  • How long does it take to get one?

Currently, depending on the brand, it can take 1 day to 12 weeks.  Delivery times are never guaranteed at the time of purchase.

  • Do you stock fiberglass camper shells or tonneau covers?

Because each truck bed is different, and because of the hundreds of different combinations of bed sizes and colors, we do not typically stock fiberglass camper shells or tonneaus. However, at any given time, we do have a modest selection of popular models and colors.  Call or visit us for details.

  • Can you guarantee that my camper shell will never leak?

A new camper shell should never leak through the fiberglass or from the aluminum frame seal of the side or front windows themselves. The rear door and side windows should never leak from the top of the hinge(s) or sides unless water is sprayed or forced up from underneath the rear seal or into the sides of the sliding or flip up windows. Camper shell windows are designed to gravity feed water away from the windows, and are not designed to take pressurized water from beneath the seals or from the sides. This is why almost all camper shells will leak when the truck is driven through a car wash. Additionally, because it is removable and is not factory sealed to your truck, there is no way we can guarantee that it will not leak in any areas where the truck bed rails compress to the camper shell's rails. Most trucks now come with plastic rail caps on the sides, which have proven to be a potential leak hazard that has nothing to do with the camper shell. Water can trickle in between the truck's plastic rail caps and the truck's metal body under the plastic rails to create leaks. In addition, there are typically several areas where water can enter the bed of a truck, including gaps or holes in the factory bed as well as at the tailgate area, where a large gap often allows water to enter the bed. In order to minimize leaks from these areas, we offer a tailgate seal for about $55 and we can apply butyl tape to the front gapped areas at no extra charge. Despite these leak prone areas, our goal during installation is still to minimize any potential leaks from any areas to the maximum extent possible.

  • Will my fiberglass camper shell or tonneau cover have a showroom perfect 10 finish?

All fiberglass has minor blemishes in the finish. The general allowance/tolerance for fiberglass manufacturers is about one-half-grain-of-sand-sized blemish per sq foot of the finish. The majority of the tops we sell are well above these tolerances, and many have no noticeable blemishes whatsoever. However, because all fiberglass is hand laid, and can react differently with even the most subtle of environmental variances, there will always be a minor allowance for blemishes, as long as they are within the tolerance level.

  • What does a typical fiberglass shell/tonneau warranty cover?

Most of the fiberglass shells and tonneaus that we sell offer lifetime warranties on the frame and structure, and 1-2 years on parts. The lifetime warranty basically guarantees that the paint on the product will not fade faster than the paint on your vehicle. If, for some reason, a camper shell or tonnueau arrives with significant blemishes or minor damage from shipping and therefore requires us to return it, our manufacturer's protocol is to return the product to the factory for minor repairs/touch up. Only after that first step is taken (and the results do not improve) will they consider complete replacing a shell or tonneau. Also, regarding any warranty issues, if the shell or tonnueau is damaged due to abuse or overloading, a manufacturer will not honor the warranty. Finally, all manufacturer's claims processes require a proof of purchase.

  • Can I remove my top easily?

Yes. All fiberglass camper shells are installed with quick release electrical plugs and 4 (shortbed) or 6 (longbed) aluminum or steel clamps. A socket wrench is required to remove the clamps. It typically takes a minimum of 4 people to safely remove a camper shell or tonneau, and a minimum of 4 people to reinstall it.

  • What about buying a used shell?

When you are looking at used, the most important thing is the structure. Look for cracks and signs of the windows leaking such as black streaks between frame and cap.  Also remember that these caps are made for specific vehicles.  That means the same make and model within a specific model year range. 

I saw this truck cap on KSL/Craigslist /Facebook, will it fit my truck?

Unless your truck is pre-90’s nothing cross-fits. There will be safety issues, fit issues, and water-tightness. Caps are not interchangeable between makes (Ford to a Chevy), models (F-150 to F-250), year range (2018 Chevy 1500 to 2019)

Every shell is molded specifically for each truck, even if bed size is the same, cab differences will prevent cross fit.

Each cap is made specifically for year, make and model.  Don’t take the seller’s word for it.