I live in a shell from A.R.E. There are fancy truck campers from basic to filled with electronic goodies like televisions and microwave ovens. Here is a list of truck campers for small pick ups that I checked out before deciding on the shell.
outfitter
capri camper
four wheel camper
Alaskan camper
Each company has different configurations and different prices and different options. All of my life I wanted an Alaskan camper, but realized that I would really need a larger truck and more money than I wanted to spend. With the fancy truck campers there is always the maintenance for winter, finding a place to plug into, dealing with port-a-potties, and paying the fancy truck camper off. With the shell there is nothing that ever needs to be done. Love that part.
Cooking inside of the shell is doable, but with a 20 lb tank of propane I do not want to cook inside. I have been thinking about getting one of those small canisters of propane, but I would still have to deposit the big tank outside. That will not work in Walmart parking lots, Cabelas or any other parking lot. Hmm. May have to give up the 20 lb tank. I certainly don’t cook as much as I thought I would.
These are some of the decisions I fussed with before starting off. After 5 years I am more than pleased with the final decision of an A.R.E. topper. Am still using the 20 lb propane tank. And still thinking about downsizing it.
Desert Camping
Truck Camper Hints 
Your blog is a great resource for me.
Does the rear window seal on the DUCO cap do a good job of keeping dust out when driving on dirt roads?
Does the DUCO cap keep you dry in the rain?
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It’s a ARE cap from their commercial line. No it doesn’t keep out the dust. But it is a very minor inconvenience . No rain. Once I made a mistake in the car wash and hard pressure sprayed in a corner that got water inside. Thanks for kind comment about blog.
On Tue, Nov 3, 2020 at 2:12 PM Truck Camper Hints wrote:
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I use an alcohol stove, which is much safer than propane. Zero chance of explosion or leaks. Not cheap, but will last forever, and you can occasionally find a used one, although owners tend to hang on to their “precious” lol.
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You have me rethinking propane! Thank you.
Pickett
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I just got an ARE MX top for my 2001 Tundra on Craigslist. I feel really lucky. I am having a difficult time trying to figure out how to insulate it though. It’s just a shell. Any thoughts? Love the blog…
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Mark I have no insulation. I have 2 great sleeping bags, down coat, and ear muffs. I just drive to somewhere warmer if it gets below 20 degrees. Thanks for reading the blog!
On Tue, Feb 11, 2020 at 10:22 AM Truck Camper Hints wrote:
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