ARE HD series advice

Not sure about weight as far as options go. In fact not sure on too much, both times I sent emails in to ARE I had multiple questions that I numbered very clearly. They responded but with the least possible information you could imagine. Not even sure if those weights are for short beds or long beds ??

 

I ordered my CX-HD on September 23, 2020 and it arrived on January 22, 2021. Almost four months to the day.

 

Dang...welcome to the CX-HD owners club! I love mine, hope you enjoy yours!

 

Wow. Yeah I called Ohio ARE plant myself since my dealer always “knows nothing” with my serial number and was told it won’t leave Ohio until late February. So all said it will be close to 16 weeks for me as well. Kinda crazy. O well, the wait will be worth it. Just got to keep telling myself that. In the meantime, I focus on other mods

 

Hey there, looks like I’m about to pull the trigger and get the same setup as you ( minus the tool box). At first I wanted to get the aluminum panel door in the rear but realized that it would block my rear view which although not the end of the world would still be a bit of an inconvenience. How have you been liking the setup with the rear window and the side doors being aluminum? Any feedback is appreciated as I’m about to spend about $4,600 on mine! Do you still get good visual in rear view mirror? Is it easy to see all the tools/ gear you have in bed? Security is a concern for me being that I haul expensive tools often such as welders / saws, etc. Also I have a dog that will ride in the back. Thanks for any input!

 

I like having the rear window. I previously had a SoftTopper (which was installed less than a week after purchase in 2018) with an oxidized rear window, so I couldn't see out of it. It was manageable, but that was one of the many factors that played into me getting a canopy with rear glass. I can see plenty out of the rear view mirror, especially with the backup camera, but I am coming from nearly zero visibility with my SoftTopper. I also had solid sides on my SoftTopper, so I am used to not having visibility there. I did take a bit to get used to after driving stock, which had tons of visibility. You just have to make sure you are monitoring your side and rear view mirrors regularly, so you can see traffic before it enters your blind spot. Blind Spot Monitoring helps as well, which I find is pretty accurate in the Tacoma.

For security, I regularly carry all my trail tools, some car care products, my iSUP and electric pump, recovery boards, and 2 jerry cans. I live in a small house with minimal storage and have to park on the street. You can see into the bead easily and I do worry about break-ins with the rear glass, but I don't have any other option. I did install a tailgate lock that locks/unlocks with the doors, and I have Decked drawers. The drawers combined with the toolbox/aluminum windoors keeps everything out of sight except for the things you can see in the bed in the pictures I posted (shovel, axe, recovery boards, jerry cans) and my iSUP. This combo reduces the probability of my tools being stolen (and my tailgate) if someone breaks in, but it might just make me feel better and worry less. Ultimately, this setup is better than nothing or a SoftTopper, so I moved in a positive direction in regards to security.

You wont regret the CX-HD, it has been the biggest step forward in organization and storage for my travels, is strong enough to carry +500# dynamically on the roof, and it looks good to boot!

 

Information much appreciated! I am almost as exited about getting my cx hd as I was about getting my Tacoma to begin with. I think I am going to have to take a couple days to think about wether or not the rear visibility is worth the security compromise. Another thing that comes to mind in regards to having the rear window is that if I ever wanted to sleep in there I wouldn't feel like I was caged in and would potentially get better ventilation. Also It might be scary for my dog to be in there with all aluminum paneled doors being the only light would be coming in from the cab. I tend to overthink these things but with a hefty investment like this I am sure its worth putting some thought into. I think the rear window actually looks kinda cool in your setup to. Anyhow wish me luck on making the right choice in so far as the rear door is concerned and thanks again for your feedback.

 

good luck...I think either way it'll be a good investment in the truck and a good choice.

 

I bought mine with the idea that I'd be sleeping in it. I have the windoors on each side—the access to the front of the bed is great—and they have a small screened window in the center that opens. I have a glass back window. I've driven heavy trucks and have no problem driving using only my side mirrors, and my 2020 Tacoma has a backup camera, but I like the convenience of being able to see out the back window too. I don't have a dog, but I would think the side window ventilation would be good for your dog (and you).

The HD series cannot have the tilt-down front window due to the internal frame. Other than that, I haven't notice the internal frame getting in the way.

Whatever you decide, I'm sure you'll be happy with the CX HD.

 

Hey Chuck, thanks for the input on this. I am beginning to lean more towards the windoors now as I have been thinking they are the best of both. You get the door type access on the sides with the ventilation and rear visibility. Only with the compromise of security. Anyhow I'll think it over. I will post on her once I get it and show some photos. Thanks again.

 

I'm thinking of making some kind of window covers, although I don't know whether I want normal curtains or blackout curtains fastened to the windows or that silver insulation stuff attached to the windows or something else. My main focus is being able to sleep in the back, but blocking the view inside would be a bonus.

Would something like that, that blocks the view into the back, provide enough of a security bonus for you? It would stop people from being able to see what you have inside. You could remove them when you are taking your dog somewhere and want to open the sliding windows.

On the other hand, windows are easier to break than the aluminum doors would be.

Maybe someone else that has implemented an idea like this could chime in (with photos) and let us know what works.

 

Funny you bring that up, I was just thinking of something similar last night that would give me the best of both worlds. Being that I am a sheet-metal contractor I was thinking of fashioning a removable aluminum panel on the inside of the windoor. Maybe 8th inch thick aluminum. Still haven’t come up with a design but it would be pretty simple.
That would block the view of potential thieves wanting to get to my gear but I can take them off when I don’t have stuff back there or whenI have my dog like you said.

 

Ok all you ARE HD hopefuls, so it’s been almost 10 weeks since I put in my HD order with the local dealer. I ordered one with all the bells and whistles including the OTR bed liner option. I was told it was shipping on March 22 so I called today to see what the hell was going on. The dealer here in Boise then proceeded to tell me TODAY! That there is some sort of shortage on the OTR paint that they use and ARE has not shipped let alone started to build my topper. Paid in full when I ordered it, and I can t do anything about it. Even if I decide to go with another paint option I’m still the 8-10 weeks out. I was really hoping to have a topper for camping season. Wha wha

 

Super bummer man! Hang in there...you'll love it when you get it!

 

I have the ARE HD. Does anyone know what size drop in T nuts fit in the internal skeleton?

 

I couldn't find any anywhere, so I ordered the t-nut kit from the ARE dealer. The price isn't that much more than other prices I saw online. I would suggest going that route. After I received the t-nuts, I measured them and still couldn't find any online with the proper dimensions.

The screws that fit the ARE single-hole t-nuts are 6mm x 1.0 thread and the ones that fit the double-hole t-nuts are 6mm x 1.0 and 8mm x 1.25 thread.

 

How many sets are in the kit? I’ve ordered so many from Amazon, haha found some that will work but not very good.

 

There are eight pieces of the single-hole t-nut, eight screws and eight washers, all black. There are eight double-hole t-nuts, zinc plated (silver).

After I was able to figure what thread size the t-nuts have, I ordered these short 6mm eye bolts from Amazon:

$9 Eowpower 10Pcs M6 Male Thread Machinery Shoulder Lifting Ring Eye Bolt

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G15NF7C/ I haven't installed them yet, but it looks like I'll want to put a washer on them. I wanted a place to clip carabiners to the frame.

 

There is so many options to hang stuff in there. I’m going to look like Sanford and son under there. Haha

 

IT FINALLY CAME!! Preliminary photos shown here. I’ll do some more detailed stuff later