Cap Fitment and Plastic Rub Rails on Bed

Hi Guys, Happy Labor Day.

A couple months ago I took delivery of a 2014 DCSB Limited. After spending some time researching truck caps I have narrowed my search down to either an A.R.E. X-series or an A.R.E. CX-series (need the bigger side sliders to provided maximum ventilation for my hunting dogs).

Having looked at virtually all or at least most of the photos of truck caps on this forum, I do not recall seeing a photo that depicted a cap sitting directly on the plastic rub rails that run along the perimeter of the top of the truck bed. In other words, the photos I've come across lead me to believe that the plastic rub rails must first be removed before the cap is clamped down.

So the question I would like to ask is, are the plastic rub rails that run along the perimeter of the top of the bed typically removed before the cap is place on top of the bed; or will these plastic rub rails be left in place and will the cap be installed directly on top of them.

Finally, will installing the cap on top of the plastic rub rail cause the rub rails to vibrate and rub against the paint under the weight of the cap?

Any insight that you can provide will be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Labs

 

I have a Leer 180 and they were not removed. Most caps have a lip that overhangs that bed rail.....that's why you don't see it.

 

The plastic rails stay on. The shell installs on top of them.

 

People leave the caps on but you just can't see them in the pics.

On my last tacoma - a 2006, I noticed that the downward pressure from the canopy on those plastic caps was actually crushing them and forcing the edges of the plastic caps down onto the paint and it wore through the paint and was starting to rust. Some people bolster them by filling them with silicone. On my new truck - a 2013, I just pulled all of those caps off, threw down some helicopter tape where the caps would touch the paint, then put the caps back on. That stuff is pretty tough and should prevent the plastic from wearing through paint.

Couple options for you there - or you could pull the rails off altogether, thrown some box-liner over top and then put something else in between like a painted 1x4. If you took off the rails and didn't put anything else in there to make up the gap I think you would have a very hard time keeping dust and water out.

 

I have the CX series and the plastic rails were not removed on my truck. Not sure about vibration and paint but I love the thing so much I'm not concerned
Great cap and my Labrador really enjoys it inside.

 

Not removed