Truck Caps

[michlong]

I'm thinking about a truck cap, we are wanting to do some more travelling next year and want to gain some more dry storage in the bed - rather than the topper I have now. Does anyone have any advice on what to avoid / whats important when selecting a cap. I've been looking at the Leer 100XR. (I have a Crewcab 2019 F350 SRW)

Thanks in advance

 

[malibubts]

Make sure to get a window that folds out at the front; I wasn’t going to until I realized there’d be no way to clean either the back glass of the truck or the window itself.

Get at least roof tracks if you have the slightest idea you’ll want to throw something up there. Drilling later yourself will almost certainly void your warranty, not sure if using an authorized shop would.

Power lock is nice.

If I were to do mine again I’d add carpet and get a mid rise. But that’s because I sleep in the back of mine, so those features may not apply to you.

 

[phsycle]

Make sure to get a window that folds out at the front; I wasn’t going to until I realized there’d be no way to clean either the back glass of the truck or the window itself.

I was actually thinking of getting solid front (no glass). I tend to shove stuff in the bed and would rather not have to worry about breaking a window. I'll set up a camera if I ever feel the need to look in the cap while on the road (I never have).

 

[Martinjmpr]

With regards to window breakage, that was one reason all my recent toppers have had the simple, basic flat rear window with an aluminum frame. The all-glass rear windows look slick but when they break they are very expensive to replace ($300+ at the very least.) I actually bought a Leer topper with an all - glass window for just $150 because the owner would rather just buy a new topper than replace the broken back window. IIRC it cost me about $250 to have the all glass liftgate replaced on that $150 topper in 2007. From that point on I swore I'd never get a topper with an all glass liftgate. Also consider that the all glass lift gate is much easier to break if it hits something because there is no metal frame surrounding it.

When I got my current Leer 100R topper I specified side-opening Windoors and I have to say, they are WELL WORTH the cost (around $200 each) because it makes it so much easier to get stuff in or out of the forward part of the bed without having to climb in (and I have bad knees, too.)

 

[Wrathchild]

I was very happy with my ARE CX with windoors for many years. Just kinda outgrew it. If I were to do a normal topper again I’d get one of the high rise ones for the extra headroom when sleeping. No matter what topper you get plan on fiddling with sealing around the tailgate. Lots of dust and water makes it way through there.

 

[Mighty Dodge Ram]

I had a Snugtop cab-hi on my former truck for 18 years. Very solid unit. When I bought my current truck I wanted a Vision/ProTop extra height but they don’t make one for my model year so I bought a Leer 122. Although both Leer and Snugtop are now owned by the same parent company the Snugtop, IMO, is a much better built unit...but pricier. I had several issues with the Leer shell right off the bat which the dealer had to address with mixed results. No help from Leer. In terms of the fold down front window, I also went with that for the reasons stated by malibubts. Full disclosure with the Leer...the window actually pops off after being lowered beyond a certain angle. It is not “hinged” in what you might imagine as the traditional method. Definitely get the carpet liner to deal with condensation, although mine was not adequately glued to the side walls and began falling off immediately. If you get a taller shell the rear hatch, even the framed type, will flex like crazy. This can lead to the locking handles not latching properly.

Sounds like I’m being overly critical bit I’m still a big proponent of sleeping in the back of the truck. Rain/snow, high winds, cold weather...no problema!

 

[Dyllin]

search Craigslist or local Facebook marketplace to save some money. I lucked out and found this Leer contractor cap with carpet, led lighting, cargo boxes for $500. A lot of car dealerships take in trucks on trade and don't resell with the cap on. So they let them go for cheap. I dig the hard doors for security purposes. Works well for keeping things organized.

 

[cdthiker]

I have been fairly pleased with my ARE MX mid rise on my tacoma. It has been on for 150k since put on when the truck/ cap was new in 2012.
All things considered, it has held up fairly well. Just recently the plastic coating on the Yakamia racks has started to fall apart but the tracks and bars are as solid as ever. Color and fiberglass have held up well considering the extreme temp swings it seans year round in idaho ( -30 - 105). The only fading again has been the yakamia componentry. A few years back after what I am guess is close to 15 thousand miles or more of rattling down dirt roads the hardware holding the back lift gate to the topper started to fail. On one dirt road, ( as luck would have it close to home) I pulled over to see the door hanging on by one bolt. My own fault really, having not replaced them when I noticed it. A few stainless bolts/nuts/ washers later it was good as new.

I was happy that I sprang for the carpet kit on the cap and the sliding rear window. Dogs love the window the carpet is nice for sleeping in the back( you dont get dripped on in the colder evenings ) also makes the inside seem less dusty.

I wish that at the time I had just bitten the bullet and gotten swing up side windows, but what can I say. The sucker was already over 2 grand for a broke seasonal worker all those years back. If I could do it again I would get solid non glass swing up doors on the sides and storage lockers built io to the side. Probaly would also try and go for a solid rear door. Cant see much out of it bwtween the dust and snow for most of the year anyways. I would for sure get two locks on the back instead of the one middle lock/ handle.

Might even spring for the highrise. The midrise is amazing, at this point unless I had an eight foot bed I would never consider cab height. Even then, probaly wouldnt. It is worth every extra cent if you ever have larger items or sleep in it. I think it also just plain looks better.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Might even spring for the highrise. The midrise is amazing, at this point unless I had an eight foot bed I would never consider cab height. Even then, probaly wouldnt. It is worth every extra cent if you ever have larger items or sleep in it. I think it also just plain looks better.

On my Tacoma I started with a cab high. It was OK but the cab high meant that even with the lowest sleeping platform I could make (level with the top of the wheel wells) there was very little headroom. It was like sleeping UNDER the bed! After a couple of trips I swapped the cab-high for a Raven high rise and it was much nicer inside.

One benefit to full size as opposed to compact is that the higher cab and higher bed on a full size truck means that even a cab-high topper has pretty good headroom. I generally prefer the look of a cab-high topper (it also fits in my garage which a high rise would not.)

 

[lchrum]

I second the advice to search for a used one. I picked up a really nice ARE. It was the wrong color. I paid about 1/4 of the price of a new one. Got some raptor liner and it looks perfect to me. I did find the correct model for my truck. Later built a rack on top and drawer system inside. Perfectly dry.


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[michlong]

Thanks for all the input everyone - really appreciate the advice.

the raptor liner in a great idea

 

[Explorerinil]

Love my ARE topper, makes a great place to keep gear dry and to sleep during hunting season.

 

[HayStax]

I bought an ARE with the new curved back glass. So far no issues. I’m very happy that I got the sliding front window because that is the only way to keep dust out of the shell. Leave front window open while on dirt roads and it seems to pressurize the shell. I duct taped and weatherstrip-ed the whole bed and it did t make much difference.

 

[09Busaman]

Sounds like we have the same truck. I looked at the ARE, ATC, and the Leer. I finally decided on the ATC as it has a honeycomb reinforced roof that supports 500lbs, came with the tracks and cross bars. Do get the fold down rear window or you will have to move the top to clean the rear window. The carpet lined interior is a nice touch as well. The ATC was also more affordable than the ATC at my local dealer. Down side was it took almost 6 weeks to get with matching apint.

 

[Wilbah]

A neighbor of mine was having some work done at their house and the contractor had the ARE DCU Diamond Plate cap with the barn doors. Looks really great the way the side doors opened entirely up to reach in for equipment. I was surprised he didnt have tool boxes inside the side doors but it looks like the doors are full length with only structural aluminum in the corners so you have a lot if access to the bed. Looked pretty good. I dont know what they go for but I doubt they are cheap.