how much would I be looking at spending to get a basic camper top? something with sliding side windows (with screens) and a standard tailgate.

 

I assume you are talking about a fiberglass cab high(or similar) shell or topper. I just bought one two weeks ago from a shop near denver. The brand was Astro or ATC. It was a basic model, 1/3 slider windows w/ screens, paint to match, double lock rear glass door, no inside carpet or insulation, only option I added was the tilt down front window so I could clean between the cab and topper. There a few things on the topper where they cut corners or didnt pay attention to detail but overall the cap looks real nice the paint matches perfect and it matches the trucks body lines. If I were to do it again I would order the inside carpet/insulation. Suburban Toppers in Denver quoted me $940 before tax w/ free installation, after tax came to $1006.some change. With that said, I did look at Leer, ARE, and Snugtop and they were quite a bit more. So I got the cheapest one I could find and it does the job.

 

Keep an eye out on Craigslist.com....there`s always someone selling one after trading/selling their truck.

 

thats a good point. I called a leer dealer and they are asking 950 for a brand new one, installed. so I will dig around on craigslist, but probably go for a new one so I can have the warranty as well.

 

Get one used.......I paid $500 for my Swiss cap use, in great shape.

I once paid $1750 for a new Leer, and should have looked around for a used cap.

There are a good amount of caps, camper shells, bed toppers, etc.....on Ebay.

 

I looked for months for a used topper on Craigslist!!! I even looked in Wyoming, Utah, Nevada, New Mexico all surrounding areas within reason. I also called every topper dealer in CO to find a used shell for my shortbed 3rd gen. Several guys at the shops said that the 3rd gen body style is so popular they cant keep used ones on the shelf. Said they have a ton for Fords but no Dodges. So I finally ended up with a new one.

 

Basic new ones are around $1000, and go up from there for the nice ones. The one I really like is $1750. There are many for the SB on craigslist here in Phoenix, but the longbed ones are hard to find used. There is a decent used longbed model for $600 currently, but I'd spend $200 to paint it so I might as well go buy new.

 

From my research:

Fiberglass = $1000-$2000 depending on style, brand and options. The most basic without sliding windows was right at $1000. I think sliding windows added $50 per side. Just find a good store and go price one.

Aluminum was about half the price of a similar equipped fiberglass.

Have a good one.