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Any pre-installation advice before I add my camper shell?

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by Cemented, Dec 5, 2018.

  1. Dec 5, 2018 at 6:52 PM
    #1
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Finally getting my Snugtop installed next week and wanted to see if any of you have any tips before it gets installed? Anything you wish you’d done before you added your cap?
    For example, would it help to put some clear protective vinyl at the top of the tailgate to protect from the rear window opening and closing?

    (Pic to document some of the last days before I officially become an Old Man)

    9BAAA078-0E2B-47CF-9D9E-08A3325B30FE.jpg
     
    BTBAKER, GIJig, tinman10101 and 5 others like this.
  2. Dec 5, 2018 at 8:17 PM
    #2
    KnuckleHD

    KnuckleHD New Member

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    I had a Snugtop on my Tacoma for years, didn't require any pre-installation steps. That being said, what are your plan for the top? Leaving it stock? You'll probably be good to go. Adding rack, RTT, frequent wheeling, etc? May want to look into bed stiffeners. On an unrelated note, what size KO2s are you running?
     
    Cemented[OP] likes this.
  3. Dec 5, 2018 at 8:29 PM
    #3
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    Vinyl on the tailgate is a good idea.

    But the absolute most important thing is the installer. Talk directly to the person working on it. Ask them to show you the clamps and water seals they use. Ask them where the most likely place leaks would appear and what they can do in the install to prevent it.
     
    Inquiringone and Cemented[OP] like this.
  4. Dec 5, 2018 at 8:31 PM
    #4
    Spolar

    Spolar Going broke

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    If you off-road, don’t put it on. If not, just install and enjoy
     
  5. Dec 5, 2018 at 8:34 PM
    #5
    Silv333

    Silv333 Patriot

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    Nice looking Cement....where did you get your sliders from?
     
    Cemented[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  6. Dec 5, 2018 at 8:39 PM
    #6
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    2"CB shackles, bushings and 1 shim, lockerdown console vault, rear folding seat back mod, snugtop shell with opening side windows, 46g fuel tank, SDHQ sliders and hidden winch, Decked Drawers, Alcan leaf springs and got rid of the interior chrome
    With my snug top for my Tundra (had 2 previously) there was only 1 problem,
    The inner lip hung down and interfered with use of the bed rails. I had to cut this lip partially off with a peanut grinder.
     
    Cemented[OP] likes this.
  7. Dec 5, 2018 at 9:42 PM
    #7
    Liferider98

    Liferider98 New Member

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    Please define “off road” are we talking logging type roads and some light trails or more extreme rock crawling situations. The reason I ask, is I’m planning on building out my rig for camping/overlanding type adventures and wanted to use a ARE MX canopy as my living space. Doing some research, I’m questioning my plan. I’m not planning on going on super hard trails or doing any rock crawling scenarios. I’m looking for some some more input or experiences that others way have...
    Thanks...
     
  8. Dec 5, 2018 at 10:00 PM
    #8
    gosolo

    gosolo You Don’t Know Who I Am But I Know Where You Live

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    The kind of off roading that will cause your shell to crack will also do damage to your frame and bed. If you are crawling at slow speeds with no more than 1 wheel off the ground at a time you should be fine. I have almost always had a shell on my trucks and have done extensive running off road with nearly zero impact on the shells. If you are into “gofast “ bombing, you will not be happy with the results of having a conventional shell.
     
    Prostar 190 and Cemented[OP] like this.
  9. Dec 5, 2018 at 10:11 PM
    #9
    Liferider98

    Liferider98 New Member

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    Thanks for your info, that is good to know. This will be my first cap and I just want to make sure I am spending money on the right thing. I love the idea of not having to set up a RTT and stow it, every time you want to move your vehicle.
     
  10. Dec 6, 2018 at 12:46 AM
    #10
    16TRD

    16TRD New Member

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    @Cemented Have you put on the shell yet? I had the same idea and end up putting a strip of clear bra on the top part of the tailgate. Theres seems to be alot of dirt that accumulates in that area from the lower part of the window. Seems to help the paint in that area. Also make sure they clamp into the bed rails and not the sheet metal of the truck.
     
    Cemented[OP] likes this.
  11. Dec 6, 2018 at 5:40 AM
    #11
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    Saying you can’t off road with a shell is a gross misrepresentation. Look at the overlanding community and you’ll see thousands of them. It’s all about type of off roading.

    Shells are like boat hulls. They can take and unbelievable amount of weight and abuse if it’s balanced or distributed across the shell. The vast majority of shells can hold 1000 lbs in the roof as long as that isn’t just on four rack points but no manufacturer will admit it due to liability.

    Same for much frame motion off road. If you’re into slower movements and articulation the shell is fine. If you’re jumping the truck in Baja or taking washboard at high speeds regularly it’s not the right choice.

    Shells fail often due to quick, focused impacts or stress points - just like a hammer on a fiberglass boat hull. Extra reinforcement for a roof top tents is a nice feature, but if you balance the load and don’t put pressure in one hammer point, such as using 3 cross bars instead of two, you’ll be completely fine. I’ve done it for 13 years and have had 600 lbs on the canopy many times.
     
