Cap Debate

[southpier]

ARE or Leer?

i did a search and turned up 84 pages ....

did we ever hammer this out?

thanks

 

[RU55ELL]

Ask Tacovendor why he went from one to the other.

 

[southpier]

i did, but he ain't talkin'

 

[mtnbike28]

Are?

It seems for reading and keeping up with it, more folks are happier with ARE than Leer in the long run. I have a Ranch brand, I bought it used. But if I was searching for an user to find 6 foot topper, I would look for an ARE.
YMMV

 

[7wt]

I had a Leer and loved the quality but hated the function. I couldn't see out of the blasted thing. I'd never do one again, something I just had to go through I guess.

 

[Rock]

I've had both. I have a Leer right now. It's nice I like it, but for some reason I think the ARE was built better. I've had the Leer on my 2004 GMC Canyon for 6 years, I originally put the ARE on a 1992 S-10. I think you should really take a look at what you want it to do (ie. hold a rack) and make a decision based on that. Those two manufacturers are good, hell they've been battling it out for many years now.

 

[robert]

I've got an ARE on my current truck. I looked at several manufacturers and wanted a Snugtop but they were a lot more expensive on this coast. I wasn't impressed with the quality of several of the makers including Leer. This kind of surprised me as my truck had a Leer tonneau cover* on it when I bought it and it seems very well made. From what I gathered, Leer has two plants- one makes the tops and the other makes the tonneau covers. The local Leer dealer actually recommended the ARE for a shell.

So far I've been pretty happy with it other than having cheaped out and not gotten the windoors and drop down front window. I wish now that I'd gotten the taller version too although the cab high looks best. I installed a Yakima rack system using their tracks and it's had several boats on it at a time and still doing fine.


*I've still got the tonneau cover if you want one for a really good price. :sombrero:

 

[mtnbike28]

Top accessories...

I agree on those thoughts.

1. windoors - a must
2. taller - wish I had it when camping ( but it's not as pretty)
3. fold window for cleaning - great feature

 

[LACamper]

Put me down for a vote for the Leer. I had one for 8 years and no problems. Only complaint, i should have ordered the one that was higher at the back for the added visibility.

 

[Outbacktacoma]

I vote for Vista. I am on my second one and happy. When looking into to buying, the local camper shell shop tells me that most shells are built the same. The difference is the way the door locks, and framed or frameless windows. I personally like the framed window look better and am fine with the inferior way the Vista locks. I am also fine with an $1100 price tag when the Snugtop was 2K.