2016 shell pics?

Here a couple of pic of my ARE CX ( Fibrobec )

 

whats the going rate for that if you don't mind me asking? looks great.

 

I just ordered a V Series shell. It's actually the same exact shell as the CX aside from the recessed windows that the CX has, and I think the V series looks better because I do not like the mismatched CX look of the window frame. Looks like they just threw in the windows as an afterthought. I got the V-Series with a folding front slider, roof rail tracks, carpeted headliner and Outdoorsman indoors on both sides (vented/sliding windoor) for $2,007 after tax and installation. I ordered mine a couple weeks ago, but now ARE is doing a $200 rebate promotion. Unfortunately the V-Series is excluded in this offer, but with the offer you could get the CX and it could come out to be less than what the V-Series would cost with the same options. Aside from the recessed windows, the CX also comes with a carpeted headliner, which is an add-on for the V-Series. Again, I just didn't like the way the recessed windows look on the CX, and as far as how they are constructed, they are the same exact shell.

I had an ARE Z-Series for my truck and sold it a few months ago. I really liked the fit and finish of that shell and had no complaints. I ditched it because I was looking to get rid of the truck because of the transmission issues I was/am having. I will say though that my customer service experience with ARE was atrocious. They will not correspond directly with customers, and sometimes don't even write dealers back in timely fashion. My shell took way longer to be delivered than I was told and ARE seemed to drag their feet on it. Against my better judgement I went with ARE again because I just preferred the look and price compared to LEER. The sliding/vented windoor option on a LEER was twice as much as they are on ARE. Would have cost me quite a bit more for the options I wanted if I went LEER. I've read a bunch about all the shell makers and I'm guessing that LEER probably has better customer service, all three of the big manufacturers (ARE, LEER, SnugTop) seem to have their fair share of awful customer service complaints, crappy manufacturing issues and corners cut, shoddy workmanship, etc. I need the shell for storage when camping and going on road trips, so no sense going nuts again and getting a top of the line shell if it's a crap shoot regarding quality and how these companies will handle warranty issues down the line. The windoors were a must this time around because I have a hitch mounted bike rack for my mountain bikes, and getting in and out of the bed with a camper shell on it proved a pain without the windoors. I now plan on keeping the truck at least until it's 7yr/100k warranty expires. No sense in ditching the truck if it's covered bumper to bumper during that time.

 

awesome, thanks for the info. was hoping to stay under 2k, really just need something basic to keep stuff locked up in and probally sleep in a cal times a year.

 

Another thing I'd like to add, what made me look at the higher end ARE and LEER shells before were the all glass rear windows. they really are nice. But once the shel is on, visibility still sucks and is limited and now you're looking through two pieces of tinted glass because both your rear window in the truck and the shell are tinted. the all glass windows look sleeker, but this time as I mentioned it's more about function. The way I saw it , you can have a stripped-down top of the line shell or a lower end shell with the features you want for the same/similar price. Once you start adding on stuff like windoors, etc on LEER sheets the prices start to go up astronomically. They wanted $250 per sliding windoor for the LEER, and something like $130 per windoor for the ARE. That made the decision easier for me.

 

The dealer I went to sells the V Series shell for something like $1,190 in it's most basic form, so that means no carpeted headliner, no folding front slider, and just the basic vented side windows.

 

hell ya thats what I'm talking about now. i like that price. maybe add some carpet and I'm good.

 

Get the carpet and the folding front slider. It's cheap upgrade but well worth it if you ever intend on cleaning that rear window!

 

perfect thanks for the info. much appreciated.

 

Cost with carpeted interior and dropping front window instaled is $2250.00 Can fund aprox $1650.00 Us fund

 

Windoors are the best!

 

Hey guys and gals, looking to buy a shell, still undecided on what brand however I have a tailgate pad that I use 4-5 times a week and nearly every long trip I take my bike comes with me. It usually sees 2-4 bikes during the week and 1-3 on long hauls. New to the topper game and was wondering if the rear glass will still lock with a pad and no bikes and if my only option is to secure it a bungee cord when the bikes are in the back. Got away from rear mounted racks due to being rear ended and mounting up top isn't an option with possibly 4 bikes in tow. Any advice is much appreciated, PFA

 

Based on my experience any rear window that even closes, let alone locks with the pad in place won't be secure. And I think your Raceface pad is thicker than most on the top surface. I did meet a guy with a SoftTopper who carried bikes that way, and just removed the rear window when he did that. I saw the bikes in place on his truck but didn't really see how he removed them or loaded them ... and when I tried it on my truck with hard shell and rear window raised, I had to tilt the bike over to fit it over the gate, which didn't seem possible with more than one bike. I carry two bikes, could probably fit three, with front wheels removed and mounted to Kuat Dirtbag fork holders. They JUST fit in my DCSB 5' bed, and rear window closes for total security (plus chains), though shell height makes loading a challenge with my cab-high shell. Bikes are 100-120 travel 29-ers.

 

Just a thought but have you considered getting a small trailer, either open or closed, to haul the bikes? That would give you added hauling capability as well and might make accessing your bikes easier.

 

Why not roof racks on the cap? You can do a wide bar and fit 4 bikes.

 

He said he doesn't want to / can't mount 4 bikes on the roof.

 

Four bikes will fit. My buddy has that set up. It works great for trips, but if your not traveling very far to ride it does take a little longer to get them set than just throwing them in the bed.

Or you could get a van and mount them like this.

 

Haha. I came real close to posting that pic.

 

Thanks for all the feedback everyone, I've thought soft topper with no rear while the bikes are in, going to look for some threads to read up on, has anyone had issues with leaking? BC (atleast my area) is known for well....rain and keeping gear dry will be high on my list.

A trailer is currently my last option but a small utility trailer with a 4 slot park rack would work wonders for biking.

I haven't seen any setups running 4 downhill bikes up top but it could be a possibility and certainly cheaper than the trailer route.
Thanks again everyone still new to this taco game so all the help was much appreciated!

 

If people with smaller SUV's can carry 4 mountain bikes on the roof of their vehicle, no reason you can't with the Tacoma. Just get wider bars. See it done in Colorado all the time.