  12. Dec 6, 2018 at 5:45 AM
    #12
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Thanks. I’m adding a prinsu toprac and got the sportsman package with reinforced roof. I don’t plan to have an RTT right now but bed stiffeners aren’t a bad idea and something I’ve considered.
    These are 35x12.5 KO2s
     
    joonbug and KnuckleHD[QUOTED] like this.
  13. Dec 6, 2018 at 5:47 AM
    #13
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    I do like to wheel so have considered this but still need a shell for other purposes. Can always remove sometime if needed.
     
    joonbug likes this.
  14. Dec 6, 2018 at 5:48 AM
    #14
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Thanks
    These are White Knuckle Offroad sliders
     
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  15. Dec 6, 2018 at 5:49 AM
    #15
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Interesting. Hadn’t heard of issues with the inner lip. I do know the snugtop hangs down further than others on the outside so I’m expecting that.
     
    joonbug likes this.
  16. Dec 6, 2018 at 5:50 AM
    #16
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Thanks for the advice! Not installed yet, happening next week which is why I wanted to prep before that for anything that will help long term.
     
    joonbug likes this.
  17. Dec 6, 2018 at 5:55 AM
    #17
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Thanks. While I haven’t owned one yet this is my general consensus also. Snugtop offers a package with a reinforced roof that ups the load capacity to 500lbs so I went with that to help strengthen it a bit.
     
    joonbug likes this.
  18. Dec 12, 2018 at 4:01 PM
    #18
    pbcolt

    pbcolt New Member

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    I wish I would have put something on the top 2-3" of the tailgate. There are a few spots where the door of the shell rubbed through the paint on the tailgate.
     
    Cemented[OP] likes this.
  19. Dec 12, 2018 at 6:02 PM
    #19
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Thanks, that’s what I was thinking. Ended up getting it installed already on Monday but I think I’ll add some clear vinyl there.
     
  20. Dec 12, 2018 at 6:10 PM
    #20
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Thank you all for the advice. Ended up just having them install as normal and am digging it so far. Still getting used to it and my son thinks it’s ugly and a horrible idea but that’s kids for you.

    BE4BEFF6-4BE9-4B5A-819D-D6C47373D88F.jpg

    I’ve also ordered some of these to complete the new look:
    A599C61E-1601-4827-B17C-F569F3079CCE.jpg
     
  21. Dec 12, 2018 at 7:46 PM
    #21
    jeremyd

    jeremyd 2014 Crewmax SR5

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    Someone please tell me my eyes are screwed up, It looks like the shell is a tiny bit higher. I am also about to purchase a new shell and I only have 1/2 inch to spare when entering my garage due to a 6 inch lift..
     
  22. Dec 12, 2018 at 8:37 PM
    #22
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Don’t hold me to it but to me it looks like the cab roofline peaks above the driver’s door and then slopes a tiny bit down. I don’t think the highest point on the shell exceeds the highest point on the cab roof but if you only have a little room to spare you may want to confirm. This is a snugtop rebel, I’d imagine different models and manufacturer’s vary a bit so depending on what you are getting it could be a little different. My roof rack is going on tomorrow so I won’t be in any garages anytime soon :rofl:
     
    jeremyd[QUOTED] likes this.
  23. Dec 12, 2018 at 8:40 PM
    #23
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Also may want to consider whether you need/want tracks for a roof rack on yours. While they don’t add much height they do add a little
     
    jeremyd likes this.
  24. Dec 12, 2018 at 9:36 PM
    #24
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    Cemented[QUOTED][OP] likes this.
  25. Dec 12, 2018 at 10:04 PM
    #25
    InfernoPRO

    InfernoPRO Technicolor BASTRD

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    @Cemented my installer didn’t tell me this, but you need to tighten the topper clamps after 1-2 weeks. The rubber seals between the bed get soft and your shell will shift. I have a few scraps on the bed where my shell rubbed.
     
    Cemented[OP] likes this.
  26. Dec 12, 2018 at 10:16 PM
    #26
    Cemented

    Cemented [OP] Function over Form

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    Great advice, thank you. They mentioned the seals on the windows would be a little stiff at first but didn’t mention to tighten the clamps.
     
  27. Dec 12, 2018 at 11:21 PM
    #27
    Rkcruza

    Rkcruza New Member

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    De Badged / Decaled, Firestone Ride Rite Air Bags w/ Daystar Cups, 17" Rims, Big Brake kit w/ slotted & drilled rotors, plus lots of work related stuff.
    Also check the front seal on the shell. I have a Snug Top on my Tacoma TRD Pro and it leaked at the front bulkhead. It is common for this piece of seal tape to get pinched or pushed a bit when they install the shell. As to wheeling with a shell. The one on my Pro never comes off and it has done mild wheeling and some pretty fast Baja Type stuff with zero issues. I have a Gem Shell on my 85 Mini and it does baja, Rubicon etc with zero issues (as long as you don't hit any trees or rocks with it).
     
    Cemented[OP] likes this.
  28. Dec 25, 2018 at 11:51 AM
    #28
    HONEYBADGER

    HONEYBADGER New Member

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    What model Snugtop is that?
     
  29. Dec 25, 2018 at 12:12 PM
    #29
    Black Wolf

    Black Wolf Bigfoot Hunter, Sasquatch too, but not Yeti

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    I take my tunny off road...a lot and have zero issues with my topper.
     
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  30. Dec 25, 2018 at 12:30 PM
    #30
    Adam

    Adam New Member

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    Now throw the old man supercharger on to complete the look. And tell your son he can't drive the old man's ride...wouldn't want him to be embarrassed.
     

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