6’ camper shell onto 4.5’ bed

[Refrigman]

Wanted to be able to set up a sleepable camper on my ‘23 Mav. Found that a 1st gen Tacoma shell is the right width and 6’ long. I wanted it to be fully and easily removable so I attached it with 4 C clamps and a couple of inside straps. I removed the shell flip up rear window and put down the Mav tailgate. Then I used a piece of plywood cut to fill the rear opening from the tailgate to the shell and cut out a 30” wide by 36” tall centered door which I piano-hinged back in place after inserting a large rubber mounted fixed glass sunroof in it as a window. ( used material yard buy for $10). The rear assembly is screwed from inside and out to wooden framing attached with screws to the aluminum frame and skin of the shell - nothing on this project is attached to the truck so removal is simple if/when desired. Using an aluminum shell rather than the sleeker fiberglass type makes this easier as well as lighter. Used shells (canopies) are very available and from free to cheap here in Oregon. Craigslist found me this one for $25. Dropped right on when I bought it and clamped and strapped it right away for 70 mile highway drive home. Unfortunately I decided to leave my roll up tonneau cover in place but rolled up , which would have been better to remove before the install. Made it harder to seal the front of the shell where it butted up against the rolled up tonneau so it leaked in the rain. I have since added a transition plywood roof from cab roof to front top of shell. It does not attach to the cab but only to framing attached to the front corners of the shell so it will lift off with the shell. I used 6’ long sections of semi-rigid foam pipe insulation to slip onto the front edge of that slanted plywood rooftop piece as a seal and a point of contact with the cab roof. Also elsewhere to slip into or stuff other openings around rear twilights at the new shell rear wall. I also filled in both sides at the front corners of the shell with plywood attached to the framing that supports that cab to shell roof and am sealing that with more foam and/ or whatever else is needed to seal that area off from rain, etc. That part of this is still a work in progress. I installed a 6’ long by 30” tabletop (another scrapyard buy) on 6 2” x 4” 8” tall legs and have a 28” wide futon on top of that for sleeping. A couple of long narrow shallow covered plastic storage bins slide under that platform and around the bed on either side another of those containers, a folding chair, a folding table, a step stool for easier access at the tailgate, a bottle gas grill and various other camping gear, even a flushing porta potty all fit into what was a too small Mav truck bed. Not much weight or extra wind resistance so mpg only down maybe 2 mpg. Not much lumber and some scrap plywood and 1 window, 1 hinge, 1 residential lock set, some white paint for visibility at rear, some black to paint the cab to shell assembly. For the entire exterior shell and wood plus window and hardware and paint about $150 total. What you might have or need to buy for the interior is another question. In my case I had some and bought some and may buy a little more. And some gear will end up in the back seat area - like a 12volt or 110v refrigerator chest I already have. I will include some photos below.
Sure is hundreds or thousands less expensive than any readymade alternative truck camper new or used except a bed tent, and a lot more secure for both traveling and camping than those. And the truck is totally unmodified by this removable project. Should be easily removed or reinstalled in minutes by two people or even one with a little more effort and maybe a pulley and some rope.

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[Refrigman]

