SNUGTOP - The Walker Agency Public Relations Agency, Scottsdale, Arizona

OK...so you think you're ready for a summer of fun in the Great Outdoors? The tent's patched, and the cooler's cleaned. The sleeping bags have been aired out and are rolled and ready to go. The camp stove has been scoured, and you've stocked up on propane bottles. You've re-spooled your reels with new line and replaced those missing lures. The hiking gear is sorted and ready to stow. The mountain bikes have been prepped, and the new kayak is poised for launch.

Click on above image for a larger version.

And now you're going to dump all that in the open bed of your pickup? Whoa...not so fast. Nothing will put a damper on your summertime getaway faster than watching through your rear-view mirror as all your gear flies out of the bed while you make that turn onto the interstate. So put a lid on it.

Mark Gibbs, general manager at American Camper Shell in Stanton, Calif., says camper shells or caps not only provide necessary cargo protection, they also offer a lot of other features you'll find of value in the Great Outdoors.

He should know. Mark outfits thousands of trucks every year with the latest tops for work and for recreation.

"Fiberglass shells and caps are the way to go. They are more versatile, more durable, great looking and a lot more functional than ever before. And an aerodynamic truck cap will actually help reduce fuel consumption. You can finish them off with bedliners, roof racks, sliding windows, even cargo management systems," he notes.

"SNUGTOP's Hi-Liner is perfect. It's got sliding, screened side windows. It's lockable from the inside (important for those who camp in their truck), and it's sturdy enough to hold up to 500 pounds on an optional roof rack – just the thing for bikes, canoes, cargo pods and even hauling back a deer," Mark adds.

The folks at SNUGTOP have been in the business of designing and manufacturing fiberglass truck caps and tonneau covers for nearly 50 years, so they know a little something about what to look for in a shell.

Today's fiberglass camper shells or pickup truck caps offer a variety of performance and convenience features. No-drill, rubber-sealed fitting makes for easy installation and removal. In addition, heavy-duty honey-comb roof construction, flush-mounted rotary latch locks, durable stainless steel hardware, optional keyless remotes, integrated third brake lights and more are found on most styles of truck caps. And they are custom fit and color-matched to your vehicle, notes Hartmut Schroeder, CEO of SNUGTOP.

SNUGTOP's Hi-Liner truck cap fits Chevrolet, GMC, Ford, Dodge, Nissan and Toyota pickups. The Hi-Liner features an expanded cargo area, an enlarged rear door and oversized curved side windows with sliding removable screens for optimal access and visibility. There's also the option of having a front sliding window on the cap or a rubber boot opening that fits the window opening of your pickup.

"Think air-cooled," says Hartmut, "These windows and screens not only help to air-out your gear, they regulate the interior temperature making sleeping in the shell more comfortable.

"Removable, sliding screens also give you access to the interior from the outside without opening the cap door. They're easy to clean and they keep bugs outside – where they belong," he adds.

To top off your new pickup top, you might consider the optional Sportsman's Package. With this package you'll get:

• Extra reinforced corners, edges and critical stress points (shell supports up to 500 pounds)

• Fishing rod carrier bolted securely to the inside of the roof. Holds up to four rods and doubles as clothes hanger.

• Patented pop-out style door lock allows handle to be recessed into protective pocket only to be released with a key. This feature helps protect the shell from break-ins.

• Pop-out lock can also be locked from the inside, providing additional protection while camping.

Hartmut suggests a SNUGrug interior headliner, as well. "The SNUGrug provides added insulation for warmth and a condensation barrier to keep you dry. And the BedRug on the floor will provide cushioning for your gear."

SNUGTOP also offers five GearMate products that can be used independently or in conjunction with each other to manage and maintain your gear. They include large and medium organizers, cooler and utility totes and a unique top mount carrier that can be affixed to the underside of a tonneau cover or truck cap ceiling.

So, this spring and summer, before you go, before you stow, equip your pickup with a shell that will extend your enjoyment of the Great Outdoors. You'll be able to pack more toys, and better protect and organize your gear.

For more information about the latest in pickup caps, shells and tonneau covers, be sure to visit snugtop.com.

A tip of the cap for this tip on truck caps