I finally replaced my old leaky shell with a new A.R.E. - I was pleased to find that they now offer flip-out side windows with a screened slider. Pretty cool. I also got the flip-down front window, and interior carpet. I rebuilt my cargo deck, and finished it with carpet to match. I just recently took it on a mini-expediton to Mexico and used the camper for the first time. I must say, it's like a night-and-day difference to have the flip-out side windows.

 

Dang skippy, that looks great!
If I ever win the lotto, I want a white TRD lockered Taco Extracab like yours to fix up with a shell and rack system.

 

That is really pretty cool.

 

OMG, that is the coolest camper I have ever seen.
I'll have to buy one of those if I ever get another pickup.

 

I think I'd probably bolt that thing to the bed if You're gonna put all that weight on it. Especially if you take it off road with a load.

 

Looks real good, Chris! Those are the first pics I've seen of your truck with the new shoes. I may have missed it on the other board, though. Yeah, I bet those windows are real nice, too.

After you took that second pic, did you throw those body bags in the lake?! They look a little, shall I say, peculiar!

At any rate, well done yet again.

 

that looks fantastic! white is the best too..and btw along with the moonstoon sticker how about some patagonia and marmot! ~kyle

 

chris,

WOW! that is an awesome camper! makes me want to buy a truck just for the camper. seriously, i've never seen or even heard of the flip up side cargo windows. its one of those things that you say to yourself "now why didn't i think of that?!?!"

great buy. i hope you get some good use out of it.

bob

 

truck looks great with that camper. just curious though, how much did it cost if you dont mind me asking? i need to get a new shell on mine that doesnt leak and it would be nice to have one thats flush with the cab so i can add a cargo rack like yours.
jayson

 

Man oh man I'm glad I don't want a camper shell otherwise that would be ANOTHER mod that I'd want!
That looks really awesome! I was surfing your site last week and was thinking about how the Tacoma looks nice with the shell. This is even nicer!

 

Cool - thanks for the responses! It's fun to see some other outdoor gear geeks out there. Yea, the blue "body bag"... is a "1st gen" moonstone bag that I absolutely love. It's down filled, with gore dryloft shell and has the snap-in down liner so it will be good for (I can't remember) something like 0 degrees. The other "body bag" is a "2nd gen" (no longer made in USA) moonstone down bag that I recently got for my wife. She loves it. Cozy!!

Regarding bolting the camper to the truck - it is secured with six clamps, just like my old shell. I ran my old shell for 5 years like that and it never moved. In fact, when I took it off I almost wasted my back trying to get it separated from the bed. (a friend and I had to take turns kneeling bent over inside and pushing on the ceiling with our backs to "pop" it loose.)

On the price - I paid $1500 with installation and tax. By way of comparison, this is what I would have paid for a SnugTop of the same type, but without the flip-out side windows.

I plan to get some no-seeum mesh screen, and make full window screens for the side windows. The screens will be trimmed with velcro so that they should stick to the carpet lining of the camper for easy attachment and removal. This way, I can do full side window ventilation (with windows flipped out) and keep bugs out when I want/need to.

 

That shell looks sweet! Now all of a sudden I want one for my pickup! :pat:

How much was the shell on its own, without the installation?

That's a great idea you have about the removable mesh. Your truck is one of my all time favs. Let me know when you get ready to sell.

 

Bling*Bling

Nice topper.

 

Man do I covet your windows. I'm saving my pennies for the high-rise version (in black). There's a lot of pennies left to go.....sigh...

 

That looks awesome man! Thats gotta be one of the best ways to camp right there...sleepin in your rig, way to go!

Fink

 

I used to laugh at my girlfriends taco when it had the camper on it, but seeing that one changed my mind on campers completely.. Your truck is very nicely done....

 

Makes me wanna trade the runna in for a new double cab

 

Thanks guys.

I can't tell you what the cost is w/o install, because it was not a line-item on the bill, it was included in the price. Here is the break-down...

$959.00 shell w/3rd brake light, factory paint match, installed
$45.00 Limited Lifetime warranty
$178.00 screened vent work doors
$90.00 drop-down slider window
$119.00 fabric lining
-------
$1,396.00

$30.00 add for matching carpet that I bought to do the cargo deck

$1,426.00 sub total
$123.78 tax
------------
$1,549.78 Grand Total

FYI - A.R.E. no longer offers all of the carpet color options. I think they only have 2 colors to choose from now - I can't remember what the other one was - I think it was just a lighter grey, like silver. I chose the charcoal grey. The paint match is perfect.

 

nice topper. I've got an ARE, too. the MX-series. I really like those flip up side windows with sliding vent. The flip up style is really nice for access, but I wanted enclosure for the dogs. The style you have would solve both of those. do you know if they'll do a window swap?

 

Sweet shell man! Where did you buy it from?