SnugTop a BAD idea

I just recently purchased a 2014 Tacoma. Wanted to get a new Camper Shell for her and started looking around. I had an ARE on my old truck but after about 4 years it started leaking. Thought I would try a SnugTop or Snug Top. Really liked the look of the outside and the overhanging lip. So, I ordered one, which came up from Southern Cali somewhere. Went to pick it up and BAMM! What the heck. The interior finish was a joke. There were places that were sagging that didn't have glue behind them and overlapped areas that weren't glued down either. There were wrinkles everywhere!! The owner of the business was a little surprised too and said he would call the company and get a new one shipped ASAP. The second one came in today and was worse!! AARRGG! Bottom line is I got my money back and have already gone done to the ARE dealership and ordered a new top from them. Also, if you already have a Snug Top take off the stupid metal badges just inside the door on both sides. They are razor blades and stick up over the rails. I'm new to Tacoma World, I hope this helps keep others from wasting time and money.

 

No such issues with my Snugtop. Fit and finish is top notch. Are you ordering directly from Snugtop or from a dealer of some kind? I wonder if its a dealer if they're having a contractor of some kind to the lining on the inside to save money.

I've never heard of anybody having these issues and of all the people I know with Snugtops, every one of them has nothing but praise for them.

 

Snugtop Dealer. Another reason I put the serial number pic in there.

 

No problems with mine. Just about a year and its like the day I had it put on. Not sure though about wrinkles as I haven't looked closely since yours look small but my plats are razors.

 

Hey Box Rocket I see on the bottom of the serial number badge that it reads:

SNUGtop
by CUSTOM HARDTOPS - Long Beach, California

The dealer I bought it from is in Oregon.
I'm guessing that Custom Hardtops is the supplier for the West Coast??

 

SnugTop is having a backlog, especially on the Tacoma since it is one of the most popular trucks on the market. I work with them first hand and have been having a few issues lately.

 

I obviously bought one because I thought they were supposed to be the best... Hmmm... Their turn-around is 3 weeks... why don't they just add in another week of time so they get it right.
My dad told me when I was a teenager that even if your making #2 pencils do your best and make the best #2 pencils out there.
The quality of work going into the Snugtop right now is the reason why American manufacturing is the brunt of ever shoddy work joke.
Anyway... my only hope here is that you guys don't make the same mistake I did.

 

Damn shame to hear, mine has been through hell and back and has never given me issues.

Although recently I have been trying to source a new rear window frame and every dealer has blown me off, quoted me a price that was more than the entire camper was worth, or simply told me it was impossible. Even contacting Snugtop themselves proved worthless.

A few years ago their customer service was excellent, I was able to source a frame directly from Snugtop, but passed since I took the shell off for almost a year (and it was still almost $100). Now I try the exact same thing and get told it is impossible?!

 

Because they have so much business right now, they can afford to lose one older customer simply looking for a part they don't make any more.

Not to mention I called them a while ago asking about an order that was already a week behind. They told me their back window hinges are on back order from the manufacturer they use. I told them to get a different supplier or I might get another canopy supplier as well.

 

I've been happy with mine. Had it for about 4 years. Fit and finish is good too-no complaints.

 

Sacrificing customer service for huge orders will only work in the short term though. Once that initial run goes away and the poor service is exposed, you are left with nothing.

I'm just very disappointed, I've run Snugtops on every truck I've owned (saved my 91's butt during an accident) and was planning on getting another for my 14.

I noticed they became a vender on this site recently, perhaps I can make a bit of progress through them again.

 

I know that a lot of people like their old SnugTops. Again, I was going to get one.... BUT.... another comment from the guy I bought it from that was really weird was that I complained about the window rim on the interior left side... I think its the 5th photo... he said that he brought it up with SnugTop when he ordered the second top, and the guy at SnugTop told him that the defect was in the mold. WHAT?!? If there is a defect in the mold wouldn't you want to fix it? AGAIN... my only reason for posting all of this is to let you guys know that if your about to get a SnugTop anytime soon your going to be very disappointed on the quality of the interior. OH, ALSO... the guy in town who sells SnugTops said he wanted to drop their line... so... that seems to be a flag too. Just sayin'.

 

Maybe I am missing something here (and I hope I am) but to be honest those look like such small little wrinkles and TO ME it isn't a big deal. I mean it is a truck and they will be used as such. It won't be perfect as they are made in southern cali and have to be shipped so I wouldn't doubt in the process of moving them around the factory and what not (probably before the glue dried all the way) little things may happen. Now if the carpet from the ceiling is sagging then I can understand but personally I don't care that the carpet inside has to be perfect. And as the plate being like a razor, isn't that hard to sand down and make it smooth.

Yes I think they should look closer at quality and what not before it is shipped out but its a big company and shells are mass produced (especially for Tacomas).

 

It's hard to know whether you're getting the truth about the mold. That doesn't seem like SnugTop. Have you contacted them directly?

Anyway, sorry to hear about your problem and hope you can get them worked out satisfactorily.

 

Northwest Taco... I think you ARE missing something... what your saying is that if you pay $2500ish for something that you EXPECT that it may be a little shoddy... but that's OK... because its mass produced. Mass produced like your truck you mean? Did you compromise in anyway when you bought your truck? Look I looked at 20 or 30 SnugTops and none of them were as crappy as what I just got.

 

I ordered a second shell ian408. The bad spot in the window rim was in the exact same spot. ALSO everyone IF YOU DO have a snug top please take off those metal placards in the back... if you have a dog jumping around in the back near the window getting some air they will get sliced. It a dumb place for those and obviously not thought out very well.

 

I hope you got the xtr for $2500! If not you are getting ripped off. XTR is the most expensive one from SnugTop and I walked out the door with mine for just over that installed and with every option.

Since it isn't in plain sight and people aren't constantly looking at it then a few blemishes are okay for me. If the carpet in my truck had a few little wrinkles in it I wouldn't complain. I know that the leather seats in my dads truck aren't perfect and have some wrinkles where the pieces come together but that doesn't bother us since we don't feel them, to me it isn't a big deal. For you I understand it is. I will admit it is weird that if you looked at 20-30 others and yours was the only one then either you have really bad luck (like me) or they know you personally

 

Thanks .. sad to see #1 drop the quality ball. Hope Toyota doesn't follow along.

 

Got my SnugTop in Jan 2014 and no issues so far.

 

I got my SnugTop in March 2013 and it's good. The dealer is great, I had a couple of issues and they took care of me. Truck Builders LLC on Highway 99 in Lynnwood WA, highly recommended.