Camper King USA hardtop initial thoughts

[Sam410]

I wanted to take the time to give my thoughts about the CamperKingUSA hardtop. After weighing my options between OEM hardtops, rally tops and bulldawg manufacturing tops (all great options) I was a bit disappointed initially when it came to finding a quality top for a good price with used hardtops going anywhere from 1000-2600 in Southern California. Eventually I found camper king USA, a small family company that started in manufacturing campers but switched to manufacturing Jeep tops about 13 years ago. The photos online looked great and the price point at 1500 for a brand new hardtop with headliner installed was justifiable for me. It was convenient for me to purchase my hardtop from them due to the fact they are based out of San Diego, which is local to me. I made the trip to check out the tops and it was obvious to me they were quality so I purchased one. they put on new foam weatherstripping on my jeep tub before installing the hardtop which I thought was a nice touch. It was a quick usual hardtop install apart from how it latches to the windshield. In my opinion they have a better design that hooks to the front windshield with a nut and lock washer leading to a significantly better seal than what I’ve experienced with hardtops in the past. due to this and the carpet headliner it is significantly more quiet than my OEM hardtop. my only possible con thus far is the rear windshield uses truck canopy style handles (think YJ hardtop) instead of being kept closed behind the tailgate. I’m not even sure that I dislike this it leads to a better Seal it’s just different and I figured worth noting.

If you have any questions or would like additional photos feel free to ask!
-Sam

 

[hummerbk]

I got my Camper King hardtop about one month ago. I think the top is very well made.
I can hear the radio and talk to people at freeway speeds now.
If I had any issue it would be the long leade time. I would have had zero problems if I had been told when I ordered that it would be 6 or 7 weeks.

 

[Sam410]

I got my Camper King hardtop about one month ago. I think the top is very well made.
I can hear the radio and talk to people at freeway speeds now.
If I had any issue it would be the long leade time. I would have had zero problems if I had been told when I ordered that it would be 6 or 7 weeks.

That’s rough! I can’t speak to delivery, as I picked it up in person

 

[hummerbk]

The top is well worth the money and I'm glad I ordered it.
I have to say that the shipping frame they built was absolutely genius level construction.
I must have removed a pound of screws when taking it apart and not one of them was unnecessary.

 

[Sam410]

The top is well worth the money and I'm glad I ordered it.
I have to say that the shipping frame they built was absolutely genius level construction.
I must have removed a pound of screws when taking it apart and not one of them was unnecessary.

its funny you mentioned this. I watched them bracing / packing one up to be shipped to Alaska and I had the same thought. I remember thinking "damn they have shipping these things down to a science" lol

 

[L J]

If you have any questions or would like additional photos feel free to ask!

If it's not too much trouble can you post up additional pics of the windshield frame latching system, the shell to tub fastening and the interior view of the back glass latches for any future TJers shopping hardtops?

 

[Sam410]

If it's not too much trouble can you post up additional pics of the windshield frame latching system, the shell to tub fastening and the interior view of the back glass latches for any future TJers shopping hardtops?

No problem, Ill take some pics tomorrow

 

[thrownclear]

Thanks for your input.
I’m local too. I’ve been keeping my eye on their Craigslist ads. I have an LJ and I’m not real crazy about the looks of the side windows. The TJ looks pretty close to ome. The LJ not so much.
I’m all ears for the reviews.

 

[GavinBrooks]

Can you guys that have them, give us an update? I am looking to purchase either the Camper King or the Rally Top... I'm going to be driving down from the Portland area to get one if they seem to hold up.. I am still a bit torn on which one to go with..

 

[hummerbk]

Can you guys that have them, give us an update? I am looking to purchase either the Camper King or the Rally Top... I'm going to be driving down from the Portland area to get one if they seem to hold up.. I am still a bit torn on which one to go with..

I'm very happy with my Camper King top. It seems to be well made. I have developed a slight wind noise at the passenger side near the windshield but I think I'll replace the header seal and see what happens. I believe the seal is original. Theoretically, I could tighten the latch and eliminate the noise but mine either didn't come with instructions or they blew off on the freeway when I was bringing it home in my pickup truck. I saw something fly off but assumed it was a packing slip or something. I'm afraid I'll over tighten the bolts holding it down without some guidance. If you buy one please let me know if there are instructions for tightening. One thing I can suggest is to use two nuts on the six hold down bolts on the body to keep them from loosening.

