Options for truck caps/camper shell

I have a 2016 Tundra Crewmax. Looking to purchase a topper. I am not opposed to a used one but I cannot find info of other brands that would fit my truck besides ARE. I like the options from ARE, but spending $2500 for a brand new one seems ridiculous when I know there are used ones out there that I could have painted to match mine. Feedback!!!!!!

 

I don't have a specific shell in mind to tell you about, but from my brief experience, I've just been scouring craigslist for a month or so looking for my ideal shell. I found one pretty quickly that is a cab-high, for a decent price, so I got it to tide me over, but I'm still looking for a mid-rise or high-rise shell.

So I have a craigslist "saved search" that sends me emails when an ad with "tundra shell" gets posted. I've heard from others that such an approach could take months to find "the right one", but at least you're willing to paint to change color, so that makes it slightly easier.

Other things I've done on the craigslist searches: create separate ones for "tundra shell", "tundra topper", "tundra cap", and maybe a few other things, since folks seem to use several different terms - as you indicate in your question. Also expand the area to include other towns nearby. For me down here, I do see a lot more over around Los Angeles, so if I was ever making a road trip out that way I might try that. Not sure what would be a larger market for Indianapolis, though...Chicago?

And wait. Good luck!

 

ARE
Leer
SnugTop
Champion
This is off the top of my head. I currently have Leer and SnugTop.

 

I have been looking for months on Craigslist. Its just so hard to know whether some of the manufacturers fit my truck. Putting "Toyota" or "Tundra" in the search is fine, but that narrows it down real quick. That's why I was asking IF there are other trucks that have the same size bed measurements so that I can broaden my horizons. Alot of people that are selling them have no idea if they would fit my truck even if I do give them the measurements of my bed. The simply state that what they are selling fits a "FORD or CHEVY"etc.

 

I have been doing research for what I want and what I need to have....these are a few I have listed for possibly working for me.
Still researching, but when I narrow it down to what I want I will look for used first, then go buy new if needed.

 

It's not just the bed. The lines need to follow the cab. Also how well it fits the rear above the tailgate. I would go to the sites that I listed and search those.

 

I have friends with Snugtop, ARE, and LEER all on Tundras.

All three are big name brands and build solid quality shells.
LEER left a larger gap between the box and shell overhang, probably 3/8" -1/2" gap, price point was slightly more than the ARE. Fiberglass tends to have more variance in production tolerance so 2 of the same shells could fit slightly different and my buddies Leer was just an anomaly.
Snugtop was really nice has more features than the other 2 but was also the most expensive. ~3500. 500lb roof load rating vs 250 on the others, flip up front window, power outlet at the tailgate, plus all the other features of LEER and ARE.
ARE was the cheapest (~2500 inline with your estimate above) but had the best fit to the truck, and comes with basic features like windoors, carpeted headliner, and lighting.

of course every manufacture has multiple models too so its possible there is variation between the many models in respect to price, fit, and features.

Another brand to consider is Century
I've never seen one on a Tundra but a co-worker has one on his Chevy. It seems fine, doesn't have all the features of the other three but was also much cheaper.

 

Awesome info! thanks! I have priced a brand new ARE with exactly what I want except no carpet on inside for $2500. The only reason I looked at ARE is because I have that on my 2000 Tundra. I almost went ahead and ordered it the other day, but I decided to keep looking for a used one. When I bought this 2016 I had looked for 2 years and there were tons of trucks for sale with the toppers. All the sudden its like there is nothing out there and it just doesnt seem like there is any connections to find used ones. The other thing is that these crewmax Tundra's have such a short bed. Its almost like I will have to buy a used one that is coming off of a 3rd gen Tundra.

 

Yup...which means I will probably buy new unless I get lucky and find one when I am ready to buy. Still researching the one I would like.

 

Just got my Leer 100XR installed today. I also looked on Craigslist for a couple months, but couldn't find one that would make it worth it to buy used. My cement color also made it highly unlikely that I'd find one already color-matched. Althought I'm sure they're great, I'm not sure why so many people say the AREs are better quality than Leer. I had Leers on my last two trucks and never had a problem with either of them, and I did go look at an ARE while making up my mind and the way the slider windows fit into the cutouts on the CX series just looked weird to me.

 

Century and leer are the same.. interchangeable parts from same factory.. except leer is more expensive.. they even wanted more money for the bedrug when u packaged them.. century only gives you a 1/3 slider window but I got around that by getting the sliding windoors which are the exact same as leer.. like the frameless rear window cant get that with are if you want the windoors.. also are doesn't offer the removable front window which is great with the tundras back window.. snugtop pop up window looks great

 

Side opening windows. You can thank me later.

 

I was looking for the last couple months and was able to spot a great deal locally on Craig's list on an ARE... they are few and far between, but good deals are out there

 

When you say,” slider windows fit into the cutouts,” what do you mean?

 

Hard to beat the fit and finish on an ARE. I have owned a couple, thumbs up!

 

Not sure if this meets the budget but I developed a new fondness for my A.R.E. MX HD shell after sleeping in it over the weekend at Overland Expo East. It kept me warm and dry and has all the utility I could ever dream of.

 

It's not a huge deal, but it just looks like the side windows don't fit well in the "frame". It just looked weird in person to me. The Leer looks more flush in the frame.

 

Thanks!

Getting it used for under $500, I've been extremely happy with it so far.

 

I see what you mean now... and that was a CX Classic by A.R.E.?

 

I had the snugtop rebel on the Tacoma. If I end up going that route on the new truck I’ll probably get the same thing. The fit, finish, and available options were great. May not be the cheapest but you definitely get what you pay for with these.

 

Yeah, that was the Classic. I don't think that CX "Evolve" was available yet when I was looking.

 

For what it's worth I had an ARE on my 05 Ford Ranger that was stout. Used everyday as a work truck and only issue, after only about 500,000 open\close cycles, was having to push the side Windows into place before closing. Did not bother me any. Good products IMO.

 

Have you seen the SnugTop GB Sport?

http://www.snugtop.com/product/gbsport

 

I want to know about that drawer system!

 

Decked.com

 

My ARE CX Classic is getting installed tomorrow boys!

Yeehaw!

 

What cab rack is that? Its pretty awesome.

 

The basket on the shell is one of A.R.E.'s Ascend roof baskets, but the rack over the cab in a PrInSu Design.

 

Any other trucks out there that a cap could come off and would fit on to a tundra crewmax??

 

I am actually wondering what other trucks would our crewmax cap fit
Mine is Snugtop Rebel 2018 with fold down rear and sliding sides. Carpet. Light
also here is my cap