Tacoma Camper Shell
Toyota Tacoma Camper Shell Review
You already know the Toyota Tacoma is built to handle just about anything. However, to get even more out of it, you want a camper shell. Whether it is for overlanding, off roading, or for work, a Tacoma camper shell is the dream upgrade for your truck. It will help you increase your Taco’s storage capacity, keeping accessories and gear, safe, dry and hidden, as well as providing more space and comfort for you inside the truck.
Now, camper shells come in all shapes and sizes, from hard caps to soft canopies. Some are for Tacoma short beds, or Tacoma 6ft beds, you have plenty of options to choose from. Nonetheless, plenty of options also means you need to do some research on each Tacoma camper shell for sale.
In this article, we’ll break down the different types of camper shells for the Tacoma and help you figure out which one fits your needs best. Whether you're a seasoned overlander, an adventurer, or just need extra space for family road trips, there’s a camper shell that’s perfect for you. Remember the guide below goes only over a few of the caps, not all of them. We have more for sale, and if you have questions about one not reviewed (we can't review all of them otherwise it's too long), call us: 844-200-3979.
Alternatively, just scroll down and find all the Tacoma camper shell models we have for sale at Off Road Tents.
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Evo Adventure 3rd Gen Tacoma Camper Shell
Let’s begin with the RSI Smartcap Evo Adventure, the best 3rd Gen Tacoma camper shell in the entire market. Forget other brands, other designs, this is the very best Toyota Tacoma camper shell you can get for the 3rd Gen models. Why? Let’s begin with the forged stainless steel forged construction, that can hold not only an impressive 770 lbs over it (in case you want to add a cap rack over it), but it seamlessly fits right over your Taco’s bed.
Assembling this bed cap takes less than 30 minutes, as it constitutes of 5 panels, and it sits right over the bed attaching to the inner rails all Tacoma trucks have. Now, you can open three gullwing doors, one on each side and one at the back, offering what’s essentially a 270-degree access to the bed of your truck. On top of that, you can add molle panels or additional RSI accessories inside the side windows for a better and more efficient storage. For example, you can add the RSI kitchen, or cargo boxes sitting right inside these side windows.
How about quality? Well, these are not only made of steel, but manufactured in South Africa, directly at RSI Smartcap’s headquarters. They are fully powder coated, are double walled for more insulation and strength, there is a positive pressure air ventilation inside of them, a third break light at the back, premium hinges for the windows, which are lockable, and a 3-year warranty. Top, top quality.
What we like:
- Can be opened from all sides to allow for easy access of your truck bed
- Forged stainless steel construction for a 4-season use
- 770 lbs load rating
- 15-minute drill-free installation
OVS Toyota Tacoma Truck Cap
Is there an affordable stainless steel Toyota Tacoma truck cap? Yes, the OVS Expedition truck cap is affordable and of excellent quality. It has three full gullwing windows, which open higher than any other windows from any other truck cap. In case you’re wondering these windows are all lockable for added safety, and only the one at the back has a glass panel to look inside the cap, protected with a heavy-duty cage, and the side windows are covered in steel.
The weight rating or capacity of the OVS cap is of 750 lbs, and it already comes pre-installed with integrated roof rails, so you can add either cross bars or a full platform cap rack to carry even more gear, such as tents, ladders or such over the cap itself. At the back there is a third break light for safety.
Installation is quite simple, as this Tacoma truck cap uses a very classic clamping system, which attaches to the existing t-slot rails inside the Tacoma’s bed. Just bolt it and tighten the bolts and you’re good to go. Finally, the modular design allows you to take it apart, removing all the panel components for a simple installation or take down. Just in case, this only fits a Tacoma short bed.
What we like:
- Affordable price
- 750 lbs load rating
- Heavy-duty lockable latches for additional security
- Integrated roof rails to easily install crossbars or a rack over the cap itself
Evo Sport Tacoma Bed Camper Shell
The RSI Evo Sport Smartcap is one of the most popular Tacoma bed camper shells and for good reason. Designed to fit both short and long bed Tacoma models, it's particularly well-suited for more serious overlanding (hence the “sport” name), it has a rugged design and premium quality. Inspired by the harsh trails of Africa, this Smartcap EvoS is built tough and ready to transform your Tacoma into the ultimate overlanding rig.
