Switching from this setup to a Topper. Pics of ARE CXHD?

Has anyone switched from a bed rack to a topper? I’m looking at an ARE CX HD

 

Please follow the BST rules.

Buy / Sell / Trade RULES [rev. 2019]

 

Fixed

 

Yeah had a Warrior and an RCI bed rack before I got my RLD canopy. Could never go back to just a bed rack. If you can pull it off go with a aluminum or steel canopy like the RLD, RSI, Alu-Cab, etc. You can do so much more with them than a fiberglass canopy. Plus they are lighter and can carry so much more weight. And if you off road at all I wouldn’t even consider a fiberglass canopy especially if you plan on hauling an RTT on it. I actually have had several A.R.E canopies including a CX and MX HD and they just can’t compare to these new breed of canopies. Fiberglass has just been the standard for so long because they are cheap and easy to manufacture but you will continue to see more and more metal canopy manufacturers as people in the states are finally seeing the benefits they have over fiberglass. Even Camp King has a aluminum canopy out now.

Good luck in your search! I’m sure you’ll enjoy having a canopy over a bed rack. I know I am.

 

Had a setup just like yours. Finally couldn't take it anymore because I needed the extra space and was tired of not being able to reach the front of the bed. Went with an ARE CX (not the HD). Have a RTT on it and I wheel my truck pretty hard. No issues so far. Biggest benefit was building a drawer system to cut down on the number of bins I needed to live out of while camping.

 

Good looking setup! did you do the drawer system yourself? I was looking at the Decked system and really like the look of it but my bank account made me close that tab and look at other things lol

 

CX HD here. Very happy with it so far. If I could do it again I may have gone with an Alu-cab although they cost about $900 more than the $2600 I paid for my ARE. Note: the side windows are noticeably smaller than the non-HD versions.

Edit: in the first pic you can see my buddy’s Alucab in the back!

 

Aren’t their moderators for this? Are you in training?

 

I’ve never seen a forum with such aggressive moderators. Now non-moderators are joining in too. TW has went way downhill over the last couple of years

 

I made it myself. It was cheaper than Decked, but not by as much as you'd think. Most of money was in the drawer slides but there's other ways that many have done too. Lot's of good ideas in this thread if you want ideas.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...storage-systems.424709/page-109#post-23378553

 

ill check it out. Thanks!

 

Thanks for the write up! I keep hearing the same thing so I may need to start looking more into those versus a fiberglass one. I guess it will come down to pricing.

 

Thanks for the reply! Truck looks great! I am seeing a trend here, everyone seems to be leaning towards a steel/aluminum one instead of the fiberglass. Alucab might be the way.

 

I guess I can see how they thought it was a B/S/T ? I do need to sell it but the post is more for finding the right option and seeing what other people have gone with. My main goal was to find examples of what I’m looking for and potentially part/model info so I can replicate what’s already been done.

 

I’m sure with 9 posts over the years you’ve seen it all..

With that said, there have been A LOT of scams and mismanaged GBs/sales/etc that a lot of members have been screwed over. If a little more awareness and exposure is out there, what gives?

 

I hear ya. I was just making fun of the guy who called you out on following the rules. He is like the aggravating teacher's pet. Not the first time I have seen him do that. I personally could care less if your trying to sell something. Sorry but I'm no help to the info you are looking for. I will stay away now.

 

Can't comment on the ARE, but I also switched from a bed rack to a topper and have no regrets.

 

I actually did the opposite . I had a leer topper and switched to a bed rack. On my day to day use the camper top was annoying to deal with. Things like getting bags of mulch, house remodeling supplies, etc. I didnt really enjoy camping out of the back of it either. I'd regularly scrape my back on the lip of it when climbing out. Another thing getting my kayaks on and off of the rack is way easier than getting it off the topper.

 

That's funny, I guess it depends on what you do with the truck every day. For me, we just had a baby, so lugging around the stroller and groceries in the back without having to worry about the weather has been great. I love having the dry storage in the back.