Snugtop vs Leer, ARE, etc

What features and "look" are you stuck on?

 

Eye opening thread here.
Seems like its a roll of the dice on whether you get something decent or just crap.

 

mid-rise roof with:
- oversized side sliding windows
- frameless glass door with single handle
- (I do not like the fake window that other manufacturers put on the front of the raised portion of the camper shell)
- (I don't like the channel trim that some other manufacturers put around the base of the shell. It doesn't look as good as the seamless fiberglass lip and the channel always comes off eventually)

Unfortunately, the only way to get these features for a Tacoma shell is with the Snugtop Sport Hi-Liner. Leer makes the 180XL, which is similar, but for some odd reason, they only make it for Chevys.

 

Your cap dealer-installer is key, they can make a big difference. Fixing any thing that get past the mfg.

 

It's interesting to hear so many people say that Snugtop is better than Leer. I've only owned leer, and haven't had a single issue. I've taken a look at some Snugtops, and their quality didn't impress me, seemed more or less the same as the equivalent Leer. What do you guys prefer about the Snugtops?

 

true story. I had a nightmare experience with the dealer that did mine. they never could make anything that even resembled an effort. I found another dealer and thankfully they had a conscience and took care of everything for me. its all about the installer. If anyones interested, the installer that treated me well was a Leonard truck accessories in Rock Hill South Carolina. id recommend them any day.

 

I have a snuggie, they use all stainless hwd, better hinges, better gaskets, no pop rivets, thicker glass. Don't get me wrong Leer makes a real nice cap, I've had one. This time I went with Snugtop, for two reasons, I always wanted, and the dealer was first class. There is some non-stainless on my cap, but it is anodized. Truth be told, I would have bough a Leer, but the dealer is a dick, I had to rewire the whole job, main wire to the battery was wrapped around my exhaust, but not touching, and never clean the thing.

 

i picked up a used ARE xl series for $400 and spent $50 for new lock and connector for wires same color as my truck and im happy with it.

 

Bringing to the top! Looking at getting a quote from the century and ARE dealers. From what I read here it sounds like the installer/dealer is key. I got a 2015 DCLB MGM, what does everyone do to the front rail in bed as far as sealing? Remove the side rail covers (plastic)? I would like to have a solid bar or something more permanent than a temporary rubber gasket.

 

My ARE is "ok". Looks nice, and paint finish and color match is good. Leaks a bit, rear window seal and latching is finicky. Rear dome light and wiring were a joke. But realistically, it's a semi-handmade, un-engineered piece of 1970's technology. Hacksawed extrusions, spray-up fiberglass, sheet metal screws and rivets don't really belong on our trucks. Maybe the grass is greener on the other side of the ocean, but the Australian and South African canopies look a lot better, and my first-hand look at an AluCab canopy seemed to bear that out.