A.R.E., Leer, Snugtop, or Swiss Truck cap?

For those of you guys that have purchased a cap or have had one in the past. I'm looking into buying a new cap for my truck. I had a price of $1500 from my buddy for a new A.R.E. Z series. Is there a brand of cap that is better than others? A.R.E. is the only brand his store sells so I really have nothing to compare it to. Anyone know what’s the best truck cap to buy or a top you have had good or bad experience with. I just want to buy something that I know is going to last another ten or so years.

 

ARE is the manufacturer with the closest factory to your location (Ohio). Leer has multiple factories - one of which is close by (Indiana?). So far as I know, SnugTop's manufacturing is done on the west coast, so their prices tend to be high east of the Mississippi.

ARE, Leer, and SnugTop are the dominant brands, and are usually considered the most reliable choices.

This is not to say that other, smaller brands are 'bad' or 'lower quality'.

I've had consistent good luck / service with ARE shells. IMHO the only reason to look at SnugTop is if you really prefer their styling over ARE or Leer. In the last 5 years or so Leer owners have occasionally complained about quality issues. Apparently the quality control was uneven among Leer's different factory sites. I don't know if that's still the case.

 

I guess thats the reason why I cannot find a Snugtop dealer.

 

I don't think there is a bad cap out there. $1500 isn't bad, I paid more for my Leer 100XQ. I've seen a few caps on CraigsList go for cheaper too. To save $1000 or more, I'd drive a few hours one way, say 6 or 7. There's a local guy that has one for a LB, I started a thread on it even.

 

I have been looking for about a month or 2 for a used cap that is the same color and size i need. I haven't found anything other that 2 that were about 12 hours away. Can you post the link for the cap you had found. Maybe it is still for sale?

 

Yeah - according to the SnugTop website dealer locator, the nearest one to you may be out in Missouri.

 

Thanks for the info. I do prefer the look of the Snugtop but since I cannot find one used close and there aren't any close dealers, I will probably have to go with a different brand.

 

I have an ARE Z and like it. The workmanship on it is very nice: fiberglass and paint is excellent. I got the fold down and sliding front glass option- you want the fold down glass so you can clean it and the rear cab glass w/o taking the cap off. I paid $1650 for mine incl tax and instl.

I didn't get a Leer because I found many quality complaints when googling.

 

Thanks for you imput. I have heard from other places Leer has quality problems. I never really thought about the tilting and sliding front window option. I am glad you said something about that because I probably wouldn't have got that feature. But know that I know the reason why they fold, I think that when I do purchase the top ill be getting the window.

 

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/bu...yota-tacoma-camper-shell-550-yorktown-va.html

 

Its sold already! Sucks...

 

I think the fold down front glass is ~$70 and fold down sliding is ~$100; the fold down is well worth it and I got the sliding so I could have the option of having it open when I sleep in it (but it isn't screened). A co-worker who has a cap told me about needing the fold down front glass; I would've never thought about it either- until it was too late

 

Thanks for the help. I will def add the sliding and tilting window when i decide to purchase my cap.

 

I'm not sure about the year of your truck but I have an ARE CX Series on my Silver 2011 Tacoma. It looks great but my wife won't drive with a cap mounted. I paid approximately $1300 in Nov 2012 and I'm only asking $750. Its in perfect showroom condition and located in Fort Myers, FL area. It has carpet liner, fold down front window, slider window on both sides, dome light, and 3rd brake light on top rear.

 

I had a LEER 100R on my 2006 and currently have a LEER 100XL on my 2013... loved them both, no quality issues, after 175,000 my 100R still looked new.

The ARE that you got a price on sounds like a deal to me.

Suggestions... fold down front window. I added mine on the 100R, bought it new with it on my 100XL. My 100XL was about $1600 new last August.

 

Ive got the leer topper with no side windows and the third slider and I love it keeps you stuff safe just be careful cause they create a huge blind spot. I wouldnt own a truck again without a topper