ARE VS Leer

I just got my first shell about 6 weeks ago. Did a lot of shopping around, looked at Snugtop, ARE, Leer, and Century. I would have preferred a Snugtop XV but the price was insane, even the rebel was too steep for a topper with framed side windows in my opinion. ARE looked great, but I wasn't impressed with the stick on foam seal instead of a bulb seal. That put me between Century and Leer, almost the same caps, though Century skimps a bit on the handles and I don't like the 1/3 sliders. I ended up with a Leer 100XL. I love the frameless glass windows and I ended up getting the Leer for cheaper than a Century by shopping around a bit. Overall I'm pretty happy so far. It was still more than I would've like to paid ($2,400 otd with options) but it's worth it to keep my bird dog out of the elements on hunting trips.

 

The only issue I see with that setup is that you need a hell of a lot more junk in your garage.

SB

 

TRD-WY - my only suggestion is to put a crate in the back for the pup if you're going to leave him in there. I have one that has figured out how to push on the wires to open the window (it will open even if it's locked).

Mike

 

Enjoying our Leer 100XQ

 

Only complaint is the rear plastic lip rubbed my tailgate. I used a piece of foam / tape to attach it to the trim piece. I then purchased "helicopter tape" which was an inch wide and ran it along the tailgate at the very top to prevent anymore paint wear.

 

I have a leer 100xr. The fit is good, the cost wasn't too bad, but the quality is hit or miss. And the company has awful customer support (not reachable, have to go through the dealer). I went through 2 tops brand new from the factory before I accepted delivery from the leer dealer. During transit to the dealer the tops kept getting rock chips in the gelcoat/fiberglass. One window gasket came unseated from the factory, wires not tucked away for the interior led light. You kind of get what you pay for.

 

My ARE was installed today. Looks to fit well. I will need to put some weather stripping on the door to keep it from rubbing on the tailgate too.

 

[/QUOTE]
Only complaint is the rear plastic lip rubbed my tailgate. I used a piece of foam / tape to attach it to the trim piece. I then purchased "helicopter tape" which was an inch wide and ran it along the tailgate at the very top to prevent anymore paint wear.[/QUOTE]

I have a leer and I don't have anything that comes close to the paint. the glass door has a lip on it and it just touched the top of the plastic tailgate on my 08 I put a piece of electrical tape to eliminate any additional paint ware on the tailgate.

 

what model is this? looks great? a full spec list would be greatly appreciated!

 

I've had my ARE Z series for about two weeks and loving it. I got the electric locking window tied to my taco remote, LED light strip, led dome light and fold down slider front window. 2750 OTD........ouch

 

ARE looked great in picture, but going to a dealer and looking at it in person definitely and changed my POV. Leer is x2 better. Love my windoor setup.

 

can you post a pic of your truck? of a few!!?

i like the the trimless option that ARE offers, and not a huge fan that the lip of the Leer has. the Leer back door is much better looking IMO. cant decide...

 

I've been quite happy with my ARE Overland. Expensive in Canuck Bucks at a hair over $3000. But have the swing down Cab cap window for easy cleaning and the Passenger side cap window is hinged with gas props for easy acsess to the inside of cap. So I find it worth it. Would buy it again as my dog loves it.

 

Here are some photos. You can also check out @ventureoutTRD on instagram and there are more photos.

 

Lol

 

I second this.

 

Don't agree with above regarding the MX, as an extended height shell, I went with the ARE MX on my 2017, and love it. I also ordered pet screens for it, your screens will last much longer. Skipped the ARE lights though, want to put in nicer looking ones myself.

Make sure your bed and cab are properly aligned before putting on ANY shell, else you will have to deal with taking it off if you have the dealer realign the bed.

 

I just bought a ARE CX topper to go on our 2017 Taco off road edition. How did you guys wire up the brake light?

 

Mine was installed by the dealer, but it just goes down the back corner near the left side of the tailgate inside the fender to under the truck, then over to the brake light hot and ground in the trailer wiring harness (I have a tow package), otherwise you will have to fish it near one of the tail lights and tie into the wires there. Sorry, didn't find which color wires to use as I didn't do it myself.

 

whatever brand you get, don't do what I did and make the mistake of not installing a roof rack from the manufacturer.