Thoughts on bed caps appreciated

No problem! Hopefully your search goes well and you find a cap that fits you. I was looking at some of the more “overland” style but I ended up liking the look of the Leer with the rack on top along with the added strength. It wasn’t an easy decision but I couldn’t be happier than I am with this Leer so far

 

I could have sworn my ARE Z Series was $1100

 

i have snug top ...it s solid ...i want a GFC...

 

I ordered my canopy Jan 27, and it arrived yesterday. I got the Century High-C, which is the same as the Leer *something or other*. Canopy's are pretty much unobtainium where I live - even new. Very happy with this one though.

 

I figured this may help some people.

Here is the spec sheet for my order. Price (before tax) is in the top right and that includes installation by the shop.

After tax the total was $3999. I can’t stress enough, for those looking to buy new, get multiple quotes…Like others have said. Another shop in a neighboring state quoted me over $4,300 for the exact same options.

 

Thanks for that info; very informative. Your sheet shows $3774 before tax including intallation. Converting to $CDN it's $4798CDN right now, before tax. Our taxes are 12% here in BC (ouch!). My new canopy came in at $4870CDN after tax, but I did get the Thule rails as well.

I remember paying somewhere between $1000 and $1200 CDN (after taxes) for my canopy on my Ranger in 2008. These things sure have gone up in price!

 

Yes they have. 2600 $ for basic leer. 6 week lead time.

 

I ordered a 100XR in June and it took six weeks to come in.

Flush rear glass/center lock, headliner, normal windows on the sides with screens, front slider, dome light and no other extras. It was $2627 +$59 for shop to do the tailgate seal, plus $200 in labor so like $3100 with tax.

Really happy with it but was expecting it to be about two grand all-in when I went in to order it. But the shortages were already in effect, and they said Leer was running overtime building them so whatev/gotta pay to play/etc.

I used my rudimentary carpentry skills to make a little shelf at the front - had to remove one of the screens to get it inside as it is wider than the door opening

 

Nice! Looking at your photos proves to me (not that I needed proof) that Leer and Century are the same except for the decals. The inside of yours is identical to mine, as is the outside - excepting for mine being mid-rise and yours cab level. Did they show you the front slider hinges inward so you can clean the outside from in the bed? I thought that was a nice feature.

 

Mine has the fixed slider (no hinge) - was trying to save a little bit as it was an upcharge.

Yeah, there's like three companies that make them.

A.R.E.

Truck Accessories Group
Leer
Century
SnugTop

LTA Manufacturing
ATC
Ranch
Jason

 

My cab level leer is much heavier "ie" stronger rear window feels smoother as well as the latches. It has 36 inches clearance over bed and the high top ARE has 45 inches over bed which gives more camping room which is why i bought it. The rear window hinges are stiff and more flimsey than the leer. The sides because of the height are also more flexible and i think i will have to reinforce at some time. The best feature is that i only paid 100 bucks yesterday and love the room it has. I just think the leer is better quality.

 

And the leer

 

The leer looks better, fit and finish, i just need more height.

 

I just went through the same debate and finally settled on the Smartcap. It has a different industrial look that appealed to me and seems to be pretty indestructible excluding the latch issue.

Now the wait begins. Seems like every manufacturer is dealing with similar supply chain challenges.

 

I really like that rack! What is it, and where could it be found? Thanks.

 

I have a ARE CX. When I was shopping and agonizing over details, I eventually came to the conclusions that they are all about the same quality wise. You do want the one who has good local support though. Don't expect show car perfect with any cap though. They are pretty close.....

That being said, windoors are worth the upcharge. Get the features you want.

Edit: I'm talking about comparisons with your typical fiberglass caps. Not the welded aluminum ones.

 

I had a few issues with my Snugtop (mostly cosmetic) but overall happy now. The dealer I bought it from offered to send it back to Snugtop to fix under warranty, but that could take several months, or they offered me a partial refund to live with it or fix myself. I chose the refund. The dealer told me Snugtop moved their entire operation and manufacturing from Long Beach, CA to Mexico in the past year, and they went from a company full of long-time employees that had been building caps for decades, to a company of mostly new trainees in a different country. And I wasn’t the only one with quality control issues lately. Hopefully Snugtop is getting those things sorted out. I have to say the dealer I went thru was supportive and agreed with me on everything and handled it well. In the end, I love my topper at the price I paid for it.

 

I'm picking up my A.R.E. MX in two days. I initially wanted a Snugtop, but the dealer talked me out of it. He said that the Snugtop shells have been delivered with damage lately, and they have had to send them back for repairs, resulting in months of delay.

 

I have a SnugTop GB Sport. I could rant all day about how terrible my experience has been. Essentially, their pandemic-era quality control is atrocious. I noticed you asked specifically about the third brake light - mine was replaced twice because of water intrusion. So annoying and a major inconvenience.

I would consider RLD Design: https://www.rlddesignusa.com/product-tag/toyota-truck-caps-canopies/

I’m considering selling the SnugTop and getting an RLD.

 

Is yours the 23" or the 26"?