Tacoma Caps

I've been debating saving up for this.

https://youtu.be/QdCrHZ5JGLw

 

My Century is perfectly matched. Century and Leer are the same company,
so either should have a good match to Silver Sky. They are likely painted in the same booth. I prefer the Century as I’ve found the “SUV Style” flush windows on Leer canopies to leak water very badly over time. The Century line uses the more budget ‘framed’ windows, which are actually more robust and seal much tighter.

I have no experience with ARE.

 

I'll be honest but I've been thinking of a cap too.

 

Yeah I have the old school framed windows too and have never had any leaks. I actually think the framed windows look kind of rugged.

 

I have worked literally for 30
years of my life out of pickups with canopies, and it that time had about 10 different company trucks with 10 different canopies. I have seen it all with both aluminum and Fiberglass canopies.

When it came time to buy my own, for my personal truck these were the criteria: (Excuse my obsession with this subject, but I’ve got good reason to be anal about canopies after years of trauma!!)

-no sliding windows (they always end up coming open) and the locks are always shit.

-no bug screens (they always tear anyways)

-must have aluminum framed windows (never flush windows)

-no slider in front cab-side window, and window must be removable to clean cab rear window.

- no single latch fancy cable-actuated window lock. Must have two separate keyed locks (a hassle yes, but when you’ve had to break into your canopy because the cable thing failed, you’d understand)

- must have gutter on top of rear window. No flush “suv style” rear windows. Water always pools on the gasket and gets in the canopy

- must be carpeted (no condensation if you sleep back there)

- must sit slightly proud or be perfectly flush with bed rails so water does not sit on bed rails and leak into box (eventually)

- must have windoors on side (once you’ve had them, you’re never going back)

I ended up with Century. Not the slickest looking canopy, but ticks all my boxes.

Note the colour match is perfect.

 

Just bought my Tacoma. I had the CX series on my F-350, with 8’ of bed I didn’t like the low clearance (cab height). Then a A.R.E. MX with the walk-in rear hatch came up on Craig’s and I grabbed it quick. I love the increased head height of the MX. I always thought the walk-in hatch was grandpa-ish, Well grandpa knew what was up I LOVE IT.

 

Your wants assessment for a topper is spot on, I couldn’t agree more! I’ve personally experienced pretty much everything you pointed out on various tops. The ARE MX I have on my F350 has everything you pointed out except the tilt in for cleaning which I’m thinking I will be upgrading myself.

 

A wise man! The tilt in is handy a couple times a year.

 

I have little filler gaskets in those two corner areas from the gator tonneau I had before...

The installers siliconed the bed rails. I don't know how much as I haven't tried to remove it. I could see some on the front rail of the bed.

 

The Tacoma has two largish openings in the front of the bed that need to be dealt with. The guys who put my cap on used some foam blocks and a good amount of silicone. They assured me they had the Tacoma bed leak problem absolutely sorted with their method, and so far (2 years parked outside) they are right.

They did not silicone my cap down. They used urethane foam gasket on the bed sides so my cap is not glued to the truck and can be removed.

 

Cool. Thanks guys. I think I'm going to go back to my installer and ask them to try again. I have the foam blocks but I'm not sure what else they did in respect to silicone. I've been ignoring it for many months, but if it can solved I might as well try.

 

I recall the guys telling me in rare cases they need to make a second go at it, and to come back if I found any water. It’s been fine for me, but of you stare into the gap between the cab and the canopy, there quite a bit of silicone in those open upper corners. They really went to town!

 

Just bought a new ARE CX. Liking it so far. Yakima Core bars, side slider windows, tilt down non slider front window, headliner, and dual hatch locks.

Never had an issue with side slider windows with over 30yrs experience.

Paint is immaculate.

Ymmv.

 

Looks good.

 

Check out snug top if they are where you are. My second Hi Liner.
Carpeted, flip down window to cab, sliding side windows because the crack ones are shit.

 

I’ve had bad luck with sliders as well, but you are absolutely right, all the ones that crack open are absolutely terrible.

 

I have the ARE cx model and I love it.

Only regret was not getting a pop out window..

 

Yes, that's where my gaskets are.

I didn't say they did silicone your cap down. Mine does have silicone on it.