Camper shells are also known as caps or toppers. These rigid canopies or small housings are mainly used as pick-up truck accessories. Camper shell housings are made out of aluminum or fiberglass. These are normally mounted on the rear bed’s top of the pickup truck. It entirely covers the truck bed like a roof.

The shells are large and can sometimes be used for camping purposes. In fact it was initially built for camping. Nowadays, the shells are used for storage and utility purposes. Some shells can be large enough to overlap the cab of the truck’s top.

Camper Trucks

Truck Camper is a term used in North America that refers to any RV or recreational vehicle carried in the pickup truck's bed. It is also commonly called TC as its resulting acronym. The types of recreational vehicles in North America are sometimes referred as cab-over or slide-in.

The term dismountable or demountable are frequently used in Europe. Slide-in is the term generally used in Australia when referring to types that belong to recreational vehicles.

Perhaps the most flexible type of recreational vehicles is truck campers. This type of truck is able to go anywhere pickup trucks can go. These are made available in the market since the early 1950s. Throughout the years, these products had gone through developments and enhancements that make them at the same level or type as to recreational vehicle types.

In North America, the leading and largest manufacturer for truck campers is the Lance Camper Manufacturing Corporation. This corporation is located at Lancaster, California. The second largest manufacturer is Arctic Fox located at La Grande, Oregon. People in Canada and the western part of United States still continue to use and buy truck campers. In addition, Canada and the United States are the headquarters of large truck camper manufacturers. Truck campers are also becoming popular in Australia due to its practicality and versatility.

These are also a perfect choice for fishermen, horseback riders and hunters as well as sports enthusiasts. The reason why a lot of outdoor kind of people picks truck campers is that their horse trailers or boats are easily pulled behind and they can camp off the road for relative comfort.

It costs the same as larger recreational vehicles. All amenities must be packed in a smaller package. Recreational vehicles must be able to bear the abuse of bumpy roads

Recreational Vehicle Classes

Some recreational vehicle classes are also considered truck campers.

First is the Clamshell. The construction of this type of recreational vehicle is utilized by two manufacturers from Canada. The two manufacturers are Northern Lite and Bigfoot. This vehicle consists of two fiberglass camper shells horizontally joined together at the center.

Hardside Aluminum is a type of camper that utilizes aluminum or wood framing. The camper is finished with an aluminum siding.

Hardside Filon utilizes wood framing usually made of fir. It is finished with Filon, a thin layer of fiberglass on the backing of the wood.

The popup type is usually low in profile. It is designed to cut down on wind resistance and weight. The construction techniques mentioned above may be applicable for this type of camper except for the Clamshell. This truck's roof is raised mechanically to add some height.

Camper shells are necessary accessories that owners buy to protect the loads in their trucks. Almost all trucks you see on the road are adorned with these.