Truck Cap Buyers Guide

[Bassman]

Hi all – just got a new truck and am in the market for a cap. I’ve never had one before so they are totally new to me. Any lessons learned or buyers tips for a cap newbie? Buy new or used? If you could provide make and model, that would be great. Currently looking at the Leer and ARE offerings but open to suggestions.

Specifically, if anyone has any photos of a capped Colorado ZR2 that would be great.

 

[Squamch]

Get one where the sides of the canopy extend slightly below the bedsides of the truck.
The more vertical the back is, the less rain will drip into the box when the back hatch is open.
One with a carpet or cloth liner is better if you're gonna sleep under it, it helps control dripping condensation.

 

[NEhunter]

Just put a leer 100xr with the windoor sliders on my truck last month. Absolutely love it. The windoor sliders are a must IMO.


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[Climber]

Just put a leer 100xr with the windoor sliders on my truck last month. Absolutely love it. The windoor sliders are a must IMO.


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Same here- Leer 100XR on my Nissan Titan two weeks ago and I'm very happy with it. I looked at ARE and LEER as they had the nearest dealers. I think they are both rock solid so I would just base my decision on who had the best price.

 

[Tod osier]

Hi all – just got a new truck and am in the market for a cap. I’ve never had one before so they are totally new to me. Any lessons learned or buyers tips for a cap newbie? Buy new or used? If you could provide make and model, that would be great. Currently looking at the Leer and ARE offerings but open to suggestions.

Specifically, if anyone has any photos of a capped Colorado ZR2 that would be great.

If you are that sort of picky guy - the color matches suck for all brands (notice the ones you see driving around). Disregard if you don't care about stuff like that (but this is Rokslide ). ARE are generally worse color matches (but nicer toppers) than LEER, but LEER color matches are better but can suck as well.

I just put a LEER on my 2019 F250 and it was a horrible match in every light (the dealer stressed that it was within the margins for match and would not send it back due to match). Luckily the finish was bad (fiberglass telegraphing through the finish) and they sent it back for that. This cap now has about the best color match on a metallic I've seen. There are a couple angles it isn't perfect, but very good. Previous to that I had a LEER on a Tundra that was a pretty bad match (red) and a LEER on a Tacoma that was very good close.

The dealer is important, so find a good one. Also you can send your gas cap on ordering with them to match.

Next time I do it, I'll strongly consider buying a cap used or direct and having a local autobody guy shoot it for a good match.

Otherwise, carpeting inside is nice, makes it feel better to me. I like the more simple models without frameless glass on the back (the non-top tier models). The more simple rear windows seem to be less fussy and are cheaper to fix if you break them.

 

[hockey7]

Got an ARE with my Tundra...two years old... sliding windows leak like a sieve...just two yrs old.

 

[ChrisAU]

Get some knee pads. That's my biggest complaint. When things roll to the back of the bed, its time to crawl in.

 

[Mosby]

I have an ARE on my ZR2. Sort of limited on what was available for a short bed but I really like my ARE. No leaks etc., I got it with the side windows that lift up and windows with vents for my dogs. Really important to get a good dealer, not a chain store. I got mine from a family owned business that sells and repairs truck caps for over 25 years. If they don't put it on the truck properly it will torque and leak. I am tied up right now but will try to get a picture of it on my truck tomorrow.

 

[Marble]

For all our trucks we chose an option that replaces the side window sliders with windows that open and give full access to the bed. Not just the sliding window portion but the entire window. They lock with two or three twist style locks and have never leaked.

Self locking rear window that sincs with truck doors.

Removable rear window so it can be cleaned.

LED interior light.

 

[Tod osier]

For all our trucks we chose an option that replaces the side window sliders with windows that open and give full access to the bed. Not just the sliding window portion but the entire window. They lock with two or three twist style locks and have never leaked.

Self locking rear window that sincs with truck doors.

Removable rear window so it can be cleaned.

LED interior light.

depends On the truck and the guy for the side windows . I’d need a step ladder on my f250 and even on a 1/2 ton it would be a stretch for a little fella like me to use them.

self locking with the tailgate would be sweet! I considered it, but no one makes a mid height cap with a slam to lock rear window For f250.

 

[Hawkeye5964]

Hi all – just got a new truck and am in the market for a cap. I’ve never had one before so they are totally new to me. Any lessons learned or buyers tips for a cap newbie? Buy new or used? If you could provide make and model, that would be great. Currently looking at the Leer and ARE offerings but open to suggestions.

Specifically, if anyone has any photos of a capped Colorado ZR2 that would be great.

ARE is what I currently have. They are well built. https://www.4are.com/view/gallery.php

 

[manitou1]

A friend and I have Snug Tops. I have had mine for over 4 years. No leaks, no fails for either of us.

 

[Tod osier]

A friend and I have Snug Tops. I have had mine for over 4 years. No leaks, no fails for either of us.

just to save the OP time, snugtops aren’t available on the east coast, but I’ve heard good things about them.

I thought about seeing If I could try one out, picking it up when out west, but that seemed like too much of a hassle.

 

[Bassman]

I have an ARE on my ZR2. Sort of limited on what was available for a short bed but I really like my ARE. No leaks etc., I got it with the side windows that lift up and windows with vents for my dogs. Really important to get a good dealer, not a chain store. I got mine from a family owned business that sells and repairs truck caps for over 25 years. If they don't put it on the truck properly it will torque and leak. I am tied up right now but will try to get a picture of it on my truck tomorrow.

Which model ARE did you put on your ZR2? Pics would be great if not a hassle

 

[sasquatch]

Get some knee pads. That's my biggest complaint. When things roll to the back of the bed, its time to crawl in.

Get one of them extendable poles that are used for picking up duck decoys and leave it in the back!! Just about never have to climb in again. Also one of the ratchet bars to go across the bed to put behind ice chest or something to stop things from sliding forward


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[Mosby]

I think it is the V model with the Outdoorsman windoors on the side. They have slide vents in the middle. A tilt down front window and a single door lock on the rear. The windoors side doors are priceless. I would not order with out. I also got Yakima racks on top. I get a lot of compliments on it.

My wife just had surgery and I am dealing with her but I wil try and get you a picture if I can.

 

[Tod osier]

Get one of them extendable poles that are used for picking up duck decoys and leave it in the back!! Just about never have to climb in again. Also one of the ratchet bars to go across the bed to put behind ice chest or something to stop things from sliding forward


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also a mid height cap makes a lot of difference On the knees. The one I have now (leer 180, a mid height not the really tall style) is the first I’ve had that was taller than cab height and I really like it. With a tailgate step and the mid height, it isn’t but a second to jump in and grab something.

Cap porn...

 

[Marble]

depends On the truck and the guy for the side windows . I’d need a step ladder on my f250 and even on a 1/2 ton it would be a stretch for a little fella like me to use them.

self locking with the tailgate would be sweet! I considered it, but no one makes a mid height cap with a slam to lock rear window For f250.

Me too. We get steps that are full length so the side steps go from the front of the front door to just in front of the rear tire. We have lots of employees of different heights so the step allows people a little extra to get in the side window.

 

[Mosby]

Which model ARE did you put on your ZR2? Pics would be great if not a hassle

 

[Lookout85]

ARE with the Outdoorsman windoors on the sides. Those are super useful for access, venting etc. I also got a front slider. Very happy.

An aluminum pole with a right angle hook on the end (available at Fleet Farm) is super handy to avoid crawling into truck bed.