Camper Shell 101
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 86
Likes: 0
From: Oskaloosa IA
I can speak some on the topic of fuel economy with a topper. I towed my camper with a 96 F250 with a high top Glasstite topper on it - usually got 11 or so towing. Colorado one year, and North Dakota the next year. The next time we went, I left to topper off, and only got about 9 towing the camper. I suspect that the topper helped the air flow divert up over the trailer better than without it. I haven't done much solo driving of any appreciable distance without the topper. I get about 19 on the interstate with the topper on the current truck on summer fuel - winter blend gets me about 16-17. From 9 - 11 is a 15% increase or better. Seems worth it to me.
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
I had a Leer on my F150,and it was a good unit. Never had a bit of trouble with it,and it was on the truck when I got it with 107K miles on it....I sold it to Dad with 200K+ miles,and it was still on it with no cracks,and no problems with the latches at all. It's all got alot to do with the installer,and with the owner watching the mounts for shifting over time. If the mounts loosen up and allow shifting,any fiberglass piece is gonna stress crack and split.
JL
JL
Reads ***** rules!
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,105
Likes: 3
From: So.Ca./ N.E. UT
As far as the paint go's, matching shouold not be a problem as most are painted with same factory color codes. I bought my SnugTop white to match my '03 then I bought my black '07 and wanted to sell the white SnugTop and get a black one. My SnugTop dealer suggested I let them send it to the local Ford dealer body shop and get painted to match the '07 color code for $400. I could have only sold it for $500 to $600 dollars, then have to buy a new one for $1600. They saved me a considerable amount of money and now it matches factory color.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
From: SW Illinois... near St. L
I've got a Jason camper shell on mine. Bought it new in 2003 and still looks good. I would think, though, that for the money that I paid for it ($1400 or so) that it would seal the back glass a little better against dampness.
Whatever brand you buy, make sure the glass at the front (next to the cab) folds down to clean your back glass on the cab. I have a friend that has fixed glass and has to lift his cap back every time he needs to clean the glass. It's kinda funny listening to him cuss that cap!
Either way, you are starting right by doing your homework!
Whatever brand you buy, make sure the glass at the front (next to the cab) folds down to clean your back glass on the cab. I have a friend that has fixed glass and has to lift his cap back every time he needs to clean the glass. It's kinda funny listening to him cuss that cap!
Either way, you are starting right by doing your homework!
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
I have an ARE cap. With my Supercab shortbed, I notice at least a .5MPG difference in mileage with it on.
Many highway trips with it on and off, unloaded, same trip, same time of the season. Consistently .5 to 1 MPG better.
Your Mileage May Vary
I've heard from people with long-beds or crew-cabs that didn't notice any difference, so depending on your configuration, it may or may not help.
Many highway trips with it on and off, unloaded, same trip, same time of the season. Consistently .5 to 1 MPG better.
Your Mileage May Vary
I've heard from people with long-beds or crew-cabs that didn't notice any difference, so depending on your configuration, it may or may not help.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,399
Likes: 318
From: Whittier, CA
Regarding paint color - Leer does a pretty good job IMO. When you order they ask for your truck VIN and they get the paint formulation for the day your truck was painted at the factory. Apparently paint color can vary a bit depending on the mix batch. Just going by their marketing info on that. But they did match my '04 pretty good and it was white which is the hardest color to match.
The newer your truck when you get the cap the better the color match. Still, even a new cap on a new truck, over time the color match will degrade. Paint on steel body and paint on fiberglass just don't age equally.
I have pics of my '04 with Leer cap in my gallery for anyone interested.
Bill
The newer your truck when you get the cap the better the color match. Still, even a new cap on a new truck, over time the color match will degrade. Paint on steel body and paint on fiberglass just don't age equally.
I have pics of my '04 with Leer cap in my gallery for anyone interested.
Bill
Laughing Gas
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 759
Likes: 0
I bought a used CoverCraft topper. It was built in 99. The previous owner took it on and off a lot and it still seems to be in great shape. It has heavy duty alum. roof rack on it. I can't say much about the color matching thou. buying a used topper that was on a bright red truck doesn't look so hot on a True Blue truck. 
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 49
Likes: 0
From: Ponderay ID
A canopy is greatest until you haul gravel, firewood or try to load an elk into one. Does anyone have any ideas for easy canopy unload and storage?
I will get a fiberglass over the cab for my 08. I like the extra height. I have a V10 and I don't think a canopy will change the MPG. Unless I can convince the computer it is better.
We have a fiberglass on the 2000 250 which I am guessing gets a little heavy for a one person operation, it has never been off. I destroyed my old aluminum canopy taking it off and putting it on by myself. The tree linb that fell through the top while it was in the yard didn't help either.
I will get a fiberglass over the cab for my 08. I like the extra height. I have a V10 and I don't think a canopy will change the MPG. Unless I can convince the computer it is better.
We have a fiberglass on the 2000 250 which I am guessing gets a little heavy for a one person operation, it has never been off. I destroyed my old aluminum canopy taking it off and putting it on by myself. The tree linb that fell through the top while it was in the yard didn't help either.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,399
Likes: 318
From: Whittier, CA
Difficult to answer. Some shells flair upward at the rear, which is nice for loading some things, or even for climbing in back there. But it seems that most guys go for the cab high models for superduties. Then some shells have roof racks too. I think most models described as cab high are going to be just that, and so no higer than the main cab.
But many of these trucks are higher in the rear, enough to put the rear of the shell higher than the clearance lights. So, your truck may vary.
Bill
But many of these trucks are higher in the rear, enough to put the rear of the shell higher than the clearance lights. So, your truck may vary.
Bill
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Harpo2013
Aftermarket Products
2
Jan 5, 2014 07:17 AM
Perk85F250
Pre-Power Stroke Diesel (7.3L IDI & 6.9L)
3
Nov 5, 2013 07:46 PM
