t-boe

I have the Leer 100XQ on mine. It's seems like it's more for style than function. Leer does have really nice options on their caps though. Mine has fold down clothes hanger racks and electric locks. You can also get things like 12v power outlets, roof racks, additional lights. I don't use it to sleep in, but if I had to it could be made into a very comfortable living space. You could add an inverter, a small tv, a space heater, etc. With that amount of space you could sleep a lot more comfortably than in the back of the cab. Also, make sure you get a quality cap. Some of the cheaper ones don't seal to well and allow a little water in the cargo area. That also has alot to do with the installer, make sure they're reputable.

char_ls

My first concern, though, is how frail these caps look... I mean, how
secure are they? For instance, do you feel confident enough about
the security provided by your cap to leave your valuable personal
property (tv, etc.) in it unattended (or even to sleep in it?) Is the level of
security comparable to that provided by the truck's doors? Is your
model lockable from the inside? How practical is it really to get in and
out of the camper shell, when used as a living space?

I'd really like to hear also from other posters here who have achieved
something more or less functional along these lines...

Perhaps some models are made more (secure) for this purpose
than others...

Another thing is, have you noticed a change in fuel economy after
installing the cap? (some people claim a lower mpg, while others
swear that installing a camper shell has actually improved their fuel
economy...)

rambow

http://www.mckinleyconversions.com/

this is an option

t-boe

As far as security, if you put in the electric tailgate lock in it would be almost as hard to break into the back as the truck itself. If you have the electric locks on the gate and the cap once your inside lock the truck with the key fob and all is secure. It also has a release on the inside of the truck and is pretty easy to get out of on the inside. My cap has pretty deep tinted windows so it would be difficult to see inside to find any valubles. With anything, including the cab, if someone wants in bad enough they'll find a way. As far as economy, I haven't seen any change for better or worse.

char_ls

WOW! And quite an option it is...
It is the type of conversion that adds to the truck a fully
legal sleeper berth, were the truck to not achieve non-
commercial status... Good looking, and it looks very
comfortable... Thanks for suggesting it.

Though, I'm still exploring the camper shell thingy...
This latter option probably makes more sense for me
at this point, since it is the only way to achieve non-
commercial status for the truck, according to local laws,
which will save me at least $300-500/year in the land of
fruits & nuts (California, for those lucky enough to be
unaware of what that means).

So let's see first if there's a sensible way to achieve a
reasonable degree of security coupled with reasonable
space utilization in the instance of the camper shell...

t-boe

I like the Mckinley conversions. The only probem is they have to cut out the back of the cab and the back of the bed for it. If your going to do it, it's very permanent.

char_ls

OK as far as locks go... but the structure itself, is it as fragile as
it appears to be from the various photographs at the site?

char_ls

Yeah, I'm aware of that, having read a bit about it at their
site... But it seems the only way to make it legal in the case
of a commercial vehicle, the regulations requiring access
to the cabin from the sleeper berth...
And the only way you can make the truck non-commercial
in CA is to add a camper shell...

I like the camper shell idea, I just need to make sure aforehand
that it will be secure enough for my purposes and provide a
reasonably comfortable living space...

t-boe

Oh heck no. It's pretty stout fiberglass. The glass is also tempered. It hailed here awhile ago and the glass took a pounding and no issues(could only fit the cab in the garage). If you look at a Leer up close you'll see. I can't vouch for other brands though.

char_ls

So you say stout fiberglass, and windows tinted in such a
way that is impossible to look at the contents from the outside...

Honestly, would you trust it enough to leave your valuables
in it unattended, and to sleep in it with the truck parked in a
public area?

t-boe

That's why I bought it. I've got two kids in car seats so there isn't much room in the cab for cargo. Since we go to see my parents quite often I needed a space that I could put our luggage, strollers, and what ever else we need to take. It had to be covered and secure. I don't like tonneau covers very much so I chose the cap. The windows are deep tinted, but it's not impossible to see inside. It's dark enough to prevent the passer-by to see inside. I've got pics in my gallery if you want take a look.

char_ls

Congrats!! Your truck looks real good...

As to the windows, it can probably be arranged with the
company to have them tinted much darker than that... (?)
(what they don't see... they don't covet, you know... and
that's a plus when you live in a large metropolitan area as
I do, unfortunately...)

Did you look at other high-quality brands before making the
decision to go with Leer, like A.R.E., Glasstite and Snugtop?
These four are the top brands, as far as I know.

Does anybody reading this have some experience with those,
as a means for comparison?

By the way, I noticed you have what seems to be a
commercial plate on your truck... I don't know what the
situation is in WY, but here in CA wearing a cap entitles
you to non-commercial status and that saves you $300-
500 per year in DMV fees... Something you might want
to look into, but it is very likely that things are not as bad
over there...

Joe T

Can't you get them without side windows? Tint the back one dark.

And with all your stuff back there how will you sleep?

I'd just make a removable bed like I posted before, I'm actually thinking of doing this now, just can't find a reason for it . Maybe deer season I'll think of it again since it sounds easy.

I'd rather be in the cab than in the back if someone tries to break in.

t-boe

I did check out other caps. ARE and Glasstite are good caps. Snugtop really didn't impress me, they're kind of cheesy. My plates aren't commercial. All WY plates look the same. The commercial ones just say "commercial" on the top of them.

char_ls

That's a good idea that would for sure improve security...
However, I don't know whether by removing the side windows
it will still achieve non-commercial status here in CA...

I'll find a way to cut down on stuff... besides, I don't need a
queen-sized mattress back there... the DMV savings alone
makes it worth it.

By all means do it! And please do not forget to post here
pictures and DIY instructions...

I am with you 100% here. I am trying to make it as safe as
possible with the right choice of cap model... As I said, the
savings in CA fees alone makes it worth it. And I'll probably
end up sleeping in the cab a goog number of times for
security reasons too...