Cap un-installation time

Calling cap owners.

I am in the thought process of MAYBE getting a cap for my truck (probably a LEER), and I don't know shit about them.

But the thing is, that I sometimes have to cargo things in my bed that won't fit with a cap. Approximation is that it happens 3 times or less a year. Rest of the time, the cap is enough, and would keep my cargo safe/dry/organised.

-So, the biggest factor in getting a cap, or keeping my tonneau cover, is: how long does it take to take the cap off? And is it doable alone?

-Also, I would like to have lighting if I get a cap, are there LEER cap pre-designed with lighting and related wiring that would be plug-in or at least easy to hook-up to the trucks power?

-Do the bed rails stay usable with the cap on it? (have have the cargo separator and wanna keep it.)

-And last; what is the MPG loss with a cap, if any?

Thank you.

 

-So, the biggest factor in getting a cap, or keeping my tonneau cover, is: how long does it take to take the cap off? And is it doable alone?
It's comparable to removing and reinstalling a tonneau cover. Maybe a bit heavier with the glass in it. 2 People could do it easily.

-Also, I would like to have lighting if I get a cap, are there LEER cap pre-designed with lighting and related wiring that would be plug-in or at least easy to hook-up to the trucks power?
The Leer that I have, has a small light installed in it (standard), just above the door in the inside. Since there is wiring for that, I don't see much trouble in jumping another light or two if you need them in other places.

-Do the bed rails stay usable with the cap on it? (have have the cargo separator and wanna keep it.)
Yup, they do.

-And last; what is the MPG loss with a cap, if any?
This varies from person to person. Some experience a gain, because of better airflow over the cap, while others experience a loss from the added weight. Personally, I think they kind of negate each other.

One plus that I might add, is that with the extra weight over the bed, you probably wouldn't need to add any sandbags for winter driving/traction.

 

If you have a place to do it , you can make a hoist to remove the canopy .

Alternately you can make a platform that is the correct height to allow you to slide the canopy off of the truck and onto the platform without lifting it .

The Leer RCC I ordered weighs approx 180 lbs .

 

If you have a garage with enough ceiling room, you can make a pulley system to raise and lower the cap. Just keep in mind that you may have to repair/replace the seal every time you pull it off. You also need to compress the seal to get the bolt holes to line up with the rail. A 2x4 and bar clamps will work for that.

 

I gained 1-2 mpg with my leer 100r on the highway at 70

 

I just removed mine. It took 5min. with help to lift it off. I added to clear fog lights to mine. The stocker isn't that impressive.

 

Cap install is pretty easy but is much much easier with 2 people (I'd say 5 minutes with 2 people). Like Oz-T said, if you have a platform or a rail system where you live already set up for this, you could easily lift it off and slide it on to that by yourself. The trouble doing it by yourself is trying to step off the back of the truck holding up the shell.

I don't know about Leer, but my ARE has a dome light. I believe the lights are an option though. I wired it so it takes power off the running lights. That way I can't leave the dome light on without the ignition but you can wire it anyway you like. It's got a plug for both the 3rd brake light and the dome light so you just unplug it, loosen a couple bolts and the cap can be taken off.

With the bed rails, not sure about the Leer again, but the ARE allows the bed rails to be used although it's a tight fit. The tie downs can still be used on mine, I don't have a bed divider so I can't say for sure whether it would work or not.

As far as MPG difference, I noticed a slight loss in the city and no change on the highway. I'm guessing the loss in the city is just because of the added weight with stop and go driving. I've got a ARE MX series so mine sticks up about 3" or so higher than the cab, not sure how much difference the type of cap makes (cab-high, mid-rise or the 6" rise ones).

 

if buying new, the shops around here have to wire it for you. they wont let you leave without a functional brake light hooked up on it.

 

Thanks for the quick reply guys

About having to repair/replace that seal, would that be a pain in the ass/expensive/time consuming doing so say.. 2 times a year?

