BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?

Subject: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 01:15 PM

Heya'll, I've got a kid on an unemployed shoestring budget trying to get out of the Louisville/Southern Indiana area using only his light truck in which to pack all of his worldly possessions. He was going to rent a small UHAUL trailer, but nobody in that area is going to have the right size available on the right dates, so he's decided to look for a used pickup truck topper/capper.

Do any of you know of any or can you recommend places to look for one, besides the Louisville paper? This needs to happen within the next few days, so he and I will keep looking, too, I just thought some of you in the area might know of something.

Thanks a bunch!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: Amos
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 01:26 PM

Try Craig's List for the area.
www.craigslist.org./ Actually, there isn't one for Louisville or Cincinnati, but the nearest one might cover the turf.

A

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 01:57 PM

thanks, but there's nothing close enough

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 02:59 PM

I don't know anything about the KY market, but in my area things of this ilk are most often advertised in the "Penny Power" or other such "freebie ad-papers." In most areas you can pick them up at supermarkets and other such "public" places. Used toppers don't generally sell for enough to justify the $20 or so for a regular newspaper ad.

Dealers in new ones may (rarely?) have "trade-ins" that are sometimes reasonably priced, althouth the better bet there is that they might tell him about someone who kept an "older one" with the intention of selling it themselves.

If by "light truck" you mean one of the "toy" trucks like the imports, S10s, etc., in my area usable toppers are seldom seen for sale separately. It's almost as cheap to buy a junker Toyota that has a topper - and throw the truck away; but they do show up occasionally.

I have moved rather large amounts of stuff with a well-tied load and a good tarp well secured (e.g. Seattle to Wichita, not too long ago) without problems; but whether that's an option depends on how "attractive" the stuff is, how well you can "conceal" what's in the load, where you're travelling, and how long the stuff will have to stay on the truck - particularly at the destination, where you may not "know the folk" in the neighborhood where you have to park.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 03:06 PM

$@#%! - bad, bad, fingers:

I don't know anything about the KY market, but in my area things of this ilk are most often advertised in the "Penny Power" or other such "freebie ad-papers." In most areas you can pick them up at supermarkets and other such "public" places. Used toppers don't generally sell for enough to justify the $20 or so for a regular newspaper ad.

Dealers in new ones may (rarely?) have "trade-ins" that are sometimes reasonably priced, althouth the better bet there is that they might tell him about someone who kept an "older one" with the intention of selling it themselves.

If by "light truck" you mean one of the "toy" trucks like the imports, S10s, etc., in my area usable toppers are seldom seen for sale separately. It's almost as cheap to buy a junker Toyota that has a topper - and throw the truck away; but they do show up occasionally.

I have moved rather large amounts of stuff with a well-tied load and a good tarp well secured (e.g. Seattle to Wichita, not too long ago) without problems; but whether that's an option depends on how "attractive" the stuff is, how well you can "conceal" what's in the load, where you're travelling, and how long the stuff will have to stay on the truck - particularly at the destination, where you may not "know the folk" in the neighborhood where you have to park.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 03:07 PM

Thanks, John. I had suggested the tarp thing, but he'll have his computer and other more *precious* stuff back there, so it needs to be drier and more secure. It's a Ford Ranger. He'll probably spend only one night on the road, hopefully in a motel room, and his cats have top priority for the cab space, so...at the moment he is talking to a carpenter friend to see if they might be able to build some kind of shell this weekend. For the budget he's got, I'd rather see him spend it that way than on a rental of anything, anyway.

I'll tell him about throwing the truck away if he happens to come across one of those *toys*.**bg**

Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 03:36 PM

I'll look around and listen. Off hand I don't know of any. kat, do you want me to check the Bargain Mart or the Thrifty Nickel (freebie ad papers). My son used a flat bed trailer with lots of plastic containers from WalMart to move his stuff.

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: NicoleC
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 03:52 PM

Shells are specific to particular truck brands and models, although there is overlap, of course. One which doesn't fit precisely (or is not installed correctly with the proper sealing) will leak and be no more protection than a good tarp job.

Just another thing to keep in mind while looking. A camper shell might also do the job, but I guess they have the same fit requirements.

If all else fails, Target sells good quality big plastic tubs for about $3 each. (The Rubbermaid ones leak -- don't get those.)

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: Sam L
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 04:34 PM

Sorry Kat, I've asked around here, but don't know how to help, yet. I'll yell back if I find something. Fred

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 06:06 PM

You folks are wonderful! Thanks, Fred.

Nicole, I'll remind him of the possibility for leaks and also the big bins.

Mary, thank you, I think he has access to those, too, I will remind him. He's had a lot on his mind, lately, so he may not have thought of those.

