A.R.E. Topper rear window height - V vs MX?

[pretenderfishing]

Hi all! One week owner of a 24 Maverick xlt. Would you please help me with customization?

I 100% plan to add a truck topper and have settled on the ARE. Now I'm just trying to decide if I can get the v-series which I like the look of better or if I need to get the MX series so that I don't lose an eyeball. I'm 6'5, so I'm assuming that either of them might present an issue. I realize that there is obviously a difference in the utility of the two models, but if that was my main concern, I'd keep my Avalanche.

If you have one of these toppers, would you please reply with a measurement from the pavement to the corners of the open rear window? I know there will be some variation due to tires and suspensions and such, but it should give me a better idea. Thank you very much for your help!

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[tom_tucker]

Does the V series come with windoors? If you can access from the side that would help. With the V, you'll just open the tailgate each time along with the back window. With the MX, sometimes I can just use the window. Not that big of a deal. The Mx seems to add some drag. The extra headroom is nice but it's a trade-off. I'm 8" shorter than you so I have a fighting chance to kneel under the MX. Just go with the one you want, sounds like the V.

 

[MM Mav]

@Maverickman74 see OP's measurement request!

 

[Maverickman74]

I'll get ya a decent measurement tomorrow. My parking is gravel so it wont be perfect. Im gonna say it about 5'11" to the corners of the opened rear window given the spot at which I hit my 6ft dome on. My truck is a stock Tremor. So lets say its about 5'10" on a hybrid. Im only 6ft tall and I encounter plenty things in a given day that are too small. I can only guess how things are at your height, but I would have to really love the look of the V to live with the low of a topper. I personally think the cab height toppers look odd on a small truck. Its fine on a full size or larger but on a small truck I think the kick up looks just right.

But like I said if you love the look and dont care about stooping, go for the V. But if your back hurts thinking about that and are a function over form guy, go for the MX.

 

[prsncat]

Believe it or not, I have owned both. I sold the MX-series to a MTC member, and I currently have the V-series.

I wasn't sure what measurement you were looking for: 1) The highest point (from the ground? or the tailgate?) for the opening (with the door open), or 2) The height of the door's edge when open.

1) I measured from the ground to the highest point in the opening to the ground is approximately 5'4". My Maverick has a 2-inch lift kit and oversize (245/70-17) tires. I would estimate it added three inches to this height. The opening height - measured from the bed - is approximately 32 inches. If I sit on the tailgate, I have to duck down to avoid hitting my head. I can sit up once inside the bed. I didn't have this issue with the MX-series.

The door shock travel length determines the door opening height.

• The MX-series door shock has a lot of length to travel. Thus, the door opens upward. If I say the closed is zero (0) degrees angle, the open angle is about 135 degrees up.
• The V-series door shock has less travel length. Thus, the door opens straight out or about 90 degrees from closed. It would hit me near my eyes if I was to run into the door when open.
  
  Yet, someone else on MTC figured out what brackets and shocks to buy to allow the door to open to about 135 degrees.
  
  I did, however, run into a problem. I ordered the T-handle locks on either side of the door instead of the single T-handle in the middle. I suspect the original poster has the single T-handle in the middle configuration because the rod ends would slide horizontally into the locking position -- they won't interfere with the new brackets. My dual T-handle configuration uses a 2-inch cam that rotates 90 degrees into the locking position. The cam hits the new bracket. I will be modifying the cams to see if I can trim them enough to clear the bracket while still striking the locking plate.

Everyone I know disliked the look of the MX-series when mounted on the truck. Yet, I appreciated the opening height and the additional height for things inside.

Everyone I know likes the look of the V-series on the truck. Yet, the opening height is a limitation. If you order the V-series, get the T-handle in the middle instead of the dual T-handles and make the same modifications the original poster and I have made. Getting the door to open up instead of out toward you makes a significant difference.

You cannot get the win-doors for either shell. The solid doors might be available for both shells. Both my MX- and V-series shells had sliding side windows.

FWIW, the MX-series had the OTR (Line-X style covering) instead of painted to match and I think it looked really good. The V-series was painted to match. If I did it again, I probably would spring for the OTR again since it looks good next to the black plastics on the Maverick's bed.

Feel free to direct message me with any additional questions.

 

[Maverickman74]

Believe it or not, I have owned both. I sold the MX-series to a MTC member, and I currently have the V-series.

I wasn't sure what measurement you were looking for: 1) The highest point (from the ground? or the tailgate?) for the opening (with the door open), or 2) The height of the door's edge when open.

