Canopy Recommendations

[BIG BOB]

Vaughn,



I also bought mine at Palletts in Spokane.



www.palletttoppers.com



509-926-5566



I bought the cab high Raven with tool side windows. Had a good experience working with them. I needed more of a working canopy. I would have bought something with more appeal if I wanted a canopy just for looks. Side tool windows are only available on certain canopies.



Pallett has the best price and quality for what I was looking for.

 

[John]

Those hinged side windows that open completely as Big Bob has on his canopy are really advantageous for camping or on long trips when accessibility to contents not near the tailgate is important. Unfortunately as Big Bob also pointed out, they are not offered on all styles of canopies.



Hey Rich, the Leer model 122 canopy on my wife's (red) S-10 started fading JUST after the two year discoloration warranty ended. BTW, her canopy was gelcoated red to match her truck (the canopy dealer advised I not pay the additional amount to have it painted to match). The part that really bites is the fact that I knew better. How I was taken in by his BS is beyond me.



Hey Big Bob, I believe Bob Pallet (?) told me he used to work for Glasstite before establishing his own canopy business... some sort of regional rep. or something.

 

[Thomas]

Vaughn MacKenzie,



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.

 

[Partyat33]

You can't beat the quality of ARE products. I have had two of their caps and they are top notch.

Highly recommended.





Dennis

 

[Sky]

I bought a Vista for my last ram and was very happy with it. I liked it because when I went to look at it the salesman wieghed about 250+ and got on top of the "topper" and started walking around on the top of it and bounced on it a bit. So they are vey strong.



Mike

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Well I am going up to Pallett Toppers this Friday and see what they've got, I gave them a call and they sound like a great outfit. If I decide to get one and they don't have Pat. Blue in stock, they'll set me up with a free loaner until mine comes in Right now the Glasstite 2000 has my eye, a nice top for around $1400. Other models such as the Raven start under $900 with interior lining and lights, slider front window, sliding side windows, etc. I'll keep ya posted on what I get



Vaughn

 

[BIG BOB]

Vaughn,



Make sure you stop by. Call me first, I could be at the office in Spokane.

 

[hammersley]

I don't know why - but I get essentially NO Dust in my truck with my Raven Shell. I drive a lot of dusty roads, and it doesn't make sense, except that I keep the back windows open a little and manybe the positive flow keeps the dirt out. I've been in old station wagons and on a dusty road - it was like being in a dust storm. Let me give you my advice on height - if you want form over function - get a cab high one. On the other hand if you want utility - get the ones that are a bit higher. I'm getting up in years - over 50, and a buddy of mine (older) recommended that I get a taller shell so you didn't have to crawl around on your knees to get back into the darn thing. What a great recommendation. I can bend over and walk to the front. I also made a wooden tool box and side cover that I carpeted for my Yellow Labs. With the high top I can sit on this and put on shoes , rub my dogs ears etc. They love it there. And with dogs - I purchased the top with no screens - as that would be a useless exercise.

 

[John]

Excellent advice hammersley! That is one of the reasons I decided I wanted a canopy that was above the cab height. The down side is they don't sell as well as they once used to (so say many canopy salesman) so consequently almost all of the newer designs are cab high models.



Thomas, I had an incident early in the spring of '00 with my Glasstite Vision II back glass. The early models of the Vision II had a LARGE frameless back window (larger than ANY other on the market... with an extremely radical radius too), as mine did. One day I opened it easily (as usual), not forcing it in any way... BOOM! it exploded into a million pieces. Needless to say I was more than a little pissed! (after being scared sh*tless)... well actually, try livid! Anyway, a call to Glasstite proved to be very worthwhile in that, even though the glass was specifically not warranted (status quo in canopy warranties), they authorized the return of my canopy for an upgrade to the revised back window assembly. the frameless back window was replaced with a very large back window inset in a beautiful fiberglass frame (READ: extremely sturdy)... for free! If that wasn't enough, they repainted my canopy due in part to glass damage from the exploding back window... all in a goodwill gesture.



Good luck with your canopy hunting Vaughn! Say hi to my friend Big Bob when your in Spokane.

 

[vc]

I have a Leer and would agree with what John said- quality isn't what it used to be. It went back to the factory for leaky windows and it ttok them about 3 months to turn it back to me- way too long.

Next one will probably be an ARE for me unless something else shows up that is better.

I would not skimp on money for these- spend the money and get the best quality you can and save yourself some headaches later.

vc

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Well I ended up going with the SnugTop XV, aka "XtraVision. " John will be disappointed I didn't spring for the Top Gun, but maybe he can persuade another canopy shopper on the board to go after one. Pallett Toppers placed my order to get one in in Patriot Blue in about 3 weeks, but they installed another XV as a loaner N/C until mine comes in. They wired it up and all right there so when mine comes in, it'll be a quick trip in and out. Also Pallett's price on the XV was $250 less than the price a SnugTop dealer in Portland quoted me



After looking at some of the Raven, Glasstite and Raider canopies, I liked the larger sliding side windows of the XtraVision. They are curved, slide open easily, and I think it looks sharp. The downside of slider side windows is they don't mount flush like the pop-open types do, but SnugTop did a good job of making theirs looks as flush and smooth as possible. I also liked the feature of the rear hatch handle that pushes in and locks flat against the glass with a nifty rubber boot that snaps over it to protect it from the elements.



Another nice option I ordered is the opening front window assembly, which completely drops down on hinges on the lower side so you can easily clean the facing sides of the canopy and truck windows. Hopefully this won't be an area of potential leaks though.



Also the frameless back glass should retain integrity and not shatter like John's or Thomas'. The XV has a frame piece along the lower edge that gives is strength and supports the latch mechanicals, so I don't think it will be a problem.



I camped out in the bed of my truck last night and those big windows allowed great air circulation while the nice screens kept the skeeters and such out. Really looking forward to the blue one to coming in!

Vaughn



ps Here's a pix from SnugTop's website.



#ad

 

[Archive]

Vaughn... congrats on your purchase. Guess you won't be needing my couch anymore!

 

[Thomas]

Vaughn,



Looks good.



My SnugTop Expo also has a frameless back glass, much as you have described. The back glass on the Expo and Xtra Vision may even be interchangeable? From the lack of anecdotes of exploding back glass on this thread, I assume that I am either fate-f****d or one-in-a-million! I do have the coordinates for SnugTop's Long Beach, California manufacturing facility loaded in my GPS. If I'm in the neighborhood I'll give them a visit to look over my install.



Good luck and enjoy the canopy.