Truck caps and compression boot ... pros/cons

[wild-t]

Going to buy a cap and want one with the best visibility, superior leak proof seals, and possibly a front boot vice glass. (Did a search and found little on boots).



Boots:

***Thinking of putting the 3M plastic from Genos on the areas around the rear window to protect the paint from rubbing. Looks like the current style boots are better and not as harsh on the truck body anyway. Look like they will be more quiet as well.

***I hope that the rear view mirror 'auto dim feature' will not be effected by the back glass of the cap... and having a boot vice front glass should help on visibality also.



Cap:

***Looks like heavy construction of frames help reduce the likelyhood of cracking from the HD truck's suspension as well as reducing the possibility of glass breakage.

***Carpeted interior roof should be quieter.

***Seems that the ARE owners have the least problems and the most praise (at least they seem to post the most). Probably other brands are just as good. The Glasstite brand large rear door feature looks good but has less rear visibility.

***One local dealer, on their own, uses some type of double tube rubber seal for the bed rails... this should help in a better seal as well as removal and reinstall without replacing the material.



Questions:

1. Any other considerations/notes on my rubber boot decision?

2. Are the seamless side/back glass on the higher line models more prone to breakage?

3. Does the seamless side glass really have more visibility?

(the height of the opening seems the same size as the std window as viewed from the inside... dispite the glass being bigger on the outside).



Thanks in advance.

 

[buddys06]

i have done the boot on a couple of trucks and the mylar tape is a good idea but, you will have to replace it every year as the boot will wear through it eventualy. I will bet money that the boot WILL leak as I have yet to see one that did not, some worse than others. As for your other ? go check one out at a camper dealer as they usally have several models in stock.

 

[BigPapa]

wild-t,



I ran a Leer topper with a boot on a GMC for almost 200K miles. My observations:



1) The boot WILL NOT wear the paint IF you keep the boot and the cab clean.



2) The boot is A LOT noisier than the second window. You will hear every rattle, every gravel, and road noise from the tires, especially AT types.



3) Leaks are no big deal. I cut my boot (I had to install it myself, I bought a used topper that the man's dog had chewed the boot off of!) where the seam was on the bottom center of the window and I cut it so that the seem formed a "V" pointing downward. If it leaks, and I really never noticed that mine did, the water runs down the boot to the bottom and out.



I liked my boot and, by the way, that stuff is EXPENSIVE! I had to give $80 for enough to put on the Leer! I bought another used Leer when I bought my Dodge and it has a window. I figured it would stay filthy and be a lot of trouble but it really hasn't.



Hope this helps in your decision and WELCOME to the TDR!



Scott

 

[guava]

My two cents... . I've got the ARE topper and they do make the full back door like GlassTite. I think it looks a little better because they build in the trim lines and grooves that match each truck.



That being said, they contracted out the carpet liner to someone else and they screwed up the door. The dealer figured it out before I ever saw it.



To ARE's credit, they told the dealer to ship the door back to them. They are fixing/replacing (I don't know which) and they know I will look at it with a critical eye.



Boot: I've seen them rub through paint but I feel its preventable with adequate cleaning. I didn't get the boot. Probably says more about how much I like to wash cars.



Glass: Visibility isn't an issue. By the time I look through the front doors, back doors, and then the rear window, the view is past where I want to see anyways.



The only down side to the full rear door is the tinting of the rear door. I was told tinting of that door is illegal. The glass is large and allows peering eyes and easy view of whats inside.

 

[Bill Lins]

Originally posted by guava

The only down side to the full rear door is the tinting of the rear door. I was told tinting of that door is illegal.

Depends on what state you're in- check with your Highway Patrol.

 

[FJfonda]

wild-T,



I had a Century with a boot and went 140,000 miles without damage to the cab paint. It is necessary to keep the area clean from road grit. My Century cap cracked at the front corners and was not covered by warrante... ... definately stay away from that brand.

My new ARE is wonderfull and built much better than the Century... . went with the boot again. This one leaks slightly less than the Century but you need to expect the leaks..... it's not possible to prevent them 100%.

Full side glass is the way to go... ... it is very durable and a high quality cap will warantee it as well. I haven't been able to break mine yet!!

A couple of notes:

The ARE has a OEM style latch that allows the rear door to be shut like a car door. Go for the electric door lock option... and add one to the tailgate and everything will lock up with the key fob.

Get a spray in bedliner... . goes perfect with the cap!!!!!!

The rear view mirror on mine is almost useless as both my cap and cab windows have a dark tint. As they say ---- whatsa behind you a no-matter!!!!

 

[wild-t]

Thanks for the input everyone. Looking closer at the ARE and Leer. The info from the ARE dealer did not say that I could get an electric lock option! (nor the large rear door like the Glasstite). Neither of the dealers had samples of the models I want in stock that I could measure.

 

[FJfonda]

I contacted 2 local ARE dealers and got 2 completely different stories on the boot and electric locks. It took a call to the factory to find out which one was the truth. Needless to say, this quickly narrowed the selection process!!!!! I found ARE folks eaisly accessable and easy to talk to... . and they have a very good warrantee

 

[wild-t]

I'll have to contact ARE as well... wonder what else the dealer didn't tell me.

 

[John - K5AWO]

Originally posted by wild-t



Boots:

***Thinking of putting the 3M plastic

Bicycle or motorcycle, small tire inner tubes wear the best and are the quiet. No plastic to squeek. Cheap, readily available if any problems develop.

 

[wild-t]

Yes, I guess the plastic will make some noise.

John... Not sure on what you mean with the inner tubes.