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2019 Truck cap/topper/camper shell thread
- Thread starter IronByron
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Rockcrawlindude
a rock crawlin’ dude
Boxerrider
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I picked up a used, cab-height, Ranch - not sure of the model.
Sliding side windows, flat rear door with a latch on each side, carpeted interior, and a slider front window that also folds down.
I'll need to replace the door supports and weather-stripping, and I'll have it painted to match the truck, although I'm not embarrassed to drive it around like this until the shop can get to it. $1000 in it now, and I'm pretty sure I'll be significantly under the cost of a new one once it's all done.
Thanks to the group for instructions on finding the brake-light wire!
Enjoy!
Jeff
Sliding side windows, flat rear door with a latch on each side, carpeted interior, and a slider front window that also folds down.
I'll need to replace the door supports and weather-stripping, and I'll have it painted to match the truck, although I'm not embarrassed to drive it around like this until the shop can get to it. $1000 in it now, and I'm pretty sure I'll be significantly under the cost of a new one once it's all done.
Thanks to the group for instructions on finding the brake-light wire!
Enjoy!
Jeff
Poolmonkey
Well-Known Member
I think the silver and black go together well…any color and a black shell go together well imo.
Considering putting a camper shell on my 2022 RAM 3500 Crew Cab SRW with the 6'4" bed. I have always had hard tonneau covers but really need the extra room these provide. I've been through all of this thread and haven't found a pic of what I'm about to order. Does anyone have an ARE Overlander series cap on their 2500/3500 with the 6'4" bed? If so, would love to see some pics. My truck is Delmonico Red Pearlcoat (Night Edition) but any color will do. Thanks!
HarryDangler
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Leer 100r with the rxf “paint”. I had a 100xr before and liked it but the gloss black at the rear didn’t suit me here. I was skeptical of a quality color match especially since this has a metal flake in it. ARE offers a similar coating but theirs looks very rough, similar to bed liner spray, where this has only a faint texture and a matte finish. Doing black in a matte or satin would produce largely the same result but I’m hoping the rxf proves more durable. Fitment is pretty good, nothing to write home about. Installer only included 4 small clamps even though the cap offers locations for 6, so I added to burly gci clamps and a bed rug.
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scrmblr2
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Happy New Year everyone!
So I currently have a tuxedo cover for my '23 3500 long bed dually. I am seriously considering a topper to do camping as I am finding tent camping a little rough the older I get. I do not like the prince of a new shell, so I am trying to find a used one as the price is significantly lower if I can find what I am looking for, possibly in the wrong color.
Anyone know what year A.R.E. toppers and interchangeable on what year rams?
What else should a first time cap buyer be looking at? I understand the concept of sealing, and am considering just doing a roll on bed coating to get a black exterior finish. Tell me what I don't know, or need to know before purchasing a used unit.
Currently working my way through this thread. On page 2.
So I currently have a tuxedo cover for my '23 3500 long bed dually. I am seriously considering a topper to do camping as I am finding tent camping a little rough the older I get. I do not like the prince of a new shell, so I am trying to find a used one as the price is significantly lower if I can find what I am looking for, possibly in the wrong color.
Anyone know what year A.R.E. toppers and interchangeable on what year rams?
What else should a first time cap buyer be looking at? I understand the concept of sealing, and am considering just doing a roll on bed coating to get a black exterior finish. Tell me what I don't know, or need to know before purchasing a used unit.
Currently working my way through this thread. On page 2.
WRCLVR
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I dont see much on ARE's website, so you will need to call them or one of the platinum installers shops re what is interchangeabIe re years.
I did a Rhino lining on the bed first then installed a Bedrug. Great fit and really nice to lie out on. ARE toppers have a flat black ABS plastic lip that covers the top lip of the tailgate. Several people including myself find that the lip tends to crack. Mine did at 2 years old. They are riveted to the topper back window so not so easy to replace. Dunno if you can get them either.
My ARE high topper on my 2017 ram 3500 8 ft bed is very well colour matched by ARE to the paint code. 3 yr old paint still looks original and glossy and we dont cover the truck. Good luck finding a cover if you want one... The rest of the topper has had no issues. I would say that def buy the topper front folding window as that allows you to clean the rear cab window better. Not great but better. Use a long window wash mitt on a 4 ft extendable stick and a short brush for cleaning wheels to clean all the rear of the cab and cab rear window from the inside of the topper. You will be surprised how dirty that can get..We opted for the folding sliding side windows and the sliding folding front topper window. worth it if you want to camp in the truck.
