Cab Lights and Camper Shells

[FROGMAN524]

Why do snowbirds love trucks with cab lights and camper shells? Please, help me understand the psychology if you can.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

Why do snowbirds love trucks with cab lights and camper shells? Please, help me understand the psychology if you can.

What is wrong with shells and lights? Everyone has different tastes.

 

[Kachina26]

Can't speak for the snowbirds, but in California my shell allowed me to register my truck as a passenger car and avoid weight fees on my registration. Plus, I've always liked the way a snug-top looks. Found a snap of my first night in Texas at an RV spot nearby. She's still filthy from the 1400 mile ride. Dig them stock wheels and ride height too.
EDIT: Not sure what you mean by cab lights. Mine came stock with one in the CHMSL. Are you talking about something else?

 

[COCA COLA COWBOY]

Can't speak for the snowbirds, but in California my shell allowed me to register my truck as a passenger car and avoid weight fees on my registration. Plus, I've always liked the way a snug-top looks. Found a snap of my first night in Texas at an RV spot nearby. She's still filthy from the 1400 mile ride. Dig them stock wheels and ride height too.
EDIT: Not sure what you mean by cab lights. Mine came stock with one in the CHMSL. Are you talking about something else?
View attachment 1444690

He's talking about the lights on dually's and such that go above the front windshield area.

I personally don't like the lights because I have heard of them leaking, but my wife likes them. She's not getting them though. I ordered my current truck without them and will try to keep away from them.

I do like camper shells, but am about to buy a 5th wheel and always seem to need to get into the bed so it's not good for me right now.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I thought there was some regulation on 1 tons and up that requires the cab lighting? But I really miss having a shell on my current truck, my last truck had a shell and that was very convenient!

 

[Kachina26]

He's talking about the lights on dually's and such that go above the front windshield area.

I personally don't like the lights because I have heard of them leaking, but my wife likes them. She's not getting them though. I ordered my current truck without them and will try to keep away from them.

I do like camper shells, but am about to buy a 5th wheel and always seem to need to get into the bed so it's not good for me right now.

Oh, the truckers call them 'chicken lights'. I've also heard them called clearance lights.

 

[Badchoices03]

I am literally torn right now on a shell for my truck...I have a 5th wheel, and my son rides dirtbikes, so I need the bed....but I also go on overnight hunting trips, where having a shell would make life a lot easier....

 

[JL95]

Is there weird thing with CA and cab lights? I remember something in the last few years..

 

[rivergames]

I'm a huge fan of camper shells on trucks.

Boat Racing, Dirtbike riding, Camping, river trips, fishing trips, and general moving shit around. Everything is safe and locked up. There has only been 3 or 4 times in 10 years that I needed the shell off, but I just throw whatever it is in my brother or another buddies truck.

 

[mesquito_creek]

I am literally torn right now on a shell for my truck...I have a 5th wheel, and my son rides dirtbikes, so I need the bed....but I also go on overnight hunting trips, where having a shell would make life a lot easier....

Go price out a new shell… it might help you with your decision. My last shell I bought 6-7 years ago was $4500 with all the options.

 

[Buddy]

Love my cab lights

 

[Romans9]

If not for my gooseneck trailers I’d love to have a shell.

All real trucks have cab lights….

 

[81Sprint]

I like both

Had a shell on my F350, bought it cheap used and was really convenient for trips. I haven't looked for one for my new Silverado mainly cause they are so damn expensive for a new one. I was gonna put cab lights on the Ford, but sold it before I got to it, and still kick myself in the ass for selling it!

 

[2Driver]

Because there is a big world out there not according to California.

 

[outboard_256]

I had a shell on my first truck. I hated it. Was constantly pulling it off to load tall stuff. Also it was so short it made getting things in the front of the bed hard. It was nice to be able to lock stuff up in it. I always had stuff in the bed, but now my bed is always empty unless I am using it. Never slept in mine, always had to pull it off for camping trips to bring dirt bikes or other tall stuff.

Never been a fan of the cab lights.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

Go price out a new shell… it might help you with your decision. My last shell I bought 6-7 years ago was $4500 with all the options.

I just purchased a brand new SnugTop Rebel loaded for my 2024 F250, $3600.

 

[throttle]

I have always added a shell to trucks. I like being able to keep things dry and secure while in transit.

‘24 Tundra with SnugTop

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

I have always added a shell to trucks. I like being able to keep things dry and secure while in transit.

‘24 Tundra with SnugTop

View attachment 1444854

That’s nice! What did that run you and where did you get it? I’m looking at getting a shell for a 24 Tacoma.

 

[Tooms22]

Had a camper shell on my Super Duty for years. I prefer the Roll N Lock covers. Mostly because I don't care for the camper shell look. Camper shell was great for keeping things dry and from flying out of the bed but it restricted the height of cargo.

