1. Welcome to Tundras.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tundra discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other Tundra owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Need pre-purchase advice for camper shell, ARE vs Leer

Discussion in 'Tonneau Covers, Caps and Shells' started by badsector, Sep 1, 2016.

  1. Sep 30, 2016 at 11:48 AM
    #31
    badsector

    badsector [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2016
    Member:
    #3930
    Messages:
    49
    Richmond, VA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Black Rock Warrior DC
    Expedition One Front Bumper w/Warn 10-S winch TRD Dual Exhaust ARE CX Camper Shell OME 613 Full suspension kit with Dakar rear springs.
    It's a concern of mine as well... from what I'm being told by the dealer and some research is that I should keep the load weight at 200lbs or less while going down the road.. they call this the dynamic weight bearing. While parked, they say it can support substantially more, referred to as the static weight. I have not found any static weight load numbers, but from my research on the net it seems to be quite a bit.

    I have not been able to find any forum threads which someone produced pictures of collapsed or cracked shells resulting from sleeping in a RTT. The RTT will be mostly for my 2 kids, I got a foxwing awning and taglong tent from rhino-rack for myself and the mrs.
     
  2. Sep 30, 2016 at 11:49 AM
    #32
    TheBeast

    TheBeast The Beach

    Joined:
    Apr 27, 2016
    Member:
    #3246
    Messages:
    12,518
    Gender:
    Male
    SoCal
    Vehicle:
    2012
    cool. Keep us posted and pictures too :)
     
  3. Oct 12, 2016 at 10:41 PM
    #33
    Tundracm16

    Tundracm16 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2016
    Member:
    #4613
    Messages:
    170
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Southwestern pa
    Vehicle:
    2016 tundra crewmax trd
    Trd exhaust, trd sway rear sway bar,spray in bed liner, fold a cover,tint
    Over the line,on a side note from the subject at hand I Noticed your flares did you buy those or were they installed when you got it? I been look for something similar and am not having any luck. If you bought them could you tell me the brand. Thx
     
  4. Oct 13, 2016 at 6:14 AM
    #34
    Over the LINE

    Over the LINE New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2016
    Member:
    #3273
    Messages:
    641
    Gender:
    Male
    New Orleans
    Vehicle:
    2016 Limited CM 4 x 4
    Toytec -Duratrac -Expedition One-Fab Fours
    Those are the stock flares. On the truck when I picked them up.
     
  5. Oct 18, 2016 at 7:43 PM
    #35
    Tundracm16

    Tundracm16 New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2016
    Member:
    #4613
    Messages:
    170
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Southwestern pa
    Vehicle:
    2016 tundra crewmax trd
    Trd exhaust, trd sway rear sway bar,spray in bed liner, fold a cover,tint
    Anyone with a leer cap notice how much the rear drops once installed. I'm picking one up on Thursday I think it's the 100xl.
    I have a 2" level in the front right now and I only have about a 3/4 rake if it drops more than that I want to install the 1" rear I have to get the rake back.
    Thx
     
  6. Oct 18, 2016 at 8:16 PM
    #36
    Tracker

    Tracker New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2016
    Member:
    #2424
    Messages:
    1,658
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Shane
    Colorado, Denver Burbs
    Vehicle:
    2016 Silver Tundra SR5 Lifted
    Pro Comp Lift, towing mirrors, Fuel rims, Toyo A/T, Nav, Viper remote start
    I had the ARE Z on my last truck. I loved it and had no issues with it
     
    Patriot likes this.
  7. Oct 19, 2016 at 11:58 AM
    #37
    badsector

    badsector [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 20, 2016
    Member:
    #3930
    Messages:
    49
    Richmond, VA
    Vehicle:
    2010 Black Rock Warrior DC
    Expedition One Front Bumper w/Warn 10-S winch TRD Dual Exhaust ARE CX Camper Shell OME 613 Full suspension kit with Dakar rear springs.
    The ARE Z looks fantastic... I really wanted a remote locking feature, but I wanted windoors more. I ended up getting the full bedrug, but I agree now that just the mat by itself is perfect without the side walls.

