ARE Canopies
- Thread starter JMyerz
- Start date
kcowyo
ExPo Original
I don't have an ARE topper, although I hear great things about them.
Food for thought, in the latest issue of Peterson's 4 Wheel Drive magazine, Fred Williams has a short feature on outfitting a truck for camping. He bought an ARE shell that features on the driver's side,two flip up solid panels to access a couple of shallow storage shelves. There is a regular sliding window on the passenger side for visibility. It allowed for use of 90% of the usual space with a bed and topper. Pretty trick like I've seen from some Aussie toppers.
It was a utility model, painted to match. And other than seeing little Freddie stand on his spare tire to reach the tailgate, the topper was the highlight of his outfit.
Just something to get you thinking in another direction - :box:
Food for thought, in the latest issue of Peterson's 4 Wheel Drive magazine, Fred Williams has a short feature on outfitting a truck for camping. He bought an ARE shell that features on the driver's side,two flip up solid panels to access a couple of shallow storage shelves. There is a regular sliding window on the passenger side for visibility. It allowed for use of 90% of the usual space with a bed and topper. Pretty trick like I've seen from some Aussie toppers.
It was a utility model, painted to match. And other than seeing little Freddie stand on his spare tire to reach the tailgate, the topper was the highlight of his outfit.
Just something to get you thinking in another direction - :box:
mountainpete
Spamicus Eliminatus
I don't have an ARE, I have a Range Rider which is made here in Canada. While I love my Range Rider (it's strong, looks good and does everything I need), if I had to replace it I would replace it with an ARE.
The reason is pretty simple... I wanted to get Win-doors for the sides of my canopy. It's those flip-up side windows kcowyo mentioned. The problem is that most companies only sell Win-doors with solid glass windows. ARE is the only company I know of that sell a screened, sliding Win-door. It gives you the best of both worlds - easy access to the bed and ventilation for sleeping inside, a dog in the back, etc.
My 2 cents
The reason is pretty simple... I wanted to get Win-doors for the sides of my canopy. It's those flip-up side windows kcowyo mentioned. The problem is that most companies only sell Win-doors with solid glass windows. ARE is the only company I know of that sell a screened, sliding Win-door. It gives you the best of both worlds - easy access to the bed and ventilation for sleeping inside, a dog in the back, etc.
My 2 cents
mountainpete
Spamicus Eliminatus
Just remembered that BajaTaco has a great write up on his ARE shell.
http://www.bajataco.com/Camper1.html
Win-doors are covered on the second page!
http://www.bajataco.com/Camper1.html
Win-doors are covered on the second page!
Nullifier
Expedition Leader
IMO ARE toppers are of the best quality. I do not think you can find a better laminated glass topper only a different one. I have an ARE topper on my daily because loading boats and over loading racks is common with me. I needed a high quality strong topper to carry loads up top. I did alot of reasearch on topper construction and in '97 when I bought my ARE I felt it was the best. I am considering a topper for my taco and am looking at the ARB. I am definetly getting the side storage boxes if I get one. I have just not decided between Glass or Aluminum. I have run back from Minnesota to Florida 3 times with 5 canoes on the roof rack of the topper! 2 tandem canoes side by side strapped down, then 2x4's on top of the tandem with 3 solo canoes tied to those for some double decker fun. The Topper handled the wieght and stress no problem.
I run an MX series on the ranger and it has served me very well. A little higher roof which makes sleeping in the back easier and the sky light is nice too.
I priced a metal ARE unit with side boxes, rack, interior lights, liner and color matched @ $1400 a month ago. so it will be next year before I add one if I do.
I run an MX series on the ranger and it has served me very well. A little higher roof which makes sleeping in the back easier and the sky light is nice too.
I priced a metal ARE unit with side boxes, rack, interior lights, liner and color matched @ $1400 a month ago. so it will be next year before I add one if I do.
Grim Reaper
Expedition Leader
A bunch of the service vehicles my company has are ARE equipped. I just put the metal service style on the truck I use sometimes. I really like it. A few of the trucks have the Fiberglass models with flip up side doors.
Mose of the other employees like the ARE's better then a couple of the other brands we have.
While I like how the Fiberglass models follows the contour of the truck nicely I really like the double door model that do away with the tail gate on the truck I use. Big reason is loading over the tailgate is a pain in the keister. Its also nice in that if can be operated easily one handed so when just tossing something in thats a little too bulky to lift over a closed gate its a lot easier.
The side doors are also larger. again makes it easier to get things in and out. A small RV window would be easy enough to add for use as a campers.
They are also easer to attach racks on. They have a load brace already built in.
I have been trying to get a full fiberglass liner style shell made by fibrebody http://www.brandfxbody.com/fibrebody/inserts.htm off one of the recently decommissioned trucks. It has a full length drawer the slides out the back. It also has a bed slide above that. Fully wired for lighting with switches at the doors. No driver side glass but we have several being decommissioned so I could swap the driver side door with a passengerside off another to get the window cut out. Its a standard size so I can easily sway screened sliders in.
The powers that be have for some reason decided that they will no longer sell employees the shells or the trucks. So far I haven't been able to get around it. Use to be no big deal. Couple Hundred bucks and they would sell them.
Mose of the other employees like the ARE's better then a couple of the other brands we have.
While I like how the Fiberglass models follows the contour of the truck nicely I really like the double door model that do away with the tail gate on the truck I use. Big reason is loading over the tailgate is a pain in the keister. Its also nice in that if can be operated easily one handed so when just tossing something in thats a little too bulky to lift over a closed gate its a lot easier.
The side doors are also larger. again makes it easier to get things in and out. A small RV window would be easy enough to add for use as a campers.
They are also easer to attach racks on. They have a load brace already built in.
I have been trying to get a full fiberglass liner style shell made by fibrebody http://www.brandfxbody.com/fibrebody/inserts.htm off one of the recently decommissioned trucks. It has a full length drawer the slides out the back. It also has a bed slide above that. Fully wired for lighting with switches at the doors. No driver side glass but we have several being decommissioned so I could swap the driver side door with a passengerside off another to get the window cut out. Its a standard size so I can easily sway screened sliders in.
The powers that be have for some reason decided that they will no longer sell employees the shells or the trucks. So far I haven't been able to get around it. Use to be no big deal. Couple Hundred bucks and they would sell them.
Last edited:
Willman
Active member
BajaTaco said:Thanks for adding the link Pete. I have had my ARE for 2 1/2 years. I have the Mpulse model with an optional lifetime warranty. So far I am still loving it.
Hey Baja...Would you think it would be to late to upgrade to the win-doors...or do they even sell those for a DC shell??
