ARE vs LEER Camper Shell

Thanks

 

Hi everyone,
Thank you very much for many comments and suggestion. I apologize that my post to reply to everyone was so late. Regarding the rack capacity, the dealer, ARE and Yakima, all told me different weight limit.

My decision was: purchased ARE CX series camper shell with factory-installed Yakima rack.
The ARE dealer also deals with Century shell. According to the dealer, Century shell is made by Leer and has the same quality of Leer shells. He highly recommended me ARE shell than Century shells. The prices was not much different. The reason of choosing CS series, not V series (the cheapest model), was longer warranty and the design.

My ARE shell has factory-installed Yakima rack. I carried 5 white water kayaks (weighing ~250 lbs) on the rack. Carrying 5 boats was never problem at all and the rack looked like fine with additional one boat.

Thanks again,

 

anyone know if the shell off a reg would fit a double cab any differently?

 

ARE's the way to go if you want quality. I've owned both but will only get an ARE from now on

 

I've had my LEER for 8 months now, still plenty happy with it.

I'm sure the ARE's are fine, but I couldn't get over the "moulding" at the bottom of the cap where it sits on the bed side. The LEER is way cleaner looking here. From what I've heard that moulding tends to start working itself loose over time. The LEER has no moulding, therefore no worries.

 

My ARE has been on for over five years now and the side molding still looks fine. One of the plastic trim pieces near one of the windows fell off somewhere (they're held on with double sided tape) and I need to put new foam under it and readjust how it's sitting, but other than that no issues. Oh, I did have a small leak where the third brake light wires go through but a dab of silicon fixed that and it hasn't reoccurred.

I mounted the Yakima rail system myself and so far no issues with it either including no leaks. I've carried several combinations of canoes and kayaks as well as furniture and lumber on top too.

I really, really, really wish I'd gone with the cap that's slightly higher than the cab though as well as Windoors (I have screened sliders) and the drop down front window (I have the plain slider). The Windoors would make getting small things in and out easier and the drop down front window would make cleaning a lot easier.

 

Looking to buy my first shell. I was wondering how much wiggle room is there in price. I noticed on Leer's website there is a coupon for a free front sliding window. My local dealer also wants $95 to install. Has anyone had success with talking down the price or getting free install? I'm looking at the Leer 100r or ARE V shell.