Topper cap with bed stiffeners or just divider?

I have an ARE MX ordered for my 2019 DCSB. I currently have a bed divider installed which
seems pretty heavy duty. The bed divider seems like it would help keep the box sides vertical.
Should I get bed stiffeners also? Thanks

 

it depends on if its bolted to the sides of the bed, i had to drill holes in my bed to get the stiffeners in and i have a friend who has a drawer system we made out of wood and it made the bed bow out even more so i went in and bent the bed back in and bolted it to the drawer system to help it and it hasn't bent out again since

 

I'm not sure how much the divider would help, but it would add some rail to rail rigidity. The bed stiffeners are pretty heavy duty and structurally mount where the OEM steel structure are. I'm not convinced that stiffeners are mandatory, but I added a set of Cali raised for my LB after getting my cap installed and they did align the tailgate gaps more evenly (pulled the bed in slightly). Another thing to consider is getting some sumo springs or similar. My top might be a little heavier if you are in a short bed, but the cap weight brought my back in down a bit. I added Sumo Springs 612-40s and they raised it back to closer to factory height and reduced body roll in turns. I love having the cap though. Sat in there for an hour Saturday with my wife and son watching my daughters soccer game in the rain.

 

Honestly, I think you'll be fine with nothing, but the divider and stiffeners will help.

The divider will hold the sides together, but in theory both sides could fold in the same direction. Again, in theory, the stiffeners will keep the sides 90°.

I'd recommend stiffeners as they will provide more tie down locations. They're worth it for that alone.

 

For me I ended up putting stiffeners after the fact. I regularly put at least 100 lbs of stuff (boats and wet gear) on top of my racks and go over some ruff roads. I noticed the shell and bed were moving around more than I felt comfortable with while going over big roots and rock so installed without taking shell off.
If you aren't putting much weight on your racks or staying on decent roads id say you're fine without

 

yea, mine was getting bent out after maybe a month of having a topper because i tend to launch of really steep and rocky hills on a daily basis with a bed full of camping and shooting gear for my summer job

 

Also, if you do go this route i wouldn't go with the cheap 50$ ones on ebay or Amazon

You will have to drill holes and don't tighten down the smaller factory bolts (that you reuse) to tight because they will snap pretty easy. Its not in the picture but I did that to the very top one on the other side
I wouldn't install just for looks but thats me



Some of them come with a bottle opener...

 

Ok thanks for all the input. I just put in an order for Rago Fabrication channel stiffeners $125.
BTW ARE toppers are now 10-11 weeks out on orders. Wish Snugtop was available in MN.

 

I am VERY happy with my ARE CX. It was about the same when I ordered mine for lead time, they are built to order. Mine is perfect in terms of QC. ARE CX Classic (cab height) long-bed, MGM (perfect match), carpet, vented windoors, fold down sliding window. (I installed my own net system in the top of the interior). Snug tops are great too, but I think all the manufacturers are on par, and I am really happy with my ARE. Installation matters a lot, make sure they take your rails off and silicon and add the filler kit on the front of the bed rack. Mine stays bone dry.

 

Good to hear. I just don't want to wait till it's winter to get it. I believe Snugtop also
offers a sliding windoor for DCSB which nobody else has.

 

really? thats the only reason i have a snug top?

 

snugtops closest dealer is 1000 miles away

 

I went with TC bed stiffeners, shown above, no experience with the divider though.

 

Yeah I’ve heard nobody else does vented windoors for short bed. You can get a windoor or a vent but not both. Not sure why.

 

I just ordered a LEER 100R with vented windoors for a short box... Pics in a month!

Mike

 

Wow nice, I’ve seen numerous posts that say Leer wouldn’t do it. It makes sense they should since Leer, Century, and Snug Top are all owned by the same company. I think the reason ARE doesn’t is the vented windoor design is different.

 

I guess we will see in a month. I was looking at the ARE MX or Leer 180
For a short bed, it’s unavailable

 

Ive got them on my ARE v series 5ft bed

 

The one in Chicago? That's where I went (Tri County Trucks, or something like that... good installers)

 

I drove from Michigan to Chicago to get mine. I have a snugtop rebel with Sportsman pack because I wanted something reinforced. I liked the leer but they didn’t have anything strong, and the ARE’s have that internal steel structure that would have cut in storage space.
FYI totally worth it.