Show me your Caps, Shells, Canopys on 2016's

I did have an issue with the windoor gasket folding over making the window hard to open, but I called and they said they would replace the windoor unit. No leaking yet, but also havent been in a situation that put it to the test.

 

Do windoors come with an available screened in slider or does it not have a screen and is just open?

 

Both options available on most shells.

 

Thanks!

 

ARE MX

 

I currently have an ARE MX series topper with the black Linex type coating. Two windoors, and the front window hinges back. It has a roof rack and dual LED lights on the interior. It's a very functional unit.....

But I'm thinking of selling it and buying a different one. Not because I"m unhappy but because I recently got a big ass Old Town ocean kayak that I want to transport on the roof and I need a flat plane from the rear of the truck to the front in order to get it strapped down securely. The MX series is too tall to line up with my frontrunner rack on the cab.

I'm considering an Alu-Cab. Two things have me questioning that though - the price, and the current lack of a fold down front window, which seems to make it near impossible to clean the outside glass. What gives Alu-Cab? But they are strong as hell and look sweet. Plus they are the right height, which is my main reason for getting a new topper/canopy.

 

What do you mean, "bed split wide open." ?

Does the Gen III have interior lights? Does the front window hinge so you can clean in between the glass? I really dig the Alu-Cab but it seems like you get less options for more $ than an ARE. If roof strength was my main concern I'd go alu-cab all the way but I'm just not sure....

 

I dig the look of it. I’ve considered putting a roof rack ahead of an MX or Leer 180 for a near-level, continuous roofline.

What’s your location for that sale?

 

looking at a Leer 180 in the future.

 

I’m near Tampa, Florida

 

My thoughts exactly. I was willing to swallow the price considering what you get. But the lack of fold down front glass is a deal breaker for me as well. That and all the functionality and roof strength are not mandatory for my current needs.

Now as soon as Alu-cab or GFC come out with a front fold down glass option, that’ll be the day my ARE goes up for sale.

 

What would be your asking price? Would you drive a little to meet?

Nvm just noticed you are long bed

 

I’m looking at changing from a tonneau cover to a shell, what are some things that I should keep in mind when looking. I’ve looked at some of the pictures here and I was wondering, for those of you with the windoors (do you use them as much as you originally thought?) For those without windoors (if you did it over again would you have made the purchase for the windoors?) I currently find that the height limitations on the tonneau cover are the most frustrating aspect when loading up for a camping trip.

 

I had the same issue. I liked a lot of things about the tonneau cover but the height limitation and accessing stuff in the front of the bed when it was snowing or raining made a canopy more appealing. I ordered it with a Windoor on the passenger side only. The regular slider in the driver side has more ventilation which is sometimes good, but if I had to do it again I would probably get the Windoor in both sides. I do use the Windoor quite a bit. It does make it easier to access things in front of the bed vs crawling in and I find that I can't reach things on the driver side with a windoor only on one side. (I would also be sure to get the drop down front window for cleaning.)

 

I use my windows all the time. One drawback to a topper is that you have to crawl in the truck to get things toward the front. OR you end up leaving stuff in there because you don’t feel like crawling in. The windoors eliminate this. Also I bought some basic Dewalt tool boxes that fit perfectly between the wheel wells and I keep tools in one, recovery gear in the other. I can keep these at the front and have easy access to them while leaving the back open to add random things. Without the windoors you either crawl in to get to tool boxes, or you leave them at the tailgate and move them every time you want to put anything else in the back. I wouldn’t buy a topper without them. The only thing I may want to change is whether they are actual windows or solid aluminum. I move at least once a year because I build big solar power plants. I don’t like people looking in when I’m moving. Also, when I’m not moving I have tools or toys back there. Neither of which I want seen. It’s easy to cut a cover for the windows. But it’s also easier to have just one window to cover. So if I do it again I’ll get solid aluminum hatches in place of the windoors, and simply build a cover for the rear window in case I have valuables I want to hide when I’m at a hotel or parked anywhere for a long time.

I’d also highly recommend the lights. I use them all the time as well. Whether camping back there or just trying to get something out of the back, they come in super handy.

If you go ARE and you ‘build’ your ideal topper on their website, on the last page you can choose “free headliner” or “free carpet headliner” and I’d recommend that as well. It keeps condensation down if sleeping back there, and provides a little insulation. Plus it looks nicer.

If you ever want to clean your rear windows get the fold down window as well, like Offthewallace said.

I thought about getting the 12v aux power port that ARE offers back there but I didn’t and have never wanted for it.

I would probably choose my own rack and maybe have them install the tracks. The whispbar that comes on the ARE is fine but for my needs I probably should have gone Frontrunner since the beginning.

 

I went back and forth with the windoors. People kept saying that of you're even thinking about windoors to get them. I did not for a few reasons: cost, looks, and potential for more leaking.

I have had my shell for 2 months and have maybe thought it would be nice to have windoors once. So I'm happy I did not get them.

 

I just reached out for a quote on a CX Revo. Anyone have any experience with that cap?

 

Thank you for the feedback. It’s good to hear what they are like to live with.

 

Looking for some ideas or input on how to store/secure items to the inside roof of the cap. Any ideas are appreciated thanks