Why buy one brand vs an other?

I just ordered my new tundra and decided to go with a cap this time. I gave been looking and reading as much as I can about them.

the one thing I cannot determine is: Is there a large quality difference from one brand or style to another or is it mostly just down to personal style choice? I do want roof rails if that makes any difference. Thanks all

(I hope this is not a stupid first post. I promise I am not a noob, just new to bed caps )

 

Welcome from KCMO. It’s not a stupid first post, and a helluva lot better than a “what’s the biggest tire I can fit...” or how can I increase my MPGs” intro post

Like most other things with car accessories, quality, options, budget, company reputation, and personal preference are all factors in what brands people go with. If you poke around here you’ll probably see lots of guys go with Leer or ARE. I personally went with Century. Why? Cuz I found it secondhand and the price was a fraction of new

 

I went with ARE because the LEER dealer here is an asshole. The ARE dealer is great to work with. I added the Yakima rails myself. I don't think there's much difference in quality, just pick the options you want and find the best price.

 

PS-You'll need bigger tires and your MPG will go down.

 

Exactly. It was the opposite in my town, where the ARE guys were clowns and the Leer dealership had it together. It totally depends on the dealership, and they're all fiberglass molds, so the quality is going to be more or less the same.

 

Not all of them!

Just the fiberglass ones!

And Welcome!

 

Agree with the others that Leer and ARE seem to be about equivalent. I went with Leer mostly because it was the cheapest option.

 

Touche.

And welcome to you as well!

 

My 2012 that I bought used over a year ago, came with ARE cap. I'm pretty sure that previous, and only other owner installed it soon after taking delivery of that Tundra. I like having it, but the locking mechanism doesn't really work anymore, and when I go through car wash, I can see waterfalls of rinse stage dump right in the rear. I can't see from the driver's seat exactly where it's coming in, but it seems like it's where the glass meets the top of the cap. I'm actually inclined to ride in the bed during wash cycle to pinpoint the problem. Other option is to mount a camera. In any case, I suspect that the leak and locking mechanism failure is caused by regular usage and age of the cap and seals. Other than that, the cap is solid, with all the windows sliding as they should, and color is very close match. Cap is easy to take off and reinstall, but it is rather heavy.

 

the plan is to keep this truck stock as long as possible. I know that I will fail at this goal as I am already shopping for exhaust, spacers, wheels, tires...

why can I not leave good enough alone

 

I’ve gotten quotes on caps as well. It’s killing me to spend that kind of money. I can get some things I want done around the house.

Recently I was going after an exhaust and my wife said you can get the exhaust or new gutters. We got gutters. Lol.

 

Leer and ARE are the two top end brands with different models at different price points. Warranties are long and well backed in my experience. First hand with leer and second hand knowledge with ARE. SnugTop is right there for quality as well. For me it came down to appearance. Leer made the one that looked the best IMO. As mentioned earlier, deciding based on what the best local dealer carries is also a good idea.

 

Probably worth mentioning too that while you can shop and pay for your favorite new topper,it might be worth shopping for used ones too for the crazy savings!

The first one I paid $100 for and as you can see it is almost a perfect match to my truck!

The second one I paid $400 and sold it for more than that when I found the 3rd one.

The 3rd one I paid $200 for!

Funny thing is that I thought I would NEVER find a top for a RCLB Truck but found 3 in this general area within a few weeks really?

Maybe not worth it to you but well worth saving thousands of dollars to me over and over!

 

Fiberglass toppers depreciate faster than bait car Escalades. Used is the best way to go. I got a color matched ARE for my MGM 07 for $200. Had to replace a side window for another $150. Nice score. I found an ARE MX in great condition for only $400!. I drove to Scottsbluff to get it but was worth it. I sold it a few months ago for $800. Moral of the story is look for used first unless you prefer burning money.

 

Size, weight, fit, functionality, and warranty are things you should consider.

Leer stands by there warranty, they replaced the cap on my 2002 RCLB after it had been on my truck for 16+ years. Unfortunately Leer no longer made the high cap version for my vehicle, so I sold the new cab height replacement cap cheap and bought an expensive new ARE commercial cap. There was nothing like it available second hand. The roof on the new ARE leaked, so I had the roof sealed with Line-X under warranty - so far, so good.