Wanted to be able to set up a sleepable camper on my ‘23 Mav. Found that a 1st gen Tacoma shell is the right width and 6’ long. I wanted it to be fully and easily removable so I attached it with 4 C clamps and a couple of inside straps. I removed the shell flip up rear window and put down the Mav tailgate. Then I used a piece of plywood cut to fill the rear opening from the tailgate to the shell and cut out a 30” wide by 36” tall centered door which I piano-hinged back in place after inserting a large rubber mounted fixed glass sunroof in it as a window. ( used material yard buy for $10). The rear assembly is screwed from inside and out to wooden framing attached with screws to the aluminum frame and skin of the shell - nothing on this project is attached to the truck so removal is simple if/when desired. Using an aluminum shell rather than the sleeker fiberglass type makes this easier as well as lighter. Used shells (canopies) are very available and from free to cheap here in Oregon. Craigslist found me this one for $25. Dropped right on when I bought it and clamped and strapped it right away for 70 mile highway drive home. Unfortunately I decided to leave my roll up tonneau cover in place but rolled up , which would have been better to remove before the install. Made it harder to seal the front of the shell where it butted up against the rolled up tonneau so it leaked in the rain. I have since added a transition plywood roof from cab roof to front top of shell. It does not attach to the cab but only to framing attached to the front corners of the shell so it will lift off with the shell. I used 6’ long sections of semi-rigid foam pipe insulation to slip onto the front edge of that slanted plywood rooftop piece as a seal and a point of contact with the cab roof. Also elsewhere to slip into or stuff other openings around rear twilights at the new shell rear wall. I also filled in both sides at the front corners of the shell with plywood attached to the framing that supports that cab to shell roof and am sealing that with more foam and/ or whatever else is needed to seal that area off from rain, etc. That part of this is still a work in progress. I installed a 6’ long by 30” tabletop (another scrapyard buy) on 6 2” x 4” 8” tall legs and have a 28” wide futon on top of that for sleeping. A couple of long narrow shallow covered plastic storage bins slide under that platform and around the bed on either side another of those containers, a folding chair, a folding table, a step stool for easier access at the tailgate, a bottle gas grill and various other camping gear, even a flushing porta potty all fit into what was a too small Mav truck bed. Not much weight or extra wind resistance so mpg only down maybe 2 mpg. Not much lumber and some scrap plywood and 1 window, 1 hinge, 1 residential lock set, some white paint for visibility at rear, some black to paint the cab to shell assembly. For the entire exterior shell and wood plus window and hardware and paint about $150 total. What you might have or need to buy for the interior is another question. In my case I had some and bought some and may buy a little more. And some gear will end up in the back seat area - like a 12volt or 110v refrigerator chest I already have. I will include some photos below.
Sure is hundreds or thousands less expensive than any readymade alternative truck camper new or used except a bed tent, and a lot more secure for both traveling and camping than those. And the truck is totally unmodified by this removable project. Should be easily removed or reinstalled in minutes by two people or even one with a little more effort and maybe a pulley and some rope.

Taillights , not twilights. Sorry. Autocorrect got me.

 

[Timothyd]

Wanted to be able to set up a sleepable camper on my ‘23 Mav. Found that a 1st gen Tacoma shell is the right width and 6’ long. I wanted it to be fully and easily removable so I attached it with 4 C clamps and a couple of inside straps. I removed the shell flip up rear window and put down the Mav tailgate. Then I used a piece of plywood cut to fill the rear opening from the tailgate to the shell and cut out a 30” wide by 36” tall centered door which I piano-hinged back in place after inserting a large rubber mounted fixed glass sunroof in it as a window. ( used material yard buy for $10). The rear assembly is screwed from inside and out to wooden framing attached with screws to the aluminum frame and skin of the shell - nothing on this project is attached to the truck so removal is simple if/when desired. Using an aluminum shell rather than the sleeker fiberglass type makes this easier as well as lighter. Used shells (canopies) are very available and from free to cheap here in Oregon. Craigslist found me this one for $25. Dropped right on when I bought it and clamped and strapped it right away for 70 mile highway drive home. Unfortunately I decided to leave my roll up tonneau cover in place but rolled up , which would have been better to remove before the install. Made it harder to seal the front of the shell where it butted up against the rolled up tonneau so it leaked in the rain. I have since added a transition plywood roof from cab roof to front top of shell. It does not attach to the cab but only to framing attached to the front corners of the shell so it will lift off with the shell. I used 6’ long sections of semi-rigid foam pipe insulation to slip onto the front edge of that slanted plywood rooftop piece as a seal and a point of contact with the cab roof. Also elsewhere to slip into or stuff other openings around rear twilights at the new shell rear wall. I also filled in both sides at the front corners of the shell with plywood attached to the framing that supports that cab to shell roof and am sealing that with more foam and/ or whatever else is needed to seal that area off from rain, etc. That part of this is still a work in progress. I installed a 6’ long by 30” tabletop (another scrapyard buy) on 6 2” x 4” 8” tall legs and have a 28” wide futon on top of that for sleeping. A couple of long narrow shallow covered plastic storage bins slide under that platform and around the bed on either side another of those containers, a folding chair, a folding table, a step stool for easier access at the tailgate, a bottle gas grill and various other camping gear, even a flushing porta potty all fit into what was a too small Mav truck bed. Not much weight or extra wind resistance so mpg only down maybe 2 mpg. Not much lumber and some scrap plywood and 1 window, 1 hinge, 1 residential lock set, some white paint for visibility at rear, some black to paint the cab to shell assembly. For the entire exterior shell and wood plus window and hardware and paint about $150 total. What you might have or need to buy for the interior is another question. In my case I had some and bought some and may buy a little more. And some gear will end up in the back seat area - like a 12volt or 110v refrigerator chest I already have. I will include some photos below.
Sure is hundreds or thousands less expensive than any readymade alternative truck camper new or used except a bed tent, and a lot more secure for both traveling and camping than those. And the truck is totally unmodified by this removable project. Should be easily removed or reinstalled in minutes by two people or even one with a little more effort and maybe a pulley and some rope.

