If you’ve been following us on Instagram, you know that we’ve been busy with several projects the latest of which is an aluminum shelter for the Truck Camper Adventure Rig. While this structure is neither a truck camper mod or a truck mod per se, it does reduce roof maintenance and repairs. Case in point. Two years ago we had a large hail storm pass over our city. The hail stones, which were about the size of small marbles, cracked the Heki vent in our truck camper. If you know anything about the Heki Vent, you know that repairing one is expensive, in this case a cool $700. We have an ADCO truck camper cover, but as you know, fabric covers do nothing when it comes to hail they only protect your camper from the sun and bird droppings. An aluminum shelter or garage is the only way to protect your investment from all of the elements including hail stones, and, of course, the sun.
The new aluminum shelter measures 12 x 21 feet and is 16 feet high. It is anchored using 10, 3-foot-long stubbed rebars, five on either side plus four mobile home anchors crisscrossed in the front and back. The aluminum panels are painted a “Light Stone” color with the trim a slightly darker “Sahara Tan.” The structure is long enough to cover the entire rig except for the Buckstop front bumper, with plenty of height to raise the camper during loading and unloading. The structure is plenty wide too at 12 feet, wide enough to open and close the doors to the truck.
For those who are curious, we went through a dealership called Oasis Carports based out of Indio, California. We considered going with a 25-foot-long structure, but a shelter of that size would require a permit and we didn’t want to go there. The total time to install everything was only three hours. The installers were in and out by 10am. The waiting time after signing the contract was three months. The total cost, which included installation, was $2,500. Of course, you can save even more money by installing the structure yourself. I watched the three-member team install it and it wasn’t that difficult, though you might need to rent or invest in a jack hammer to get the rebars fully inserted into the ground. The ground here in northern Arizona is very hard and it took them a good hour to get all of the rebar installed.
Overall, we are thrilled with the new structure. It looks great and provides excellent protection for the rig year-round. Our main concern when we ordered it was protection from the sun. It’s pretty brutal in Arizona, especially during the summer when temps can reach the low 100s. The structure will also keep the camper cooler and will extend the life of the caulking and sealants used on the roof. Yes, we would’ve preferred having a large garage built, but the cost to go that route would’ve easily exceeded $25,000 and probably $30,000. I’d rather use that money towards a new truck.
This is exactly what I am looking for, but didn’t see it at the Oasis online store. What brand is this? Where can I find one in these dimensions?
Just give Oasis Carports a call. Tell them Mello Mike at Truck Camper Adventure sent ya.
Nice choice Mike, these units aren’t cheep you have to protect them when they aren’t in use. I think its great.
Like the above commenters, I’m confused as well. Thinking the point of this article was a review on how this awning is working out, with costing and erection details for someone who might be interested in such a project. I too built a nice RV garage about 10 years back, but realizing this article isn’t about me, it wasn’t posted for me to point out the painfully obvious possibility of bird droppings getting on the TC and it certainly wasn’t posted to imply that it’s a neighborhood eyesore. It never ceases to amaze me how people’s comments can often be either all about themselves or negative in nature. What’s wrong with taking in the information and if you can’t say anything constructive, just moving on?
Thanks, John. It is what it is.
Hi,
I would think that part of constructing a cover like this in a housing development of reasonable density would be to make sure your neighbors were ok with what you plan to construct. So, I do believe that asking what his neighbors thought is a reasonable question. I have never had the opportunity to ask someone who had actually done this type of project if there were issues and how he might have over come them. And, Mello Mike graciously answered my question.
So, my question to you is, What’s wrong with taking in the information and if you can’t say anything constructive, just moving on?
Cheers,
DaveW
I am confused about the width? 11’ or 12’. In some states 10 x 12 is maximum without a permit. I don’t have to worry about neighbors on 15 acres so built a 50 x 128 workshop with a 23’ ceiling. That also gives room to walk around and do any service on top of the camper.
It also protects the ends.
Sorry about that, John, the width is 12 feet.
The shelter won’t protect from bird droppings if the birds are under the roof. 🙂
True, but again, my concern wasn’t birds. It is the brutal sun and hail.
Hi,
I like your site, and would love to have nice cover for my camper. But, what do your neighbors think of your cover?
Cheers,
DaveW
They like it. In fact one neighbor wants one too.