Help me pick a cap/topper

Been looking around at caps/toppers recently and got some options back from a local reseller and wanted to see if anyone had any thoughts or experience with any of these models. My needs are pretty basic and I'm not really looking for any fancy options. Only real requirements are sliding side windows and the fold up/down front window.

Option 1: ARE V-series
- Single T handle rear door
- Sliding side windows with screens
- Roof rack rails (+$189)
- front fold down picture window (+$86)
- Tundra deck rails clamps (+$45)
- Paint matched
- Lifetime fiberglass/paint warranty, 5 years for gas props, 3 years on lock & brake light, 1 year on hardware
- Total $1828 with options (includes install)

Option 2: Leer Legend
- Double T handle rear door
- Sliding side windows with screens
- Paint matched
- Roof rack rails (+$189)
- Front fold down window (+$106)
- 3 year warranty on fiberglass & 1 year on hardware
- Total $1739 with options (includes install)

Option 3: Jeraco
- Double T handle rear door
- Sliding side windows with screens
- Paint matched
- Roof rack rails (+$275)
- front fold down window (+$105)
- Lifetime fiberglass/paint, 1 year on hardware

Option 4: ARE CX Evolve (factory 2nd)
- Not sure yet what makes this a factory 2nd (on it's way to local reseller)
- Details on rails, t handles, windows, etc TBD
- Total $1299 (includes install)
- Biggest downside is color (silver) so I would have to have it color matched, vinyl wrapped, sprayed with bed liner, etc.

 

Mods ... sorry I should have put this in the cap & shell forum under the garage.

 

Option 5: No experience with above listed models but consider cutting out middle man re-seller. Found my Leer 180 on Facebook Marketplace. Paid $800 and ended up Raptor lining it. Carpeted, fold down window, sliding rear windows, roof tracks, power supply, and interior light. All without breaking the bank. Lots of headroom on this model with two t-handles on rear. Installation not hard at all with a helper. If he is charging for installation then I hope it isn't much. Took me a while to find and had to drive 5+ hours one way but worth it. They are out there.

 

I ordered one earlier this year. Windoors, Get them.

Single handle and electric lock for me. Electric is NICE.

Ended up with a Sungtop Rebel. It hangs a bit lower than some, but if you don't have the TRD bed decals its fine IMO.

 

Buy the one you like the most. Don't try and save a 100 or 200 bucks to get your second option.

 

Thanks everyone!

I have been checking Craigslist and Facebook marketplace. Now and then a 3rd gen CM topper pops up but they are rare around here. I did find a great Snugtop for $500 and told the guy i'd buy it (after I asked a bunch of questions). After we agreed on a time to meet up (next day) he ended up selling it to someone else later that night. I'll keep checking though and will probably hit the topper dealer this weekend to check some out in person.

 

Close to Option #1, but Leer, not ARE:

 

@abomb60 I see you are in MA. If you go across the line to NH you will save the sales tax. I went to Jim's Cap Town in Newport NH (there is one in Tilton as well). Great pricing and the color match was dead nuts.

 

Great recommendation on the sales tax! Newport is a hike from me but I'll definitely check out shops in southern NH.

 

Obviously pics will be required when you get your new topper .

 

Option#6?

Soft Topper.

No roof racks, but I've found mine to be the most useful bed cap I've ever owned.

 

While I'm not familiar with the Legend, I like the Leer 100XR I have. I opted for my preferred Roof Rack (FrontRunner) and cajoled them into installing it with the topper

 

Unfortunately not an option for me. Need the ability to mount my 270 degree awning up there along with solar panels.

 

I went with the Leer Legend because it was significantly cheaper than any of the others. Only one minor issue so far: the seal is starting to come unglued from one side of the door and my dealer apparently can't get hold of Leer to get a replacement.

 

I am ordering a Leer 100R on Monday. Your prices seem like good quotes.

