What is your favorite truck cap with sliding windows?

[dm6]

I think I have narrowed this down some and decided I want a cap with sliding windows as opposed to the push out ones because they are probably better for dogs. So far I have looked at a Leer 100R and Sungtop Rebel. I am still yet to see ARE in person though. Just thought I'd make a new thread since this is more specific and get your opinions from you guys that have also done your research and see what you decided on.

 

[G’Dave]

I’ve never owned a truck cap, but I do pull a toy hauler with dirt bikes in it. Sometimes the gas fumes can get a little rough, so I imagine the caps with sliding windows would be a better option if you carry stinky **** in the back of your truck…..


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[Rockcrawlindude]

I have sliders with screens in my ARE. They have two different types of screens. A finer one, which is what I chose, for bugs. They also have a thicker beefier one that’s heavier duty for dogs.

I had a few gripes with the quality control and it took a while to be built (during covid) and there were build issues, but overall I would purchase again.

 

[el_barto]

I ponied up for the Vented Windoors on my ARE because I had read people that didn’t get them wished they had them (and the cost to retrofit is like 3x the cost to buy them with it new), but couldn’t really find anyone that regretted getting them.

I only got my topper this fall, and So far, I’ll admit I have not really used the windoors (or the sliding vents) or found them s as useful as I anticipated. The windoors are too high to really be able to reach in and grab anything from the bed. I suppose it will be nice if I need to tie down something at the front of the bed though.

 

[LateToTheParty]

I had a Snugtop Rebel on my 4th gen with the regular sliding windows. Went with ARE this time around and went with the sliding windoors like el_barto. I have only used the vents a few times, however, I find the windoor functionality incredibly useful. Even after the extra height from the lift and bigger tires, I can reach in and grab things from the front of the bed without climbing in, load and retrieve fishing rods from the rack, etc... (though I am 6'4" and have been told I have monkey arms).

 

[John Jensen]

I have the Leer 100XR on my 2016 1500 and my 2020 3500. Had them on my 2006 Ford F350 and my older Chevy. Have been satisfied with every one of them. Fit and color match always excellent.

 

[dm6]

I have the Leer 100XR on my 2016 1500 and my 2020 3500. Had them on my 2006 Ford F350 and my older Chevy. Have been satisfied with every one of them. Fit and color match always excellent.View attachment 30882

The XR is the one I have looked at the most so I am learning toward that. Does it seal pretty well or have you had any leaks? I have not seen an ARE in person yet because there isn't a dealer that close and when I have gone by a couple times, they were closed. Just curious if you ever use that roof rack and what you put up there. I am thinking of getting the rails just in case, but then again, I imagine it would not be easy to get a little 10 or 12 foot fishing boat up there, as that is the only think I could think of using it for.

 

[John Jensen]

kkkThe XR is the one I have looked at the most so I am learning toward that. Does it seal pretty well or have you had any leaks? I have not seen an ARE in person yet because there isn't a dealer that close and when I have gone by a couple times, they were closed. Just curious if you ever use that roof rack and what you put up there. I am thinking of getting the rails just in case, but then again, I imagine it would not be easy to get a little 10 or 12 foot fishing boat up there, as that is the only think I could think of using it for.

The only leak occurs when I go through a car wash. Their high pressure spray causes a slight leak at the rear full window lid/door on the driver side. Not sure, but a framed door may not leak there because it is more rigid. It has never leaked hard rain, only the car wash.

I did not order the rack, it came as a surprise (dealer error, no charge). Have never used it. A nice Thule rack. The cross members are key locked and removable.

I always order the front window with a slider window and to be detachable. Don't use it often but is handy for cleaning truck rear window. Best is, I can open the shell slider and truck slider to fit long items into the cab. I learned it's easier to have the shell slider open from/through the truck slider. That way, I don't have to crawl into the bed to open the shell slider.

If you have a dog that rides in the bed (mine rides in the cab), Leer has a great screen guard that mounts on the interior of the shell windows, allowing the window to be opened and keeping the dog inside.

 

[dm6]

The only leak occurs when I go through a car wash. Their high pressure spray causes a slight leak at the rear full window lid/door on the driver side. Not sure, but a framed door may not leak there because it is more rigid. It has never leaked hard rain, only the car wash.

I did not order the rack, it came as a surprise (dealer error, no charge). Have never used it. A nice Thule rack. The cross members are key locked and removable.

I always order the front window with a slider window and to be detachable. Don't use it often but is handy for cleaning truck rear window. Best is, I can open the shell slider and truck slider to fit long items into the cab. I learned it's easier to have the shell slider open from/through the truck slider. That way, I don't have to crawl into the bed to open the shell slider.

If you have a dog that rides in the bed (mine rides in the cab), Leer has a great screen guard that mounts on the interior of the shell windows, allowing the window to be opened and keeping the dog inside.

Good call. I saw that on the options page, the pet guards. I will definitely get those in addition to the headliner and the removeable window, as I never plan to take this thing off. Anything else worth while? Do you have the remote lock with your fob?

 

[John Jensen]

Good call. I saw that on the options page, the pet guards. I will definitely get those in addition to the headliner and the removeable window, as I never plan to take this thing off. Anythin. Shell door locks and unlocks when yog else worth while? Do you have the remote lock with your fob?

I forgot the carpet interior - that's a must.
Yes, shell locking/unlocking with the truck FOB is worth it. No extra key to carry and no forgetting to lock the shell.

I also got their 12v power outlets (cigar lighter) module. It mounts on the shell rail, driver side, near tailgate. I have always installed myself. Theirs is nicer and worth the cost.

You might also consider TailGate Weather Seal - Extang MaxSeal - # 1140 (Amazon) or equivalent. To seal out water and dust coming in around the tailgate. Easy to apply and works.