Does the LEER has the same ''plug'' (where you can easily disconect your power to the cap) as the ARE Pugga is talking about?

 

i had a leer 700 and it's a sweet cap (a little high towards the back) but definetely a two man job. I had my wife help me but it was way too heavy for her. So everytime i needed to remove it i had to call my brother. ( pain in the ass) but now i have a undercover cap which i can do it on my own much more easier to handle. but not as nice.

 

My Leer will have a quick connect type plug for the electrical .

 

Even if it does not come that way, it would be very easy to add afterwards. If you're buying new, the installer should do this for you automatically since caps aren't a permanent addition to the truck.

I doubt your seals would wear out that often. Maybe once every couple of years. You could use weatherstripping vs. buying Leer's seals and save a lot of money. The seals on mine were shot when I bought it used and I just used a piece of compressible foam to seal it up. Cost me under $3 at the local hardware store.

 

My Leer has a quick connect at the back with 4 wires, 2 for 3rd brake light, 2 for interior light.

It's held on by 4 bolts plus that connector.

I can't just remove it by myself. It's pretty heavy. I could lift it but it's big and bulky and made out of shiny paint and glass and my truck is also made out of shiny paint. while the garage floor is made of unforgiving, hard concrete.

With help, 2 guys or 4 if you want real light work can easily lift it off and set it down on some 2x4s. You'd have to lift it up, maybe set it on some sawhorses to replace the gasket, it's a foam tape with one side of smooth plastic and the other side is adhesive and sticks to the bottom of the canopy. Expect to pay around $15 for the gasket. Replacing it means picking/peeling the old one off and sticking the new one back on. I've removed my canopy with no damage to the gasket so far. What goes wrong with them is they stick to the truck and rip apart on removal or the adhesive lets go. Plastic bed rails stay in place and are totally hidden by my Leer.

The rails stay useable but, with my Leer at least, the inside lip of the canopy sort of hangs over the rail inside. To place or remove the tire down rings you need to twist the screw out further than usual for clearance, not a big deal though. Slides down the rail like usual once it's in the rail. The bolts screw into blocks that fit into the rail system, waaay better than the usual big stupid aluminum clamps on normal trucks.

Haven't noticed a MPG difference but I don't keep real close track.

Expect it to take 5-10 minutes to remove the cap with a helper. Perhaps a couple minutes longer to reinstall just because you want to shuffle it forward and back and side to side to get it in just the right spot before locking it down.

 

Thanks for the great advices guys. Also, I think I can live with the burden of taking it off since it does not seem to be that much of a PITA. Definatly going to get a quote at my local dealer.

 

called for quotes!

LEER 100 series (this is the one where the cap is equal in height to the cabin)

The cheapest is 1200$
High end is 2150$

With the other 2 submodels being 1600 and 1800 If I remember well.

That is with installation included, wiring included, cap painted.

That does not include sales tax (15% here) and minor options that I might add (more dome lights)

This is in canadian dollars, and here in canada.

If anyone has any comments on this (like: "WTF too pricey", or "pick the highers model only") I would be glad to hear.

 

That seems about right for Canada prices .

I got the 100RCC , but also got a quote on the 100R , I can look for it when I get home if you like .

 

I got a snugtop because it has an integrated rubber bumper in the rail instead of the adhesive seal used to install other brand tops. I also had it wired with quick connects so it could be removed easier. I haven't taken it off in the year I have had the truck, but it should be pretty easy.

 

Sure that would settle me if the price is at least fair. The thing is we always pay more here in canada, so I can't count on looking at USA prices, I will be deceived for sure

Oh and BTW, the high end model comes with carpet... Though I don't see that "feature" no-where on the LEER webside for the 100 series models.

 

I'm pretty sure you can add it as a headliner when you use the build and quote fuction on the website .

It was an option for the 100RCC at least

 

Sorry Dan ,

I looked but it seems my email that had the quote for the 100R got erased .

Also , I checked the Leer site , and you can add the headliner to the 100R as an option .