Camper shell moved back slightly....advise?

My camper shell moved back slightly, about 1-2". Is this something one person can do on their own, by loosening and pushing back or does the whole shell need to be lifted and moved back and tightened?

 

Climb inside, remove the clamps, stand up with your back centered on the topper, slide it forward and re-clamp better this time.

 

This ^

 

I put self drilling screw against each clamp to prevent it from future movement, just screwed it through the rail.

 

You should be able to easily shove it. When I was 20 and in great shape I was able to solo take my Rangers shell on and off.

 

Take the topper off to fix the paint first. That looks down to bare metal and a source for future rust. It may be all along both sides.

 

When I was younger, I was able to take off and put back on the fiberglass shell on my Ford F-150 by myself. "The Older I get the better I was"

 

This^

Great color match!
- The 'fit'- not so much.

 

I stuffed track nuts and square washers on the left and right sides of all 4 of the leer clamps on my shell. Same slide you had. It’s “normal” as the seal compresses since the plastic rail caps are pretty slick. I think the brackets are a poor design.

 

My Leer topper used to wander forward after a few adventures on forest service roads. I added one of these

$32 AA-Racks P-AC-04N Utility Track System Mounting Clamp for Toyota Tacoma/Tundra Truck Cap/Camper Shell, Set of 4 - Black

clamps to each side of the bed and it hasn't moved again.

 

The topper clamps should be a periodic check.

 

I'm thinking about selling my LEER because sometimes it rubs in the back corners of the bed when it barely flexes.

Your incident makes me want to sell it even more now

Yours doesnt look centered either. Whats the overhang look like on the passenger side?

 

this!
Also when first clamped down, drive it around for a bit and recheck. Hell, I checked em after the first few trips. I didn't want to overtighten and crack the fiberglass or bend that track, so a couple of snug downs helps after settling.

 

After you get the topper repositioned, you might want to add additional clamps. On mine, besides the Leer clamps that bolt through the skirt of the topper (one in each corner), I added one of the Amazon "C" clamps in the middle on each side, and two along the front (I have an accessory rail added across the front). Total of 8 clamps in all.

Make sure you use a bulb-type gasket where the topper rests on the bed sides, instead of mere foam rubber.

 

i have had at least 5 canopies on trucks in my lifetime and every one of them required additional clamps or bolts through the rails.

i had an ARE installed on my tacoma and the dealer said 2 clamps on each side were adequate, they never had them move. as expected, mine moved on the 50 mile drive home. without additional clamps, they ALWAYS move on mine especially if you drive anywhere off road, even a gravel or forest service road.

as mentioned above, the clamps need to be checked every now and then.

as for my current truck, i installed additional clamps along the side. also, i purchased an OE rail for the front of the bed and have two clamps up there too. i crank those suckers pretty tight and check them every 2-3 months. i even put blue lock tite on the threads and they still need to be snugged every now and then.

 

My leer stays pretty firm with four bolts without doing anything crazy. The one time it did walk back an inch was doing donuts on in someone's farm/backyard. I don't keep the topper on long term though.

One day I'll sort out some way to attach it near the front to prevent sliding of any sort.