Great disappointment with Leer camper shell

Week before last I spent a hefty wad of bucks and bought a Leer 100XQ truck cap/camper shell for my Tacoma double cab 4x4. I got the optional front slider window, keyless remote locking/unlocking, 12V dome light with LED bulb, and the automatic 12V dome light switch that turns it off when you close the rear glass. I bought it and it was installed by Black Jack Truck Accessories in Lee's Summit, Missouri.

I live in the middle of nowhere in northeast Missouri, 3 hours away. Black Jack is the nearest Leer dealer to me that could get one in stock in time for an upcoming trip out west next week. I had an appointment for the installation of the shell, and I was there early. But the installation guy at Black Jack was pissy and all he was interested in was getting done so he could either go to break or go home early.

First thing I noticed after installation was that the gasket that seals between the bed and the shell, across the front of the shell, was hanging partially out at the right front corner of the shell. Pulled the shell, the gasket was straightened out and the shell reinstalled. Looked good and I loved the look of the shell on the truck.

Last Thursday, we had a light rain with no wind for about a half hour. I checked inside the shell and found a silver dollar sized spot of water under the left side window crank. Monday we had a little heavier rain and I drove home in it. About 7 miles, never exceeding 45 mph. Checked inside again and found significant leaks in 6 places: all four corners and under each side window crank assembly.

Last night we had a 9.2" rain and there were stiff winds for about 15 minutes. The truck was sitting against the house on the lee side, away from the wind. I checked inside the shell this morning and it looked like somebody had been in there spraying a garden hose. EVERYTHING was absolutely soaked. I wouldn't have thought that it was even possible to get that much water inside of a shell that still had glass in the windows. ESPECIALLY with the truck just sitting there.

I used to have an old, used, el cheapo aluminum shell on my Chevy that never leaked a drop. EVER. I previously had an Undercover bed topper on this truck that never leaked a drop, EVER, in worse conditions than this.

This is supposed to be one of Leer's better quality shells. Needless to say, I'm VERY disappointed in the quality of this shell and the quality of the installation. We are leaving one week from today on a 2000 mile round trip and I can't get back to Lee's Summit before then for Black Jack to attempt to find and fix the leaks (minimum 6 hour round trip, plus repair time and another day off from work). I guess my choices are to put all our gear in garbage bags inside the shell and also to try to find and fix or slow down the leaks myself.

I wish I'd have bought an ARE shell.

 

Wow...that does suck. Too much water.

In 10+ years of owning Leer canopies I had one leak, in my last Tacoma, butit was minor and due to settling...replaced front seal (double tape) and fixed.

Just got a new Leer 100XR this week. Fucker better not leak, but I'm 15minutes away from the factory dealer.


Write Leer...

 

That's a bummer. Is it new? What did you pay?

You'll have to go back and have them correct it.

 

I've owned a 100R and now a 100XL. My 100R never leaked although everything in the back gets dirty. My 100XL leaked up front but was resealed against the bed, and yes, everything gets dirty back there too. Over all I liked them both.

 

Sounds like it is more of an installation problem then an issue with the cap.

 

On my Leer, the front was an issue, where the side walls meet the front wall of the box, Toyota couldn't be bothered to make them even. There was a significant gap that an extra layer of weatherstripping was applied and that seems to have fixed it.

 

Sounds like a shitty install more than a shitty cap

 

x2

 

I have the same cap. Did the install myself as I bought it used.
I have a minor leak at the rear window due to a bad gasket but that's my only issue. I'd agree with the other members and say it is a poor install job.

 

Sorry for the intrusion into a Toyota forum, I'm driving a Nissan Frontier. But my high dollar Leer shell has been a complete POS. I will forever cuss the crappy quality. The back glass has been cock-eyed from day one. The reseller continually says it just needs to be adjusted. They've adjusted it and it has made no difference and the right side leaks in the rain. The lift mounts constantly need to be tightened (I do so by hand to avoid stripping out the fiberglass) and tonight one of the lifts completely disintegrated leaving the rear glass completely worthless. I will never buy a Leer product again. Buyer beware. I intend to be a complete ahole on this. It was too expensive not to be. Spend more and get a SnugTop. Leer sucks.

 

Welcome to TW anti Leer guy