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2019 Truck cap/topper/camper shell thread

Will_T said:
@DMC1 That looks great! I just ordered a canopy and because the last one I purchased was 20+ years ago, got a sticker shock! Sometimes I think I like the look of one that does not exactly match the truck color. But then I realize it is mostly just when they are a perfect match height and color wise, the standard beds look like a SUV.

I ended up ordering an ARE MX mid-rise. I ordered now even though I don't yet have the truck since the canopy dealer told me it could take 12 to 16 weeks to arrive. Just one more thing to be nervous about I guess! :rolleyes: Got the front drop down slider and pet screens and the ARE roof rails with Yakima bars. Because I wanted a mid rise with roof racks for our canoe for a standard bed, I only had one good choice but I think this one will work great.

I discussed at length the brake light/camera fit concerns I had. They assured me they have installed this shell on many 2019 and 2020 Rams with the light and they are tight, but fit. I think he said they just did a 2021 also last week so hopefully it will be fine. I may still remove the brake light and replace with a smaller profile like someone posted they had done. Then there would be no question of fit.

One generic question for others that have an opinion. I am not sure how the specific place I purchased from connects the canopy brake light but I have seen some exposed wiring and connectors at the rear near the side of the tailgate in some trucks that makes me wonder if sometimes installers just splice into a brake light. Is there a better, more recommended way to do this? I always like wiring that is neater and tucked away with no big exposed connections. Perhaps there is a connector under the bed that would be cleaner?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the compliment. You’ll like the mid-rise. I was actually looking for one after I saw a truck on the web that had one. Thought it would “break” the back up some so it didn’t look an SUV. Just came across this one at a great price. I have a Rhino Rack I’m going to install to tote my kayak around. This shell is actually off of a 2014 Ram 1500 that had a 6.4 bed. Mine has the drop down slider window and screens. I have a new 3rd brake light coming. I would assume most folks splice into the wiring for the brake light. Would be nice if there was a dedicated wire, I just haven’t gotten that far yet to look. Take care and post up some pics when you get set up. Always great to see other’s trucks and their ideas.
 
Will_T said:
@DMC1 That looks great! I just ordered a canopy and because the last one I purchased was 20+ years ago, got a sticker shock! Sometimes I think I like the look of one that does not exactly match the truck color. But then I realize it is mostly just when they are a perfect match height and color wise, the standard beds look like a SUV.

I ended up ordering an ARE MX mid-rise. I ordered now even though I don't yet have the truck since the canopy dealer told me it could take 12 to 16 weeks to arrive. Just one more thing to be nervous about I guess! :rolleyes: Got the front drop down slider and pet screens and the ARE roof rails with Yakima bars. Because I wanted a mid rise with roof racks for our canoe for a standard bed, I only had one good choice but I think this one will work great.

I discussed at length the brake light/camera fit concerns I had. They assured me they have installed this shell on many 2019 and 2020 Rams with the light and they are tight, but fit. I think he said they just did a 2021 also last week so hopefully it will be fine. I may still remove the brake light and replace with a smaller profile like someone posted they had done. Then there would be no question of fit.

One generic question for others that have an opinion. I am not sure how the specific place I purchased from connects the canopy brake light but I have seen some exposed wiring and connectors at the rear near the side of the tailgate in some trucks that makes me wonder if sometimes installers just splice into a brake light. Is there a better, more recommended way to do this? I always like wiring that is neater and tucked away with no big exposed connections. Perhaps there is a connector under the bed that would be cleaner?

Thanks!
Click to expand...

I have the MX...there is room for the CHMSL, about 3/4" or so if I recall correctly.

Unless they've made changes, be ready to make mods to stop water from pouring in from the sides of the backdoor...cut out some kydex to shape and glued it into place along with some weather striping on the back.
I had to tighten all the T handles down on the windoors as they were loose, added a gasket to the T handle on the back door (it doesn't have one) and a put in a bead of RTV between the plastic lip that comes over the tailgate and the aluminum door frame... otherwise when you open the door any water sitting there pours onto you.

ARE was useless in getting anything resolved, for the price I paid you'd think they would provide a bit of customer service.
The shop was willing to do some work, but I didn't want to waste a day driving there and then sitting around while they worked on the cap..

CAP.jpg

1614297261905.jpeg


1614297261203.png
 
Will_T said:
@DMC1 That looks great! I just ordered a canopy and because the last one I purchased was 20+ years ago, got a sticker shock! Sometimes I think I like the look of one that does not exactly match the truck color. But then I realize it is mostly just when they are a perfect match height and color wise, the standard beds look like a SUV.

I ended up ordering an ARE MX mid-rise. I ordered now even though I don't yet have the truck since the canopy dealer told me it could take 12 to 16 weeks to arrive. Just one more thing to be nervous about I guess! :rolleyes: Got the front drop down slider and pet screens and the ARE roof rails with Yakima bars. Because I wanted a mid rise with roof racks for our canoe for a standard bed, I only had one good choice but I think this one will work great.

