What truck Cap/Topper are you happy with

[jjohn]

Hey guys,

I'm shopping for a cap for my shortbed. Right now I'm leaning tward the A. R. E. brand "Z" series with paint code match. I like the slam style glass rear Door made with SUV style hardware. I'd like your opinion on value and other brands.

Thanks JJ

 

[Mactruck]

ARE is one of the best brands out there IMHO. I personally have a Century Cap and have had good luck with it. I would have gotten an ARE if it wasn't for the fact the dealer was 1 1/2 hours away.

 

[Shovelhead]

Check www.jeraco.com



I've been happy with mine, and the $$$$$ were cheaper.

 

[Double 6]

I have a Glasstite Raven on my shortbed, its a quality cap, dual locking handles, color matched, dark tinted windows, lifetime warranty.

Check them out at www.glasstite.com

 

[MPatrick]

toppers

I just put on a Leer cab high with color match. I wanted the best ventilation so, I picked the one with less glass (does not look like a SUV). The SUV look-a-likes only have the last quater that opens for a vent.

 

[Alaskaskiff]

Have had a Snugtop on my truck for over 6 years, including a fair amount of four-wheeling. No problems, other than self-induced ones.



Had a Leer on my last truck. Would not recommend them. It broke up on my truck in 2. 5 years. It was so bad the factory cast me a brand new one under warranty. It was a cab-high. Total POS.

 

[DennyDay]

ARE is good bet on a 3/4 ton

Many of them won't take the twisting and vibration of a stiff suspension. I've got a Florifda Topper on the '99 with no problems. Look for a Topper with aluminum flanges on both sides and stay away from Leer.



Denny

 

[JR2]

I have a top of the line Lear XL160 and it is a POS. It does not seem to fit the truck. The front of it is bowed so far back that it almost does not contact the bed. The windows all leaked till I tightend them up. The carpet inside is falling off the roof and the rubber trim around the windows is falling off faster than I can glue it back on. On the plus side it looks good from the outside and has not cracked or chiped at all. The color match pait is perfect.

 

[jjohn]

Thanks

Thanks for the input so far, Especially the candid comments. With my limited time these days your opinions mean a lot. There are so many to choose from in the Denver area.

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by jjohn

Hey guys,

I'm shopping for a cap for my shortbed. Right now I'm leaning tward the A. R. E. brand "Z" series with paint code match. I like the slam style glass rear Door made with SUV style hardware. I'd like your opinion on value and other brands.

Thanks JJ

I have the ARE Z series on mine. I like it a lot and would buy it again. The local that sold/installed it was not the best. If I did it again I would send my fuel door cap for them to color match it.



My white truck/cap was not a perfect match. Do not expect a perfect match. Once they take the thing back and re-paint it you will be even less satisfied. Mine shows the drill marks were rivets were drilled out, over spray on the inside rails and the glass now has gouges/scratches in it where before it looked new. I am almost at the point to write them a letter and ask for a new one and they can sell mine used/as is.



No color match will be perfect, the OEM's do not have the $ or time to spend like DC does to get different materials to look the same color. Each material has different reflectivity thus the color will be different.

 

[MUDDY]

cracks

had many shells. aluminum w/ aluminum frames. also had a plastic covered aluminum frame shell.



i didnt want fiberglass. saw where fiberglass shells crack near windows on the sides.



however i soon discovered my aluminum frames would crack at rear corners at top due to frame and body flex off road. i had em clamped down front rear and middle. the pickup box moves and flexes pulling the shell out at the bottom rear. after moving the rear clamps a foot and a half to 2 feet forward, and removing middle clamps, ive had no more problems with frame cracks. this lets the shell move slightly side to side independantly of the bed in the rear lessening stress on the shell

 

[jjohn]

Smokeing Joe

That color match sounds like a pain in the butt. I have the Graphite metallic, I know nothing about paint color matching, but I bet graphite would be even harder to match. That fuel door Idea may be the ticket. If they don’t loose it.

 

[illflem]

I'm very happy with my Raider canopy. 180k with no cracks leaks etc. Many styles and window/door options you can mix and match, every one is custom without the custom price. Color matches perfect, in fact the touchup paint included with the canopy matches the truck color better than Dodge's touchup paint.

 

[E7mack96]

I had a leer 160xl as well, did not fit. Dealer told me that leer discontinued them cause of so many problems. I now have a leer 122 hi-rise. It fits better, but still not perfect. I believe that a 3500 with camper package (mine) probably should not have a cap on it. It has 8 clamps on it and it still moves around.

 

[AlK]

I had a Leer cap put on my truck in 92. Color is starting to bleach out badly and it has developed cracks at the back at the top of each side by the flap. I will never buy another Leer.

 

[24V-DSL]

I wouldn't be hopeful these mass-production operations will pay any attention to your fuel door when they get ready to paint.



Snugtop, and I'm sure the other's, use your DC paint code number. My white match is, as far as I can tell in various lighting conditions, ~perfect.

 

[Big Sur]

Topper

Got the SnugTop Expo on mine and it fits well. The color isn't exactly perfect though, looks more like the dull silver of the previous years rather than the 'bright' on mine. Oh well.



Big Sur

 

[KKeen]

Have had my Raider cab high for 4 years, 73k miles. white finish is like new, water tight, fits truck like a glove. Quality topper, would buy again.

 

[LarryB]

My last one was a Snugtop. The absolute best part was the "Windoors". Side windows that opened up like the rear door, two latches/locks on each. Nothing worse than having to crawl up into the bed to get something that slid up front. With the windoors you just open the side windoor and grab what you want. I even hauled some 6'X6' sheets of plywood once with one side windoor open. I'm not sure if they still offer this option but I highly recommend it.



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[JohnMcIntyre]

A.R.E. feedback...

When I've not got my Lance Camper in the back of my truck, I have an A. R. E Z-series truck cap, which I'm very pleased with. The paint code is right on the money for the Dodge "in Yer face" Flame Red paint, the quality and build finish is right up there with the rest of them and there's several customising options for interior finishes and alternate tailgate/walk-in door combos to suit your personal preferences.



Click here ... to see what other satisfied Dodge truck owners have said about A. R. E.