Debating between LEER, SmartCap or LAX

Hi everyone!

I’m new to the forum and excited to be here. I’ve been driving a 2015 Tundra Limited Double Cab for a while now, and I finally decided to make the jump. I'll be getting a 2025 Limited iMAX by the end of the month! Super excited for the upgrade, and now I'm debating which topper to get.

Current Setup:
I’ve been using a LEER XR 100, and it’s been fantastic. I work in construction, so having a canopy that keeps all my tools secure and dry has been a game changer. I also occasionally sleep in the truck when I’m out camping, fishing, or hunting. The insulated LEER has kept me comfortably warm in cooler weather and never too hot in the summer.

With the new truck on the way, I'm in the market for a new topper and would love some advice.

SmartCap:
I’ve had my eye on the SmartCap. it looks awesome and has tons of customization options. I really like that it works with the Tundra’s bed camera. That said, there are a couple of things giving me pause:

1. Price : $5,000 is a steep price tag, especially in today’s economy.
   
   
2. Material : It's made of steel or aluminum. I’m concerned about heat buildup during summer. will it get too hot and damage my tools?
   

LEER:
I’m already familiar with LEER and love the remote locking feature, which the SmartCap doesn’t offer. I also appreciate the option to insulate the topper. The pricing is much more reasonable compared to SmartCap. However, I’m unsure if the LEER will interfere with the Tundra’s bed camera. Can anyone with a LEER setup on a newer Tundra chime in on that?

Other Options:
I’m open to alternatives as well. I recently came across an aluminum topper called LAX that looks very similar to the SmartCap but at about half the price. Has anyone had experience with it?

Any feedback or recommendations would be greatly appreciated thanks in advance!

 

I have a Leer shell on one truck, and an ARE shell on the other. The ARE appears to be more robust, but the Leer has (had) better fit and finish when it was new.

I looked at the RSI smart cap but decided against it for a couple of reasons: high price, clunky looking fit compared to a contoured fiberglass shell, only comes in black, possible heat buildup on the surface and in the bed, to name a few. I think the modularity is both a strength and a weakness. Which is why I went with another fiberglass shell.

 

I've only owned a Leer so I wont be any help.But I dont have anything bad to say about Leer.

 

My advice is worth what you paid for it so......ymmv......Go with what you know. If Leer has been good to you and you like all the features, go with that.

 

Thanks everyone! Yea I personally preferred LEER since I had it in the last 10 years without any problems. Does anyone know if LEER has the cut out for the bed view camera?

 

I think Smartcap is the only one with a cutout for the bed cam

 

If you go with the Leer the windoors are worth the price in my experience.

 

I have a smartcap evo sport on a 2025 Limited. Had an ARE CX on my previous 2015 Tacoma. To get all the options on the ARE or LEER it's about the same to get the smartcap. It has way bigger side windows that are more useable. You can get an

$10 auto-lock 5pcs 12V waterproof push-button on-off switch, carbhub 12V waterproof push-button on-off switch with 4" leads for motorcycle/auto car

auto-lock kit for the smartcap, I don't have it but it's an option - even post-purchase. Not so much on the lower priced LEER or ARE's.

I read all the problems with leeks and such with smartcap and nearly turned me off from it, but luckily found a preffered dealer local to me that would install. I figured for the small extra fee overall, it was worth it for the service if I did have any problems, and their experience. I feel a lot of the problems are DIY installs. If it does end up leaking way down the road, some silicone is an easy fix and I am fine with that if I ever need to.

Pro's too are the modularity and serviceability. The side bins are nice and easily removable, or later add-on. I don't use a roof rack, but rails are standard and if I ever want to add a rack I can. One of the biggest pros to me is the finish. Looks good on many colors and when I go to sell the truck and have to separate, it'll have a much larger buyer pool not being color matched.

Negatives, with the power tailgate. I have my gasket on the smartcap trimmed to where the tailgate will open on its own, but needs some help closing. Don't expect to open/close it regularly with the back glass closed. You can open the tailgate with it closed, but not automatically and I think it wouldn't be good to do long term. The torque on the back 2 clamps really affects the tailgate operation too.

The digital rearview mirror is pretty useless on mine, the bed cam works though and is worth it. Never feeing like I'm missing the digital rearview since I've never had it before.

Overall, a couple months in, I wouldn't change a thing and would do it again. Buy once, cry once.

Any other questions just ask.