 

I looked at both ARE and Leer. My understanding is that the ARE has a slightly thicker shell. I went with Leer 100R for a bunch of reasons. I had one on my last truck and the fit and finish is several notches up on this one. My one bit of advice, whatever you go with is to consider the windoors. I can't believe how much I like them!

 

.

 

I just picked up one for my 2019 Crewmax, I was surprised that at least here in California I was told at one dealer it would be 8 weeks delay for a ARE cap. So I went to another dealer and he had just got in a Snugtop Rebel, so I snatched it up, had all the options I wanted, tilt down slider, headliner etc. I also went with the Bedrug since I am planning to camp back there. The TRD decal is driving me crazy so its coming off next. Good luck, there are plenty of cool options, be sure and get everything you want.

 

I'm leaning towards a new ARE V-Series with sliding/tilting front, sliding windoors, roof rails, carpeting and double t handle back. I was told 3-5 weeks for the ARE from time of order so maybe it depends on where in the country?

I figure i'll do the 12v lighting myself back there since I already have a solar install with fuse panels in the bed. Also if my TRD 4x4 decal gets in they way i'll remove it and cut a new one on the vinyl cutter. Might do one in bronze vinyl to match my wheels anyway

 

@abomb60 my cap came with a dome light and I was pleasantly surprised to find a fusebox and 2 USB ports tucked into the corner.... Bronze wheels rule!

 

I already have the mattgecko bed lights but some overheads might be nice. I have some RGB LED strips in the garage with a remote that I might use to bling it out a bit

The wheels aren't really bronze just the TRD OR's with some TVD vinyl overlays. I think they look sweet though and at some point might get them powder coated bronze.

 

@abomb60, I moved my mattgecko lights up and attached them to the headliner with velcro, they were on the bottom of the accy rails, the installer wanted me to remove for the install, it is very bright for overhead lighting. Its only been a few days but the velcro seems pretty stable, time will tell...

 

Awesome good to know!

 

Yep, windoors are a game changer. Add a platform that is wheel well height and it makes stowing and retrieving so easy.

 

My plan is to build a drawer system on the passenger side of the bed with a platform on top for storage/sleeping. I'm only 5' 8" and a side sleeper so should work out length wise. My fridge is on the driver side near the tailgate so I don't want to go full width but I might cover the entire bed area except for where the fridge is and build storage underneath for my solar install/other crap. Gotta see how that will work since my air compressor tank is mounted to the top of the drivers wheel well ... could move it to the top of a drawer/storage system I guess or hide it underneath. Getting the topper is my first step this winter/early spring then once the warmer weather hits i'll decide what to do with storage/drawers. Great ideas though ... keep them coming!

 

So these are a few things that I have done in the past that might give you some ideas too?
You can easily build in whatever you need to and just scale it to how much room you need to sleep in there.

Both of these trucks have flip up windows and were really designed to work out of but clearly could also be camped in as well.

The bottom pic has a cabinet I got cheap on craigslist made to mount over the wheel well and the top is just bolted to it.
I also have strut bolted to the bed sides to attach everything to in the bottom one where the top pics I used existing holes in the bed sides to rivnut and bolt the sides of the platforms to.

You could sleep in either of these but there is still a ton of room inside too.

 

So I think I narrowed it down ... ARE CX Evolve - $2351 total installed (before tax if I buy in Mass) with some end of year ARE coupon ($175 off) if I order before 12/31/20.

That price includes:
Tilt & sliding front window
Outdoorsman windoors
Roof racks (without bars ... I have some here already)

Also got pricing on the keyless entry which is $150 for the option plus $100 install on top of that.

Sounds like a decent deal but what do I know

 

I wish they had the Evolve when I bought my ARE - Z, I think I would have gotten the Evolve, had it been an option.

 

Hey! Nice looking setup! Any chance you have more pictures?
Do you remember what dimensions you went with for the rack?

Thanks!

 

Just had the ARE CX HD installed last week. Haven’t had a chance to dive into it too much. Too damn cold here lately! -55C with the windchill. Maybe next week. First impression is nice fit and color match.