ARE HD series advice

Ive been super happy with the ARE CX Evolve. Was 3K, but I splurged for roof rails, vented windoors on both sides, LED rope lights on a prop switch for each windoor, and tied the latch into the key fob. No leaking issues for me although haven't really been in super wet weather yet...

 

Did you get the rails factory installed by ARE? I was told you couldn't get both the HD load bars and the rails.

 

I just recently bought the are hd series truck cap with the 10’ aluminum racks but the inner frame is just sitting inside the cap. I seen in one of the other posts where there is something in the
Corner of the frame there is something going up to the cap to support the racks. Is that an extra that I have to buy or was it suppose to come with the frame

 

I have a CX Classic, about $2300, but with added options. I love it and I'm glad I had it installed.

 

Lining up the rear bar with the FR rack puts the front at a 1.5" offset - The racks don't line up exactly. See the image below for the offset.


I mounted both the front and rear in the same way for consistency. The ARE slotted bars have an internal steel sliding adapter that I used on top as a support for the rack on both the front and rear. Pictured below.


I had to notch the end caps to fit and used clear silicone to seal them and keep them in place.

Hope that helps - PM me if you have any questions.

 

Thanks for the pics. It’s much clearer how you mounted it up. I was hoping to ditch the are bar all together and mount the front runner feet directly to the hd internal rack. Do you think this will work? Any advice seeing as how you already futzed around with it yourself?

 

It won't work due to the distance between the ARE posts coming through the topper (54.5" on center) and the FR rack length (69" end to end). The FR crossbars are adjustable, but only in 3" increments - nothing will line up to mount easily and directly. There are certainly other solutions to mounting to the ARE, but I just ordered everything I thought I'd need and engineered it from there.

The other issue is that if you mount a FR rack to the cab as well as the topper, with my solution, both racks are the same level (within an 1/8" vertically).

Let me know if you need other photos or dimensions. Good luck!

 

Have the CX HD on my 2018 short bed. Super strong, and I keep a ~180lb tent + awning on it full time. Paid $5000 for it in Canada and so far worth every penny. Not 100% waterproof, but good enough. Solid doors are great theft deterrents.

 

IMHO these campers/shells are worth every penny to me. The HD ones seem cool for theft detterents but I prefer having windows I can look out of. My ARE Overlander that is reinforced if I recall was close to $2500. Well worth the price due to having windoors and being able to carry my heavy RTT.

 

I had a topper on my last truck. It was a very love hate relationship. Great for road trips and camping but could be a pain hauling larger things. Had to take my snowblower half apart to fit inside. New couch wouldn’t fit, etc. Set up a hoist in the garage to remove and store it and you’ll be able to easily remove it as needed. Do that and I think you’ll love it. Also $2500 seems steep. I had a snugtop I paid $1700 for.

 

Anyone debate between the DCU Aluminum instead of the HD? I know the HD looks better but I got quoted just over a 1500$ (only) for a lined DCU. Having a hard time looking at another 1-1.5k. My main goals are security and durability (T-handles, filled in/windowless windoors, and carry 200lbs or less up-top). My guess is the HD will look better and get better MPGs (which is more important than looks for me), but that's a lot of dough for a more streamlined look at my budget.

Also, I've never driven a vehicle without rear windows. For those who got their windoors filled in, any regrets in terms of decreased visibility for lane changes? Do you adjust?

 

I ordered my hd with Windoor’s and t-handle on the side. They made a mistake and shipped it with t-handle solid rear hatch instead of the glass but I’ve grown to like it. Thought I wouldn’t like not being able to see out rear window but with backup cameras and mirrors it seems fine

 

My spare is mounted on a high clearance bumper and it takes up 2/3 of the rear window anyway - can't see worth a damn and it hasn't made a difference. Shouldn't be that big of a deal.

 

any weight issues with these HD tops? Does anybody know how much they actually weigh?

I want the versatility of the reinforced cap but I don't want to use up my entire payload allowance to get there...

 

when you say your cap is reinforced, did you manage to get that internal HD framing on the Overland shell?

 

The standard CX runs around 175 lbs, the HD framing probably added another 40 - 50 lbs would be my guess.

That’s just like adding a heavy passenger, it isn't much compared to max payload.

 

Excellent, thanks

 

Hey @taco_ace Im really curious to see what the fitting or attachment point looks like that comes out of the top of the HD camper! Do I have to order the stock load bars from ARE? Id like to design my own custom rack and attach it directly. Do they look the same on the outside top of the shell as they do in your photo where they attach to the internal skeleton?

 

As far I know, the HD topper comes with the load bars from ARE. There are 2" tubular posts coming up from the internal frame through the topper and they are welded to a support for the load bars. The posts are held into the internal frame with short bolts - I'm thinking you could remove the tubular uprights and make your own custom uprights without the load bar welds. You can see in the photo below where the upright comes out of the topper and you can see the weld:



...and here you can see the tube upright coming into the frame:



I was super worried about getting a Front Runner rack installed and decided that the topper is the topper and once I get it I can figure it all out.
Which I did.

My advice: Bite the bullet, time is a wastin'.

Let me know if you need any other info or photos.

 

Thanks for the photos I have a pretty good idea on how its going look. I went in today and got one ordered. 8-12 weeks lead time right now... Thats a long time to wait, well it'll be here by camping season!