 

[GavinBrooks]

I'm very happy with my Camper King top. It seems to be well made. I have developed a slight wind noise at the passenger side near the windshield but I think I'll replace the header seal and see what happens. I believe the seal is original. Theoretically, I could tighten the latch and eliminate the noise but mine either didn't come with instructions or they blew off on the freeway when I was bringing it home in my pickup truck. I saw something fly off but assumed it was a packing slip or something. I'm afraid I'll over tighten the bolts holding it down without some guidance. If you buy one please let me know if there are instructions for tightening. One thing I can suggest is to use two nuts on the six hold down bolts on the body to keep them from loosening.

Will do! Thanks for the reply

 

[Sam410]

Can you guys that have them, give us an update? I am looking to purchase either the Camper King or the Rally Top... I'm going to be driving down from the Portland area to get one if they seem to hold up.. I am still a bit torn on which one to go with..

I am also very happy with my camper king top. After rereading my initial post I still am not a huge fan of the rear window YJ style locking handles from a usability perspective (extra key to carry around) but I have to admit they create a great seal and cut down on wind noise.

 

[BOBDOUGIE]

Thanks all, I was looking at purchasing one of these for a TJ and you guys gave me all I needed to know. I have a friend that transports autos back and forth from AZ and he said that he could pick it up for me. Thanks again.

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

dang. if i could find someone with a good quality and in good shape soft top id trade straight across for my hard top. hate these things.

 

[Sam410]

dang. if i could find someone with a good quality and in good shape soft top id trade straight across for my hard top. hate these things.

why's that?

 

[JEEPSTEVENANAIMO]

why's that?

I live in a temperate rain forest. hardtop seals tend to leak. ive yet to have an issuew ith any soft top on my other jeeps. strange thing here...a jku soft top new in box will sell for 150$ a used tj softop all ragged..$600 lol.

just prefer soft top as generally i run no roof most of the year so having the soft top back there to put up quickly when it rains is nice to have.

 

[deleted]

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[Sam410]

I'll add on to this. I live in Buffalo, NY now but lived in San Diego, CA for 5 years where I bought my Jeep TJ. My Jeep had a factory hard top on it and I wasn't a fan of it. I found CamperKingUSA randomly and they actually delivered my hard top and installed it. I've now had it for five years, and it's held up great. I also agree that the way the hard top hooks to the Jeep via the J hook and nut.

The rear tailgate seal is a con, if you want to look at it that way. However, I have never once had a leak from it. unlike my factory hard top. Another down side in my opinion, is that the hard top when taken off feels a little "flimsy"/flexible compared to the factory but it is also WAY lighter, so that could be seen as a pro to some.

Overall, I got my money's worth out of this top and would buy another if I needed one. but it would be a lot more annoying to get than when I lived near them.

edit: I also considered rallytops and bulldawg, but they were extremely cost prohibitive.

Well said. the design really does lead to a nice seal. I actually looked into shipping one for a friend on the east coast. From the website it looks like the hardtop comes to around 2000 shipped... not as bad as I was expecting.

 

[BOBDOUGIE]

I ordered one for my 2003 TJ, I had a friend that hauls cars back and forth from Phoenix and he was able to pick it up for me and bring it back on one of his loads. Camper King had now problem holding it for me until it worked into my friends schedule and load. He said it took an hr out if his day to go and pick it up. He said the camper Ing worked with him as far as getting it loaded. I installed it yesterday and it fits like a glove. The sound suppression that is included in the build helps a lot. The front window seal that was on my Jeep looked new so we did not install the weather stripping that was sent with the top. I will let ou know if there are any issues there in the future. Thanks again for the suggestions and recommendations from this sight.

 

[hummerbk]

I ordered one for my 2003 TJ, I had a friend that hauls cars back and forth from Phoenix and he was able to pick it up for me and bring it back on one of his loads. Camper King had now problem holding it for me until it worked into my friends schedule and load. He said it took an hr out if his day to go and pick it up. He said the camper Ing worked with him as far as getting it loaded. I installed it yesterday and it fits like a glove. The sound suppression that is included in the build helps a lot. The front window seal that was on my Jeep looked new so we did not install the weather stripping that was sent with the top. I will let ou know if there are any issues there in the future. Thanks again for the suggestions and recommendations from this sight.

I also have a 2003 tj with a Camper King top.
Did yours come with any instructions or suggestions on how tight the front windshield bolts should be?
Either mine didn't have instructions or they blew off when I picked it up.
I don't want to crack the fiberglass but also no leaks.