New A.R.E. CX Topper and Rack Installed

Just wanted to share some pics!
Thanks Suburban Toppers of Denver!

 

Very nice.

I can tell the pooches approve of it.

 

Nice. I have a CX topper from ARE and I have been very happy with it! Mine doesn't have a rack yet but I plan on getting one soon.

 

If you are in the Denver Area, check out Suburban Toppers of Denver. They love referrals. I can't speak for sure (as I don't work for them) but if you show them this thread they will prob give ya a good deal

 

Total Cost tax and Tip. I want one.

 

I spent $1807.10 on the shell with the following options.

ARE CX
DropDown Front Slider
PetScreens in the sides
Yakima Rack rails pre installed.
Paint Match,
Install...

They did a great job.

Bars I picked up Used!

 

First off, that thing is beautiful! Both the truck and the topper - and your two guys in the back, too!

I have been seriously considering a topper. Background - just picked up a '15 Taco dual-cab short bed (DCSB) PreRunner.

So why did you go with a topper over a soft-topper, or a tri-fold cover over the bed? Was it the extra storage? For your dogs to ride? Or do you camp in back?

I'm trying to make my decision between something like a hard-cover tri-fold (BakFlip F1) or just going all the way and getting a topper like yours.

Help an indecisive over-analytical brother out!

 

Thanks

 

Yeah So TacoTaco15 I went through the same process.
My main goal was to be able to go skiing and leave my guys in the back, keeping them safe and warm.

Sometimes I do some backcountry and it can get pretty cold in the AM so I needed a shell that was thick, and had a carpeted headliner. The soft topper although awesome looking would get its sides (on the inside) scratched up from the dogs, as well as the softtoppers do not seal as well (this is after looking at a few).

Next once I decided I was going to do a hard shell, I looked at every brand. ARE, Leer, Snugtop, Jason, and ATC.

My goal was to ski, but then also to be able to get ample airflow on warm days.

Not all hard toppers open all the way on the sides, and some only open a few inches, and some have sliders that only open 1/3 the way.

The Leer 100XR, and ARE CX were the best for airflow, they both offered pet screens.

The snug top was also good, but it was a couple hundred more, and I don't like the side profile of the Snug, it kind of bows out around the top of the bed a bit more than the other brands. The snug also had a longer delivery time.

ATC's Limited / Colorado was also a good choice but I didn't like the idea of having to fuss with 2 locks to get into the back. The ARE has a single lock (so does the snug and 100XR)

The 100XR was a hair more in cost, and offered a nice SUV style rear door. Plus the ARE dealer in Denver was really good working with.

The ARE CX was a bit cheaper due to the framed aluminum rear door, but offers a single handle lock.

Honestly the Aluminum framed door has a more rugged appearance. It fits my truck better than a smooth SUV style back. That's my opinion.

Then I looked up the cost of replacing the rear glass.

Aluminum framed doors are Much cheaper to replace.
In the event you smash it.... I am prone to breaking stuff....

The locking mechanism on the ARE is a bit more simple than the Leer and has less parts. I like less parts.

The ARE V series is also an awesome choice and is cheaper than the CX, but honestly the sides of the CX look Much Better.

Side note, the CX doesn't have a light by default. I am going to install one this weekend though. Easy stuff.

The ARE CX seals up nicely. It leaks a little in the back by the tailgate, more due to the tailgate vs the topper though. I washed the truck last night by hand and did not get any water in the bed though.

5' Tacoma beds are tough to find used toppers for. Be careful buying used.... I looked for 2 full months and found a few OK ones, but by the time I painted it, the costs would be similar.

The quality from the factory is really good but isn't perfect. I have noticed a few small things around moldings etc but I fixed everything in about 10 min in my garage.

Let me know if you have more questions.

 

Looks great

 

Stellar write-up, that answers all of my initial questions.

I'm going to send you a PM to be sure and keep your user name handy... I'm actually deployed right now but will be making the decision when I get back in early '16. It's good to have another guy that just went through the decision - I may shoot you a line to get your opinion on some things closer my decision time, if that's alright. I'm out east in Virginia.

Thanks again for all the info, and congrats!

 

TacoTaco15.

Thanks for your service!

Yeah any time!

 

Looks awesome. I'm hoping to one day find a used cap locally

 

I'm am not unfortunately. My plan is go with a front runner rack on mine hence why I didn't go ahead and get the rack when I initially bought it even though personally I'm not really looking forward to having to drill into it but oh well. Ill try and post a pic of mine up later. I dont have one at the moment.

 

Great pics and dogs!

 

Honestly, Looking at how the tracks are installed and drilled in, It would be Really Easy!

 

Thats good to know! Here are a couple pics of mine not the best pictures but you get the idea. I have loved having it!




Mine has pet screens, LED light, 12v outlets, and the front glass slides and folds down. Truck otherwise is stock except for the tires.

 

Nice! I'll be wiring in a light and 12v outlets this weekend!
If you need pictures of how the tracks were installed let me know. I can post them.

 

how much did that run ya?

 

How was the color match w/ ARE? I saw someone else say it wasn’t a complete match w/ Barcelona Red. I have one on order and now I’m scared.