BajaNomad

SENTRI WITH A CAMPER SHELL?

bajalearner - 8-25-2017 at 05:29 AM

Can a pick up truck have a shell on the bed in SENTRI? I have heard no camper but does that include a shell?

bajaguy - 8-25-2017 at 05:53 AM

I have SENTRI on both trucks with camper shells, nothing said when inspected

Pescador - 8-25-2017 at 07:23 AM

I have a camper shell on my dodge truck and it goes through.

billklaser - 8-25-2017 at 07:41 AM

Have a camper shell on my Ford, was inspected, and never been a problem for almost 10 years. Sometimes I get comments about what is in the shell as I carry a lot of travel supplies and tools.

Howard - 8-25-2017 at 07:57 AM

I thought that a camper shell was a no-no but I guess I am wrong.

Let me push the envelope here. How about a pick up with an overhead camper? I am pretty sure the answer is no but I would of thought the camper shell would of been a no as well.

LaPlayaENC - 8-25-2017 at 09:43 AM

Quote: Originally posted by bajalearner  
Can a pick up truck have a shell on the bed in SENTRI? I have heard no camper but does that include a shell?


I just came through on Sunday with my van with surfboards and a cargo box on the roof. The inspector told me I have too much gear on the van for SENTRI. I've been through a 1/2 dozen times prior with no mention about it. The agent said to refer to the website but after spending a 1/2 hour on it, I see nothing regarding limits on vehicles with cargo or other loads

bajaguy - 8-25-2017 at 10:01 AM

NOPE, no cab-overs

As it was explained to me by the CBP agent who inspected both of my trucks with camper shells, they treat a truck with a shell the same as a SUV or a Suburban type vehicle.......he also cautioned NOT to overload it
Quote: Originally posted by Howard  
I thought that a camper shell was a no-no but I guess I am wrong.

Let me push the envelope here. How about a pick up with an overhead camper? I am pretty sure the answer is no but I would of thought the camper shell would of been a no as well.

BajaNaranja - 8-25-2017 at 10:54 AM

My understanding is that a hollow camper shell = OK.

I go through SENTRI all the time with a standard camper shell on my pick up, they've never grumbled at me.

But any kind of camper with built in storage, or an actual camping camper, that's a no-no.

I would expect that if you have a standard camper shell plus carpet kit (with the built in storage boxes), you could likely catch a ration, if the agent ever looked back there and noticed it.

BajaNaranja - 8-25-2017 at 10:57 AM

Quick addition - I have three family members and lots of friends who have the pickup truck / standard camper shell configuration and we all use SENTRI all the time, with no issues.

aguachico - 8-25-2017 at 01:43 PM

They will tell you at the inspection whether it is not allowed. Overhead campers are not allowed to my knowledge. You can overload the camper with all kinds of gear, just prepare to go to secondary. If they give you crap about the amount of stuff, just tell them that you are aware that you have a lot of gear and are willing to go to secondary. That normally cools their jets.

Whale-ista - 8-25-2017 at 04:17 PM

I've crossed at SENTRI with this Callen without problems, even with a small cabover.

I don't have any built in cabinets- they've opened the rear doors to look inside, but haven't told me it breaks any rules.

However... who knows what changes they'll make going forward.

DSCF6309

IColonet2

SFandH - 8-25-2017 at 04:45 PM

Nice camper. Those things are great. I had one just like it. Too bad the son who took over Callen Camper when dad died was too stupid to run the business.

I got approved by SENTRI when they initially inspected my truck with it in 2005 or so.

Bajavanadu - 8-26-2017 at 09:39 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Whale-ista  
I've crossed at SENTRI with this Callen without problems, even with a small cabover.

I don't have any built in cabinets- they've opened the rear doors to look inside, but haven't told me it breaks any rules.

However... who knows what changes they'll make going forward.

DSCF6309

IColonet2



Nice camper!

Bajavanadu - 8-26-2017 at 09:47 AM

I got some attitude from an agent during my last sentri crossing at otay a week ago. But she didn't send me off to secondary. I haven't been to secondary with my big surf van since I recieved sentri almost 2 years ago, yet they sent me to secondary every other time crossing pre sentri? I would love to retire the van and get a truck with a tall shell but don't want to get the sentri yanked? I've called several times trying to get a clear definition of what vehicles are allowed but never get a real answer?

Ateo - 8-26-2017 at 10:05 AM

I hear 5 month wait to add a vehicle to Sentri lately.........

Udo - 8-26-2017 at 11:56 AM

Sometimes less if you go on the canceled appointment list. Many times a slot opens when an appointment cancels when you are patient.
Quote: Originally posted by Ateo  
I hear 5 month wait to add a vehicle to Sentri lately.........