Pickup Cap Debate

[southpier]

ARE or Leer?

did we decide which one is best?

i need to order since they're both 2-3 weeks away

thanks

 

[Case]

I have always had Leer on my trucks

 

[pipeyeti]

Only one I ever owned was Leer and it served me very well.

 

[southpier]

thanks for the input. as i look at the too many options, is one window configuration more desireable?

 

[Born_Annoyed]

My advice would be either they both make a good product. I currently have a ARE on my 07 ranger very happy. My work old 01 tundra "Company Owned take home" truck had a Leer and I was happy as well. It did have some small leaks around the rear hatch. One thing I would suggest is, get the option to open the front window in the cap so you can clean the rear window of the truck. Other option would be if you own a full size pickup get one with the center handle on the side windows makes things easier IMO. Oh and a ladder rack is nice also. 1 more thing is get a courtesy light makes things easier at night. The worst cap I have ever used was a "gull wing" again on a work truck. That thing leaked like no tomorrow.

 

[99SVT]

I've always been partial to Snugtop's

 

[ket-tek]

I had an ARE and it was good quality, fit good, never leaked. It was heavy as hell though that's for sure.

 

[Ign]

I went for Leer because it had two individual handles (one per side) for the rear window. Seen too many odd failures from cheap mechanisms w a single centered handle. Even tho the two are a bit more inconvenient, they're stupid simple (KISS).

Even so I had a lock cylinder stop working within a year, and after only two years the gas struts went bad. The struts are not expensive but it's just another thing ya gotta deal with.

 

[PSYKO_Inc]

I've owned Leer and Century, and both were great quality. Definitely get a sliding cab window, and if the option is there, get the option where you can tilt down the glass to clean the back window of the truck. Stay away from the rubber boots that seal the cab to the shell. They always leak and will usually destroy the truck's paint job as well. My Leer shell was a solid-side model. Looked great, but was a huge pain to have on a daily driver. Visibility was terrible when backing up.

 

[southpier]

thanks for all the input. i have been suggested to get "windoors" and may on the curbside at least.

Q: is carpet a big deal if i end up camping out of it? will carpet combat condensation, help insulate, both? or is it just for sound attenuation?

 

[ket-tek]

I went for Leer because it had two individual handles (one per side) for the rear window. Seen too many odd failures from cheap mechanisms w a single centered handle. (KISS).

I understand the concern. Mine had a single handle, and although I never had any problems with it, the linkage was kinda sloppy. And would be easier to bend if someone pryed the rear hatch open, the dual side locks would hold up much better to a pry attack.

Q: is carpet a big deal if i end up camping out of it? will carpet combat condensation, help insulate, both? or is it just for sound attenuation?

I had the carpet inner on the shell and a Bedrugs bed carpet kit.. And both were very nice, could hose both down and they would dry pretty quickly. the water beaded really well, and I never had any mildew issues with either. I would think if you were to camp out of it, if you mean sleeping in there, the carpet is nice.

 

[ket-tek]

Stay away from the rubber boots that seal the cab to the shell. They always leak and will usually destroy the truck's paint job as well.

Seen this as well.

 

[cheap bastard]

I have had both brands. They were both excellent quality. One of the Leers was 6 years old when I got it. It was nearly faultless the next four years. The hatch lock did get stiff, but that was solved with a good clean and re-lube.

 

[Keith_MN]

My recommendation is to get the one that looks the best on your truck. I have noticed that some caps just look better on the truck than others. I particularly like the design where the cap side windows line up with the truck windows. It looks much more integrated with the truck.

I will also second the cargo light. I had one on my Ranger and it came in really handy. I also had a sliding rear window that matched up with the slider on the back of the cab. I owned the truck for 7 years and never used it.

 

[southpier]

one of the cap company websites used to let you build the cap and then show it on your model truck. "i can't seem to get there from here" but i'll keep trying. i'm leaning toward the mid height models that are 3" - 4" over the cab. too many choices .....

thanks

 

[Superlifted06FX4]

I was looking at the Bestop one for my Ranger. I like how it folds up against the cab when needed.