Show me your shell!

What is everyones thoughts on what I should get, ARE Z Series or the ARE CX Series? please let me know

 

Just ordered a CX. I had one on my '02 and it held up well. I like the T handle and the framed door. I feel it's more robust. Make sure to get the latest coupons from 4ARE.com I got a free headliner and I think they have cash off a Z.

 

Thank you!

 

I am considering a shell for my truck. I love how they look on the Tacoma. But I have a question for you shell owners. How is the visibility out of the rear side windows? Meaning, if you need to make a lane change, can you easily look over and see?

Better yet, could any shell owners take a picture from inside the truck facing the rear and towards that blind spot area to get me something to go on?

I've never had a shell before or even been in a truck with one so it has me curious.

Thanks

 

its not the greatest, especially at night, but I just readjusted my side mirrors and after a week or so, im good to go. it just takes adjustment and getting used to. backing out of parking spots seems to be worse than merging lanes with it. people seem to hide in the blind spots then jump out at ya! id still say its worth it honestly. I was like you. this is my first cap

 

I would hit a pull-a-part or a scrap yard and get some bars off of an SUV or something. Find a truck with a shell and pull the tracks at very least.

 

It depends, especially on model and options. For example, my leer XQ has seemingly huge frameless windows from the outside. On the inside, nearly 25% around the perimeter is coated with black paint. The effective transparent area is about 50% of what it looks like from the outside. If you have win doors or other sliders, heavy dog screen, or whatever, they all obscure view to varying degrees

Also depends on things like do you have a DC, and do you put the rear headrests down?

And you only have a second to look over that pass. side blind area—through one sheet of tinted rear cab glass, one sheet of clear slider glass on the shell, and another sheet of tinted exterior shell glass. And if you have a big, high load of crap in there....

Basically, you should be very good/confident with your sideview mirrors, depth perception, awareness of truck size, speed, and sense of space.

Essentially, pretend it's a panel van.

 

@TheSpeediTurtle This install is pretty sweet and he hardly paid anything for it. If i just wanted base bars this is what i would do......

 

With the double cab I have to turn my head really far to see past the back seat windows and out of the cap windows. I use the side mirrors.

The three panes of glass, two tinted makes looking through the rear view mirror really dark but usable during the day.

 

A view from straight back and out the passenger side.

You should get used to useing you mirrors more. And good thing for back up cameras at night!

 

Mine is a shorty double cab.

But I wouldn't give up the canopy for anything. Next add on is a set of L.E.D pods in the bumper for added night vision.

 

Thank you so much for your time to do that, I greatly appreciate it! And the same for the folks who chimed in on my issue!
That has me kinda questioning if I really want one now. I may just stick with a cover.

 

youll like it way better than a cover if you use your bed very frequently at all. I hate not being able to see, but I love every other advantage of having it.

 

A cover is great. I have friends that rock the back flip and love it. But man.... The canopies are very easy to get used to. And once you get it on... You will love how much dry storage you have. And if you don't have a bed extender flipped to hold your goodies close to the tail gate.... The belly crawl under a cover sucks.

 

I don't really haul much in it. If I was to haul anything real big I would use my neighbors trailer anyway.

 

BakFlip is the way to go! In my opinion.... I have a shell on my Taco and my dad has a BakFlip on his Tundra. I loooove the BakFlip. It's great because you don't have to crawl under a hard cover, of crawl under a cap go get things. Not to mention that you aren't restricted on the height of things you can fit in the bed.

My shell is nice but if we didn't have the Tundra in the family, I probably wouldn't keep it on the truck. There's just not much vertical space. It's nice to keep things locked and dry, but I can't see dick out of it at night and if someone else ever needs to drive it, I always have to give them the "you can't see very well so be careful" speech.

 

Canopy in Action! Snugtop Rebel w/ Sportman's Package (extra roof payload for the RTT) windoors, Pro-Lock, and flip-down front window. I have put a Prinsu CapRack on it with a Tepui Autana RTT as well as some interior LED strip lights, but I have to rework the portable power source...

I must admit, I never thought I would enjoy a canopy as much as I have. Keeping extra/bulky gear dry is super easy. The side Windoors are VERY helpful when accessing packed away gear. The added security is awesome!

 

@jamiec
I bet a set of EZ View mirrors from Trail Toys @SMKYTXN would ease all your worries!!!

 

Thanks, I'll give it a look.

 

The first set of taco EZview mirrors, that weren't on my truck, went to a family friend who owns a DC with a cap. It made all the difference in the world. You don't have to try to look through the cap to see if anyone is beside you.