Truck Camper Shells and Canopies: Aluminum Caps, Toppers and Fitment

A camper shell, truck cap, topper or canopy all do the same basic job: enclose your truck bed so gear stays dry and locked up. Where they differ is construction, how you get into the bed, and whether the roof can carry a rack or a rooftop tent. This guide explains the types, the materials, load ratings, freight shipping and fitment, using the aluminum and stainless caps, soft shells and canopy systems we carry from Overland Vehicle Systems, Westin, Dirtbox Overland and Goose Gear.

Camper shell vs canopy vs topper vs wedge camper

These names get used loosely, and manufacturers do not agree on them. Here is how the terms usually break down in the overland world.

If you would rather keep the bed open and mount a tent above it, a bed rack is the other route. Our Tacoma bed rack guide covers that approach.

What material is best for a truck cap?

Aluminum

Aluminum caps are the common overland choice because they are strong for their weight. Westin builds its EXP caps from five-piece powder-coated aluminum with gullwing side doors and a no-drill install. The Westin EXP Truck Cap for the 2015-2026 F-150 is listed at 700 lb static and 300 lb dynamic, with a 3 year limited warranty. Dirtbox Overland's Gull Wing Truck Bed Topper is TIG and laser welded T5/T6 extruded aluminum, weighs 150 to 230 lb depending on bed length per Dirtbox, and comes pre-wired with LED lighting, a 12V outlet and USB ports.

Stainless steel

Overland Vehicle Systems builds its Expedition PRO caps from marine-grade stainless steel, which OVS chose for strength and corrosion resistance. The OVS Expedition PRO for the 2024-2027 Tacoma is a five-piece modular design with full wing doors on both sides, tempered glass front and rear windows, a third brake light and integrated MOLLE-PAL panels inside. OVS lists shipping weights of 314 lb for the 5 ft bed and 347 lb for the 6 ft bed, so stainless is heavier than aluminum.

Canvas soft shell

The OVS Explorer Soft Shell uses an aluminum frame with waterproof Black Diamond Canvas and DOT-tinted vinyl windows. OVS says one person can set it up, fold it or remove it, and it attaches with zippers and belt rails. It is the lightest option, but canvas will not lock up gear the way a hard cap does, and it is not a platform for a rooftop tent.

Traditional fiberglass caps are also common. We do not list fiberglass caps, but we do carry racks made for them, covered below.

Load ratings: can a truck cap hold a roof rack or rooftop tent?

This is the most important spec if you plan to build on top of the cap. Two numbers matter:

• Dynamic load is what the roof can carry while driving. It is always the lower number, and it has to cover the rack plus the tent plus anything else on the roof.
• Static load is what the roof can hold parked. This is what matters when people are sleeping in a rooftop tent.

Ratings vary a lot between products, so read each listing. Westin lists its F-150 EXP cap at 700 lb static and 300 lb dynamic. The OVS Expedition PRO+ listings note that any rooftop tent or rack load is limited by the rails and rack you choose. On the OVS Excursion camper shell and rooftop tent combo, OVS rates the load-carrying crossbars at 45 lb with the tent open and 100 lb closed. Your cap is only as strong as the weakest link between the bed rails, the cap, the rails and the rack.

Rack options include the Westin EXP Roof Rack for mid-size caps, which Westin says is engineered to take most rooftop tents, and for fiberglass toppers with Thule or Yakima tracks, the Prinsu Top Rack for 2022-2026 Tundra toppers. Prinsu notes its capacity is limited by the topper itself, so check the topper maker's guidelines first. Browse rooftop tents once the platform is sorted.

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Windows, doors and side access

Side access is the main reason overlanders move from a traditional cap to a canopy. With wing or gullwing doors you can reach a fridge, drawers or a toolbox from the side of the truck instead of crawling in from the tailgate.

• Solid wing doors. The OVS Expedition PRO uses full stainless wing doors held open by gas struts. Westin's EXP caps use double-wall gullwing doors with locking T-handles and an interior emergency release.
• Glass wing doors. The OVS Expedition PRO+ for the 2022-2027 Tundra uses full tempered glass wing doors, sliding windows for airflow and security cages.
• Front glass. Westin offers solid front glass versions like the EXP cap for the 2016-2023 Tacoma, and says sliding front glass versions exist for specific bed sizes. Dirtbox includes a front sliding pass-through window.

Inside, plan your storage around the doors. OVS caps have integrated MOLLE panels, Westin sells toolbox shells and a folding-table shelf that mount inside its EXP caps, and Dirtbox builds L-track into its roof. For more ideas, see our truck bed storage and organization guide.