Made from premium stainless steel and engineered for durability, this bed camper shell offers an impressive 770 lbs load rating, making it a powerhouse for carrying heavy gear. Another great feature of this Tacoma bed camper shell are the innovative gullwing doors that provide up to 17% wider access than other shells in the market. That means you can grab your gear easily, say goodbye to crawling into the bed to reach what you need.
Beyond weatherproof protection, this Evo Sport Tacoma camper shell comes with built-in roof rails. These rails make it easy to mount a rack or crossbars over it, to carry gear like bikes, kayaks, or rooftop tents, maximizing your storage capacity. With its combination of strength, functionality, and smart design, this camper shell offers far more than just bed coverage, it’s an investment in every adventure you’ll take.
What we like:
- Modular design, easy to assemble and install in less than an hour
- Lightweight yet sturdy steel construction
- 770 lbs weight capacity
- Sleek and modern design
OVS Toyota Tacoma With Camper
If you don’t just want a truck bed cap, but rather a full camper system, then the OVS Magpak is what you’re after. This will turn your truck into a Toyota Tacoma with a camper, essentially you get a 2 in 1: the camper shell and over it a roof top tent.
The OVS MagPak is made of aircraft-grade aluminum, which keeps it lightweight not to compromise the speed, handling and fuel consumption of your Taco. At the same time, the hardware is marine grade stainless steel for maximum durability and quality. The cap or shell is great, as it has three gullwing windows, all of them can be fully opened to access your truck’s bed from any side.
Also, if you decide to jump into the truck’s bed to climb onto the sleeping area, you will find that the sleeping area is retractable. This means you can create more headroom inside the camper shell when needed, or just retract it when you’re going to sleep to have a longer and more comfortable sleeping area.
Installation is simple, as it doesn’t require any drilling. Instead, it fits your Tacoma like a glove, thanks to a clamping system onto the inner t-slot rails of the Tacoma’s bed. Other great features include multi-point exterior mounting points to tie, attach or secure any other gear you need. There is also an inner LED light to illuminate the inside of your bed at night, molle panels on the doors to increase the cargo carrying capacity, and finally a completely 4-season weatherproof construction.
What we like:
- Camper shell and roof top tent combo
- Lightweight aluminum construction
- Multiple tie-down points and storage compartments for maximum cargo carrying capacity
- Retractable sleeping area increases headspace inside cap when needed
Shadowtop Camper Shell For Toyota Tacoma Short Bed
For those who need a camper shell for the Toyota Tacoma short bed, we present to you the most original and creative camper shell in the market: the GAIA Shadowtop. Finally, someone who decided to design something different, something with some sort of personality.
You’re looking at a small camper shell that prioritizes protection, thanks to an extremely strong and robust stainless steel construction, as well as a more conical design, the Shadowtop will last forever, as well as being more aerodynamic than any other cap. The fully welded steel construction comes with no structural bolts that can rattle when driving on off road trails. On top of that, it has an operable sliding window in the front wall of the cap, behind your truck cab, so you can access it from there too.
The rear door opens up completely towards the sky, with a massive space for you to reach anything in the bed, or easily store anything inside. It’s impressive how wide it can be opened. There are two smaller side doors or windows that open downwards and are held by a metal cord, allowing you to have more space to reach inside the camper shell. Finally, it features an LED light inside for better visibility at night. You wanted something different? You got it!
What we like:
- Completely different and innovative design
- Outstanding robust stainless steel construction
- Rear door opens a lot more than any other cap for easy access inside
- LED light inside the camper shell for more visibility
Tacoma Camper Shell 6Ft
If you own a Taco with a 6 ft bed, then this is the right cap for you. GAIA Campers designed a specific Tacoma Camper Shell 6ft model, built from premium stainless steel, elegantly powder coated in black, and with two side windows on each side of the shell, so essentially you get 5 windows to access your bed from the outside. And yes, all the doors or windows are lockable, as a matter of fact they come with two locking paddle latches on each door.
