Where to buy a canopy in WA?

I am looking to purchase a canopy for my 2017 Tacoma long bed. I am in the Seattle/Tacoma area, but am willing to drive for a good shop.
I am hoping to get recommendations (or places to avoid) for purchasing and installing the canopy.
I am not 100% sure which one I will get, but likely something from the big 3 (Leer, ARE, SnugTop).

Any help would be great.

 

I bought my Leer at Canopy World in Lynnwood. I had an initial fit problem I didn't notice for a few months and I went back and they fixed it with a smile.

I checked out AREs at Canopy West in Everett and Snugtops at Truck Builders in Lynnwood. Canopys seem like a side business at Truck Builders and the sales guy didn't feel like selling. It's a tough choice, each brand had a design element I wanted and one I didn't.

 

From what I can tell online, each maker offers the features I want: frameless side windows, frameless rear window, and tilt out front window for cleaning. Of course those are only offered on their top of the line models. Leer 100XQ or 100 XL, ARE Z series, or SnugTop Supersport.
I'd like to see them all in person to get an idea of the differences.

 

I bought a hard tonneau on highway 99 in Federal Way several years ago.

Just do a google search. There are several.

 

I used Canopy West in Everett to get my ARE Z Series canopy. Service was good, he allowed me to expedite the delivery for no charge and helped me to change my order after it had already been placed. Install was quick and through and has shown very little leak and minor dust buildup. In contrast my buddy bought a Leer topper that leaks a lot and seems to be a dust magnet. If I were to do it again I would have gotten an Alucab Canopy for Adventure Ready in seattle. These things are SUPER stout made out of all aluminum, Leak and dust proof and only cost a little more than a fiberglass units. If your in Bellevue or Redmond and wanna check it out let me know and I'm happy to show you my canopy.

 

I bought my leer 100xr from canopy world in Des Moines. No complaints about the install or quality. Make sure you look for and mention coupons that you can find on the leer website.

 

I got the Leer 100XL. I was comparing those exact models as well as the SnugTop XTR. On the outside those look the same, my observations:
ARE Z series: The frameless rear window has a hidden aluminum frame on the inside. The glass is bonded to the frame. The frame is what's hinged to the canopy. I like this best and think it'll last the longest. But the side edge that wraps around the bed rail has the aluminum trim strip and to me that looks like an after thought. Somebody took theirs canopy off and put it on some saw horses and it dented the trim strip. ARE also has the most angled rear glass.

SnugTop Supersport: The window hardware looks a bit beefier. As does the side rails that sit on the bed rail. Of this style of canopy with the tilt out side window, it's the only one where the hinge pillar is framed. Also offers the removable front window as a hinged/gas strut assisted design so it can be tilted up. By far the most expensive.

Leer: Similar price to the ARE, doesn't have the side trim strip. I've gotten used to slamming the rear glass closed.

Snugtop and Leer also offer reinforced roof options that support more weight (I think 500 pounds) and I regret not getting that.

 

Awesome. Thank you for sharing.

 

I received a quote for a LEER 100XL for $2,150 from one of a handful of dealers in CO. Do you think is a fair price excluding accessories?

I'll have to look into this ARE Z as well.

 

That is the exact quote I got from my local dealer in WA. I just have a hard time dropping that kind of money...but there's not much of an option unless you get lucky with a used one. The real down side to a used one however is the installation. I would be guessing and searching YouTube for info, while a shop does it all the time. I would be pissed to get a shell, to only have it leak because my instal job sucked.

 

Because my Taco is quite new, I'm looking for a new topper as well and not used, but great advice regardless. I wonder how much negotiation can be done onsite outside of their lame-ish $75 coupons? I might try the old 'match price x, or I walk now' strategy.

I've been asking around and received the following topper tips:

• Get headliner/carpeted ceiling for not only insulation, but so condensation doesn't drip on you while sleeping.
• Consider side vents that hinge up/down completely for easier gear access. Otherwise, you're crawling into the bed of your truck for everything (unless you have a platform with sliding drawers or sliding platform entirely)
• Plan ahead and get a roof rack (for my future kayak, and possible storage container)
• For bikes, get a 1UP rack on the rear hitch. Aerodynamics with bikes on the rear.
• Others for outdoorsman?

 

Good info.
Regarding the headliner, some also offer insulated and/or reinforced tops.
I have heard a lot of people rave about the windoor (opening size windows), but have also read about many that leak.
I don't have any use for a roof rack now, but will get one with tracks. Keeps me from drilling holes in it later, and it is covered under warranty since it is a factory option.

 

Thanks for the tips! Don't think I'll need windoors. I just requested a quote for ARE Z too.

I'm ready to buy so once I get it, I will surely post pics and a review here. Can't wait!

 

I have one of each brand on the trucks at work in Everett and the snugtop is my favorite. It's set on a 2006 Ram 3500 and the weather stripping is mounted to the cap itself in case we need to take it off to tow a gooseneck trailer. The ARE leaks now but it's also about 10 years old. The leer is the newest and looks the coolest but is probably the least functional because it's too heavy to move with one person for cleaning or whatnot. The ARE is the oldest one and the gas struts still work and have never been replaced for what that's worth.

 

ARE Z quote received today - I will likely pass on the rope lighting and possibly keyless entry:

The Z series cap starts out at $2330.00, $65.00 front sliding window, $145.00 rope lighting, $425.00 Keyless entry and the full rack is $490.00.

 

RainCap in Bellingham was pretty rwasonarea to deal with, albeit slightly more expensive than the shops I called in Everett/Lynnwood - worth it to save the drive. That was back in 2012.

 

Thanks for the help.
I ended up scoring an ARE on craigslist that was color matched and had the add ons I wanted.

 

My thoughts are to order it how you want, went it arrives drive down to Oregon to have it installed on a Friday afternoon. Then drive out to the coast and have a mini vacation on the $$$ you saved....

 

If you want a Snugtop, Truckbuilders LLC in Lynnwood took good care of me.