 

[dm6]

I forgot the carpet interior - that's a must.
Yes, shell locking/unlocking with the truck FOB is worth it. No extra key to carry and no forgetting to lock the shell.

I also got their 12v power outlets (cigar lighter) module. It mounts on the shell rail, driver side, near tailgate. I have always installed myself. Theirs is nicer and worth the cost.

You might also consider TailGate Weather Seal - Extang MaxSeal - # 1140 (Amazon) or equivalent. To seal out water and dust coming in around the tailgate. Easy to apply and works.

So since the tailgate is really thick and has that curve to it, I imagine the bottom of the glass door is shaped like that too and sits on top of it, right? I wondered if those framed glass doors are more durable, but I definitely like the look of the kind you have better. I have the bed lights and the 110v outlet back there so I can probably do without the 12v. The tailgate seal sounds like a good idea because there is that big gap in the tailgate.

 

[Herrred]

I think I have narrowed this down some and decided I want a cap with sliding windows as opposed to the push out ones because they are probably better for dogs. So far I have looked at a Leer 100R and Sungtop Rebel. I am still yet to see ARE in person though. Just thought I'd make a new thread since this is more specific and get your opinions from you guys that have also done your research and see what you decided on.

Wait....build quality, fit and finish and delivery times are all seriously suffering due to supply chain issues and personnel shortages due to COVID. I've had three ARE caps, the third I bought last year. Took 8 months and this cap was of dramatically lesser quality than the previous two. All were purchased from the same supplier. Even they admitted that all caps (ARE, LEER in particular) are too expensive and literally hurriedly thrown together. If I could've done it all over again, I would've waited. Nobody knew what COVID was going to due to the supply chain and manufacturer's work crews. The supplier has to field the calls and nothing can really be done. Unless your cap is a true need and not just a "want", wait a year.

That being said, my first two had pop out windows and this one is a slider. I like the slider better. Still an ARE cap fan, just not with the COVID stink on it.

 

[John Jensen]

So since the tailgate is really thick and has that curve to it, I imagine the bottom of the glass door is shaped like that too and sits on top of it, right? I wondered if those framed glass doors are more durable, but I definitely like the look of the kind you have better. I have the bed lights and the 110v outlet back there so I can probably do without the 12v. The tailgate seal sounds like a good idea because there is that big gap in the tailgate.

The bottom of the glass door has a nice fiberglass piece that sits on top and over the edge of the tailgate when closed. The framed door would seem to be more durable, but IMO ugly.

 

[dm6]

Well, it looks like I have narrowed this down to the Leer XR and Snugtop Rebel, both about the same price since Snugtop comes standard with the headliner. I looked at the ARE Z series with the sliders instead of the pop out windows and that is about $1400 more so I am going to rule that out. It looks really nice, but what makes it look nice are the frame less windows and I would be getting the sliders so then it looks like any other one without frame less windows. So I guess I will need to decide between the Leer and Snugtop over the next few days so I can actually have this thing by the summer.

 

[John Jensen]

Well, it looks like I have narrowed this down to the Leer XR and Snugtop Rebel, both about the same price since Snugtop comes standard with the headliner. I looked at the ARE Z series with the sliders instead of the pop out windows and that is about $1400 more so I am going to rule that out. It looks really nice, but what makes it look nice are the frame less windows and I would be getting the sliders so then it looks like any other one without frame less windows. So I guess I will need to decide between the Leer and Snugtop over the next few days so I can actually have this thing by the summer.

Well, you are boiling the cabbage down, so to speak. My thoughts:
1 - The Leer overhangs the sides, a look I like better, and by design can't leak. Also, every Leer I purchased the carpeted interior was a free incentive. Have never paid extra for it.
2 - The Snugtop does not hang over the sides. Makes it the only choice if you want to add a lumber rack.
Good choices, keep us informed

 

[dm6]

Those are some great points. I did not realize the Snugtop did not overhang. I can see where the overhang would be a cleaner look if you don't have a ladder rack, which I won't, and also how it shouldn't leak at all since the water would drip down. I have been checking and there are no Leer promotions now. It just looks like the Snugtop is a little more expensive but comes with more standard features and has some promotions so it makes them both about the same price. I will keep you posted!

 

[SierraHog]

I went SnugTop Xtra Vision. Color match was spot on. Not the cheapest route but it has all the bells and whistles. I would go with the Sportsman’s package to increase the weight capacity on the roof. Received it in 8 weeks but they quote 8-14 due to COVID. Good luck.

 

[dm6]

View attachment 31380

I went SnugTop Xtra Vision. Color match was spot on. Not the cheapest route but it has all the bells and whistles. I would go with the Sportsman’s package to increase the weight capacity on the roof. Received it in 8 weeks but they quote 8-14 due to COVID. Good luck.

That looks gorgeous. So since you must have done a bunch of research, what is the difference between the Xtra Vision and the Rebel? Does it just have bigger side windows?

 

[LateToTheParty]

2 - The Snugtop does not hang over the sides. Makes it the only choice if you want to add a lumber rack.

Is that a recent change?

The Snugtop Rebel that I had on my 4th gen definitely hung over the sides. But then again, that was over 5 years ago, so it definitely could have changed since then.

 

[SierraHog]

That looks gorgeous. So since you must have done a bunch of research, what is the difference between the Xtra Vision and the Rebel? Does it just have bigger side windows?

Much bigger side windows. I don’t know about the rear window but mine isn’t framed. I added the front slider fold down window and the pro lock at the rear so I can use my truck key fob to lock/unlock it. I think they throw in the front window right now on a promotion. I did not get the sportsman package because I’m not hauling on the roof. It’s my second xtra vision. I had one on my 2017 delmonico red 2500 but traded it in for the maximum steel. Both matched perfectly.