Snug Top Shells

[pullya]

Has anyone had any problems with a Snug Top? I have had a couple of problems with the rear window and numerous calls to the company have been unanswered. The local dealer is trying their best but I get the impression the factory is not giving them much support. As a side light--I see a lot of people that are not happy with Banks products/service--I have my second dodge diesel, put banks kits on both and I can't be happier with both products and service.

 

[Thomas]

I posted the following July, 2001:

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.

Since the two broken glass problems, I've been in the cold again, without incident. However, my experiences with the SnugTop Expo cause me concerned anytime I'm around single digit temperatures.

 

[pullya]

My problem seems to be that the plastic molding at the bottem of the rear window keeps cracking. The factory said it is not a factory problem but they would be more than glad to replace the cracked one for about $400. WOW-- what a deal. The replacement lasted for about a week before stress cracks started to appear-- now the dealer wants to send the shell back for "factory inspection" because the dealer thinks the fiberglass has seperated. This process is only going to take about 4-6 weeks.

 

[Shovelhead]

Originally posted by Thomas

Since the two broken glass problems, I've been in the cold again, without incident. However, my experiences with the SnugTop Expo cause me concerned anytime I'm around single digit temperatures.

I've seen this a couple of times before as a single incident, but two times? Sounds like a bad batch of safety glass.



Maybe you need one of those heated tailgates the Chubbies use so the owner's hands don't get cold when pushing the vehicle.

 

[pullya]

Maybe a little "QUALITY CONTROL" would be helpful as well as a little customer relation training for factory representatives. I guess some manafactures done need or care about repeat business.