A.R.E. MX Walk-In query

I am nearly decided on the MX walk-in. It seems to be an uncommon shell.
I like the door vs a tailgate when road tripping, camping, or just plain traveling.
Any owners? Please add comments.
My truck? 2013 Access 4x4 long bed.
Plan to make a deck/drawers after i get the cap.
Options. 1 windoor (right side), lining/carpet, dropdown front window, roof rack.

Leer doesn't have a read door. Snugtop doesn't sell east coast.
CL, such a gamble to find an MX walk-in for my tacoma.

Con:
Expensive.

Thank you,
Ken in NC

 

I looked at them when I was deciding on a shell but decided that I liked having a tailgate for everyday use.

 

Thanks, I thought about that.
When removed, I can easily replace the tailgate. I also have an old pickup for those old truck jobs.

 

Well, today I saw 2 walk-in doors.
One owner loves it. The other was an old one at an ARE sales location.
Unless I hear negatives I will bite the bullet with the VW money.

Thanks for the tips about dealer support. I found a bad ARE dealer I won't deal with again.

Ken in NC

 

I'd do the DCU series with a double door if I had a long bed. My experience with service trucks, the fiberglass shells get really HOT in the summer as compared to the aluminum. The DCU is a little taller, but with a cab roof rack, they should be pretty close in height.

 

Thanks, I'll look.

I like the height of the MX.

 

You can get the DCU in various heights if you order it. I like the looks of them, the fact that they have two doors, lock, can carry more weight, etc, but honestly I've seen several of them that just didn't hold up. There was a thread on them on expo and the two we had on light rescue trucks ended up having to be repaired several times when the aluminum welds would fail. Beat them up on dirt roads and they seem to shift as well meaning the doors also shift. Others love them though and seem to have no issues with them. My favorite shell so far is the guy who turned a DCU into a Westfalia style pop-up- I so want one of those!

 

Ok, I looked into the DCU. I was called back by an ARE dealer in NC. (Not the same jacka$$ I saw yesterday in Asheville area.)
Yes, they can be made taller. But, they will have a flat surface above the cab essentially acting as a windblock. So, no to that idea, as good as it sounded.
The MX has a cab high start, angles up, then flattens out to the rear.

The TW is a bit taller, but has a more sloping roof, so more difficult to put rack/rails on the roof. And is only a small bit taller, and only on the tail end. Not enough advantage to the MX.

I'm still looking though. I haven't found another full rear door, except the Snugtop, and I can't get them here in the east.
I still like the full door idea. I will only use it for camping, I don't work, and I won't need to haul long items in it. I have a working truck.

Thanks,
Ken (Still Topperless) in NC

 

That option is about $1500.00, in fiberglass from ARE.I don't like it that much.

 

1000 according to a dealer.

 

The DCU is about 4" taller than the cab. If you get something like a Baja Utlity Rack for the cab it will have the wind deflector and is about the same height as the DCU. I have the MX and it gets SO Hot, no way you could sleep in it. someday i will have the DCU.

 

My bad,my ARE dealer told me somewhere between $1000.00 and $1500.00. That was a phone quote ,he really didn't want to be helpful. I bought a Snugtop.

 

@gottaToy
Thanks. I'm no concerned with heat, I don't have interests in hot places any more. WNC is cooler than the rest of the southeast. Thanks.
I will still keep it in mind. I am still waiting for the VW money.

@jwctaco
Mine was a phone quote, too. So 1000 to 1500. I do know it is a lot for just a door. BUT ... It replaces opening the cap door, then the tailgate, climbing on the tailgate, etc.
The one I saw yesterday on a huge DCLB Tundra was NICE.
My plan is not cut in stone. I do appreciate the outside the box thinking. Thanks.

Ken in NC

 

Yeah there nice,always wanted one.I see one every once in while, drool.

 

The total for mine was 2299.99 before tax.I purchased it in Jan,2015.I never haul anything with tailgate down,so the door is really nice.It also came with interior carpet(ARE special at the time).It is nice to load my ice fishing stuff without having to climb in.Don't miss the tailgate one bit.

Door seals very good,never had problems with water or dust intrusion.Plus it is much more secure than traditional toppers.

 

@redznvt
Thank you.

 

Pulled the trigger. 2 to 3 weeks delivery.