Leer 100XR or A.R.E. CX topper?

Regardless of the brand of topper, avoiding leaks has a lot to with sealing the bed before you take the truck in for the topper installation. You can't expect the installers to do this work, or at least to do it well.

The Tacoma bed has three places where water gets in: (1) the large gaps at the front corners, (2) the holes for the fasteners under the side caps, and (3) the holes for the cubby hinges. The first two should be taken care of before the topper installation; the cubbies can be sealed later. There are also three 5/16" drain holes at the front of the bed (and more in the cubbies) that need to be plugged.

Toyota makes special rubber plugs for the front corners, but includes them only with OEM tonneau cover installations. Otherwise, you can buy them for $30 each. The side bed caps have to be cut to fit around the plugs. Or, you can use a lot of silicone sealant there.

All three of the bed caps (sides and front) have to be removed so that silicone sealant can be applied underneath them. On the sides, the sealant bead needs to go inboard of the clip holes, so that water that splashes up inside the wheel wells has a path to escape.

 

Leer 100XQ here with a Victory topper rack. I've had it on almost a year. It's 99.5 % waterproof. IMO the 100XQ is the best looking topper for our trucks as it really has an OEM fit and finish. Only thing I like about the ARE over the LEER is their hinge design for the back hatch.

 

Do you have pics of your rig with the shell... I have a 18 long bed, little lift with 255s toyo muds. Id like to see what you mean. Thanks

 

I know I’m not who you asked. But here is a long bed with ARE CX.

 

I appreciate that. Can you lock your self in the back when sleeping? I heard you can't with ARE. I'm really struggling between that model and leer 100 XR. There seems to be horror stories on both brands.

 

I’m not aware of a way to lock yourself in. But I am sure someone has come up with something.
Yes, either brand you will have some issue.
Tacomas are hard to seal for water proofing. I have had mine for 4 years now and still glad I got it.