Lets see pics of campers/camper shells

[alvald83]

I want to get a camper for my '69, but can't decide wether to get a shell or a cab-over. Thanks Al

[NM5K]

Depends what you are going to use it for.. How much room you want, etc.
Advantages to a shell.. Less weight, less wind drag, and possibly a tad better
looking in some cases.
But.. Less area, lower headroom, no upper sleeping quarters, and no door.
So you usually climb over the tailgate, or lower it and slam it back shut when
inside.

Advantages to a cab over.. often has a real door on the rear, which makes
it easier to go in and out. Also in many cases a small window unit A/C can
be mounted in the window or a cut out on the door.
More headroom, and an upper sleeping area, which can also hold more "stuff"
when driving.
Also, with many cab overs, you can use jacks to raise and suspend the camper
at a camp site, or at home, and use the truck with no camper.
But.. They weigh more. Have more wind drag, and will usually cost more.

Anyway, if one were a hard core camper, I'd consider the cab over..
More comfy, and more room for extras like stoves, toilets, etc..
If just wanting mainly a cover to keep things dry with only occasional camping,
the shell would be fine.

Both of mine are shells, but the one on my 74 is a good bit bigger, and
is better for camping than the one on my 68. For one thing, the windows
on the bigger shell are much better, and that one has rear sliding windows
with screens.
Lots better ventilation than the shell on the 68, which only has sliding side
windows, and a sliding window behind the cab. No sliding rear windows.
So if you want a rear vent on the 68 shell, you have to leave the tailgate
window open some amount.
You can open the louver side windows on the 74 even in the rain. Not the sliding
windows on the 68.. Unless you want to take a bath that is...
Anyway, if I'm actually camping, I prefer the 74.. But either will do I suppose.
One thing good about the 68 camper is you can store a lot of stuff in the side
boxes, which leaves a lot more room in the bed, which has straight walls on the
utility bed. There are no wheel well humps in the rear of that bed, but it's a bit
narrower overall.
But I like the 74 cuz it can be pouring rain and you can still have the side windows
open.
The 74 is open from the cab to camper. You can crawl into the back from the
front. Both the cab and shell windows have been removed, and there is a "coupler"
to keep water out.
The 68, I still have the back window intact on the truck cab, and you
can't crawl into the back from the front. You can slide open the shell
window behind the cab, but all you will be able to do is tap on the cab rear
window. I've got a pair of 12v fans on a plate I can stick in that
window when camping for more air.

[alvald83]

Thanks for the info. I really like the camper on your '74, that is exactly what i had in mind, but can't seem to find that style out here in Ca.. I also like your '68 version.
It seems like the only style out here are the fiberglass type that everyone has.

[1971ford]

I've got a metal one that is nice and simple with slider windows, complete with fordification sticker.
Old picture of when the '71 was stock and we had the shell on it. I'm thinking about selling the shell.
I like it because it's not the same fiberglass shell you see everywhere and it can be painted to match the truck easy. But It is pretty damn hevay.

[1971ford]

Anyway, if one were a hard core camper, I'd consider a tent

Fixed.