Can I go for dealership service with a truck camper?

Hello, I’m finally about to put a truck camper shell on Tacoma.

I’m wondering if there’s anyone who goes for dealership regular maintenance service with a truck camper (shell) on the back.

Though a dealer told me that it wouldn’t be a problem, I want to avoid any mistake before going for the first maintenance.

To be clear, my camper is not heavy as formal truck campers like Lance.

It’s pretty much just a shell, so weigh around 400lbs. Also it adds about 42 inches. So total clearance height would be about 113 inches. (9’5”)

Please see the picture below.
(Not my truck, but bring the image from the website.)



I’m in SoCal, so usually go to Tustin Toyota for all dealer maintenance stuff.

Can i just go to the maintenance service?

Or

Is there anything I should be aware of? Or be careful? (Such as I must dismount the camper first)

Any advice / experience would be really appreciated.

 

You're good. If you're going for stuff you have to pay for, they won't care.
If you're going for warranty work. They aren't suppose to care because it legally doesn't affect the truck warranty, but some dealers are assholes and will give you crap about not wanting to touch it.

If they give you crap. Make sure you're firm but respectful in letting them know that a camper should hold no bearing on work being performed as long as it has nothing to do with the camper.

My only thought would be the height being to high for them to get it on a lift safely

 

You should have no problem. That photo is of a bel-air shell correct? I had a bel-air shell on my f-150 with a taller cabover than the one pictured and with a full interior buildout. The only comment I got when I would take it to the dealer was a slightly sarcastic “she’s heavy” comment. And that truck had an 1800 lbs payload capacity.

 

Thank you for the advice. I will keep those in mind just in case the dealership brings out any nonsense.

About the height, I’m worried a bit too, but since it’s light and relatively low (compared to other similar shells), so wouldn’t be critical. Height clearance might be the only issue.

 

Yes Sir, Good catch
I’m getting the shell from Bel-air.
They’re local, and seem to be good guys.
I get 36-inch model for my cargo. Mine would be almost empty as well.

Many commercial trucks have metal racks with loaded equipments, and I heard that though they weigh a lot, drivers never unload them for maintenance services.

Being heavy comment is ironic

 

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You kinda answered your own question.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

 

Some of the shops are still in older low headroom buildings. My go-to shop used to be in one, they didn't have an alignment rig, because of headroom. Check out the service bay, you don't need much extra room.

 

My F150 has a rack and Ford still works on it, they did run it into a lift once and mangled the crap out of it. They did make it right.

 

Hey OP, can you post a pic after you install the shell? That's a sleek design I really like that!

 

Yeah that shouldn't be a problem.

 

No problem. I’ll share my experience once I get it installed. It’d take about 3 more weeks since it’s a custom order.

It’s kind of old school design, so it seems some like it and some don’t.

Personally it exactly fits my needs.

 

I imagine each dealership is different. Having said that, I don't think you'll have a problem.

 

Just make sure they put it on the lift carefully. There are pictures all over the internet of trucks with heavily loaded beds being put on a lift wrong (without supporting the back half of the frame), causing the frame to fold between bed and cab.

 

I’ve seen those photos.
As you said, I would tell them and also watch when they put on the truck on the lift.

Probably I can ask truck camper seller about things to watch when I need to lift the truck with a camper shell.

 

I haven’t seen a work bay less than 20 feet in.... well, a helluva long time

 

I meant like height. If they put the truck on the lift, clearance between the roof of the camper and the roof of the truck. Here in NY most bays aren't crazy high.

 

I worked in a shop, should be fine.. most modern 2 post lifts have a limiter switch so it cannot crunch the car once it hits the overhead sensor/bar.. drive over lifts wont be an issue at all.. hopefully the mechanic is not an idiot and realizes this, and takes care not to lift it too high.. most larger shops also have a 4 post lift, or a scissor lift that they can use as well (generally reserved for brake, alignment, and tire work)...

 

I was talking height too. But hey, I’m in Texas and every bay I’ve been to in the last 10 years freakin echos.

 

Everything's bigger in Texas lol

 

Bring it in with the camper on and ask how long it's gonna take. Then tell them you're going to run home and to call you when it's done. Immediately get inside the camper shell. If it gets this far: when they call to tell you the service is done, tell them you're too busy to pick it up today, then ask for the wifi password.