Camper Shells - brands, styles and mods

[Hokie]

I agree! There are tons of drool-worthy trucks on this page!

I appreciate all the feedback you guys gave and just wanted to give a quick update. I found the price of a new cap to be way more than I really wanted to spend, so I wound up buying an ARE V series off of Craigslist. It was off of a 2007 Dakota quad cab but it fits my '02 good enough for my needs. Pluses are the interior top is padded/carpeted and it has a dome light and the minuses are sliding side windows vs. windoors and no built in roof rack.

I still need to figure out a roof rack and I would still like to find a cap with windoors, but the planning and the search is half the fun, right?

[Colby Jack]

How bout a pic or seven of your new topper on the Kota!?!

Colby Jack

[bigwapitijohnny]

Just put on my SnugTOP topper. It is excellent. I have had it on for about a week and a half, and I have no regrets. Great value compared to the offerings out there.

I had Yakima tracks put on at the factory, and I'm currently working with Sergio at Bajarack for a custom low profile rack...

I'll keep you posted.

Regards,

BWJ

[Hokie]

Colby - working on pics but a rainy week is hampering any pictures right now.

BWJ - that is one awesome looking cap! I really like the sides that open up for access to the front of the bed and I will end up going that route eventually.

I had to share this find. My dad just found one heck of a nice deal for his 2004 Ram 2500 - ARE with windoors and roof rack about 5 miles from his house for $100. Other than some faded paint, its pristine. The guy had it on his truck for about a year and its been sitting in his yard for the last 5 or 6 years and he just decided to move it. He wasn't even looking but liked the thought of one after my search and this one just fell in his lap. I was slightly jealous.

Next post will be with pics!

[Doc Foster]

Ordered a new ARE camper shell for my 2012 Tacoma last week. This will be my 3rd ARE cap thus far. Had them on my earlier F150's and loved them.

[Squatchout]

I've had a couple of Leer caps both aluminum and fiberglass no problems with either. I just bought a used leer for my Isuzu Pick up. It is all fiberglass which brings up my next point.
Last new cap I bought was for my Nissan Titan. It was an ARE Impulse I had made to order. It had aluminum rails where it meets the bed. I like that. Glass rails can be crushed and deteriorate over time if you take the cap off and on a lot. That's why I bought the ARE. I was real impressed with that cap.



One other bit of food for thought on this cap. See how smooth it is? There is nothing on these sleek new caps to hold onto. I took a good fall off the back bumper of that Titan landing on my back. No harm done other than pride BUT OMG!. I was washing the truck and standing on the back bumper and my foot slipped from the soapy water. Nothing around that even offered any friction for my hands to grab just a smooth as a baby's butt, well waxed cap covered in soapy water. I got my racks installed on it right quick after that. Just something to think about.

I like that snugtop with the tool boxsides. I'd like to have those doors without the boxes inside just for cap access.

[WildBill]

I'd like to kick this to the top. I've been badly needing more storage with my little single cab. I've been thinking of either a bed cover of some type or a camper shell. I'm not big on the camper shell idea cause it would take some getting used to. But I'd just like to see more of each set up. I really wish I could find a way to used a tool box and bedcover together but I've been told it won't be entirely water proof so I'm searching for options

[grahamfitter]

Any experiences with these "walk in" doors available on ARE MX series caps?

fiberglass_walk_in_door.jpg

Coverage when its raining looks like a plus, corresponding loss of tailgate a minus. What about the pros and cons when sleeping in the truck?

[onelow1ton]

I just got my ARE cx with hinged side windows a couple weeks ago and love it here is a pic

[Espo78]

I'd like to kick this to the top. I've been badly needing more storage with my little single cab. I've been thinking of either a bed cover of some type or a camper shell. I'm not big on the camper shell idea cause it would take some getting used to. But I'd just like to see more of each set up. I really wish I could find a way to used a tool box and bedcover together but I've been told it won't be entirely water proof so I'm searching for options

How about a Softopper?

http://www.softopper.com/Default.aspx

They are a topper when you need one, and remove in minutes when you don't.

They also offer a rack system to use with the softopper OR hard bed caps for those of you wanting a rack system to use with your cap.

http://www.softopper.com/Best_Truck_...k-details.aspx