2019 Truck cap/topper/camper shell thread

[HarryN]

There are a lot of caps out there I would buy…if they came in an 8 foot version

My impression is that most are not built strong enough for 8 ft, especially if you plan to put anything on top.

If you go down the path of ram box like I am planning, then availability drops to almost nothing.

I am just going to build something myself when I get to that point. Obviously won't look nearly as pro unfortunately, but it is easier to build in some insulation and other features if DIY.

 

[Squatch]

Leer

 

[newmason]

Been waiting on my ARE MX series since March. Hopefully it will be soon

 

[el_barto]

My lip overlappy thing is cracking in the same spot on both sides. It’s riveted to the window frame so I’m not looking to replace it yet. I’d like to prolong its life by possibly gluing it to prevent further cracking

Does anybody have a Black super glue product that they recommend? I know most super glue dries white. I don’t need it to be pretty but I’d like to keep it together. There is black CA super glue that’s rubber strengthened so it’s still flexible on Amazon and it has good reviews. Thoughts ?

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ARE topper shop replaced this trim piece on mine twice (currently on the third one). The material seems to contact at a much different rate than the metal frame in the cold and becomes brittle. We have ARE toppers on Ford F250 and Chevy 3500 for work they doing have the same problem, it’s made out of like fiberglass rather than plastic. Apparently ARE has a ton of these in plastic so they aren’t switching to fiberglass until they run out (maybe) …hoping if/when it cracks again they have the new fiberglass version available

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

ARE topper shop replaced this trim piece on mine twice (currently on the third one). The material seems to contact at a much different rate than the metal frame in the cold and becomes brittle. We have ARE toppers on Ford F250 and Chevy 3500 for work they doing have the same problem, it’s made out of like fiberglass rather than plastic. Apparently ARE has a ton of these in plastic so they aren’t switching to fiberglass until they run out (maybe) …hoping if/when it cracks again they have the new fiberglass version available

Under warranty or paid job?

 

[el_barto]

Under warranty or paid job?

Warranty. It’s a limited lifetime warranty against mfg defects (Id consider this a defect), and the topper shop I bought from has been easy to work with for getting it replaced. They just order the part in and then it takes like 15 minutes for them to replace.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

Warranty. It’s a limited lifetime warranty, the topper shop I bought from has been easy to work with for getting it replaced. They just order the part in and then it takes like 15 minutes for them to replace.

Thanks man I’ll check it out

 

[newmason]

After waiting 8 weeks my ARE MX series showed up... damaged and with bubbles in the paint. Someone had already put their finger nail through one of the paint bubbles when I arrived and noticed it. Dealer was about as helpful as a snowman on the beach. Offered $300 off the price which was laughable on a $4,300 order. Offered to put in a new build for me but wouldn't call ARE to look for any kind of solution and said it would probably be another 8 weeks waiting. They did offer to refund my deposit. So I took my deposit and ran! For folks in the area do not do business with Top-It in Springville, Utah

 

[HarryN]

After waiting 8 weeks my ARE MX series showed up... damaged and with bubbles in the paint. Someone had already put their finger nail through one of the paint bubbles when I arrived and noticed it. Dealer was about as helpful as a snowman on the beach. Offered $300 off the price which was laughable on a $4,300 order. Offered to put in a new build for me but wouldn't call ARE to look for any kind of solution and said it would probably be another 8 weeks waiting. They did offer to refund my deposit. So I took my deposit and ran! For folks in the area do not do business with Top-It in Springville, UtahView attachment 85968View attachment 85970

That is a tough one. The only practical solution is to sand it down and repaint. The dealer really can't do anything themselves that I can think of.

It would cost at least $2k to do a repaint in this area - perhaps more.

 

[newmason]

That is a tough one. The only practical solution is to sand it down and repaint. The dealer really can't do anything themselves that I can think of.

It would cost at least $2k to do a repaint in this area - perhaps more.

Yup the repaint would cost half of what they thought I was just going to take it as-is, with their $300 off, offer. No thanks!

 

[Squatch]

The canopy shop I used made me sign this long list of stuff that may go wrong in manufacturing and shipping that they won’t be responsible for, it was nuts. I asked them what they do if it arrives looking like a used one, and they said they will refuse delivery. I suppose they should have refused yours.

 

[Rockcrawlindude]

The canopy shop I used made me sign this long list of stuff that may go wrong in manufacturing and shipping that they won’t be responsible for, it was nuts. I asked them what they do if it arrives looking like a used one, and they said they will refuse delivery. I suppose they should have refused yours.

That whole “truck accessory center” industry is awful. Scum salesmen and hack job installers and they’re never responsible for any of it

 

[Riz!]

Softopper with a tinted rear window…. Some place holder photos for now

 

[Riz!]

A bunch more glamor shots. Up, stowed, and a pic out the window while driving.

 

[Riz!]

 

[Riz!]

 

[Riz!]

I used seam grip WP on the major seams seams last week and last night I was on the highway in a torrential down pour. It was like a firehouse on the truck and topper. When I got home the rain had stopped and I checked the bed for leaks. Right corner near the tailgate had about a dozen drips. Not sure if it was from the gap in the tailgate along the side of the bed or from the topper. There was a few beads of water on the frame of the topper above the drips. Overall it exceeded my expectations

 

[TungstenBeagle]

New here. I have a 2026 2500 Laramie. I have the third brake light antenna mount which makes the third brake light (with camera) stick out about .5 to .75 inches further. It looks like in some of the pictures that the SmartCap will clear the third brake light but I don't have any idea on the clearances. I am trying to judge off of pictures, and even pictures from Ford Super Duty installs. I have always had caps on my trucks (Leer and ARE); the SmartCap has the indent at the third brake light for the cargo light window (which is more than the fiberglass caps have). I trying to figure out my pushed out third brake light will clear it clean, if I will need to install the SmartCap further back, or if I will have to uninstall the antenna mount. Some pictures I have found online make it looks like there is PLENTY of room, and some make it look like it will rub on a bump. The first two look like it will clear but the last one makes it look TIGHT. It might be that the installer has the cap snugged up to the cab as far up as possible, which makes it tight; but I don't know how much adjustment room there is on the install. Any help would be appreciated. I have spent A LOT of time scouring the internet trying to answer this. FWIW, AI said it would clear, but I don't always trust the AI.

 

[Metternacht]

Here are some pics hope they help. I have the Cap pretty close to the cab.

 

[TungstenBeagle]

Here are some pics hope they help. I have the Cap pretty close to the cab.

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You're the man. That's exactly what I was looking for!!! Thank you so much!!