Pretty funky looking but I like the concept. The short bed is an impediment to quick camping.
I'm considering a regular cap and a slide out bottom part for the bottom half for my feet.

 

[Maverickman74]

As they say "make it with Maverick".

That's totally the style I would go with on my own stuff.
That should do exactly what you need.

 

[Refrigman]

Pretty funky looking but I like the concept. The short bed is an impediment to quick camping.
I'm considering a regular cap and a slide out bottom part for the bottom half for my feet.

The limited availability and high cost of a short “regular “ cap for the Mac in addition to the limitation of the 4.5’ length is why I went with the used 1st gen Tacoma cap instead for this project. Funky looking for me is more than offset by the functionality and minimal cost. And the easy removability should allow a return to much sleeker tonneau cover when the canopy is not needed. (Though that is not yet tested.)

 

[Refrigman]

The very limited availability and choice and cost of a short “regular” cap is what made me choose a used 6’ 1st gen Tacoma canopy for this project. The funky look is for me more than offset by the improved functionality and minimal cost and complexity, as well as the easy removability, allowing a return to the sleek look of the roll up tonneau cover which is still installed, at least for now. (That removability is still theoretical and untested for now.)

 

[ThisWas]

Prettier than a Cybertruck.

 

[FamousAmos]

I am speechless. I am reminded of ................................................................... never mind.

 

[JimKivi]

Wanted to be able to set up a sleepable camper on my ‘23 Mav. Found that a 1st gen Tacoma shell is the right width and 6’ long. I wanted it to be fully and easily removable so I attached it with 4 C clamps and a couple of inside straps. I removed the shell flip up rear window and put down the Mav tailgate. Then I used a piece of plywood cut to fill the rear opening from the tailgate to the shell and cut out a 30” wide by 36” tall centered door which I piano-hinged back in place after inserting a large rubber mounted fixed glass sunroof in it as a window. ( used material yard buy for $10). The rear assembly is screwed from inside and out to wooden framing attached with screws to the aluminum frame and skin of the shell - nothing on this project is attached to the truck so removal is simple if/when desired. Using an aluminum shell rather than the sleeker fiberglass type makes this easier as well as lighter. Used shells (canopies) are very available and from free to cheap here in Oregon. Craigslist found me this one for $25. Dropped right on when I bought it and clamped and strapped it right away for 70 mile highway drive home. Unfortunately I decided to leave my roll up tonneau cover in place but rolled up , which would have been better to remove before the install. Made it harder to seal the front of the shell where it butted up against the rolled up tonneau so it leaked in the rain. I have since added a transition plywood roof from cab roof to front top of shell. It does not attach to the cab but only to framing attached to the front corners of the shell so it will lift off with the shell. I used 6’ long sections of semi-rigid foam pipe insulation to slip onto the front edge of that slanted plywood rooftop piece as a seal and a point of contact with the cab roof. Also elsewhere to slip into or stuff other openings around rear twilights at the new shell rear wall. I also filled in both sides at the front corners of the shell with plywood attached to the framing that supports that cab to shell roof and am sealing that with more foam and/ or whatever else is needed to seal that area off from rain, etc. That part of this is still a work in progress. I installed a 6’ long by 30” tabletop (another scrapyard buy) on 6 2” x 4” 8” tall legs and have a 28” wide futon on top of that for sleeping. A couple of long narrow shallow covered plastic storage bins slide under that platform and around the bed on either side another of those containers, a folding chair, a folding table, a step stool for easier access at the tailgate, a bottle gas grill and various other camping gear, even a flushing porta potty all fit into what was a too small Mav truck bed. Not much weight or extra wind resistance so mpg only down maybe 2 mpg. Not much lumber and some scrap plywood and 1 window, 1 hinge, 1 residential lock set, some white paint for visibility at rear, some black to paint the cab to shell assembly. For the entire exterior shell and wood plus window and hardware and paint about $150 total. What you might have or need to buy for the interior is another question. In my case I had some and bought some and may buy a little more. And some gear will end up in the back seat area - like a 12volt or 110v refrigerator chest I already have. I will include some photos below.
Sure is hundreds or thousands less expensive than any readymade alternative truck camper new or used except a bed tent, and a lot more secure for both traveling and camping than those. And the truck is totally unmodified by this removable project. Should be easily removed or reinstalled in minutes by two people or even one with a little more effort and maybe a pulley and some rope.

