What'd you pay for your shell?

Same story with Raider shells. I have a Raider vagabond elite, which is the exact same thing as a leer 100xr. But I paid ~500 less than the leer dealer was asking.

 

Still waiting on mine to come in...
Leer 100xr:
Thule racks
Windoor with slider driver side
Slider with pet screen passenger side
Removable slider front
headliner
$2790 installed. Seems like I got the market avg price.
Dogs need more room, I need less hair in the back seat.

 

So far I'm thinking of getting a Leer 100XL, but I stopped at a small shop near me to see what they had and they sell Ranch shells instead. The Icon model looks to be pretty much the same, or very similar, as the 100XL, but $600 or so cheaper. Anyone used Ranch toppers and how are they? Haven't heard of them before, so wondering if anyone here has and if they are as good of quality as the bigger names like Leer, ARE, etc. that are common around here.

Edit: Oops meant to post in this thread, so I did there too...

 

Compare using leer pictures and in person with Ranch. Ive heard (maybe ranch and century) are made in same factory as leer just under different names and prices. Alot of companies do this especially factories that make hand tools. Leer also makes a shell called the Legend. They don't advertise online but dealer will know about it. Just like 100 xl but with a 5 year warranty instead of 'lifetime' (who knows what that means) and roughly 500 cheaper. That's the route I took and you can get all the same option but no frameless back window and I didn't want that anyways due to it not opening high enough. Whatever you choose i do suggest get the carpeted headliner. I planned on saving money and doing it myself, glad I didn't! 100 bucks is well worth it.
Good luck. More questions? Maybe I have answers or someone will.

 

The Ranch one they pitched to me as being equivalent to the Leer 100XL was the "Icon". That was about ~$500 cheaper than the 100XL, once you tack on the options. Is "Legend" something different? Is it $500 less than even the "Icon"? I've got the catalog from the store here and didn't see it listed, so wasn't sure.

 

The Legend is not advertised at all through LEER. A leer dealer will know about it (as long as its a leer dealer) but I have no idea what an icon is so no clue. My guess is that the icon is similar to the Legend especially if it comes out of the same factory.

BTW the people doing the install is crucial. You can ask them a few questions like 'where do you wire the brake light to?' The answer should be the battery not the tail light in my opinion.
Like I said earlier carpeted headliner is the way to go and some companies offer coupons online.

 

It's Raider and Century that share molds with Leer. I have a Raider Vagabond Elite, and now that I've removed the exterior emblems and decals, no one would be able to tell the difference between it and a Leer 100xr, they're the exact same thing.

 

Sorry I misread what you wrote. Thought you meant the "Legend" was a Ranch model. Now I see you said it was a Leer model. Interesting, maybe I'll have to check back in with the Leer dealer I talked to earlier.

How would a brake light get the signal to light up from the battery?

 

I just ordered a Leer 100R:

-removable sliding front window (coupon)
-standard sliding side windows
-rack tracks
-headliner
-dome light
-installation

$2040 total


Also, somebody above mentioned the Leer Legend...I was told that it is the same as a 100R with a 3yr warranty vs a lifetime warranty. I believe the warranty is for structural integrity and probably paint?

 

Did you go with the 100R for the warranty or the frameless back glass? Just curious, I went with the Legend very happy with it.

 

Got mine on order today. Expected 4-6 weeks for delivery and then few hours to install once it is in.

• Leer 100XL base $2199
• Cement color $0
• removable sliding front window $140
• carpet headliner $125
• remote lock, fob integration (hoping they can tie this into tailgate lock and not have to splice into factory wires) $130
• Thule tracks (no bars for now, but want tracks for future use) $229
• topper wiring connector (they said this should let them wire brake and dome lights without splicing into factory wires) $75
• clamps x4? $9 each?

They had a discount where you could choose a free item between the front window or carpet headliner. Obviously went with the window since it was more expensive. They also said they have a kit that they use to install that should fill in those gaps on the front of the box. Hopefully that works pretty well.

Total comes to $2960.

 

The warranty! I was only quoted about $100 difference between the Legend and the 100R, so it seemed worth it for the peace of mind of the warranty.

I can’t wait to get it!

 

Nice, imsure you wont be disappointed... it was about a $400 difference for me and we had pretty much the same options. As long as we are both happy right!
I went with a metallic black on a magnetic grey truck. Ive had it al.ost a year and still great

Not trying to be rude but did you figure out what 'lifetime warranty' is?

 

Oh yeah, that would’ve made it a tougher decision lol

Not exactly! It just says something about defects on the website, but I’m assuming probably paint and structure - there’s not too much else to it. If it’s not installed by the dealer it’s null anyway.

 

I hope this doesn't seem like a totally clueless question. What technology changes or added value makes these toppers go up in tandem with the trucks they are fitted on? Trucks last longer, are safer, get somewhat better mileage, and are more comfortable than ever before. Can the same be said about painted shells of fiberglass? Is it just a matter of economics--barrier to entry and little competition? Manufacturing costs with reduction in overall labor should have kept prices on shells down somewhat.

 

You mean the pricing in-general? Or do you mean between the different models of campers?

I assume it's not exactly a "mass production" item and that probably makes the price a little higher overall.

 

I was referring to the pricing in general. Not like I won't eventually succumb to it at some point.

 

Yeah, I'm not totally sure to be honest. I know in looking for a used one I've come across some say for like the 2nd gens and they are so much cheaper at this point.

 

Used are a rarity up here in the NW. I may just go Aluminum for the weight. My old truck had a Snug Top I set up a pulley system in my garage for removal, but my new place doesn't have the height to pull that off.