Truck Cap

[kmcdonough]

I am looking into buying a truck cap for my 03 CTD LB. Does anyone have a truck cap and, if so, what is the brand and how do you like it? I'm looking at the A. R. E. L series and the Leer (I think QXL series) caps. Any input would be appreciated.



Kevin McD.

 

[FKieser]

A.R.E.

I have two A. R. E. on both a 1998 Dodge and my new '04 Dodge. I have had absolutely no problem with them and would highly, highly recommend them. Especially recommend them because of the life time warranty on the rear door assembly!

 

[Macker]

caps

what type of price range are these caps running??

 

[nickleinonen]

not a long bed, but on my short bed, i have a raider nomad series truck cap. i am happy with it. it wasn't cheap but it seems to be well built [and i like the j-hook mounting to the rails]



i have some pictures in my sig under 2nd page where there is dodge ram 2500 pictures if you like...

 

[jjohn]

A.R.E and Snugtop

A. R. E and Snugtop were the two I came down to after looking at every brand on the planet!



In my opinion they are the top two.



I picked the Snugtop because of the gasket attached to the bottom of the contact surface with a no shift lip that fits the contour of the bed and other "standard" features like the headliner and interior light, built in tie downs.



Half slider side windows with sliding and removable screens, fold down front window for cleaning, back window latch can be opened and closed from the inside while locked on the outside... ... Also I just plain liked the looks.



However there are many many good brands out there it was a tough choice for me.

 

[Pug59]

I Just put a Jeraco hi-riser on my truck last week and love it. I had a Jeraco back in 89 and loved that cap, except for the Gel-coat finish. It faded. I bought a Leer for my 95 Ram and that had a few problems. Cracked along the bed rail and the factory repaired it. I sold that truck a few weeks ago and it was starting to crack again. Would not recomend that one. So in short, I like the Jeraco. It's a little heavier than the Leer, but if you got a 2500, whats 50 pounds... I got mine in PA. I got the headliner, Hi-riser, tilt and slider front window, LED brake light for the grand price of 1200 installed (including taxes)

 

[FJfonda]

I have run a Century cap since '99. So far both side windows have been replaced due to faulty opening mechanisms, the rear window frame needed to be refastened, the hinges were replaced 2X and are loose again and there are stress cracks in the front corners not covered under warranty.

I recently looked at the A. R. E caps and am impressed by their quality... . and more so by their warranty that covers all stress cracks. A. R. E will be the cap to go on my new truck.

 

[jandu]

ARE

I had a ARE MX series shell on my 1998 and now have one on my 2003. I like the ARE because of the glass rear door. It's easy to get in the back of the pickup when hooked up to my travel trailer. The one thing I don't like is the customer service. On my 1998, the dealer and I both tried for four months to get a part for the rear door. ARE kept saying they were going too send one, but they never did. I finally call another mfg. and got a replacement part that would work. On my 2003 I need a trim part that blew off going down the road. I have E-mailed them two times and got an automated reply saying . they would contact me. I haven't heard back from them. Good luck on whatever you buy.

 

[FKieser]

A.R.E. Cost

I bought a MX series A. R. E. for my 2004 short bed and paid $1,000. 00 for the cap and installation. I got the cap, flip down front window, 12volt light, and 1 clothes hanger. This as I said is the second cap I have had and love it. The dealer was excellent!!

 

[Prairie Dog]

I had an A. R. E. on my 93 - never a problem. I've got a a Leer on my 03, windows leak, latch has been adjusted several times and still it's crap - Plus, I hate the way it looks on it. The back of the canopy sits slightly lower than the front. It was supposed to make it look level.

 

[Pugster]

Over the last 15 years I have had both Lear & Jeraco toppers on my pickups. Had very satisfactory service and no problems with either. But the I never keep a pickup truck for more than 2 years.

 

[bighammer]

I've been looking but can't decide. I like the look of the Leer (I think ) 100XQ. I got prices from a couple local dealers and there's a wide difference in price. (1200 to 1850 ) Either way, it's a lot of money. (It's a shame I can't talk myself into a nice aluminum cap and save a wad of $$$ -- Just can't do it)

 

[cannongeorge]

Truck Caps

KMC, although I'm still waiting to even order my new Dodge RAM, I have the same interest. What is your planed use for a cap? At my work, we use Silvershield (out of AZ) to provide a nice low-profile pop-up alumimun cap for Dodge trucks. The entire lid stands up on four pop-up legs, attached to the bed of the truck. The thing collapses when not iin use. Although this is for commercial use (field survey trucks) they have a tent option that provides for a canvas "tent" when popped in the open position. Although the functionality is great, I don't like the side locks, basically exposed lock hasps that look ugly on a private vehicle.



If anyone knows of other "pop-up" recreational covers I would like to know. ???



On prior trucks I have used Snugtops, the sliding windows w/screens were indispensible in hot (and buggy) weather. I think these windows are better (if you spend any time inside) than pop-out windows.



I know a number of manufacturers offer an entire vertical rear panel section (also replaces tailgate) available with a "door. " But I have always found a real tailgate indespensible for load transfer into the truck bed, as well as a quick "table" for all sorts of field use. My wife disagrees.





My 2c worth... .

 

[Phil Howell]

I have a SnugTop XV (Extra Vision). I like the look and the quality. This is my second SnugTop and they have both been great. I tried an Innovations cap on my 2001 Ram and found the quality to be below that of SnugTop's. IMHO, A. R. E. and Lear have the same high quality as SnugTop.



Pick the one with the features you like the best. By the way, some of the models have interesting styling for our new Rams. I didn't care for them. Before ordering, make sure you see a photo of the cap on a 3rd Gen truck.



Have fun and good luck!

 

[kmcdonough]

Thanks for all the input. Looks like I'm going to go for the A. R. E. The SnugTops look nice, but couldn't find a dealer in my area. I've had A. R. E. caps before and like them.

Kevin McD.

 

[lawdog]

I liked the look of the ARE Z-Series but a good friend that used to work at a dealer that sold ALOT of ARE caps recommended against it. He said that they had alot of problems with the latch post being flimsy and did not latch well.

I looked at a Leer 100XQ today and I liked some of the features... Rubber base gasket compared to the old crappy foam tape, Hidden (Inside) large aluminum hinges, My Raider Nomad on my 200 2500 broke the hinges (Plastic exterior style) and the latches are the rotary slam style, as was my raider. . except the Leer has a square u-shaped latch pin that was VERY STURDY. i tyried to move it with my hands and was not being easy and it did not budge. My Raider I always had to bend out the latch pins to get the cap to latch. I got a price omn the 100XQ of $1350. 00

 

[Prairie Dog]

I have the 100XQ and I STRONGLY suggest you take a look at one actually sitting on a truck before you buy. Pics don't do the ugliness justice!!!

 

[lawdog]

Oh wow, that bad huh ???

Imay have to have them set it on the truck first... . Thanks

 

[AlK]

In 92 when I bought my 92 CTD I had a Lear cap installed. Unless the quality has improved I would not buy another Lear. The truck spends most of its life in the garage and yet the cap is fading and has hairline cracks on both top corners by the rear flap. Was not impressed with the response from the local Cap-It dealer.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Lawdawg, the thing I don't like is that it tends to make the truck look lower in the back because of it's wedge shape. I can't wait to get my airbags put on so I can level it out better. Also you can't put a dog back there because the side windows only slightly open.

On a 2wd it would probably look better but of course the windows would still leak and the latch would still suck...



Scotty



Here's a pic: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=70618&perpage=15&pagenumber=2