Looking for LB Topper. What is best value?

I just got a new to me 2013 DCLB in magnetic grey. Would love a camper shell less than $1k. I plan on putting Yakima rack tracks and putting a bike rack on the topper (I have rack already but will need to buy the tracks).
I like the cab-heigh models and am not loyal to any manufacturer. Anyone know where I can find a topper that is of good value? Here is my taco.

 

surrounding area craigslist searching and patience really pays off with finding these at great value!!!! good luck on your search i bet you find one rather quickly with a 1k budget

 

Craigslist tends to be your friend! I paid 600 for my ARE which new would have cost 1200 based on a quote I got from 1 location. Had to drive a few hours to get it but it was worth it. The color even matched. Couple scratches and I replaced the window screens.

 

I searched Craigslist for months with no luck - ended up pulling the trigger on a new Jason.

If looks aren't important and you won't be putting too much weight up top (bicycles and ladders vs. roof top tents and people), look in your area for a shop that builds their own aluminum shells. They can usually color match the metal and they are lots cheaper (and lighter) than the fiberglass campers.

 

Craigslist FTW

Edited to add: For the record i searched for my LB cap for about two months online and finally found a Leer 100R w/ thule rails & rack, and carpeted headliner. Patience is key, especially if you want to find one that is already color matched

 

I like my Snugtop but if I were to do it again I would go with a Bestop or Softopper. The Snugtop is great and secure but the boxes on these Tacoma's are near impossible to seal up from the elements.


For what it's worth Snugtop's service is absolutely worthless. I'm not sure how Leer stacks up. Every ARE canopy I see locally is a giant piece of shit so I wouldn't even look at them.

 

Craigslistand Offerup. Be patient. I scored a softopper for $100 and it was brand new. I've seen hard tops for half the cost of new ones as well. You just have to watch and wait

 

Every ARE canopy I see locally is a giant piece of shit so I wouldn't even look at them.[/QUOTE]


Could you explain this or go more indepth into what the problems are?

I've had my ARE cap for 10yrs now and the only problem I've had with it was the handle keyhole got gunked up from the dust and road grit, it wouldn't lock but the handle still worked.
Matter of fact everybody I know that has one have no problems with them.

 

It might just be whatever plant ships to the NW but over torqued screws on the aluminum framed windows and mismatched paint seem to the norm.

I know Leer and ARE both have multiple factories. Snugtop is made in California.

 

OK gotcha randomguy, like you said it must be a NW thing cause here in the upper midwest they are all of good quality.

 

+1. I quickly found a nice one for my '04 on Craigslist. I searched ~4mos for one to fit my '13, before giving up and ordering new. (Scheduled for install next week.)

 

Yep, buy used. Have it painted to match at your local tech school if you want it done cheaply. The metal covered, 70's/old man style are less expensive than the fiberglass models but for the Tacomas, the fibeglass models that go over the bedsides tend to work better. Try to find one with the features you want though as going back and adding them later is a lot more expensive i.e. windoors, sliding front window, etc. Install the tracks yourself, it's pretty easy.

 

One feature you definitely want is not only a sliding front glass, but one that folds down for cleaning.

 

Been looking on CL around Wyoming and Colorado (I live in Cheyenne, Wy 12 miles from the Colorado border) and nothing yet. I will keep my eyes peeled.

 

This.
After ~6 years without a cleaning, my back window and front glass on my cap are super dirty. And the trim around the back window is probably in pretty rough shape too. I scored mine used from the buy/sell/trade section so I can't complain. I did have to drive about 6 hrs round trip, but I still got mine for about 50% off retail. LB seem to be somewhat hard to find on the East Coast. I would think the Denver area CL would have a better market. Good luck in your search OP.

 

Thanks! I am in no hurry as winter is approaching here and I really use the topper for summer months (sleeping in it while camping and such). I am checking CL daily.