lookin at caps. what say you?

pure and simple, whats the best quality cap out there for 2-2.5k on a 2010 taco long bed?

heres what i need:

• • a place to keep the furry kids.
  • a warm/cool stash for 2 people, bike and camping gear. bikes will be on a low mounted Thule T-2 hitch rack.
  • color matched (Barcelona Red).
  • lined.
  • slider side windows/screens.
  • slider cab window with boot.
  • interior light.
  • lockable.

ive been lookin at the ARE V and Snugtop XV but not sure if theres anything im missin. pretty sold on the Bedrug but considering buildin a removeable padded/carpeted shelf on top of the wheel wells for use with storage bins below and keepin my bed mat. a Pop N Lock is also in the plan. i hear the ARE stuff is nice but seems to lack some of the bonus's of the Snugtop like the 1/2" honeycomb insulation and hidden clamps. just figured id ask the experts for some opinions.

 

just got a quote from my local ARE guy. $1744.00 plus tax beats the Snugtop XV by 6 fitty.

 

Check on Craigslist...Paint if necessary.

 

Have you looked at Leer? It seems each have a specific look so it's more personal preference but at least it's another option. There's also Jeraco but they're cheaply built if I'm remembering correctly.

 

I could have purchased either an ARE or a LEER. Snugtops are nice but unavailable here on the east coast. I chose the ARE "Z" series. I just liked the hidden hinge and how well engineered and strong the rear door latch and hinge system is. I think this is important since its a working functional part of the topper.
The color match is perfect and I am very happy with the fit.

Whatever you purchase be sure and look it over closely before the final install. For the $$$ it needs to be as close to perfect as possible. There have been quaility control issues with both LEER and ARE. And make sure the dealer stands behind his product. For what its worth...Good luck!

 

I've got an ARE MX series and have zero complaints. Really well made, looks sharp, locks tight, etc. The whole 9 yards. Really happy with it.

 

I would make sure you get windoors, whatever you get.

 

Leer 100XL with Bedrug hidden inside...

Snugtops are too much money, IMO.

 

agreed. turns out my local ARE dealer is not only right around the corner, but is also my storage unit guy. he had the Z and a CX on the lot to look over. very nice stuff and the price is certainly right. honestly, i forgot all about checkin out the Leer stuff. thanx for the reminders.

now heres another tidbit. they make a killer carpet kit. unlike the Bedrug, this puppy is all padded and uses what looks to be standard carpet with a deep pile. its compartmentelized so what ya get is a full length box about 1' wide on each side with 3 top door access ports and twin cup holders. theres a 3rd box at the front that fits between at about 18" deep with a carpet flap that reaches bed level for easy access. the floor can be pulled out and raised to the box level for a very comfy lookin full width bed (as in sleeping) and provides tons of storage under. the gate is also carpeted to match in a grey thats slightly lighter than the inside of the shells ive looked at. they say this is as dark as they can get this carpet in. this guy builds these in house for $375 installed. thats not a typo kids... $375. they are sweet as hell, im told hes built thousands of em and he will customize them to suit such as allow for a bed mat or move the cup holders around, maybe more. guess what im gonna get? too bad i didnt take pics. perhaps ill do so later and toss up a thread on it. for now, call rex or kelly of T-Rex Truck Stuff in el paso, tx @ 915 877 2980 or email @ trexg6@yahoo.com

 

so far ive struck out but im on it. thanx

 

splain "windoors" if ya would be so kind. is that the windows that raise up?

 

oh, thats nice too but leanin towards slidin windows for the dogs, even though the flip outs look way nicer. im worried the flip outs wont provide the air/view they need. the XR has some nice options the ARE didnt have such as a auto on/off light and 3 12v dc plugs in back. just built 1 on the website and waitin on a quote.

 

I bought a 2010 with Bedrug and LEER 100XR topper for the exact reasons you listed. The cap is unlined because my golden retriever get int here wet and shake, so they would trash the liner.
I also use a Thule T-2 which works perfectly with the Taco tail gate, I can lower it without hitting the bikes..

I did add the LEER optional dog screen to prevent my dogs from scratching out the window screens.



I like the look of the LEER.



I still use the rubber bed mat with the Bedrug to keep the Bedrug clean.

 

sweet! i didnt see that option. perfect. ill price it against the ARE and see where i stand. im also wonderin id T-Rex can add a ac or dc power strip in his liner kit which would rule.

you guys are just super. thanx for the help!

 

I am also going to be buying a topper soon (after I buy my truck). I'm leaning towards the Leer 100XQ because I really like the look. I also have a dog and am a little concerned about air flow. The dealer I talked to said there's a lot of flow with the flip out windows. Any other dog owners out there have an opinion?

 

I like the ARE, had a cap on my 89 toy pick up and a lid on my 03 Taco no problems.

 

mine said the same thing but theres a catch. in order for the flip outs to privide adaquite ventilation for pets, she recomended keepin the rear cab slidin window open. thats a deal breaker as my little 1 will jump inside to be next to me at all costs. also, with the tinted windows, the external veiw is gonna suck for them and neither will be stoked on that. i was worried about the screens gettin killed by paws and claws but every cap ive seen looks like it would be simple to replace the stock nylon net with a heftyer steel mesh screen if not available as a option. just so ya know.

 

I say thee, if you get a boot, lose the cap window I mean... It uses the window hole why pay for a window. Also I emplore ye line the back of the cab With paint protection film. The boot will rub through the cab paint quickly.

if you want a roof rack make sure you get a cap that can support it. Most can. Snug top can not in the cab high... The fiberglass is very porus on them. They sell a rack version though.

The windoors are great but if u want to use it as a camper, its no air flow... Of course if you make screens its more than sliders.

 

What do you use to make sure the rubber bed mat doesn't get dirty? <jk> I'm pretty anal about my stuff as well; that's why the FJ Cruiser, with its easily scratchable plastic, is in someone else's garage.

Don't sell your dogs short. They won't be in the back thinking, "man, I can't see anything, the tint is too dark". They are just going to be happy going for a ride. As far as not having that front window open, I think your air moving in the topper is going to be nil with it closed. You have air moving by the topper, but you have very little entering. And with whatever type of screen/netting you may have back there, the dogs won't be able to stick their faces out into the breeze.

One of the main reasons I dumped the FJ Cruiser and got back into a Toyota truck was for my three Dalmatians, and I'm happy to see you thinking about your pup's comfort and safety.

 

Im also a dog hauler, although my babies ride in the backseat of the DC....

spoiled rotten for sure. GT seat covers handling the fur issue.

I ordered a Leer 100XL. Sweet cap, I had one on my dakota (cue laughter) for years and it worked great.

1389 at a local rv place here....+65 for the front tipper/slider (mostly for window washin').

ARE too costly in my opinion.

RE: the bedrug. I had one in my dakota also. Im a travelling drummer, so the rug was awesome for keeping ABS plastic drum cases from sliding around, but its one HUGE flaw was the stink.

It constantly stayed damp right at the gap where the tailgate hinged and I would have to leave the back open in the garage for a couple days to get the mildew stench out after wet driving.

Dealers all say "totally waterproof" and "marine carpet".....but that wasnt my experience.

This time round Im buying a couple of those 'hotel hallway', rubber-backed rugs at Lowe's and super-velcroing them to the bed..that way theyll miss the gap and be a nice backup in case the venue doesnt have a drum riser/carpet (happens more than you'd think!)