Century Canopy on 2017 TRD O.R./SB/DC

Hey,

There's not a lot of information or pictures of a Century Canopy on a 3rd gen Tacoma, so I thought I'd post these photos for anyone considering one. I've only had this Canopy a month or so, so this is not really a "review" as time will tell if this canopy is reliable in the long-run. This canopy is a Century "Ultra" with the features described below.

Reasons for choosing this particular canopy:

I have been driving work pickups with canopies for about 17 years for my job so I have a pretty good idea of what I like, what I need, and what is going to be unreliable and break or leak etc. Over the years I have driven 6 different work pickups with 6 different Leer Canopies, that all had their share of problems. I know Century is the same company as Leer, but this particular canopy had the design I wanted to give it the best chance for survival in the long term, as well as having the features I require or enjoy. Leer did not offer this particular configuration, and the local Century dealer was much better to deal with (being a family-run operation as opposed to a franchise) so I ended up with Century. I also looked at ARE, which seem pretty awesome, but are not readily available or supported where I live in Canada. They are also a lot more money!

My canopy build wants/needs:

- Windoors on the side: I use a 4-bike "North Shore Rack" on the hitch receiver for mountain bike road-trips, and the ability to access the bed to retrieve items without having to unload all the bikes, to fold down the rack, is a great convenience. This feature was a "must".

- Simplicity: No opening vents, no side sliders, no front slider, no bug screens, no divided windows. I hate all that stuff as it always breaks, or leaks , or rattles open, or comes loose. I am not sleeping in the back of a short-bed pickup so have no need for these complications. Front sliders always seem to rattle open, or obscure rearward vision. Side window vents or side sliders seem to jam or wiggle open, or have crappy locks. Bug screens tear when you store large cargo in the bed. I have no need to access the canopy from the cab via a front slider window. My new canopy has a solid-glass removable front window for cleaning the canopy window and the back window of the truck. Easy.

- Framed windows: I have had very bad luck with the Leer "SUV Style" flush windows leaking. The older style "framed" windows have a little gutter/hinge on top of them that seems to help keep the water out. Living in B.C. you gotta keep the rain out 8 months of the year, so this detail is important. Also, when you open a "flush" SUV-style window in the rain, the rain tends to drip off the window into the bed, or down your neck, whereas the "gutter-hinge" style of the old-school framed windows does not allow the water to drip into the bed.

- Double "old school" canopy locks: I have had two of those fancy center locking systems fail on me over the years, which can be a real hassle. The cables stretch over time or the little pot-metal mechanism will rot away and you can get locked out of your own canopy and be forced to jimmy the hatch open because the center mechanism will not release the side locks. The sheer simplicity of the dual-locks, is worth the extra time it takes to unlock two handles.

My canopy also has a carpeted interior, LED battery light, and a Thule roof rack system. It clamps to the standard Toyota bed rails, with no drilling or anything.

Anyways.......I have stood on top of this canopy, and it does not flex. The hardware is really nice and smooth operating. The fibreglass work is completely smooth, as it is with a Leer canopy, and the paint match is perfect. I prefer the red-coloured center brake-light over the chrome+clear style that Leer uses. All in all I am very happy I went with a Century. Here are some pictures:



















My daughter likes the new truck!

 

I noticed that the side windoors in one picture had the turn knobs and one didn't. Did you have to install those on your own? I really like the windoors. Are those a special order item?
Thanks

 

They both have the turn knobs. It’s just hidden by the shadows in the photos. The windoors are a option you must ask for.

This canopy has now been to hell and back and is still mostly perfect. I 100% endorse the quality that Century puts out. Paint, hardware, everything has lasted. I had one of the gas lift-struts lose pressure recently so had to buy one of those.

All these years later, still my jam.

 

Sweet canopy! I’m thinking of purchasing this model for my 1st gen Tacoma. I’m in the PNW- how’s the leak situation? Have you noticed any? Otherwise based on your review I’m pretty sold on this canopy

 

I’ve had this canopy over 6 years, since getting the truck in 2017. No leaks, no problems, no complaints. Been through one set of gas struts for the back window. LED 3rd brake light still works and has not faded. Paint has stayed perfect. Gaskets and locks are all good. Truck is parked outside in the weather 24/7, 365 days a year. Live on BC coast in the rain zone.

Pics from this summer.