Understanding Automotive Repairs

Posted on: 2 August 2021

In most cases, when you buy a truck, it usually comes with an open bed. However, after using the truck for some time, you may find it beneficial to install a truck bed shell.

However, truck bed shells get manufactured from various materials, and each material has its pros and cons. Thus, if you are looking to purchase a shell for your truck, it is advisable first to consider the implications of each material to ensure you make the right choice. With that said, here are three types of truck bed shell materials builds you should consider.

Aluminum Canopy

An aluminum truck bed shell is always an excellent option because aluminum is more resistant to impact than other materials such as fiberglass. Additionally, it is a lightweight metal, which means that it will not significantly impact your fuel economy once you install the aluminum shell on your truck.

Pros:

• Strength: Since you usually use your truck for work-related purposes such as carrying construction materials, aluminum shells are manufactured with sturdiness in mind. Thus, the shell will not bend or dent easily due to the weight of the materials you carry. 
• Excellent Second-Hand Quality: Due to the durability of aluminum, it is pretty easy to find a second-hand aluminum truck shell in mint condition. Thus, you have the option of finding a cheaper second-hand shell that is in good shape instead of buying a new one which saves you money. 
• Built-in Storage: Most aluminum shells get manufactured with convenience in mind. Thus, most aluminum truck shells come with built-in storage. Therefore you don't have to worry about adding storage to the truck shell once you install it. 

Cons:

• Poor Insulation: Since metals are susceptible to temperatures changes, aluminum truck shells tend to be extremely hot during the summer and extremely cold during the winter. However, to counter these effects, you may have to consider installing insulation on the inner part of the shell to maintain favorable temperatures.
• Challenging to Customize: Though the aluminum truck shell has built-in storage, it may not be ideal for your specific needs. Hence you may want to customize the shell yourself, which is not easy because removing the built-in storage may cause damage to the aluminum shell.

Wood Truck Shells

Wood is another common truck shell build option. One of the main reasons wood truck shells are popular is because you don't need to buy one. Instead, it is quite possible to purchase lumber and construct the shell DIY style.

Pros:

• Easy Customizability: Unlike aluminum or fiberglass, wood is more malleable. Thus, you have the benefit of easily customizing the wooden truck shell as much as you want without damaging the shell.
• Better Temperatures: Unlike aluminum, wood is more resistant to temperature changes. Thus, you don't have to worry about extreme temperatures during the winter and summer seasons with a wooden truck shell. Additionally, you don't need a lot of insulation to keep the temperatures favorable. 
• Cost: Compared to aluminum and fiberglass truck shells, wooden truck bed shells are more reasonably priced. Thus, a wooden truck shell can help you save money. 

Cons:

• Leaks: Since wood is porous, you may encounter water leaking into the truck bed during the rainy and winter months. However, you can install a seal to prevent leaks.
• Weight: Wood is heavier than aluminum and fiberglass. Thus, when you install a wooden truck shell, you will encounter a reduced fuel economy on your truck due to the weight. 
• Maintenance: If kept in good condition, a wood truck shell will typically be more durable than a fiberglass shell. However, the cost of maintaining the wood shell in good condition is significantly high.

Fiber Glass Truck Shell

Fiber is the third truck shell build material you should consider. Fiberglass truck shells are perhaps the most common because they are relatively lightweight than wooden shells and cost less than aluminum shells. Additionally, fiberglass truck shells are available on a wider variety than aluminum truck shells.

Pros:

• Variety: There are hundreds of fiberglass truck shells options available based on size, customizations, and costs. Thus, it is pretty easy to find an ideal fiberglass truck shell that suits your specific needs and budget. 
• Low Maintenance: If the shell gets damaged, it is easier and cheaper to repair a fiberglass shell than an aluminum shell.
• Fairly Good Fuel Economy: A fiberglass shell is pretty lightweight compared to wood. Thus, you will get a relatively better fuel economy with a fiberglass shell than you would get with a wooden truck shell.

Cons:

• Fragile: Compared to aluminum and wood, fiberglass is a weaker material. As a result, a fiberglass shell is not as impact-resistant as wooden and aluminum shells. Hence, it is not as durable as the other options.