Finding the Right Truck Shell for Your Needs

Covering the bed of your pickup truck can provide protection and security to your cargo area. Truck shells explicitly made for your make and model can be installed quickly, look great on the truck, and even help create better airflow over the vehicle when it is in place.

Choosing A Style

There are a wide variety of truck shells on the market in many different styles. Some are very basic with a tailgate that opens to allow access to the inside of the bed, while others have opening windows; a few even have full doors on the back that open like a standard entrance door. 

Choosing a truck shell that will work for the things you want to use your truck for is often the best place to start. If you need more height, you may want to consider a shell that is taller than the cab or one that tapers back from the cab and gets higher in the rear. 

If you work out of your truck and keep tools in the back, having side-opening doors can help when you need to retrieve items from the truck bed. Whatever your needs, the truck shell dealer can show you many different styles and help you select one that is a good fit for you. 

Shell Materials

Modern truck shells are primarily fiberglass and are molded to fit specific trucks. However, there are still some aluminum ones on the market as well. The aluminum shells are typically more industrial-looking but are a good fit for a work truck, and can include ladder racks and other accessories that you might want on your truck. 

Most of the fiberglass truck shells on the market come with a gel coat finish that matches the factory colors available on the truck they fit. You can select a shell that is the same color as your truck, so the truck shell looks like it is a factory part and blends in perfectly.  

Mounting Systems

The mounting systems used to hold most truck shells in place are simple clamps that attach to the truck bed rails and the mounting rail on the shell. Often, a thin piece of rubber weatherstripping is put in place between the truck shell and the bed rail to protect the bed, create a weather-tight seal between the surfaces, and keep water out of the truck bed. 

Once the shell is positioned on the bed, the clamps are put in place and tightened until the shell is secure. The clamps are typically made from aluminum to avoid rust and allow you to remove the shell from the bed if you need to take it off temporarily.