He did talk to a couple of carpenter friends and they advised against building one over the weekend as lumber has gone up so much they don't think it'd be cost effective.

I'm thinking the big plastic bins might be a good idea. Or, he did find one UHAUL trailer, the next size and price up, that he could go for if all else fails. Anyone headed to Wyoming from around there?**bg**

Thanks a bunch!

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: NicoleC
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 06:20 PM

A U-Haul to Wyoming will probably be pretty pricey, and the extra gas mileage hauling it will really add up. I seem to recall my old shell was about $500 brand new, but that was quite a few years ago. I've done the cross-country move with a pickup truck and a low profile fiberglass shell twice, and I gotta tell you -- not a lot fits in a pickup truck after you've stuck that thing on. I mostly ended up abandoning boxes and just stuffing things in nooks and crannies.

A taller camper-style aluminum shell will probably be more practical although uglier. (And he can use it to go camping at folks festival later!) I see old ones for sale on the street all the time, and some of the places that sell new also sell used. He might check RV dealerships -- they sell used campers sometimes.

And did he check eBay? There might be a local seller

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Aug 03 - 07:19 PM

The quote he got on a 5'X 8' UHAUL trailer was just over $200 which includes 1,100 miles, I think. That was a lot cheaper than a UHAUL truck at over $800! He gets good gas mileage, which of course will not be as good towing a trailer, but I guess he's got to get his stuff moved one way or the other, so right now the trailer rental is looking better.:-)

Just having you all put in your two cents is helping me! I've got mom-jitters, ya know?*bg*

Thanks!

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 15 Aug 03 - 06:08 PM

Depending on what you can find - I just installed an in-bed (crossbed) tool box on SWMBO's S10 for her most recent trip. Just about big enough to hold a couple of suitcases (or a computer) and a few pieces of loose trash, reasonably water-tight, with cheap but serviceable locks. The one we got, from Tractor Supply Co (a farm equipment outlet here and elsewhere) was only about $100. We got the all-metal, but there were a couple of plastic ones a little cheaper.

If he could fit the "valuables" into something of that sort, and tarp the stuff that's too big to run off with in the rest of the bed, he'd have a place to lock up the groceries forever while he's out shopping (or partying). Most "Truck Toys" places should have something similar to what we got.

Installation would have been about a 15 minute job, except that she has a full bed rubber liner in her toy, preventing access to normal tie downs. She was a little "off-put" when I drilled holes in her side rails, but lived with it. She also insisted it was the wrong color, and had to be repainted, but even with all that it was done in about a day.

Anything you put in the back of a truck, regardless of how "enclosed" it is, needs to be "self-waterproofed." (I've seen it "rain" inside a topper.) Put it in a trash/garbage sack before you put it in a box. Put everything on "dunnage" at least 1/2 inch thick so the water can run under instead of soaking in. (Use something like styrofoam blocks for dunnage, and you get a little shock absorber action for delicate stuff.) And tie down any tarps or other covers tight. Trash sacks and duct tape, and a little extra rope are good things. Take the rest of the duct tape roll along to patch the "wind holes" in the tarps, or to close any leaks found enroute.

If the boy is going to Wyoming, remind him just before he leaves that the winds in those mountains (if he's going that far) can be very strong and very treacherous and unpredictable - especially with a load that's longer and/or more top-heavy than he's used to driving. He likely won't feel too much difference in the load until that first crosswind blast hits him, but he should think about what to do a little before then.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Aug 03 - 06:50 PM

LOL, right you are, John! He won't be getting as far as the real mtns., but the crosswinds from Cheyenne up to Casper are horrendous and have turned over many a semi and plenty of mini-vans. (Note to self...remind him he can avoid Cheyenne altogether if he takes the cutoff.) Good think about the UHAUL trailer is it will be lower profile than one of their trucks, too.

Sounds as though you did a nice job on the lock-box, too! I think he may have one of those already for all of his tools and there are many, believe me. Necessary, though, as they are of his trade. I will also remind me of the rope, duct tape and garbage bags. I'm sure he's got some of those. He spent ten hours today cleaning out his house and getting ready for a yard sale.

Thanks so much to all of you. He got a better quote on the UHAUL today, so has secured the trailer and is getting really excited to get out of there. Target date is still next Wednesday. His sister is getting excited, too.

Thanks, again,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Aug 03 - 10:34 AM

Those truck camper shells are expensive. I spent over $1000 on the one on my full-sized Chevy. I think they had a few close out and a couple of used ones at the place I went to.

