Camper shell discussion

The cap weighs about 180 lbs. Been on there since August 2007. No issues with sagging

 

Kinda hard to say since every truck will be a bit different. I have an Alu-Cab canopy which is like 120lbs plus my RTT which is another 140lbs plus an awning which is 50ish. With all that my truck was pretty level but as soon as I added camping gear in the back it sagged. I added a 3 lead wheelers progressive AAL and now it has a nice rake when unloaded and loaded it sits level with maybe still a slight rake.

 

Good point about not needing the slider. I ordered mine at a local dealer and he threw in the slider for free because I purchased quite a few options, windoors on both sides included. I regularly use my truck for contracting work and side access simply is a must. As far as the front slider, when I added the fold down a day later, it didn't occur to me to cancel the slider, or ask to swap that as a free option.

 

This is good info! Thanks for sharing. I will be sure to talk to the dealer before installation.

 

It's a good idea to remove the front bed rail (adjacent to the cab) and run a liberal bead of black 100% GE Silicone, then reinstall the front rail. My dealer said alot of installers miss that step and water seeps in from that area especially when driving in the rain.

 

Thanks, I’m in the mindset of if you want something done right might as well do it yourself. I’m very particular on how I want things done so I try to do it all myself

No problem. Most people don’t like being told how to do something a certain way (or how to do their job) it’s also rare to find people that take pride in their job so good luck. I still say you might be better off doing yourself and have them discount the install cost. It wasn’t much but my dealer told me install was 50$ so they discounted that from my order. So with that said if they are only saying install is worth 50$ then they surely won’t be doing a solid job but more of a slap her on and call it good.

 

I love my ARE CX with windoors. Had the same cap but with sliders on my 2nd gen and was happy so I bought one for the 3rd gen. Paint was a perfect match, fit is great, and it’s super functional with the windoors.

 

my personal opinion is airbags. i have a camper shell 250# decked 210# RTT 120# gear is 100#. im around 680# over stock weight. the bags with 12 psi and daystar cradles ride great.

 

Do think about your own needs for slider, fold down, windoors etc ... not just what other people say. I had an ARE Z Series on my DCSB 3rd gen for several years. Used the slider a few times to haul long items partially in the cab and partially in the bed. Not essential, but very handy. Remote locking plus a pop’n’loc tailgate latch that I added, were game changers compared to digging out keys or leaving it unlocked and worrying. I NEVER used the fold down to clean either the shell or cab windows once, in all those years. And wished I had windoors (not available on the Z Series) every time I had to reach way in to load or access something, which was almost every day. So my priorities were very different than some folks.

 

Love this set up. I have been thinking bout that Leer or ARE. Midrise is a must for me for the extra headspace. Nice to see you got a rack on it too.

 

Very good looking truck. Can I get a full rear shot?

 

Exactly this… being real with yourself about your uses and you’ll be golden.

I didn’t think of that scenario for the slider. That could be useful in a pinch I guess more for like trim pieces that’s long and floppy or the like (harder to secure to the roof). But I preferred the wide picture folder without the obstruction of the slider. My last had the slider and no fold down and hated I couldn’t clean the gap so that was a must for me. I wish I could have remote locking on my cx now! That’s one thing I wasn’t thinking about but don’t think its even an option on this model which would of made me look at a different cap that did. When I finally install my pop n lock which will be nice but then I’ll still have to pull out a damn key for the window

I think I really want to sell this cap and order a new one

 

Some great info and badass looking rigs in this thread of which I'm now going bring up with the supplier to make sure is done prior the install.

I ordered the ARE Z series for my '17 DCSB last week, color matched with sliders. The rep threw in the Yakima roof rails, carpet, inverter and LED lighting for "free". It ran me $4200cad before tax. Don't think I got those mods for free.. Everything up here in BC is consistent price wise after my endless research.

Will upload pics once she's g2g.

Did also order Prinsu cabrack and toprack for it.

 

Congrats on the purchase. Definitely interested in the pictures overall and picture of the installed inverter and lighting.

 

I’ll take some tomorrow when it’s light out.

 

Ordered a leer 180 yesterday. I speced windoors and the fold down cab glass. Had forgotten about passing long wood through slider. Does the cab side window come out completely, or fold down enough to pass lumber into cab?

 

Ouch, BC prices, I ordered my MX last week. Yakima rails, drop down slider, slider sides and carpet. I could only get the carpet no cost, this is my second topper purchase from my dealer. I paid $2200 out the door.

 

Yeah shits expensive up here. Were taxed out the ass.

But got the topper installed yesterday and I installed the prinsu toprac. Very happy with the outcome except i ordered sliding windows, not the pop outs so thats getting fixed.

 

I just bought my 2019 OR close to a month ago and went though the same thing. I ended up ordering a Snugtop Rebel with sportsman package and a drop down slider window. I was on the fence about the windoors and while I’d rather have them then not I decided to go with out. Mainly it was a money thing, I could technically afford them but I had a budget in mind and quite frankly it’s a lot nicer then my old 2000 Jeep XJ so who am I to complain. So I figured I’d just draw the line and call it good. Plus I have a short bed so reaching the back isn’t the most insane thing to do. I figured if I’m really regretful I could always add them later on. The one thing I couldn’t change is the factory installed rails and the sportsman package so those were a no brainer.

I believe Leer can be warrantied easily nationwide. The other two toppers I considered were the ARE CX or the V series I think. Not sure if you’ve checked those out. My old thread should be floating around here and some of your other questions might be found on there too.

Good luck.

 

I put on a z series ARE on a long bed Tacoma and it didn’t even squat it enough to make it look level ...so you should be fine