    Here's my cap... I started a build thread today, check it out here. I had the dealer hard wire the 12v power outlet so that it's always on and add a bypass switch.. that way I can turn it on or off from the back of the cab without having to turn the ignition switch to acc/on. Of course I leave it OFF to prevent battery drain as it has some LED indicators that show your battery level which stay on as long as it's receiving power.



    camper7.jpg camper8.jpg camper10.jpg
     
    Last edited: Oct 19, 2016
    sgthoskins likes this.
  8. Feb 15, 2017 at 4:33 AM
    #38
    Patriot

    Patriot Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2014
    Member:
    #662
    Messages:
    2,436
    Gender:
    Male
    Western NC, “Boondocks”
    No.
     
  9. Feb 15, 2017 at 4:49 AM
    #39
    Patriot

    Patriot Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2014
    Member:
    #662
    Messages:
    2,436
    Gender:
    Male
    Western NC, “Boondocks”
    I have owned a few ARE toppers...I ordered my Z without the bed trim piece, just my preference.

    image.jpg

    image.jpg

    image.jpg
     
    jmdaniel, BamaCrewmax and Ol'Greg like this.
  10. Feb 17, 2017 at 3:40 AM
    #40
    TundraPro406

    TundraPro406 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
    Member:
    #5207
    Messages:
    23
    Gender:
    Male
    Montana
    @ Patroit....any chance you can get pix of the cap's hang over at the end of the truck bed? I just had a Z-Series cap install and mine was sticking out pass 1" and after adjusting it, it was still 3/4" out. Cap was also return cuz it had a crack.....now capless and now back to the OP's Leer vs ARE debate for me. Lol! Yours looks super clean by the way!


    20170202_115243-567x1008-226x402.jpg
    20170202_115232-567x1008-226x402.jpg
    20170202_115316-1008x567-402x226.jpg
    20170202_115302-1008x567-402x226.jpg
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2017
  11. Feb 17, 2017 at 4:30 AM
    #41
    Patriot

    Patriot Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2014
    Member:
    #662
    Messages:
    2,436
    Gender:
    Male
    Western NC, “Boondocks”
     
    Last edited: Feb 17, 2017
  12. Feb 17, 2017 at 5:37 AM
    #42
    TundraPro406

    TundraPro406 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2016
    Member:
    #5207
    Messages:
    23
    Gender:
    Male
    Montana
    Greatly appreciate the insight....been lurker for awhile but with one month old twins girls...mods and parts are secondary and reading/learning is all I can do. Again thanks for the input!
     
    Patriot likes this.
  13. Feb 17, 2017 at 7:54 AM
    #43
    johnxmccoy

    johnxmccoy New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2016
    Member:
    #2535
    Messages:
    389
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    John
    Grove City, Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2019 Crew Max
    What do you haul on top ? What type of racks are those?
    Please and thanks.
     
  14. Feb 17, 2017 at 9:23 AM
    #44
    Nor7

    Nor7 Chilton Manual Guy

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2015
    Member:
    #1989
    Messages:
    1,326
    Gender:
    Male
    Texas
    Vehicle:
    2007 Tundra Limited CM, 5.7L
    I love my ARE.

    IMG_1648.jpg

    IMG_1649 2.jpg
     
  15. Jul 2, 2017 at 7:54 PM
    #45
    SwampFox

    SwampFox New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8384
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 Land Cruiser - 2000 Tundra - 2013 Tundra Crewmax
    2013 is a work in progress
    Works for me.

    8-28-15-3.jpg
     
    Tundra805 likes this.
  16. Jul 2, 2017 at 11:34 PM
    #46
    Patriot

    Patriot Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2014
    Member:
    #662
    Messages:
    2,436
    Gender:
    Male
    Western NC, “Boondocks”
    Hey Nice, post up pics of roof top tent fully deployed...would be interested seeing this set up. I am surprised your shell will withstand the dead weight of two adults sleeping in a roof top tent. Pics?
     