Canopy campers and interior systems

A canopy camper adds a place to sleep. The OVS Excursion combines a truck cap and a pop-up rooftop tent in one unit; OVS says the tent pops up in about 30 seconds and the whole unit clamps on with no drilling. You can start with the OVS Expedition cap and add the tent later. Dirtbox Overland also builds a Canopy Camper for the INEOS Quartermaster with gullwing doors, a rooftop sleeping area with a memory foam mattress, built-in lighting and 12V and USB power.

For trucks running an Alu-Cab Canopy Camper, Goose Gear makes modular interior systems. The Goose Gear Alu-Cab Canopy Camper V4 Adventurist system ties into the Alu-Cab extrusion channels and is sold one side at a time. It requires the Goose Gear Bed Plate System, which Goose Gear says requires drilling into the bed. Browse Goose Gear for modules by truck.

Which truck caps fit my truck?

Caps are built for a specific truck and bed length, and the listings say plainly that a cap built for one bed will not fit another. Measure your bed and match the option. Here is a sample of what we list by truck; fitment comes from each product page.

For full-size truck accessory ideas, see our F-150 accessories guide, Tundra overland build guide and Tacoma overland build guide.

Freight shipping and installation

Hard caps and canopy campers are large, heavy items. They ship by freight truck, not ground parcel. The OVS listings say to plan on a delivery appointment, and Westin's cap listings note they do not ship by ground delivery. A few practical points:

• Plan the unload. Several OVS caps list shipping weights over 300 lb. Have help, or a forklift or truck-height dock if you can.
• Install with two people minimum. OVS says its modular caps are a two-person job at minimum even with the five-piece design.
• Know the mounting style. Many OVS and Westin caps are listed as no-drill installs; interior plate systems may require drilling.
• Think about the roof first. OVS suggests deciding on rails, racks and tent mounts before install day.

Freight delivery details and any shipping charges show at checkout. If you have questions about delivery to your address, call us before you order.

What NVMOS carries

We carry hard caps, soft shells, canopy campers and the racks and interior systems that go with them:

• OVS Expedition PRO Truck Cap, Tacoma 2024-2027
• OVS Expedition PRO+ Truck Cap, Tundra 2022-2027
• OVS Excursion Camper Shell and Rooftop Tent Combo
• OVS Explorer Soft Shell, F-150 5.5 ft
• Westin EXP Truck Cap, F-150 2015-2026
• Dirtbox Overland Gull Wing Truck Bed Topper
• Westin EXP Roof Rack, mid-size

Browse by category: Campers and camper shells, Overland Vehicle Systems, Westin, Dirtbox Overland, Goose Gear, Rooftop tents, Bed racks, Tacoma, Tundra, F-150, Super Duty, Jeep Gladiator, Shop by vehicle and our vendor warranty policies.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a camper shell and a canopy?

The terms overlap. A camper shell, truck cap or topper is usually a fixed cover that encloses the bed, often with a rear door and windows. Canopy is the common overland and Australian term, and it usually means an aluminum or steel cap with side wing or gullwing doors so you can reach the bed from the ground. A canopy camper adds a sleeping area, often a rooftop tent built into the cap.

Do truck caps fit every bed length?

No. Truck caps are made for a specific truck and bed length, and a cap built for one bed will not fit another. Many listings come in two versions, such as the 5 ft and 6 ft Tacoma bed or the 5.5 ft and 6.5 ft Tundra bed. Measure your bed and choose the matching option.

Can I put a rooftop tent on a truck cap?

Many caps are built for it, but the limit is whatever the cap and its rack are rated for. Westin lists its EXP cap for the F-150 at 700 lb static and 300 lb dynamic. OVS says rooftop tent loads on its Expedition PRO+ caps are limited by the rails and rack you choose. Always check both the cap and rack ratings against the weight of your tent.

Do camper shells require drilling to install?

Many don't. OVS lists its Expedition PRO+ caps and the Excursion combo as no-drill installs, and Westin lists its EXP caps as no-drill. Check the install notes on your specific listing. Interior systems can be different: the Goose Gear Bed Plate System for the Alu-Cab Canopy Camper requires drilling into the bed.

How are truck caps shipped?

Hard caps are large and heavy, so they ship by freight truck rather than ground parcel service. OVS lists shipping weights over 300 lb on several caps and notes you should plan on a delivery appointment, and Westin's cap listings note they do not ship by ground delivery. Have a plan and a helper to unload and install.

What is a soft shell bed topper?

A soft shell is a folding aluminum frame with a canvas cover that encloses the bed. The OVS Explorer Soft Shell uses waterproof Black Diamond Canvas, attaches with zippers and belt rails, and is made for one person to set up, fold or remove. It weighs and costs less than a hard cap but does not offer the same security or roof load capacity.

Not sure what fits? Call a real person at (920) 249-7744 or send us a message, and we'll check fitment before you order.