Thinking of getting a used camper shell, any advice?

Tacoma General Discussions
1

I have a 2012 crew cab with a 6’ bed and I’m looking at getting a secondhand camper shell. I’ve seen a few on Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist that look decent.

For those who have bought used, I have a few questions:

  • What parts should I check before buying? Any common issues with seals or other parts?
  • How hard is it to install? Do I need extra hands to avoid scratching my truck?
  • Any brands you recommend? I see a lot of Snug Tops, but it seems like people prefer LEER or ARE.

Would appreciate any advice before I pull the trigger!

2

  1. Check the seal around the windows and look for any flaking paint or fiberglass damage. You’ll probably need to replace the bubble seal and seal the bed for dust no matter what. Also, check that the wires for the third brake light are intact. Mine had to be spliced and tapped into the driver-side brake light, then grounded with a self-tapping screw behind the headlight.

  2. You’ll need at least 2-3 people to lift it on safely.

  3. ARE and LEER are solid brands. A lot of other brands are actually just rebadged LEER canopies.