Anyone with Snug-Top Top Gun or . .

[BLACKRAM]

Super Sport? Good or bad comments? Best deal in Seattle area? I am interested in the Top Gun or Super Sport only.

 

[Thomas]

My experience may be worth knowing about even though you didn't mention this model. I have had problems with the frameless rear window, the same type that is used on the models you're looking at.



I've had a SnugTop EXPO on my RAM since October 1999. I'm satisfied with the fit, finish, and minimally opening side windows.



BUT...



I have had TWO incidents that have me wondering if there is some flaw in the design or install of my SnugTop.



Incident 1—three months after installing the SnugTop (January 2000) I drove from coastal California to Hurricane, Utah. I spent the night in a motel. When I went out to my truck in the morning the frameless, tempered rear window was blown out (and in). Thousands of small glass fragments scattered behind the truck and in the bed. A police report mentions "may be weather related", as there were no signs of a break-in, my case of beer by the tailgate was undisturbed, and the temperature dropped to near zero that night. I was convinced that someone was going for the sliding rear window and was planning to drive my RAM to Mexico, but had been scared off by the exploding window.



Incident 2—January 2001 I was backing my truck at 1 mph to park in front of my son's house near Denver as my son stood on the sidewalk watching. When I shut the truck off, my son remarked that I had driven over a bottle—he'd heard it pop. Long story short—the rear window was blown again. This was early evening, the temperature was dropping, and was about 6°.



These were the ONLY times that the truck has been in single-digit weather. The rear glass never seemed to be strained when opening or closing.



SnugTop was somewhat cooperative in replacing the glass but not willing to look at my install or concede that any other tops have had a glass problem.



UPDATE: I was in below zero weather again this past December. I was even carrying a tempered fiberboard replacement for the rear glass. No problems this time—go figure!

 

[24V-DSL]

I just got a super sport.....

Very high quality..... can't find any flaws. Don't know about best Seattle prices, but there's a dealer in Spokane who was ~$300 less than my local dealer, so I used this to negotiate a better price from my local dealer. I do think there is value in buying fairly local in case of need for warranty work..... there is some skill involved in proper installation.



Pallet Toppers 509. 926. 5566



There's a truck in the classifieds... . tops, canopies section with a picture of the super sport.



John should be posting soon about his passion for the Top Gun

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I have the SnugTop XtraVision but John ALMOST talked me into the Top Gun The XV has the frameless rear window. I've had it since last August and the only gripe about the rear window is sometimes you have to push in on the flush-locking handle to get it to lock down. A little lube should help this though.



I opted for the down-folding front window so window cleaning is a snap. However the little retaining clips for the locks jiggle out and the window almost dropped open. Overall though I love the canopy, it's quality and I'd go SnugTop again.



I also recommend Pallet Toppers in Spokane, they took good care of me, and their price was a LOT cheaper than any place I called in Portland, like around $175-$250 cheaper!



Vaughn

 

[Reddog1]

I have been shopping also. I have had at least three venders say the frameless rear windows are prone to brake on the extended cab Rams. Said no problem with others.





Wayne

 

[John]

Top Gun!

2000ney, if you are considering the Snug-Top, Top Gun "canopy" (as they are referred to out here... top, topper, camper shell, cap etc. in other locales), you had better have a SWB Ram. If not, you are toast (same as I was)... Snug-Top does not make the Top Gun model for anything other than SWB trucks.



BTW, congratulations on your move to the Seattle area 2000ney (although, I think it all depends upon how you feel about Seattle I guess ).



Regarding the frameless rear wondows, I had one on my last canopy, a Leer 590LX... no problems in just short of six years of ownership! I also HAD a LARGE frameless rear window (the largest ever offered on a canopy of any make/model), on my Glasstite Vision II canopy... that is until the glass shattered into a billion little pieces while it was raising.



Apparently Glasstite had replaced the frameless glass design with a fiberglass framed rear hatch with inset glass not too long after I had purchased my unit. Although they had introduced my particular model about 1. 5 years before I purchased it, they had never sold one in Western Washington. , as it really looks At any rate, after the rear glass explosion, I contacted Glasstite as how to proceed... I was told they would warrant the glass, replacing it with the newer design, fiberlass hatch/glass assembly... for free! Sweet! In addition, they repainted my entire canopy as a goodwill gesture as it had incurred many small scratches as a result of the exploding glass.



BTW, I was told I "held the record" for longest ownership of this particular model sporting the frameless rear glass without breakage! For what that's worth!



The ONLY reason I did not purchase my Vision II at Pallet Toppers in Spokane, WA was because my local dealer was such a great guy, going way beyond what most would have figured as having offered great customer service. Additionally, he matched the price of Pallet Toppers. Pallet Toppers was recommended to me by Glasstite as a high quality dealer that carried their entire line on their lot. A subsequent call to Pallet Toppers revealed that yes, they did indeed have a LWB Vision II on the lot I could look at. So, after work (overtime) one Saturday morning I headed across the State for Spokane to take a look see. Even after working all night and driving all day I wasn't really tired once I got home... after a 2-3 hr. nap it was off to work again! I know one thing, if he would have had a black one for A LWB Dodge Ram I would've returned home with that bad boy on my Ram!

 

[WTBurke]

The Leer 100 matches the body style of our trucks very well ..... I've tricked out my bed entirely but I spent over $2k doing it.



Its sweeeeeeet



William