I did not want a cap on my Craigslist 2007 RCSB, so I installed a used UnderCover classic ABS tonneau that I found for cheap on Craigslist. $250.00 installed.

 

This^^^^^

 

Mine leaked so bad around the windows when I got it, I thought I had made a terrible mistake. I bought some generic auto/marine weather stripping like 3/8” thick, removed the windows and applied it to the fiber glass to mate against the factory seal, which was still solid, but had shrunk and deformed to the point there were several gaps allowing water in. Couple hours later, it was water tight again. I also had to replace my lock mechanism cuz I didn’t get any keys for it when I bought it. Oh well. I spent $400 and $35 on new parts.

As Matt and ezdog said, it’s well worth it to shop used before forking over 2k+ for new. I drove 8 hours each way to get mine, and would totally do it again.

 

Another interesting point that I discovered is that using a tape measure can be your friend!

The 2nd top I found was built for an F150 but it fit really well on my Tundra too!

A lot more choices there for sure.

 

Really depends on your area. When I was looking, I could only find canopies for Dodges for whatever reason.

 

I have been looking for used! I would much rather buy a used one, put new gaskets and paint to match than shell (pardon the pun) out $2-3k. I have had no luck in weeks of looking.

(should not have gotten Wind Chill )

 

When looking for a non-application cap do 2nd Gen Tundra caps fit?

 

Maybe
Measure twice,Buy once!

The main difference is that the 3rd gen tailgate is 1 1/2" thicker than on a 2nd gen truck.
So if the tailgate fits correctly the top might be short by that difference at the cab end.

I took a 2x2" aluminum angle L and bridged that gap on mine as the Red top I show is from a 2nd gen but mine is a 3rg gen.
Easy mod if you are handy.

Also I expect that the difference would be different wo=ith different makers tops so again just measure to be sure.

The Tailgate needs to line up to close and latch properly first,like I said and then take it from there.

My current and 3rd top has the French Doors in back which was what I always really wanted anyway and though it is for a 2nd gen truck I did not have to add anything for it to fit as the french doors can fit anywhere within the space left for the tailgate once it is removed so I lucked out there for sure!

 

I decided to make a comprehensive list of everything I wanted from the builds part of this forum. When you find something you like, ask the OP about it. The guys on here are immeasurably helpful, really good people.
Once I had my haystack piled high, I sorted it into functional capability, then convenience and finally, luxury/fun. It helped stem the emotional tide of wanting the fun/easy things first and helped meet my more rationally timed goals for the truck. Example: This year, I want a semi-capable Overlander by early Autumn. As with many things in life, you have to ask yourself what your goals are for the truck and how fast you really need them accomplished.

 

my problem is that I kinda broke my F150 with mods the block and trans could not handle. I was living on the edge of failure at all times. One block that had a very large hole in the side of it and trans that was slipping at 75,xxx miles. I guess when you throw twice as much HP/Tq as stock that happens.

I am hoping to keep this one stock besides a level/small lift, slightly larger tires/18” wheels and MAYBE a cat back for a little more noise from the loud peddle. Then Cap and lighting and done...

Well that’s the plan anyway. The best laid plans....:lol:

 

Welcome to the forum, dude and I hear you, I think all of us tinkerers have been through that phase. I'd like to say I'm over it, but the idea of that Magnuson SC still appeals to me in an unrealistic world of testosterone. An old timer once told me: "Just when you think you know everything, something happens and you find out you didn't know a darn thing and you start over."

I've found it takes a village and you're in the right place!

 

Aren't most F150s living on the edge of failure most of the time?

 

This statement is cracking me up. He gone, folks. Reminds me of this:

 

Bwahaha truth. To me not freeing HP is keeping it stock.

 

Isn't Century made by Leer? Nice looking truck.

 

If buying new, a good feature with any top-hinged canopy IMO is getting separate L and R handles to close it up snugly. The single center closures with a long rod reaching L and R often loosen and get finicky to operate over time