  17. Jul 3, 2017 at 12:34 AM
    #47
    SwampFox

    SwampFox New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8384
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 Land Cruiser - 2000 Tundra - 2013 Tundra Crewmax
    2013 is a work in progress
    The way the tent cantilevers out some of the weight is resting on the ladder. An adult and two kids sleep up there. Total weight including the tent is probably about 400 pounds. The topper is a Glasstite - no longer made. I don't know how it compares to ARE or Leer in terms of toughness but it's very solid.

    DSC_2766.jpg
     
  18. Jul 3, 2017 at 3:38 AM
    #48
    Patriot

    Patriot Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2014
    Member:
    #662
    Messages:
    2,436
    Gender:
    Male
    Western NC, “Boondocks”
    Interesting looking rig! I have never seen any topper with that kind of weight on it. I am not sure ARE reccomends roof top tents for their toppers...but maybe?
     
    Last edited: Aug 22, 2017
  19. Jul 3, 2017 at 7:05 AM
    #49
    SwampFox

    SwampFox New Member

    Joined:
    Jul 2, 2017
    Member:
    #8384
    Messages:
    6
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    1999 Land Cruiser - 2000 Tundra - 2013 Tundra Crewmax
    2013 is a work in progress
    I have a "new" Tundra now - 2013 Crewmax, and I'm currently looking at toppers. The ARE HD Series should work. The roof rack has a 550' weight rating. I believe Leer also has a reinforced topper.
     
  20. Aug 21, 2017 at 10:55 PM
    #50
    WAVTRUK4X4

    WAVTRUK4X4 Yeeeeeww!!!

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2017
    Member:
    #6241
    Messages:
    31
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Chris
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2014 4x4 1794 Surf Truck
    Toyo A/T tires, 20's, leveling kit, Tonneau, Thule surf rack (cab), Thule hitch cruiser bike rack, bedrug
    I'm getting a cap real soon… My issue is I want to be able to sit two people on top of the topper and the only two that can handle 500 pounds of weight are snugtops… The rebel and the xtravision – not exactly the best looking ones on the market
     
  21. Aug 22, 2017 at 3:10 AM
    #51
    Patriot

    Patriot Member

    Joined:
    Oct 9, 2014
    Member:
    #662
    Messages:
    2,436
    Gender:
    Male
    Western NC, “Boondocks”
    Call Leer and call ARE..I am sure they will give you the info, so that you get the right topper.
     
  22. Aug 28, 2017 at 8:09 PM
    #52
    alpine

    alpine New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 28, 2017
    Member:
    #9315
    Messages:
    4
    Gender:
    Male
    Seattle
    Vehicle:
    Toyota
    I think the cx hd has a built in aluminum frame to support just the rack rated at 550lbs so you can easily have any rtt or other topper racks/gear!
     
  23. Aug 29, 2017 at 5:37 AM
    #53
    Over the LINE

    Over the LINE New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2016
    Member:
    #3273
    Messages:
    641
    Gender:
    Male
    New Orleans
    Vehicle:
    2016 Limited CM 4 x 4
    Toytec -Duratrac -Expedition One-Fab Fours
    I'm sure a fabricator could build you an internal support system like ARE. You might be able to add some cool stuff to an internal rack support.
     
  24. Aug 29, 2017 at 10:37 AM
    #54
    judge

    judge New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2017
    Member:
    #7191
    Messages:
    18
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2017 Black Limited 4x4
    Line-x bed liner, bilstein 6112 front/ 5160 rear, Century Royal Cap, 3m crystalline tint, Weathertech rear mat (large), Yokohoma G015 AT 275/60R20
    There is more than one way to skin the cat. I had a custom ladder rack built, with walk boards. So if you need to put a lot of weight over a camper shell. I would bet it on it taking 2,000lbs in a static situation. The guys who build them told me some interesting stories of what they hauled. And that diamond plate rail that the rack mounts to? Goes over the bed rail, bends down 90 and bolts to the bed rail. The big saddles with rollers are removeable. The short pieces are a ladder, and I had them put the rear rail out that far, so if I miss the rack, I don't break my window, AND so I can tie down from the bar to a load sticking way out the bed.
     