1) I measured from the ground to the highest point in the opening to the ground is approximately 5'4". My Maverick has a 2-inch lift kit and oversize (245/70-17) tires. I would estimate it added three inches to this height. The opening height - measured from the bed - is approximately 32 inches. If I sit on the tailgate, I have to duck down to avoid hitting my head. I can sit up once inside the bed. I didn't have this issue with the MX-series.

The door shock travel length determines the door opening height.

• The MX-series door shock has a lot of length to travel. Thus, the door opens upward. If I say the closed is zero (0) degrees angle, the open angle is about 135 degrees up.
• The V-series door shock has less travel length. Thus, the door opens straight out or about 90 degrees from closed. It would hit me near my eyes if I was to run into the door when open.
  
  Yet, someone else on MTC figured out what brackets and shocks to buy to allow the door to open to about 135 degrees.
  
  I did, however, run into a problem. I ordered the T-handle locks on either side of the door instead of the single T-handle in the middle. I suspect the original poster has the single T-handle in the middle configuration because the rod ends would slide horizontally into the locking position -- they won't interfere with the new brackets. My dual T-handle configuration uses a 2-inch cam that rotates 90 degrees into the locking position. The cam hits the new bracket. I will be modifying the cams to see if I can trim them enough to clear the bracket while still striking the locking plate.

Everyone I know disliked the look of the MX-series when mounted on the truck. Yet, I appreciated the opening height and the additional height for things inside.

Everyone I know likes the look of the V-series on the truck. Yet, the opening height is a limitation. If you order the V-series, get the T-handle in the middle instead of the dual T-handles and make the same modifications the original poster and I have made. Getting the door to open up instead of out toward you makes a significant difference.

You cannot get the win-doors for either shell. The solid doors might be available for both shells. Both my MX- and V-series shells had sliding side windows.

FWIW, the MX-series had the OTR (Line-X style covering) instead of painted to match and I think it looked really good. The V-series was painted to match. If I did it again, I probably would spring for the OTR again since it looks good next to the black plastics on the Maverick's bed.

Feel free to direct message me with any additional questions.

***
On the MX the windoors are available for both sides. The sliding windoors are not. Not sure on the V series. If you use the bed alot the windoors are so nice. I have one. I wish it were 2.

 

[prsncat]

***
On the MX the windoors are available for both sides. The sliding windoors are not. Not sure on the V series. If you use the bed alot the windoors are so nice. I have one. I wish it were 2.

For what it is worth, the win-doors were not available when I ordered my MX-series.

I was very disappointed when I learned they were not available for the V-series since I knew they were available for the MX-series. The online configurator allows you to specify them. Yet, A.R.E. won't accept the order unless you change them to the sliding windows.

 

[pretenderfishing]

Believe it or not, I have owned both. I sold the MX-series to a MTC member, and I currently have the V-series.

I wasn't sure what measurement you were looking for: 1) The highest point (from the ground? or the tailgate?) for the opening (with the door open), or 2) The height of the door's edge when open.

1) I measured from the ground to the highest point in the opening to the ground is approximately 5'4". My Maverick has a 2-inch lift kit and oversize (245/70-17) tires. I would estimate it added three inches to this height. The opening height - measured from the bed - is approximately 32 inches. If I sit on the tailgate, I have to duck down to avoid hitting my head. I can sit up once inside the bed. I didn't have this issue with the MX-series.

The door shock travel length determines the door opening height.

• The MX-series door shock has a lot of length to travel. Thus, the door opens upward. If I say the closed is zero (0) degrees angle, the open angle is about 135 degrees up.
• The V-series door shock has less travel length. Thus, the door opens straight out or about 90 degrees from closed. It would hit me near my eyes if I was to run into the door when open.
  
  Yet, someone else on MTC figured out what brackets and shocks to buy to allow the door to open to about 135 degrees.
  
  I did, however, run into a problem. I ordered the T-handle locks on either side of the door instead of the single T-handle in the middle. I suspect the original poster has the single T-handle in the middle configuration because the rod ends would slide horizontally into the locking position -- they won't interfere with the new brackets. My dual T-handle configuration uses a 2-inch cam that rotates 90 degrees into the locking position. The cam hits the new bracket. I will be modifying the cams to see if I can trim them enough to clear the bracket while still striking the locking plate.

Everyone I know disliked the look of the MX-series when mounted on the truck. Yet, I appreciated the opening height and the additional height for things inside.