The infamous RAM leaky upper third brake cab light is not easy to get at with the topper on there when you need to replace that leaky sucker. Do it before the install.... piece of cake then lol. I would also replace the cab vents behind the rear seats before you install the topper. BTW if you have a camera on the cab third bake light, you will lose that function due to the view being blocked.
I did a Rhino lining on the bed first then installed a Bedrug. Great fit and really nice to lie out on. ARE toppers have a flat black ABS plastic lip that covers the top lip of the tailgate. Several people including myself find that the lip tends to crack. Mine did at 2 years old. They are riveted to the topper back window so not so easy to replace. Dunno if you can get them either.
My ARE high topper on my 2017 ram 3500 8 ft bed is very well colour matched by ARE to the paint code. 3 yr old paint still looks original and glossy and we dont cover the truck. Good luck finding a cover if you want one... The rest of the topper has had no issues. I would say that def buy the topper front folding window as that allows you to clean the rear cab window better. Not great but better. Use a long window wash mitt on a 4 ft extendable stick and a short brush for cleaning wheels to clean all the rear of the cab and cab rear window from the inside of the topper. You will be surprised how dirty that can get..We opted for the folding sliding side windows and the sliding folding front topper window. worth it if you want to camp in the truck.
The infamous RAM leaky upper third brake cab light is not easy to get at with the topper on there when you need to replace that leaky sucker. Do it before the install.... piece of cake then lol. I would also replace the cab vents behind the rear seats before you install the topper. BTW if you have a camera on the cab third bake light, you will lose that function due to the view being blocked.
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No experience with ARE but I've recently sold my topper as we bought a truck camper.
My box is 6.4 and I've bought it from a guy with a 4th gen, don't remember the year to be honest as it was years ago.
A guy who bought it put it on his RAM 1500, again not sure about year but seems to be a 4th gen (I was away for work when they came to load it, wife took the picture).
Both times were a perfect fit so RAM boxes didn't change much from year to year or even from 1500 to to HD trucks.
The only advice I have is to install a new rubber seal between the box and a topper and to seal every little crack around the tailgate or all your stuff will be full of dust by the time you get to your camping spot.
You could also install an air vent at the front of the topper to create a positive air pressure inside while you're driving which hopefully will stop the dust from coming in.
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JiminRuskin
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Here is my 2022 PW with a different camper on it from when I posted earlier in this thread. I now have a 2017 Four Wheel Camper Hawk, I still have the Timber Grove extended travel airbags and a Helwig Big Wig sway bar. It drives nicely. I have done quite a few mods on the camper including an airconditioner, 400 watts of solar, a Starlink Mini mount on the roof and installed a new electrical system using Victron components (dc-dc charger, solar mppt controller and a shore power charger).
Have to go through the paperwork, but the PW I picked up this weekend has a Leer 100R or XR on it - not sure which at the moment. So far, I like it. Good seal, nice that it has screens in the windows to keep the bugs out. I added a string like posted above to pull it down - I'm vertically challenged. The color match seems spot on for the Patriot Blue truck color.
Hablox
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What are those rims?
Pulled my topper off for summer and replaced with a soft tri fold off Amazon. I am hoping it makes a few summer time activities easier. Kids randomly ask to take their bikes places or extra space if we pull the camper. I bought a 6’tall x 4’deep’ 8’ long commercial shop rack. ( pallet rack). I adjusted the top rack to be the same height as the bed rails and back the truck up to the rack. 
Then stood up in the bed and with my shoulders and back lifted the topper and walked the topper off onto the rack.
Then stood up in the bed and with my shoulders and back lifted the topper and walked the topper off onto the rack.Attachments
Metternacht
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I Went with a Rhino Rack Pioneer Platform.
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Rockcrawlindude
a rock crawlin’ dude
Squatch
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There are a lot of caps out there I would buy…if they came in an 8 foot version
Here’s mine
I’ve had a hard shell topper for years and love em...Throw your gear in the back and forget about it!
Great looking camper shell. What brand and model is that?
Thompsre08
Well-Known Member
I built an internal frame in mine so I could run an RTT for the family. Turned out pretty stout!