    f86sabjf likes this.
  25. Aug 29, 2017 at 10:56 AM
    #55
    Over the LINE

    Over the LINE New Member

    Joined:
    May 1, 2016
    Member:
    #3273
    Messages:
    641
    Gender:
    Male
    New Orleans
    Vehicle:
    2016 Limited CM 4 x 4
    Toytec -Duratrac -Expedition One-Fab Fours
    Forgot all about my Gen. 1 setup. This rack had mounting plates that bolted to the top of the bed rails. The shell was cut a little to get around the mounts. It was stout and I would not have thought anything of putting 500# up there and heading off down the highway. I have seen quite a few trucks belonging to contractor types with this setup. Sorry but I can't remember the manufacturer.

    Tundra 027.jpg
    Tundra 028.jpg
     
    f86sabjf likes this.
  26. Jan 9, 2018 at 9:35 PM
    #56
    808dakine

    808dakine New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2016
    Member:
    #2937
    Messages:
    37
    Gender:
    Male
    Been looking for a Snugtop for my crewmax for almost 2 years. They are few and far in between out here in HI, even more on the right island lol. Will probably have to fly to the mainland and ship something back from cali! =(
     
  27. Jan 13, 2018 at 8:08 PM
    #57
    BamaCrewmax

    BamaCrewmax New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 13, 2018
    Member:
    #12184
    Messages:
    1
    Gender:
    Male
    Alabama
    Vehicle:
    2017 Silver SR5 CM 4WD
    OEM fender flares, color matched door handles and mirrors, AMP bed extender
    I've spent the better part of the day today shopping for and reading about camper shells. Both ARE and Leer. I think I have narrowed my choices down to the ARE CX and V series. The side windows seem to be the only real difference between the two. Am I missing anything?

    This is my first shell. Are there any must have options you guys might recommend? Thanks.
     
  28. Jan 14, 2018 at 5:20 AM
    #58
    mverkaik

    mverkaik New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 29, 2016
    Member:
    #4368
    Messages:
    297
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Hamilton, MI
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD PRO CrewMax
    WeatherTech Floorliners Toyota Running Boards Reflex Liner Truxedo X15 Pro cover.
    The biggest difference between the CX and the V is the fiberglass. It is an entirely different mold.

    The CX is more contoured with recesses to accommodate the flat windows where as the V flat on the sides and the back so that that the windows fit directly on the shell.

    The CX uses a specific window for each shell shape so the window lines match the front and rear of the shell where as the V uses a stock window and the window lines do not always match the shell contours as well. This depends a lot on the truck. Some don't look bad but some look silly.

    IMO the CX is worth the couple hundred bucks.
     
    BamaCrewmax likes this.
  29. Feb 5, 2018 at 4:47 PM
    #59
    Spitfire

    Spitfire New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2017
    Member:
    #10302
    Messages:
    559
    Gender:
    Male
    Long Island
    Vehicle:
    2018 Cement Limited Trd off road
    Figure it post these here .. my century ultra sport.. absolute poured last night.. dry as a bone inside

    20180201_164427.jpg
    IMG_20180201_171118_039.jpg
     
  30. Jun 13, 2018 at 9:32 AM
    #60
    BuckWallace

    BuckWallace Ball don't lie.

    Joined:
    Nov 25, 2017
    Member:
    #11160
    Messages:
    1,857
    Gender:
    Male
    Oregon
    Vehicle:
    Sierra 3500 AT4 Gasser
    That's a pretty good looking canopy you have there! I'm thinking of getting basically that exact same configuration/model. How's it holding up for you? Anything you don't like about it? Are you still liking the windoors?
     

Products Discussed in

To Top