campershells-alumn vs glass

I am shopping for a shell for my truck and looking for opinions on whether to get alumninum or fiberglass. I will be mounting my racks on top obviously. Any suggestions?


-Brian

I have a fiberglass shell (Leer) and put my yak on top with a rack and it works great.  The only trouble with the shell is that after several years the clearcoat is blistering off and I have to get it repainted.

How much weight do you plan to carry on the racks?
Fiberglass shell can hold up to 300lbs, which is more than I ever plan to carry.
Here is my fiberglass shell.  
Leer camper shell   Yakima roof rack   sliding glass window   installation   tax == $1616.46

I've got a fiberglass shell (I think it is called an Impulse) on my ranger with yakima bars & it has worked great the last couple of years. I got the cheaper version shell without a lining, but one of my paddling friends had a lined shell that was really nice. The liner looked kind of like marine carpet, and the bonuses were no condensation when sleeping in the truck, plus she had little hook only velcro tabs to hang stuff on & they would stick to the liner anywhere. It was a nice setup. I don't have any experience with the aluminum shells, but it seems that most people prefer the fiberglass for low maintenance.
-Sean

My humble opinion, here, but I think the aluminum shells are lighter, stronger, and (often) cheaper than fiberglass.  Don't look quite as good, tho.

If you plan to sleep in the shell or MV, the lining will keep things cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  Also the Leer model I bought has sliding windows to keep me cool during those hot summer nights.

Thanks for all the input. I think I am leaning towards the glass at this point. How much does the gas milage suffer from the shells?

-Brian G

Highliner is what I have on my truck.  2nd one purchased.  I choose the glass because I know I would be sleeping in the bed during camping trips, and I wanted something insulated.  The weight of my shell is about 230lbs (my first on on my SB was only 175lbs) but 230lbs on a 3/4 ton is nothing.
 2002 Dodge QC,LB CTD.

I carry mu outback on a yakima rack system installed on the shell.

I think I will be ordering a insulated fiberglass shell! Thanks for the unput guys.

-Brian

Can't say I really noticed much of a loss of MPG when I had the shell put on, but my truck is not a full size either. When my brother in law had one put onto his F350 I think the mileage might actually have increased by a tiny bit due to less wind drag swirling around in the bed.
The think I noticed right away was a slight improvement in ride. Since the rear axle actually had some weight on it it felt less bouncy.