My camper shell is on order and they asked me if I wanted to bolt it or clamp it to the truck?


Pro's or con's from those that care to offer?


thanks


cmc

I had mine clamped on; every once in a while check to make sure they are still tight. Did not want to drill holes through the top of the bed in case I would need to take it off somewhere down the road (?? 5th wheel??).

I originally had my cap clamped on. It "creeped" about 1/4" backwards in the 2 years I had it that way. I took it off last November for some body work and when I reinstalled it I used the bolting system supplied by Slide Systems with the new bed rails and rolling toolbox that I put in before installing the cap. They have a very strong toggle clamp system that fits in the four stake pockets to mount the rails/tracks for the toolbox. As an option, they sell keyhole clamp plates that clamp down the shell on the rail bolts - very strong mount and very secure.

Have always used the claw type clamps on all past trucks. They held pretty good and I never wanted to drill holes in the bed rails, but........when the new '05 comes in I will be using the bolt on method. Why? For me it's a PITA trying to get the cap positioned right again if I remove it and the clamps eventually end up being tightened down so tight that they leave a worse mark on the rails than holes would have. At least with the holes you can always hide them with rubber grommet type plugs. I also attach the padding to the cap and not the rails.

With "bolt on" I might be more apt to take the cap off more often and clean the back window http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Clown.gif

Just my .02

Tilt-in back window makes that a lot easier.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

Tilt-in back window makes that a lot easier.http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/smileys/Wink.gif

I ASSume you mean a tilt-in front cap window???? Good idea - gonna check into it when ordering my cap.

Yep, the window between the cab and the top tilts inside the top so the back cab glass and the front of the cap window can be cleaned.

Yep, the window between the cab and the top tilts inside the top so the back cab glass and the front of the cap window can be cleaned.


who makes that? I have a Leer and that would be a sweet feature!!! -Jeff

Jeff,


Check with your Leer dealer, they offer it as an option on new toppers. A dealer may be able to install one in your topper.


Joe

'Twas an option (I bought) on my Astro. I think it's pretty common.

I bolt mine. I've owned about 10 canopies in the past 20 years, all Leer 100 except for 2 ARE which ARE had to buy back for quality problems. I admit my trucks and canopies are put to extreme use in Central America including a lot of off road. I clamped one of the canopies back in 82, but could never get the clamps to stay tight, and almost lost it in Baja. I then went to a system of 6 bolts with locktite and locknuts and have never had a problem with loosening. Last one was on a 02 D/A 4X4 CC which was driven 73,000 tough miles in two years, mostly in Central America. Bolts were tight when we took it off. Takes the worry out of it.

Compression boot on the cap side against the truck window works really well also; doesn't leak and only one piece of glass to look through. Mine was made by ARE in the Z series.

Get some good gaskets to go between the bed rails and the shell. Check out Missouri Polymers (truckcapseals.com). I've used their seals on 3 vehicles using clamps and have never had a problem. Most dealers use some light weight adhesive backed bubble foam or similar because it is cheap and it will cause you problems down the line. If you go with the Missouri Polymers products, call on the phone to order. Works out to be less expensive than ordering off of the web site. Great stuff, no bull and they ship promptly.