When camper shells were initially created, they were primarily used for camping purposes. An accessory for pick-up trucks, a camper shell is installed over the bed of the truck. It provides a raised space where the driver can camp if needed. Nowadays, these items are rarely used to sleep in. Most owners use them for additional storage.

Although the name camper shell stuck, most manufacturers build their products specifically for storage purposes. In fact, considering how cramped some of these designs can be, it's no surprise people rapidly decided against using them for camping. Although camper shells are traditionally hard, made of fiberglass or a similar material, there are now a number of modern soft designs that are gaining popularity.

Why choose to purchase a camper shell for your pick-up truck? Simply put, as convenient as a pick-up may be, the amount it can carry is limited by the size of its bed. Additionally, whatever is in the bed is exposed to the elements, unless covered by a tarp. Camper shells provide two functions: they keep what is in the bed protected and they offer an additional level (sometimes more than one) of storage space.

When choosing a camper shell, it's important to make sure that it is compatible with your particular truck. Every pick-up truck has different proportions and size. If the camper shell isn't flush, there could be stability and integrity issues. Whether you are purchasing a new or used camper shell, the first step should be to check what type of vehicle it is designed for. If that information isn't available, the size and clamping systems can provide some information as to whether or not it will fit correctly.