The camper shell itself comes with a third break light on the back, as well as an LED light strip in the inside for better visibility. The rear door has a glass, which is reinforced with safety steel bars on the window interiors, which keeps the contents inside your Tacoma’s bed safe and secure.
The exterior side doors or windows come with mounting panels, so you can add more gear or accessories to them to increase the cargo storage capacity. The installation of the camper shell itself is quite simple, using a mounting clamp system, standard in the industry. Finally, these have a 700 lbs weight capacity, enough to carry more weight over it of needed!
What we like:
- Specifically design for the Tacoma long bed
- 5 gullwing windows or side doors for easy access
- You can sleep inside!
- LED light included for better visibility inside
Fast Top Tacoma Soft Top Camper Shell
What if you don’t really need a large, heavy and bulky camper shell? Well, thankfully this world is full of options, and even in the overlanding world you can get something different. Fast Top came up with what is the absolute best Tacoma soft top camper shell. Let’s find out why.
First, price wise we are looking at an affordable soft canopy for under $1000. Add to that an internal collapsible frame, which literally makes it a breeze to fold down and store, or just re-open and set up. The frame is made of aircraft grade aluminum alloy, built for total durability and to withstand even the harshest weather and wind.
It has an outer canvas, which is waterproof, to ensure your gear is safe and dry, plus it’s resistant to punctures, tears, and whatever the road throws at it. And the best part is you can install it in less than 30 seconds. That’s right, just open it in a matter of 10 seconds, and set it up over the bed with a pin system that’s a piece of cake. It offers a 2-year warranty, and despite not being a lockable canopy, it keeps items relatively safe, dry, and in place.
What we like:
- The most affordable Tacoma canopy
- The lightest option
- Sets up in less than one minute
- Extremely high quality and durability
Evo Commercial Truck Caps For Tacoma
Looking for a commercial Tacoma camper shell? Something that’s made more for business than pleasure? A functional bed cap for work and commercial purposes? The RSI Smartcap Evo Commercial is the right fit for you. It’s built from automotive grade stainless steel, the toughest in the market. No matter what bump, collision, scratch, or whatever is thrown its way, this camper shell will endure it.
Much like the other RSI Smart Caps, the Evo C for Tacoma has a 770 lbs static weight capacity, perfect for carrying even more gear, such as ladders, construction materials and what not, over it. Inside, you can keep all the power tools and more important accessories you want to protect and keep away from the elements.
At the back of this bed cap, you’ll find not only a third break light, but also an additional layer of protection for the rear window, with a metal security mesh screen. Essentially, this makes sure that even if the glass gets broken by accident, the items inside the bed stay completely safe. You can lock the window, and the screen mesh keeps everything inside of it completely secure.
What we like:
- Rear window protected by metal screen mesh
- Automotive-grade forged stainless steel construction, toughest in the market
- 770 lbs load rating
- 15-minute drill-free installation
Aluminum Truck Caps For Tacoma
You might be wondering what material your Tacoma truck cap should be? Stainless steel, fiberglass, aluminum or even just soft canvas? Well, stainless steel is the toughest one, yet this also means price gets more expensive. The second toughest material is aluminum, and if you don’t want to break bank, then aluminum truck caps are an option.
The ARE Classic aluminum truck caps are a perfect fit. Retailing for a bit over $1500, these caps are not only strong enough to handle the elements, protect whatever you want to carry inside the bed of your Toyota Tacoma, but at the same time they are really, really lightweight. That means, the cap itself won’t have much of an impact on the fuel consumption.
What about other features? Well, the ARE Classic are very easy to install through a simple clamping system. On top of that, given how lightweight the caps are, they’re far easier to remove than any other cap model, except for soft caps. Then, they come fully welded, which is safer and less noisy. They have a rear door made of clear glass, which opens smoothly thanks to gas struts, and can be locked. They have. A third break light for safety, and a 1-year warranty.