The following is for future reference, since he is apparently going to rent the trailer (I hope he puts enough of a load in the truck to stabilize it, and distributes the weight carefully in the trailer so it doesn't tip his truck back on it's back bumper when the trailer is hooked on!). The businesses that sell camper shells are often part of another business. It might be selling RVs, it might be truck window glass, it might be a junk yard and everything is for sale. You can find camper shells as a pure play in the phone book, but don't stop there. (Then there are the ubiquitous country road "for sale" signs on camper shells parked on a couple of landscaping timbers out beside the garage or near the fence out by the highway. . .)

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: Willie-O
Date: 16 Aug 03 - 11:05 AM

...I drive a Mazda B-4000, extra-cab. I mention this because Mazda B-series and Ford Ranger are the exact same truck from '93 on. So if he is looking for a cap, anything that fits on either truck with the same cab/box configuration as his (extended cab is usually short-box) is compatible.

But it's better not to be in a hurry, and build one that will do what you need. I've been adding refinements to mine for years. Even got some hardware from China Sea Marine at the first shanty sing in Portland. Boat hardware is great for truck caps. Sturdy and doesn't rust.

John is right by the way. My box is still not waterproof. Just slows it down. Guess that's why they don't make plywood roofing!

W-O

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 16 Aug 03 - 11:48 AM

LOL, Willie-O! Thanks for that.

SRS, yeah...he'll be careful. He's done one other long-haul move so has some experience.

He's decided against a camper shell for now. Called me yesterday to say he'd confirmed the trailer and will hit the road on the 20th or 21st.

Thank you all. I have been reading your advice to him and will continue to...much appreciated.

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: JohnInKansas
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 08:46 AM

Hopefully your guy has done enough trailering to be aware of good loading practices. If he's pulling it with a Ranger, he needs to be sure he doesn't load so far forward that he puts the truck out of trim, or so far back that the trailer doesn't want to follow him. The rule of thumb is that the tongue load should be about 10 percent of the total trailer weight. Estimating how much the trailer actually weighs is the tough part, but if it's loaded with enough weight forward to get at least 100 lb on the ball he should be okay with what he's likely to get in a 5x8 trailer (Usually not over about 2,000 lb - although I've towed them loaded to about 4,800.)

If the tongue load is too light, the trailer waggles along behind, and makes driving really tough and somewhat dangerous. If the tongue load is too heavy, the trailer pushes the truck into an "oversteer" condition every time the tail wags. I've found it a good practice to use a bumper jack on the bathroom scale to just lift the hitch load off the ball to check the loading before starting out - just be be sure. You can also make a fairly good estimate by measuring how far the bumper goes down when you stand on the ball, and then checking that it's down at least that far - but not more than twice as far - when the trailer's hitched and loaded (assuming you - or whatever test weight you use - is something between 100 - 200 lb). Typical balls on something like a Ranger aren't intended to take more than about 300 lb down (600 for a heavy duty setup), but he's not too likely to get past that with a 5x8.

A common tendency is to put all the big stuff in first, toward the front; and perhaps surprisingly, the big stuff like the dressers and desks can be pretty light. Then when you put all the little stuff like tool boxes and loose books in the back, it's easy to get tail-heavy. It can be hazardous, but usually the real concern is that a trailer that fights with you can just make a trip tedious.

John

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: GUEST
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 09:13 AM

y'all are starting to remind me of my daughter's first sleepover. right before bedtime her friend's mom explained to her that she was safe, pointed out the window alarms and features of security system. My girl says she felt okay until then, but lay awake for hours, listening for intruders. take it easy, kat.

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: Mary in Kentucky
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 11:08 AM

But John, you have to load the upright piano first, so that the people helping you unload won't know it's there until too late to back out!

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: bet
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 06:02 PM

Thanks for all the advise for kat and son! I think "mom" is more nervious than son so your support for her is great! bet

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 17 Aug 03 - 09:56 PM

Well, thanks to you, bet, that he's even able to get outta there!

Sheesh, I hate to count up the years, but it has been four since I've seen him and that was a rather sad occcasion, when mom passed away and her last Christmas. So, even though he'll still be 6-7 hours away, it's a heck of a lot closer and I will actually get to see him once in awhile. It's been so long since we've lived even that close to one another, it IS exciting!

His ex-girlfriend-still-best-friend and her family had a cookout for him, tonight, and his yard sale was a great success, so things are looking UP!

Thanks, everyone!

Subject: RE: BS: Help-Louisville, KY - used truck topper?
From: katlaughing
Date: 23 Aug 03 - 02:29 PM

Well, I feel as though we've been trying pull hen's teeth, but he is finally on his way! Yeah!

Thanks to all of you, esp. his Aunt Bet! He should be in Casper by tomorrow evening or sometime Monday.

Thanks,

kat