Show me your shell!

you can buy the butyl rubber in various spongy track thicknesses 2"-3" is what I used. Still need to seal the truck bed rails in the front so when it rains the water isn't forced under the cap through the cracks/ seams.

 

Thanks!

 

$33 ESI Super Cap Seal 23 FT (1 1/2" Width x 1/2" Height x 23' Length) EPDM Rubber for Caps 200 lbs or Less

http://www.amazon.com/Super-Width-Height-Length-Rubber/dp/B00C7VU9BA

 

Do they make it without two humps like that? I was thinking I could use something that would kinda resemble a D if you can visualize that

 

Yes. I believe they do. BUT that is what they used initially on the install of mine. I got another roll of it to reseal after 10 years. Found where the actual leaking into the bed was and didn't have time to rip apart the bed rails and reseal them.

 

I think I'd rather use the D design. Seems like it would smush down better

 

I am about to put a shell on mine.

Do I need to seal under the bed rails first?

 

No

 

Well, OZ is right. I AM going to seal under and in the area between the cab/ bed rail area. I stuck a GoPro mounted in the shell and drove around in the rain and saw where the water was coming in. So I now know what I need to do to solve it.

 

The water usually gets in at the front corners where the top of the bed steps down

 

yep. thats the place.

 

I ended up with a double layer of tape , the top layer is 2" wide and folds down about 1/2" on the exterior , cab side , full length side to side , that totally solved it for me

 

I used a couple pieces myself. Kids still had water in there. Camera showed where I needed a little more attention.

 

Oh and , "Good For You" I'm kidding OZ, don't take it personal.

 

I have a couple questions for people who have a shell and RTT's:

1. I have a Snugtop rebel, and am interested at some point getting a RTT. Can my shell support the weight of a RTT AND the weight of one or two people inside? I know a rack is necessary, but it seems like these shells are not strong enough.

2. For people a with sleeping platform inside a shell: Do you get an odor coming off the wood? I bought 3/4 plywood, not the cheap shit, and I let it sit out for a couple days before I attached carpet. Every time I open the back, it's a pretty strong smell. I have heard some plywood has formaldehyde in the glue, but I didn't buy cheap plywood, and it's pretty strong. I do have a nose like a bloodhound, but also didn't want to build myself a coffin on wheels!

 

1. Never seen a Snugtop in person. But I dont see why not. My ARE does just fine with my RTT, lady and myself. Im definitely not having pillow fights up there though.

2. No experience with a bed platform either, but leave your cap windows open when ever you can. Eventually, it will clear up. Not 100% but the stuff you have shouldn't have formaldehyde glue. Probably just "green" wood. Dryer sheets for a while?

 

This ARE V series is pretty much exactly what I just got a quote on except mine is a short bed. Here are the specs for mine, interested what you paid for yours for comparison. I feel like Northern VA prices are jacked up higher than where I'm from originally!

Cap: V Series Truck Cap
Front Cap: Sliding Tilt Down Front Window
Side Window: Vented Side Win-Door
Back Window: Standard Rear Door
Carpet Interior: Unfinished - No Carpet
Clothes Rod: Stock - No Hangers
Light Option: 12V LED Dome Light
Roof Rack: Yakima Control Tower Racks
Price quoted: $2124

Is this reasonable? Sounded high to me, but this is my first topper. Thanks!

 

I have a CVT Mt. Rainier on my SnugTop. It is plenty sturdy for my wife and I to sleep and more around in without any issues. I installed 4 crossbars for extra weight distribution but it holds my wife and I with no issues. I don't remember where I saw it but someone described the weight ratings as the dynamic weight is 170 (since the weight is shifting and applying more pressure to different areas) and the static weight is around 700 (since you are only applying vertical pressure).

 

That seems on par to what I paid for my ARE CX series cap with a few more add-on's with the long bed but I'm in Canada and in cdn dollars. I paid 3100 for mine with these features

Cap: CX Series Truck Cap
Front Cap: Sliding Tilt Down Front Window
Side Window: Vented Side Win-Door's
Back Window: Standard Rear Door
Carpet Interior: Carpet
Clothes Rod: Stock - No Hangers
Light Option: 12V LED Dome Light and rope LED light
Roof Rack: Yakima Control Tower Racks
Price quoted: Total was $3100 cdn installed

 

Sorry just seen this. That is almost exactly what I paid for mine and I have carpeted. Other than that all the options are about the same. I held my dealer to the fire and told him I had been researching these a lot and for the price he was high. He knocked off a few hundred and admitted that these dealers have quite a bit of room to work with on these things.

Anyway I still love this thing. Windoors are so handy on a truck this small.
And my Yakima racks came in handy today