2016 shell pics?

You don't need to get all redneck on it. The factory bed lights use this button as well. Look at the instructions for the factory bed lights, and wire up the cap instead of factory bed lights. I have done this with my truck and it works like a champ. When I hit unlock on the remote, light comes on in the cap. I can also flip the switch in the cab and light up the back.

Check out this thread for details. The instructions are in there somewhere. I went ahead and installed the factory bed lights and tapped my Snugtop into the same wire.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/new-tacoma-tundra-factory-led-bed-light-kit.376477/

Here are the instructions on how to wire up the lights to come on with the switch.

http://toyotaparts.sparkstoyota.com/install/00016-34089inst.pdf

If you do it this way, you'll still have the regular cargo lights working when you pop the cap off.

 

got a 2nd and 3rd quote, all are saying about $3500. was $2500 the out the door price? if so can yous end me the quote so I could match it?

 

$2500 ish.

 

I love the Snugtop XTR Gen 2 on the vehicle we are building for our SEMA Show booth. Weatherproofing has been awesome for keeping contents in the bed completely dry and the interior LED dome lamp is awesome for nighttime visibility. The roof rails are incredibly sturdy and while we are using a safari basket attached to them for SEMA, we'll be swapping that out for an RTT after the show. Also they did an excellent job matching the OE Silver Sky Metallic paint. I highly recommend it.

 

Installed a ranch premiere on mine today. Absolutely love it

 

ARE V series.

 

Leer's website isn't showing much available for 3rd gen ('16 or '17). Clearly the dealers are making it happen, judging by how many pictures I see. Is their build site just like Toyota's, showing only available options in a particular area, or have the Leer customers on here simply used the "custom" option to move forward with their order?

 

Most people order directly from their local topper dealers and there are a lot of shenanigans going on. You are never going to hear the right price or the right fit. I was not born yesterday so even to my untrained eye when I stroll through my local topper dealer... they ALL look bloody identical to me.

I purchased my first $1800 camper shell for my 08 tacoma in 2010. Traded truck in for 16 and of course dimensions are different so I gave them my old topper for $300 credit. Used toppers dont sell well in my area. People post them on craigslist for $650 and they sit there indefinitely. Dealers sell used ones for $600 and here is where it gets funny.

You walk in to a place like Topper King here in tampa bay. Walk through the dealership and I kid you not... ALL toppers look identical. The only thing visible to naked eye that is different is a number drawn on the glass with a chalk. You have no idea what can and can not fit... and dealers bloody never have anything in used that "matches" your truck. And yet they have like 60 toppers just sitting there. I think and that is just a personal opinion... I think they are scamming people. You will often hear things like "it is not going to fit", "it is not going to seal"... and they know how exactly? If they always turn people to buying new... who are they to say that 2014 whatever truck camper does not fit 16 tacoma? It is bloody ridiculous. when I raised that question they flat out told me "they never tried". And so all those poor folk that give their toppers in for consignment... never get to sell their toppers and camper shells.

Prices are all over the place. I called... $2100. I showed up in person $1900. I came back couple of weeks later to order... $1800 less $300 credit. Ok how did we go from a "quoted" price for the topper for $2100 to $1800 ?????

If you order... write down names and be ready to recite them and never tell them what other guy or gal told you until necessary.

I was trading my topper in... she offered me $300. I come in to trade... $200 when the guy told me. What the hell son... I told him that so and so told me $300.

As for what is and what is not shown on website... they just show reference vehicle. Virtually all manufacturers make toppers and shells for tacomas. My dealer has ranch and leer. I ordered long bed ranch with sliding front window and sliding mesh side windows. They wanted $200 per windoor. I was going to buy windoors but I wanted cubbies like contractors do... $250 per cubby not including a windoor.

This obvious lack of transparency is exactly what ended up killing local businesses when internet came out. Instead of listening to a guy with a catalog quote you anything.... you could actually go and check for yourself. As for campers... I think they are in cahoots with manufactuers which is why you will never see prices posted on the websites...

I am still waiting for my order and given that it is only vendor in drivable distance... I will keep coming back begrudgingly.

 

Leer has the 3rd gen Tacomas covered, so to speak. Ask a dealer.

I got a price in Missoula for Leer's basic model at about $1800. I got the same price with the upgraded rear door and one windoor on a Century shell. Century and Leer come out of the same factories, the same moulds, the same paint shop and use the same hardware. They change when the badges and rear window decal go on.

I'll post a pic soon of mine.

SB

 

Thanks for the wealth of information! I'll pop in to a few dealers and play the game, hopefully save a few hundy without ever truly knowing.

 

I really like the ARE Z line... Solid window and frame-less. I have a silver 4door so I think it would look sharp..

 

I have a Z Series. Looks great and doesn't leak after I re-sealed the front of the bed. However I am thinking about maybe (maybe, still thinking) selling it. Silver, 3rd gen, 5' bed. Are you in California by any chance?

 

Here's my Century (AKA Leer) Ultra Sport. $1800.

 

Just be patient and find a good used one... I found mine on craigslist for $800 color matched and everything! Snugtop rebel with fold down front window, sliding sides with screens, led brake light and paired with mattgeckos waterproof LED kit all for under $900 worth being patient in the long run unless you absolutely need it right now... my softopper is for sale btw to anyone looking for one

 

Is not it amazing... how "branding is done. It is the same thing with travel trailers. When I was shopping for one... all are produced in Illinois on 2 factories under 2 umbrella companies and are identical except for name.

My trailer is coachmen clipper 17bh... same thing as coachmen viking 17bh. As in carbon copy except for logos.

Leer is a beautiful topper but after owning one for many years I found that I did not spend a lot of time looking at it. Even unpainted and uncarpeted ceiling never really rubbed me the wrong way.

I called topper king today just to remind them about myself and was told that camper shell did not arrive yet. Darn it... while I am not in a rush I just want to get it over with and not have to think about it.

Laughable part was... I went in like 4 weeks ago... glanced at camper shells... black one in long bed size was sitting there... "allegedly for my truck"... came back 2 weeks ago... same very shell was sitting in same very spot and when they took my 08 leer off me and sales guy talked about "that one" being for a long bed. I came back less than a day later but all of a sudden "that one" was 5 ft long for shorter bed... I am like the hell?

I think they get so carried away with trying to sell that they will promise you anything just to razzle dazzle you.

When I drove to MRI yesterday I passed by the only other dealer in area and their inventory, at least from the outside was very skimpy.

Ohh well... just sit and wait.

 

Im in redondo

 

Both the Leer and Century websites are pathetically out of date. I guess they don't think they could be losing sales if someone looks at their website, thinks they have nothing and goes to Snug-top or ARE.

I just picked up a Century Hi-C which according to the website isn't available.

 

Camper shells seem kinda like mattresses; lots of different models and manufacturers, but not much actual differentiation, and impossible to cross-shop. We need IKEA to start selling shells. Pick one out, manhandle it through checkout, and mount it on your truck in the parking lot with the included Allen wrench. Plus, they would have cool pseudo-Scandinavian names

 

I put a Glastite on my 2007 Tacoma. (They went out of business sometime after that. Glad I didn't have an issue with it.)

In 2008 I sent a friend to the same dealer. He purchased a brand I'd never heard of but it looked okay. They're out of business now and the paint on his camper looks like a '73 Ford–the clear cote peeled–and shell itself is broken in one spot. When he flips that vehicle, the topper needs to go to the dump.

Look at the warranty and don't buy from a unknown.

SB

 

do you have any pics of this?