A.R.E. V Series Truck Cap. Gap between cap and back of cab.

[JimG1127]

I took delivery of my Maverick XLT mid October. A.R.E. cap installed 2 weeks later. I love the cap. The inside area has always been dry even after heavy rain. The good news is that rain that falls between the cap and the back of the cab drains out and does not get into the bed. What I don't like is that leaves and snow accumulate there. I have the tilt in window in the cap so I can clean it out. I would prefer to have some kind of heavy duty weatherstrip to fill the gap between the cap and the back of the cab. The A.R.E. dealer told me the gap is there because the bed can flex. This is true on traditional pickup trucks but not on a unit body pickup like the Maverick. Has anyone found some kind of weatherstrip that would cover this gap and keep the area clean? A.R.E. does not make one.
Another issue is the cap tailgate window does not open up all the way. Its travel seems to be limited by the shock / damper piston. Has anyone found a solution?
Thanks! - Jim

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[grandpa_disney]

Ok This is an old thread, but I do have the same issue with leaves and crap getting caught in between the 2 windows. I do not have a tilt rear window or a slider in the truck. Did you find a solution to filling the gap?

 

[Dave O]

I use a battery powered leaf blower to clear that area it only takes a few seconds to clear and you can store it in the bed or under the rear seat

 

[VX2]

I took delivery of my Maverick XLT mid October. A.R.E. cap installed 2 weeks later. I love the cap. The inside area has always been dry even after heavy rain. The good news is that rain that falls between the cap and the back of the cab drains out and does not get into the bed. What I don't like is that leaves and snow accumulate there. I have the tilt in window in the cap so I can clean it out. I would prefer to have some kind of heavy duty weatherstrip to fill the gap between the cap and the back of the cab. The A.R.E. dealer told me the gap is there because the bed can flex. This is true on traditional pickup trucks but not on a unit body pickup like the Maverick. Has anyone found some kind of weatherstrip that would cover this gap and keep the area clean? A.R.E. does not make one.
Another issue is the cap tailgate window does not open up all the way. Its travel seems to be limited by the shock / damper piston. Has anyone found a solution?
Thanks! - Jim

Bought a Mabett spoiler to help keep snow and water diverted from gap. Taped a clear 4 inch plastic over the gap. Works and doesn't look too bad. Will probably have to replace tape once in a while and spoiler was not a perfect fit with the canopy corners.

 

[melani]

On the Ford Maverick equipped with an ARE cell, the space between the cell and the rear of the cab is intentional, even on a monocoque pickup, because the bed retains a slight independent movement; it is therefore not recommended to fill it with a rigid joint.

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[grandpa_disney]

I did find this Flexible Microfiber duster which gets the crud out. I wrap shop towels around it to dry the window.

It has been raining pretty constantly here in the PNW. Once it drys out a bit I will be putting PPF over the gap and see how that works.

Things I should have done, but was too cheap to do so.

Headliner. ARE is pretty rough inside and sheds fiberglass. I did not expect it to be made this cheaply. How much does it cost to glaze the inside?

Flip down rear window. That would make cleaning a lot easier.

Oh well, Live and Learn I guess.

 

[Pointyears]

I did find this Flexible Microfiber duster which gets the crud out. I wrap shop towels around it to dry the window.

It has been raining pretty constantly here in the PNW. Once it drys out a bit I will be putting PPF over the gap and see how that works.

Things I should have done, but was too cheap to do so.

Headliner. ARE is pretty rough inside and sheds fiberglass. I did not expect it to be made this cheaply. How much does it cost to glaze the inside?

Flip down rear window. That would make cleaning a lot easier.

Oh well, Live and Learn I guess.

I have an ARE on order. Both a finished interior and a (free!) tilt down window were options….

 

[JimG1127]

On the Ford Maverick equipped with an ARE cell, the space between the cell and the rear of the cab is intentional, even on a monocoque pickup, because the bed retains a slight independent movement; it is therefore not recommended to fill it with a rigid joint.

I was under the impression that on a unibody vehicle such as the Maverick the bed will not flex independantly of the cab.

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