03' Truck Cap

[Ken B]

Briman,



Good looking set up! The Leer has good looking lines... . to match your good looking truck! Thanks for sharing the photo!



-Ken

 

[GHinton]

Has anyone checked mileage since adding a cap/camper/shell? I understand that they increase mileage but have never owned one, though am debating on adding one on now. What drawbacks do they have other than the obvious of reducing height of objects carried in the back? i. e. lack of visibility, etc. Thanks, Jaybird.

 

[loncray]

My cap decreased my mileage about 2 mpg (it's a tall ARE wedge). Other'n that, about the worst thing is trying to back into a parking space at night - the tint on the back window makes it about impossible to see behind the truck. Vision to the sides of the truck was pretty bad to begin with - the cap didn't make it that much worse.

 

[BSkinner]

Originally posted by GHinton

Has anyone checked mileage since adding a cap/camper/shell? I understand that they increase mileage but have never owned one, though am debating on adding one on now. What drawbacks do they have other than the obvious of reducing height of objects carried in the back? i. e. lack of visibility, etc. Thanks, Jaybird.

Have a look at: http://mars.wnec.edu/~ehaffner/did.htm



They did studies on drag for various configurations, i. e. covers, toppers, tailgate on/off, etc.



Bob

 

[Prairie Dog]

I haven't notice the cap making any difference at all to my mileage, after all it only weighs about as much (200 lb) as one person.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Here's a pic of the Lear 100XQ. Notice how the windows come all the way forward and go all the way down to the bed rail.

I got it to stop leaking around the windows, I guess I should have let Lear fix it but all it took was a little silicone on one of the screws.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Hers another perspective.

 

[Scooby]

P-dog,



You need to tint the driver's and passenger side windows to complete the look of dark glass - it'll make your great looking truck even better looking!

 

[Prairie Dog]

Your rite Scooby, that would look better but I think it would draw the attention of the local gum shoe.

 

[GHinton]

BSkinner, thanks for the info... Pdog-spiffy looking unit!

 

[bighammer]

Hey Prairie Dog,



Any ventilation in the side windows? Doesn't look like it from here, but that IS a great looking cap.

 

[Prairie Dog]

They do open up but in a kinda strange way that's hard to explain. The front leading edge has vertical hinge - so the back of the glass wan'ts to swing out. But (and this is where it gets odd) Theres also a hinge near the back that's mounted horizontally. Yes the two hinges are not parallel to each other but are actually perpendicular to one another. There's a knob towards the back (so you can easily reach it) that causes two arms to push the lower rear corner of the glass outward. The entire 7 1/2 foot long glass BENDS and FLEX'S!!! It really works pretty good. Rain cant come in from the top or from the front when their open and it opens far enough to let in a FAIR amount of air. I don't think it would be good enough for an animal or anyone sleeping back there on a warm night though. The entire window is covered with a screen. Check this out:

 

[bighammer]

Thanks for the info. (and great pictures) I got to look into one of those.

 

[Ken B]

The A. R. E Z series finally arrived! A while back a few guys had requested to post pics when the cap was installed... . so here you go! Sorry they're not the best shots. -Ken

 

[Ken B]

Photo # 2.

 

[mgonske]

Z-Series

Sorry, I missed this thread while I was gone for three weeks. I had my Z-series installed before going home when I picked my new truck up from the dealer, back in November. I'm very happy with it, especially the keyless entry tied into the truck's system, and the rear wiper washer. Pictures are in Readers Rigs.