Everyone I know likes the look of the V-series on the truck. Yet, the opening height is a limitation. If you order the V-series, get the T-handle in the middle instead of the dual T-handles and make the same modifications the original poster and I have made. Getting the door to open up instead of out toward you makes a significant difference.

You cannot get the win-doors for either shell. The solid doors might be available for both shells. Both my MX- and V-series shells had sliding side windows.

FWIW, the MX-series had the OTR (Line-X style covering) instead of painted to match and I think it looked really good. The V-series was painted to match. If I did it again, I probably would spring for the OTR again since it looks good next to the black plastics on the Maverick's bed.

Feel free to direct message me with any additional questions.

Thank you very much for such a detailed response. I was thinking that this would be a "down-the-road" idea with a used tonneau in the meantime, but it turns out that was a scam, so I might be shopping for one of these sooner than expected. Your feedback is super thorough and useful.

 

[tom_tucker]

Cap should last the lifetime of the truck, so I think of the depreciation as such. It's a big investment, but worth it. I spent $0 on other solutions. I'm a cheap guy, just want to buy once.

 

[pretenderfishing]

Cap should last the lifetime of the truck, so I think of the depreciation as such. It's a big investment, but worth it. I spent $0 on other solutions. I'm a cheap guy, just want to buy once.

I agree. With my last truck, I kept waiting for "someday" to modify it into the truck I wanted it to be. When I finally made some of those mods, I wished I had done so sooner so I could have enjoyed them. I don't want to do that again and want to enjoy this truck fully here very soon. But I'm not the only one who makes these decisions in the house

The tonneau was a cheap used stopgap. Someone posted a link on here to a wrecker yard on FB. Turns out it was a scam. So back to shopping for the topper and lobbying at the dinner table...

 

[Gvmumbral]

I agree. With my last truck, I kept waiting for "someday" to modify it into the truck I wanted it to be. When I finally made some of those mods, I wished I had done so sooner so I could have enjoyed them. I don't want to do that again and want to enjoy this truck fully here very soon. But I'm not the only one who makes these decisions in the house

The tonneau was a cheap used stopgap. Someone posted a link on here to a wrecker yard on FB. Turns out it was a scam. So back to shopping for the topper and lobbying at the dinner table...

There are a couple of toppers on FB marketplace in Los Angeles. And in Long Beach there are 2 available.

 

[Maverickman74]

For what it is worth, the win-doors were not available when I ordered my MX-series.

I was very disappointed when I learned they were not available for the V-series since I knew they were available for the MX-series. The online configurator allows you to specify them. Yet, A.R.E. won't accept the order unless you change them to the sliding windows.

I remember you mentioning that. It seems wild to me and I feel like that had to be dealer pushing type scenario or something I dont know. I did have some back and forth with the dealer in Des Moines (American Toppers) on the sliding windoors but they had no problem switching to the windoor on the official order. I just wish I got both sides.

 

[Maverickman74]

Ok got ya a good measurment set.

67" to the point i can hit my head on the center locking knob linkage on the middle of the opened rear window.

70" to the bottom corner of the window like if you are walking around the corner and bonk into it.

73" to the top edge of the same corners of the opened rear window.

 

[pretenderfishing]

Thanks to @Maverickman74 , @prsncat , and everyone else who relayed information in the post. Despite my strong feelings on the looks, I am ordering an MX cap. I took a tapemeasure out and I just cannot see myself enjoying a V on that truck. The MX will still be tight for me, but it will be better. It also has almost enough clearance that I can sit up inside, which should help a ton when I sleep back there (tailgate down and legs hanging out, lol).

I went with the OTR coating because I might be trading in for a 2026 Maverick Hybrid if they come out with AWD in 2025. I figured the OTR will be more marketable if they change the bed size on the '26 trucks. Windoors on the sides. Although I want screens, I don't want dinky little slider windows. I want massive ventilation, so I'll make my own screens to attach around the inside of the windoors. I also got the drop down picture window for the front. I don't think it will help much with ventilation, but I want to be able to clean the gap and rear window of the truck.

Still debating on the headliner. I'm comfortable with fiberglass work, so no headliner would allow me to epoxy whatever I want on the inside. On the other hand, the headliner would be nice if I could velcro things to it like the mosquito screens.

They asked if I wanted to keep the fake "vista" window on the front slope. I decided to keep it because I might one day decide to do some fiberglass mods (extra vented window?) and figure it would be handy to have something there to start with.

 

[tkammen270]

Share some pictures when you get it! I put longer struts on my V series window. It now opens much larger and I can sit on the tailgate comfortably.

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