A.R.E. Cap Options

I'm looking at the A.R.E. Z Series cap, which I think is pretty damn nice looking, and I'm wondering about the options for this cap.

For example, the Yakima rails that can be installed at the factory. Do those rails take a specific Q-tower? I have a Yakima rack from my Honda Civic and was wondering if I can attach that to the cap with the Yakima rails, or would I need to purchase a specific Q-tower for the cap.

Second, the LED lights that can be installed from the factory. It looks like they do a good clean installation of these. I've seen quite a few DIY LED truck cap installs. Some look ok, some look not so good. Is it worth paying A.R.E. to install an LED system? Or does someone have a link for a really nice, and relatively simple LED install for a cap.

 

You'll need a set of Landing pad 1s and compatible towers. https://explore.yakima.com/custom-install#fiberglasstrack
I have towers and round bars from my old vehicle that fit. I'm not sure about the Q-towers.

 

Ok, now I see the parts list. Those towers are different from what I have for my car rack.

 

I'll toss this out too- getting the options you want when you order it is generally cheaper than trying to retrofit. On the other hand, I did my Yakima tracks myself because I got a very good deal on them through my brother. Having the dealer install them will probably give you a warranty although mine hasn't leaked since I put them on in 2006.

Are you planning on camping out of the back? If so you will want some sort of vented windows with screens; the Windoor option is really nice and I regret not having gotten them. Another regret I have is not getting the drop down front window. I have the sliding style but you really can't get in there to clean between the cab and shell like you can with the drop down style.

ARE offers a hardwired and a battery powered light option. Unless they've switched to a better model the factory lights are cheap; functional, but cheap. The clear cover on mine won't stay on anymore and if you bounce around much i.e. off-roading, the batteries fall out of the battery powered model. I ended up getting an LED light from Superbright LEDs to replace mine. I also bought a Sylvania battery powered light that I put Velcro on the back of so I can stick it wherever I need more light.

Sylvania 36050 DOT-it Linear Swivel Bright White LED light, color Black

https://www.amazon.com/Sylvania-36050-Linear-Swivel-Bright/dp/B0019FEN30

 

I do plan on camping out of the back of my truck. So I'm a bit torn because I really like the look of the Z series A.R.E. cap, but the limited ventilation on the windows seems to be it's downside. The Overland series looks pretty cool, but I'm not a fan of the T-handle on the rear window. Moving on to the X series, it appears very similar to the Z series with the hidden hinges and palm handle, and the option of windoors which will be very nice for camping on those warm nights.

Speaking of windoors, does anyone know how you can attach an insect screen to these openings for when you have the windoors open?

The latest A.R.E. catalog shows an optional 3-LED 12V light which replaces the factory incandescent light along with many LED rope light configurations. That Sylvania light looks like a nice addition for camping in that with velcro you can mount it anywhere inside the cap for some extra light.

 

I have a Z Series and found ventilation adequate with the side windows tipped out, but I haven't used it in very humid areas. I do have the tilt down front window and have never used it. To me, the worst thing about the Z series is the hinge design for the rear window. They are very rugged, but protrude several inches down into the rear opening and always seem to get in the way when I'm loading a bulky item. The simple extruded hinges are much less obtrusive. Finish quality is good, color match was perfect (silver), and the rack tracks with Yakima towers and round crossbars have held up well with my rooftop tent for 20,000 miles.

Oh, and the ARE LED light is bright, but the standard location on the rear door frame creates yet another thing poking down into the opening between the two hinges. I have the remote latching which is handy.

 

I was able to get some pricing yesterday from my local A.R.E. reseller. Wow, the options really add up. I was just going to go with the rood rails for mounting a roof rack, but she said it's actually cheaper to go for the mounts and rails (Yakima). Sure enough, when I price those items out on RackAttack, they are more expensive. Oh, and the keyless entry is hella expensive! I don't think I need keyless entry that bad.