I discussed at length the brake light/camera fit concerns I had. They assured me they have installed this shell on many 2019 and 2020 Rams with the light and they are tight, but fit. I think he said they just did a 2021 also last week so hopefully it will be fine. I may still remove the brake light and replace with a smaller profile like someone posted they had done. Then there would be no question of fit.

One generic question for others that have an opinion. I am not sure how the specific place I purchased from connects the canopy brake light but I have seen some exposed wiring and connectors at the rear near the side of the tailgate in some trucks that makes me wonder if sometimes installers just splice into a brake light. Is there a better, more recommended way to do this? I always like wiring that is neater and tucked away with no big exposed connections. Perhaps there is a connector under the bed that would be cleaner?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
There is a white and purple wire terminated above the spare tire. I posted a pic a few pages back. It’s what I will be using. Hope this helps.
 
@Gondul You sure had to do a lot to yours to make it somewhat leak proof! If you are into instructional posts or videos, one dedicated to all your fixes and what your installer did would be helpful to many I think. I hope mine has a better fit and finish than that but I will get in the mindset that I might have to make some adjustments.
Glad to know there is room between the shell and the light. I saw a post somewhere that an installer had to move the canopy back a 1/2 inch or so to get the clearance they wanted to account for washboard roads, etc. and that caused a little water seepage at the front. That is why I am considering pre-emptively replacing the brake light with a lower profile one and putting the cameras into the headliner area. Or maybe seeing about somehow extending the cameras to the inside and/or back of the canopy. But it sounds like even with your install having 3/4" of clearance from the light, your water issues are not at the front, but at the rear around the door.
 
jadmt said:
hard to tell from the angles but is the cap going to hit the cab if flexed out? looks awful close to the cab.
Click to expand...
No, it should not hit any where. I believe it is just the pics. There is a lip on the inside of the topper that goes against the bulkhead so the topper can only go so far forward.
 
Sorry I haven't been on the forum for a whole. For those asking about the RSI and the cargo camera, I asked a guy in social media who was in the 1st set of orders (already has it on his truck). I was curious because I wanted to use that camera to look at my dogs, along with the light to illuminate the bed at night. That's where I'm getting my data from.

Once I get mine though I'll get some good pictures and a walk-through video showing how it interfaces with the truck & electronics.
 
AnywhereInTX said:
Sorry I haven't been on the forum for a whole. For those asking about the RSI and the cargo camera, I asked a guy in social media who was in the 1st set of orders (already has it on his truck). I was curious because I wanted to use that camera to look at my dogs, along with the light to illuminate the bed at night. That's where I'm getting my data from.

Once I get mine though I'll get some good pictures and a walk-through video showing how it interfaces with the truck & electronics.
Click to expand...
Definitely interested in what you find out!
 
LateToTheParty said:
The little bubble stickers on each side come off easily as well if you're so inclined. The dealer I bought from added their own as well, but it also came off as soon as I got home.
Click to expand...
Thanks man. You’d think a place called “total appearance” wouldn’t put stickers on a blacked out debadged truck but I wouldn’t be surprised if they put a sticker on it when they install it lol
 
for the ARE guys again.. what side does the brake light wiring come down? I believe I remember it being on the driver side on the display unit.

I am kicking around the idea of prewiring my brake light
 
If your talking about the 3rd brake light wire its above the spare in the center behind the bumper, and the wires in the shell are on the drivers side. I prewired the 3rd brake light, the shell electric lock, and additional 12v power into the bed.
 
steve49 said:
If your talking about the 3rd brake light wire its above the spare in the center behind the bumper, and the wires in the shell are on the drivers side. I prewired the 3rd brake light, the shell electric lock, and additional 12v power into the bed.
Click to expand...
The wires in the shell, thanks man.
 
When I looked at the ARE I saw one at least with the wiring coming down on the driver's side rear. They had tied it into the brake light fixture itself. I'm not sure I like that idea with that whole fixture having not just LED bulbs but also cameras or sensors etc. Plus the wires were just sort of exposed there. I read somewhere on here that there is a plug underneath near the spare tire that is brake circuit power. I was going to post this question once I had the truck but now is as good a time as any.

Has anyone found that circuit and connected their canopy brake light to it? It would be a much cleaner install I think then just splicing it into the brake light fixture from inside the bed at the rear of the fixture. We would just need to get from the inside of the canopy underneath the truck. And possibly have to extend the wiring and attach an appropriate plug on the end of it?

Anyone have any knowledge or suggestions about this idea?
 
steve49 said:
If your talking about the 3rd brake light wire its above the spare in the center behind the bumper, and the wires in the shell are on the drivers side. I prewired the 3rd brake light, the shell electric lock, and additional 12v power into the bed.
Click to expand...
This is what I saw I think. What specifically did you do when you "prewired the 3rd brake light". Did you get a connection to plug into the wire above the spare and run that wire up into the bed? Or did you use another method to tie into that under bed, above spare, wire?
 
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