Looking GOOD! I faced the same issue with my Maverick, and added the top of a Silverado shell, overlapping the Mav roof and sealing with door seal foam. The issue with water from the roof is a puzzler. Other options on the "possibles" list are a fold out section for feet, or a diagonal bed. I have had better luck with the "C" clamps made for camper shells than standard C clamps in the past, and at least one bolt/side to maintain position. Again, nice work!

 

[Refrigman]

Prettier than a Cybertruck.

Other than an Aztec, what isn’t?

 

[J_Rizzers]

this adaptation is great.
nice work

 

[MrShadetree]

Jankey is the word that comes to mind.. Why didn’t you just buy a truck that fits your needs?!

 

[Refrigman]

Jankey is the word that comes to mind.. Why didn’t you just buy a truck that fits your needs?!

Because I do not need a camper shell most of the time and the short bed with rollup tonneau works for me most of the time. Also the gas mileage as well as the much higher purchase cost on crew cab trucks with longer beds makes the Mav unique. I drove mostly Toyota 4 cylinder trucks as well as Datsun, S10 and Dodge D50s for my appliance business for 30 years, all old beaters with manual or power lift gates, and those are what have been missing from the market since the small Ford Ranger left in 2011. The crew cab option to give a true rear seat 4 door with a short bed is a market changer for many but sometimes I want the option of camping and sleeping comfortably in the load bed. Preferably at minimal cost and construction effort. And the rest of the time it looks like the photo below. At almost age 79 I am too old to care if everyone likes how my ride looks. When someone else pays for it they get a say in how it looks. Until then it’s my way.

 

[Refrigman]

Thanks to a posting for rust oleum gloss blue paint used on someone’s calipers I bought same paint for my extended camper shell on my Atlas Blue EB truck. Maybe those if you thinking it looked “janky” will like this look better - my wife does.

Because I do not need a camper shell most of the time and the short bed with rollup tonneau works for me most of the time. Also the gas mileage as well as the much higher purchase cost on crew cab trucks with longer beds makes the Mav unique. I drove mostly Toyota 4 cylinder trucks as well as Datsun, S10 and Dodge D50s for my appliance business for 30 years, all old beaters with manual or power lift gates, and those are what have been missing from the market since the small Ford Ranger left in 2011. The crew cab option to give a true rear seat 4 door with a short bed is a market changer for many but sometimes I want the option of camping and sleeping comfortably in the load bed. Preferably at minimal cost and construction effort. And the rest of the time it looks like the photo below. At almost age 79 I am too old to care if everyone likes how my ride looks. When someone else pays for it they get a say in how it looks. Until then it’s my way.

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