Creating this beautiful truck bed cap by hand required over 100 hours.

      Charlie Pitch

      Some individuals simply cannot be deterred from doing or creating things in their own unique way. This is certainly true for Charlie Pitcher, a seasoned metal worker from Pennsylvania who fabricates first-generation Cummins pickups that could potentially command prices of $100,000. This time, he has taken a different approach by dedicating years of skill and over 100 hours of effort into crafting the finest aluminum truck bed topper I've ever encountered.

      I receive no compensation for stating that, either. It’s just the honest truth, and once you witness the effort that went into its creation, I'm certain you will concur. This isn't just any ordinary Leer camper top; it surpasses even the more upscale aluminum models available from specialized manufacturers. “I don’t feel like buying one of those because they’re all kind of crap,” Pitcher explains. “They’re flimsy, wood-frame. I’m just going to make my own.”

      Charlie Pitcher

      Pitcher commenced his project entirely from scratch, using four pieces of 2-inch angle iron that are 1/8-inch thick, two pieces of 1.5-inch C-channel, two pieces of 2-by-3-inch angle iron that are 1/4-inch thick, a piece of bar stock, and a scrap plate. These materials form the frame, which Pitcher bent and shaped himself after establishing the precise design he desired. His intention is to use it on his 1969 Dodge D200 Camper Special equipped with a big block, although it will also be compatible with his first-generation Cummins. Since both trucks have a slight curve to their roofs, he designed the bed cap with a pitched top that rises one to two feet behind the cab.

      With the frame set, Pitcher installed a set of three-pane, crank-out VW Bus windows that he sourced from Facebook Marketplace. He managed to secure them for less than half the price of a new set—what a deal!—and their dimensions are 16 by 43 inches. They appear to have always been meant for this bed cap.

      Charlie Pitcher

      Progress continued as the crossbars were prepared for covering. Pitcher shaped the outer shell by measuring and cutting from 8-foot sheets of aluminum, using domed-head rivets to achieve the desired appearance. This process is far more complex than it sounds, and he captures it all in the video below. It's a satisfying 20-minute clip that chronicles the entire build from beginning to end, and with numerous shots of Pitcher and his three-person team bustling back and forth between machines, you can't help but recognize the substantial time investment this entailed.

      The final product is a unique creation that outshines anything commercially available. The finish is exceptional, featuring impressive barn doors and hand-cut Lexan windows at the back, along with the OEM Dodge running lights positioned just above them. It may feel appropriate to label it as “vintage,” but that wouldn’t be accurate—it's brand new, crafted using traditional metal fabrication techniques. It's truly a stunning piece that cost Pitcher $1,200 in materials, in addition to all the equipment and labor needed to bring it to life.

      Charlie Pitcher

      Now, the big-block Dodge is prepared for its inaugural overnight adventure in the woods. Pitcher intends to transport a canoe that his father constructed on top, just as it was meant to be.

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