Just got a 05 F350 KR (copper) Crew Cab SB: would anybody reccomend a good place to get a shell (fiberglass, byt not really sure about brand)? Around the SouthBay?

....or if you are selling a copper one.....


thanks

 

I don't know of a good place to buy them, but if you don't mind a used one, keep an eye on craigslist.org.

Good luck

 

Leer makes really nice toppers for ford trucks, but would you really want to put up the cash for a new one? As Karl said, "keep an eye on craigslist.org" for awhile before you pull the trigger.

You do know that you lose some gas mileage once you put the topper on, right? The aerodynamics get all screwed up and you will be hauling around an extra several hundred pounds all the time. If you need a topper for security, that's all good. If your just trying to turn it into a big SUV, you may wish to reconsider.

 

Interesting. I read somewhere a few years back (ok 10-12 years back) that adding a bed cover increases gas mileage by 1 mpg, and adding a cab high topper gives you 2-3 mpg increase. And the reason? It improves the aerodynamics. Yes you add weight, but the cleaner smoother flow of air around the truck more than makes up for it. Unless of course you load the bed up with even more weight.

 

If you get a glass topper, they weigh about a 100 pounds, at least my old
Stockland does, on my 81 F150 short bed. The metal skinned ones do weigh
a few hundred pounds.

As for the gas mileage, it should actually improve with a shell.

Without a shell, you get more air turbulence as the air flows over the top of the
cab and down into the bed.

IF you have to get a 'new' topper, I think there are a few places on El Camino Real, aka route 82.

I think there's a place near the Cow Palace.
Camper Shells

Like Karl posted, maybe wait until you find a used one.

Hope this helps.

 

WOW, several hundred pounds? What is your camper shell made of, cast iron?

Most of them nowadays are made of fiberglass. They weigh, at most, 100 lbs. I've removed and installed them by myself on longbed pickups.

I would definitely go along with the craigslist recommendation. If you're patient, you can save a boatload of cash. If you do want a new topper, there's a place in Redwood City off the Whipple Ave exit on the 101 that sells toppers. Sorry, no name, but just keep going straight off the exit onto Veterans Blvd. and it's on the right.

There's a smaller one in Mountain View on El Camino almost into Palo Alto. Can't remember the name of that one either, but it's not hard to find. It's maybe 3 to 4 miles of Castro St.

And yeah, they will actually help with mileage.

 

Hey Andy!! Great to see you again!

 

Hey Karl... Good to see you here too.

 

I know this post is old but I have not been on in awhile. Did you find what you were looking for?

I know from my expierance that a good company that produces good cappers is A.R.E. But I do not know if you guys have them in Cali. My mom used to work at a plant back in Ohio when I was a kid. I know they have a plant in Pheonix.

I prefer to get a tonneau cover over a capper. I know u sacriface a little room but I think it should still help with mileage, plus they are lighter so you would not be carrying around the extra weight. But on the flip side the extra weight helps in the snow...learned that growing up in Ohio.

I used to shovel snow into the bed of my truck for weight and then in the spring it would melt and I did not have to pull anything back out. Plus it made snowball fights in June possiable!

But I really do not know. Maybe keep an eye on Ebay too, sometimes u can still find deals there as well.

 

I'm glad to see Andy back on too, but I miss his old avatar!! Tonight is the weekly show at Strikes Bowling alley in Rocklin. Maybe we'll see Andy and Lalani there. John

 

I have a Snug-Top that I'm very happy with. There are a few different models to choose from, here's a link: Snugtop - Fiberglass Truck Cap & Tonneau Top Covers, Camper Shells Tops, Customized Truck Toppers, Pick Up Truck Canopy

Here's a list of Bay Area dealers:
Snugtop - Fiberglass Truck Cap & Tonneau Top Covers, Camper Shells Tops, Customized Truck Toppers, Pick Up Truck Canopy

 

I'll be in San Francisco for the next couple Wednesdays. Honestly, I didn't even know about it. Next time we're home on a Wednesday night, we'll stop by.

 

Good Deal Andy. See you there. John