BEWARE "ARE" Camper shells

[Tractor Boy]

This post is to warn others about the seriously flawed design of the cam and cable latch on the ARE Z camper shells (their top of the line). The cheap plastic cam broke after only 4 years with only moderate use. ARE has decided it`s better to have bad publicity than to do the right thing and replace the $65 latch mechanism because it is "out of warranty". I will be buying a Snug-Top when I get a new shell and I encourage others to avoid their company as well.

 

[lisiecki1]

I'm suprised you expected parts that were out of warranty to be replaced. Kind of negates the purpose of the warranty on the company's behalf, no?

Did you not check the quality of the product when you bought it 4 years ago?

 

[4xdog]

4 weeks, fershure. 4 months, yup. But 4 years? I think a $65 replacement part is just luck of the draw and that working life doesn't indicate an inherent flaw.

 

[CNGsaves]

Got any pics for this faulty part?? Reason being ARE is popular brand from what I researched to use as pickup bed cover.

 

[Journaler]

Um... if it's out of warranty, I don't see how you can have any beef with the company.

 

[toolstools]

Plastic? I thought that stuff lasted forever...

 

[Mowerpan]

Like others said, 4 years it should be on your dime. I had an ARE on my 08 silverado and was very happy with it.

 

[p_mori7]

$65 after 4 years ?

I don't know what your definition of moderate use is.

My Dad has one of those for several years now. No issues.

Good customer service does not = Free stuff.

Good customer service = responding to a need in a timely fashion at a reasonable price whilst treating you respectfully.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Although disappointing, stuff happens. At least you can get the parts to repair it at reasonable cost.

I used to administer warranty for a company, and sometimes you'd find someone who had a product fail with very little use....but years outside of warranty. Unfortunate, but warranty is not infinite.

 

[flippin]

All of our trucks use ARE truck bed lids and we have been so extremely pleased with them. My research identified that they were the best and had by far the best locking mechanism especially in freezing rain. I can say that there was one isolated issue with paint around the handle, and ARE authorized the store to have the entire lid immediately painted at their cost without question. So I have to disagree on both the suggestion of poor quality and poor customer service from my perspective.

 

[Dan_inthewind]

"seriously flawed design", and this evaluation is based on your experience in?

Poorly designed in your opinion perhaps. Four years after the warranty, geez even goodwill has its limits.

Grab a piece of metal and redesign and build a better one to fix your shell.

 

[upndown]

Being its flawed product, sell it to me..I'll fix it

 

[skyking]

Love mine and it gets the hell used out of it.

 

[CNGsaves]

Being its flawed product, sell it to me..I'll fix it.

Being its flawed product, GIVE it to me..I'll fix it

There . . . . fixed the 2nd one for you!! Guy who is complaining about minor latch problem 4 yrs later are the items listed on CL for Free sometimes!!

Just like Red & Green show says, If the girls don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy!!