Installed cab lights on my 2004 Super Duty. I loved em. Thought it made me less likely to get hit. Truck was a damn Christmas tree at night. Bought the 2021 off a lot, so no cab light. Next one will be ordered, so back to the Christmas tree look.

 

[mash on it]

I just took inventory of cab lights.
6 Chevys, 4 are duallys. 5 of them have cab lights. (88 crew cab 4x4 srw has em)
3 Fords. Not one has em.
The Pete has 4 cab lights. (Never had a center one, not just missing)

I believe it's the width of the truck.
80" width comes to mind. I don't remember though.

Shells. Never needed one.
I've always had 5th wheels.
Snug top on a lowered dually looks cool.

Dan'l

 

[Your ad here]

Adding a shell to my 2wd 02 F250 CC/SB 7.3 added 3 mpg. When I converted it to 4wd it added 1.5 mpg with the shell still on.

 

[throttle]

That’s nice! What did that run you and where did you get it? I’m looking at getting a shell for a 24 Tacoma.

Thank you. American Camper, Stanton. Just over $5k and had about 7 week wait time.

 

[oldman]

I just took inventory of cab lights.
6 Chevys, 4 are duallys. 5 of them have cab lights. (88 crew cab 4x4 srw has em)
3 Fords. Not one has em.
The Pete has 4 cab lights. (Never had a center one, not just missing)

I believe it's the width of the truck.
80" width comes to mind. I don't remember though.

Shells. Never needed one.
I've always had 5th wheels.
Snug top on a lowered dually looks cool.

Dan'l

Regulations mandate clearance lights on specific vehicles, ensuring consistent road safety standards. In the U.S., the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires these lights on vehicles exceeding 80 inches in width and 10,000 pounds gross weight. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) specify both placement and color: amber for front and red for rear clearance lights. For non-compliance, penalties include fines and, for severe violations, operational bans until rectified. Adhering to these laws not only avoids legal issues but also reinforces road safety.

Every dually I've had came with them, never thought much of it.

 

[mash on it]

Regulations mandate clearance lights on specific vehicles, ensuring consistent road safety standards. In the U.S., the Department of Transportation (DOT) requires these lights on vehicles exceeding 80 inches in width and 10,000 pounds gross weight. The Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) specify both placement and color: amber for front and red for rear clearance lights. For non-compliance, penalties include fines and, for severe violations, operational bans until rectified. Adhering to these laws not only avoids legal issues but also reinforces road safety.

Every dually I've had came with them, never thought much of it.

Makes sense.
But my K30 (V3500) single rear wheel, and a GVW of 9200 has em.
Go figure.

Dan'l

 

[oldman]

Makes sense.
But my K30 (V3500) single rear wheel, and a GVW of 9200 has em.
Go figure.

Dan'l

I've seen 3/4 ton srw crew cabs with them also, Mine doesn't but I have seen them. Who knows.

 

[MonkeyButt70]

I've seen 3/4 ton srw crew cabs with them also, Mine doesn't but I have seen them. Who knows.

I ordered my 2024 F250 SRW with clearance light's. I have always liked the look of them, probably because most of my trucks have been duallys.

 

[Backlash]

I have a SnugTop bed cover on my HD which is currently off due to some dump runs and landscape purchases. I've kicked the idea around of putting a shell on it....I just haven't gotten around to it. Seems like I'm able to spend money in other places.

 

[DRYHEAT]

Makes sense.
But my K30 (V3500) single rear wheel, and a GVW of 9200 has em.
Go figure.

Dan'l

I've seen 3/4 ton srw crew cabs with them also, Mine doesn't but I have seen them. Who knows.

On the single rear wheel trucks, I think it depended on how the dealer ordered it. Not sure if it may have been the camper special package or what. Some parts of the country put it on everything three-quarter ton and up. I think I’ve seen them on 3/4 ton suburbans also.

 

[oldman]

I ordered my 2024 F250 SRW with clearance light's. I have always liked the look of them, probably because most of my trucks have been duallys.

Always like them on my Dually's along with the fender markers, but on my SRW I don't think I would like them as much. Didn't even know if it was an option at the time.

They don't look bad.

 

[Dr Rob]

On the single rear wheel trucks, I think it depended on how the dealer ordered it. Not sure if it may have been the camper special package or what. Some parts of the country put it on everything three-quarter ton and up. I think I’ve seen them on 3/4 ton suburbans also.

When I ordered my F350, it was an option.

 

[DRYHEAT]

When I ordered my F350, it was an option.

Yes, I think on the single rear wheel trucks. It’s an option. The Dooleys are a must have to meet DOT requirements.

 

[ChumpChange]

Is there weird thing with CA and cab lights? I remember something in the last few years..

Yes. California doesn’t allow them. Says they impersonate emergency vehicles or police. Manufactures hate that because they would like to make all their dualies the same. So there was a shortage of certain trucks in California because manufactures weren’t making them without the lights.