A.R.E. Z Series

• A.R.E. Z-Series short bed: $2,377
• Tilt-Down Front Sliding Window: $88
• 12V LED Dome Light w/prop switch: $59
• 12-Volt Power Strip: $45
• Keyless Entry Uses Truck Key Fob: $595
• Yakima Tower Series Roof Rack: $375
• Special Offer: -$100

Z-Series Total: $3,439

A.R.E. X Series

• A.R.E. X-Series short bed: $1,942
• Tilt-Down Front Sliding Window: $88
• Outdoorsman Windoor (Vented): $45
• 12-Volt Power Strip: $45
• Keyless Entry Uses Truck Key Fob: $595
• Yakima Tower Series Roof Rack: $375
• Special Offer: -$75

X-Series Total: $3,015

A.R.E. Overland Series

• Overland Series short bed: $1,811
• Tilt-Down Front Sliding Window: $88
• Outdoorsman Windoor (Vented): $45
• 12V LED Dome Light w/prop switch: $59
• 12-Volt Power Strip: $45
• Fabric Headliner: $123
• Yakima Tower Series Roof Rack: $375
• Special Offer: -$75

Overland Series Total: $2,471


Not all of the caps above have the same options. But I'm trying to get them close. The X-Series seems to look almost identical to the Z-Series, but with the option of having Windoors. The Overland is lower priced, but also is not carpeted and has a less sexy rear door than the X-Series. If I remove the keyless entry option from the X-Series, it's very close to the cost of the Overland Series.

 

When we take multi day camping trips with bikes, with enough dirt travel to get dust in the bed, we have the back seat of our DCSB full of "clean" stuff (clothes, bagged food, sleeping bags etc) but we still access the bed a lot. The remote locking on our Z Series is very handy, though I agree it's pricey. Perhaps with windoors we'd just go in the sides instead. If getting windoors, I'd definitely get them on both sides.

 

Good point. I have a tonneau cover on the bed and have driven some dirt roads. I'm surprised with how much dust gets into the bed. Those small cubby pockets to the side of the bed are not solid and allow dust to enter through there. I see this as a bonus if you end up with water in the bed of your truck as any holes would allow for drainage. But it also works in reverse. So if I'm going to camp in the bed of my truck I should keep gear up front. And probably avoid dusty roads unless I want everything in the back to be coated with dust.

 

I've sealed a lot of gaps at the front of the bed, and added a tailgate gasket which helped with dust a lot. I'd say the Z Series itself seals well around the tailgate and the side pop-out windows.

 

Once you get the shell, put a work light under the truck and start looking for light leaks. Around the cubbies, in the front of the bed where the pieces come together, etc. Use whatever you like to seal them; some of that foam tape with adhesive on one side works as does gaffers tape but it looks like crap. Add a tailgate seal. Add a strip of foam along the bottom of the lift up window on the cap if it doesn't already have one.

No matter what you do though you can expect some dust if the conditions are bad. I carry most of my stuff like clothes in North Face Base Camp Duffels, my sleeping bags and bedding and my dirty clothes I usually just shove in a big trash bag. Since my sleeping area is carpeted I also keep a wisk broom in the back and clean as I go.

 

Ive got an ARE Z series. I really like the LED lights in them. They did a piss poor job matching my paint. So much so they are giving me a refund to have it repainted.

 

Thanks for the responses everyone. I'm going to try to budget and save for the X series so I can have the windoors for camping on warm nights. The pup should really like that option as well. Good ideas for using light to find openings in the bed to plug for dust.
Cclogan8 Sorry to hear A.R.E. did such a poor job at matching your paint. I'd expect more from A.R.E. for the price you pay.

 

My ARE CX is a perfect match for my MGM. ARE always has coupons on their web page. Sometimes $ off sometimes stuff like carpeted headliner or front folding window. Both worthwhile options.

 

I just sold my X-Series.

Look carefully at one before you buy - it does not look as nice as the Z-Series. More functional with the WinDoors, but the back door is latched with the old style sliding rods.

I am an ARE fan, but honestly, I was disappointed with the X-Series. The things that bothered me may not bother you - just investigate before you spend your money.

FTR, I changed to a SnugTop Sport Hi-Liner. We wanted a taller roof, since I have a sleeping platform in the back.

$0.02