It was something like that. Speaking off memory and not looking anything up.

 

[FROGMAN524]

Man, this thread got some traction somehow.
A truck, 2500HD Silverado, about a 2020, with Alaska plates, cut me off hard yesterday on my way to work. He had the chrome all over, cab clearance lights and a camper shell. We ended up next to each other at the next red light and when I looked over to flip him off, I thought it was Father Time himself.

 

[FROGMAN524]

And for what it’s worth, I loved this Ram from Twister when the movie came out in 97.

 

[Melloyellovector]

Real trucks have lights

 

[Luvnlife]

My 2500 Duramax doesn’t have the. I had to go look but my Ford 450 does.

 

[braindead]

Not sure about canadians, but I had the same question for a Mexican dude that used to work with us when he showed up one day with fresh new cab lights on top of his ford ranger. Apparently in Mexico the truckers are impatient and if they wanna pass another truck or car they will, even with headlights coming at em. The cab lights indicate a big rig or larger vehicle so the truckers won’t run you off the road “supposedly” if they see the cab lights coming.

 

[txmxer1]

After the first shell I put on my truck, its the first thing I add on a new truck. Cant go back. Dont have to tie shit down on road trips, everything stays dry and locked up. Dont worry about people stealing parts, tools, etc. Can camp in the back out of the elements. We do a lot of surfing so keeping the boards locked up is a huge plus, and we have 12ft+ paddle boards that are a bitch to transport without a shell. I dont ride dirtbikes much anymore but usually I use a hitch hauler. If I was transporting multiple bikes, Id probably rig up a stand to slide the shell off and put the bikes in the bed instead of towing a trailer.

 

[PaPaG]

I am literally torn right now on a shell for my truck...I have a 5th wheel, and my son rides dirtbikes, so I need the bed....but I also go on overnight hunting trips, where having a shell would make life a lot easier....

Do Both, I do. My F350 is set up to tow a 5th wheel and only 4 pins to take the system out and I have a SnugTop on it now. It Takes 3 to take the heavy SnugTops off but easily done.

 

[aj923]

I am literally torn right now on a shell for my truck...I have a 5th wheel, and my son rides dirtbikes, so I need the bed....but I also go on overnight hunting trips, where having a shell would make life a lot easier....

Look into a soft topper. I put one on my truck and its durable and its pretty easy to remove if you don't want it. Doesn't look as nice as a fiberglass shell, but it keeps your stuff dry and semi secure. Also they are under $1,000 last time I checked.

 

[Bigbore500r]

If you are putting a shell on your new truck, make sure you protect the bed rails and don't drill any holes....

Some of us buy "New to me" trucks and want to take these fuckers off as soon as we get home!

 

[Flying_Lavey]

3/4 and 1 ton SRW offer them as an option. Duallies require them due to their width. Also the same reason the Raptors and TRX have the 3 ambers in the grill and one at each headlight. They also have the 3 reds and one in each bed corner due to the width

Personally I think the cab mounted clearance light are ugly as sin. Shells..... I'm ok with.

 

[angiebaby]

I did not realize this was a snowbird thing. Noted. Our 3/4 ton Dodge has them, so we won't be kicked out of the snowbird club.

 

[sml]

Yellow clearance lights help out a lot when you drive in rain, fog and snowing conditions… I like mine.

I do not like the looks of a pap cap but i put one on my last truck and the usefulness outweighed the looks department….but it was just more room to be able to haul extra shit around that wasn’t needed. @Outdrive1

My current truck has a sled deck on it so no pap cap

 

[Kachina26]

If you are putting a shell on your new truck, make sure you protect the bed rails and don't drill any holes....

Some of us buy "New to me" trucks and want to take these fuckers off as soon as we get home!

That's like not having sex with your girlfriend to keep it nice and tight for the next guy.


Says the guy that didn't get the boot because he didn't want to rub the paint off of the back of the cab.

 

[OCMerrill]

Is there weird thing with CA and cab lights? I remember something in the last few years..

Ford got away with not placing them on the cab on the Raptor and putting them in the grill or hood scoop.
The TRX followed along.

Both meeting the width requirements.

 

[Orange Juice]

Some of those lights are too brite.

 

[BoatCop]

Oh, the truckers call them 'chicken lights'. I've also heard them called clearance lights.

I'd always called them "Mexican Diesel" lights.

 

[Willie B]

… In the 60s,and early 70’s…we would call those cab lights Bakersfield lights… I guess because we would always see them on semis and some smaller trucks In the Bakersfield area…on the way to Pine Flat Lake from the San Fernando Valley…

… As far as camper shells… I’ve only owned one in my entire life… I paid 50 bucks for a used aluminum one… That I stuck on my 89 Ford F250 diesel… And headed from Northern California to Georgia… Slept in it every night on a big foam mattress… loved it…

 

[JayBreww]

My wife calls it the grandpa truck…