ARE vs. Ranch Truck Caps

[scottNH]

Looking for opinions from people who have either ARE or Ranch cab-high truck caps for their Maverick. I've ruled out the LEER caps for a few reasons. I like the way the Ranch meets the third brake light versus how the ARE curves around the third brake light, but the gap between the cap and the cab seems bigger on the Ranch from what I can tell in photos I've seen. I live in New England and am concerned about snow/ice build-up (though seems like it could be a problem on either cap). I was originally leaning toward the ARE MX, but after learning that what looks like a skylight on the rise is not a window at all (seems silly). The Ranch mid-rise seems less dramatic, but I do like the aesthetics of having a cab-high cap.

For reference, I've got a 2022 XLT in Area 51 Blue

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[prsncat]

I had the A.R.E. MX-series (mid-rise) on my Maverick originally. I loved that shell, but my wife thought it was ugly. I sold it to an MTC member and ordered an A.R.E. V-series (cab-high). The V-series is on the truck now.

Someone else on MTC ordered the V-series, didn't like how limited the rear door travel was, and created a solution which worked great. Now the door of the V-series opens with the door about 135-degrees from its closed position -- much better!

The trick with the A.R.E. shells is to ensure the installer mounts it up close to the cab. Most are used to the separate bed from cab installations and set the shell back too far from the cab. The front of the shell should be close to the plastic on the back of the cab.

I ordered the optional drop-down front window so I could clean the area between the cab and the shell in addition to the back window of the cab.

The fit, finish, etc. of the A.R.E. shells is excellent.

Here are pictures of the truck with the MX-series as well as the V-series. Note that the shell is too far back in the MX-series picture. I had it moved up closer to the cab after this picture was taken.

The MX-series has the OTR (Line-X like material) exterior. The V-series is painted. If I did it again, I would get the OTR.

 

[scottNH]

Thanks @prsncat! This is very helpful input.

 

[Ozarkbeard]

I had the A.R.E. MX-series (mid-rise) on my Maverick originally. I loved that shell, but my wife thought it was ugly. I sold it to an MTC member and ordered an A.R.E. V-series (cab-high). The V-series is on the truck now.

Someone else on MTC ordered the V-series, didn't like how limited the rear door travel was, and created a solution which worked great. Now the door of the V-series opens with the door about 135-degrees from its closed position -- much better!

The trick with the A.R.E. shells is to ensure the installer mounts it up close to the cab. Most are used to the separate bed from cab installations and set the shell back too far from the cab. The front of the shell should be close to the plastic on the back of the cab.

I ordered the optional drop-down front window so I could clean the area between the cab and the shell in addition to the back window of the cab.

The fit, finish, etc. of the A.R.E. shells is excellent.

Here are pictures of the truck with the MX-series as well as the V-series. Note that the shell is too far back in the MX-series picture. I had it moved up closer to the cab after this picture was taken.

The MX-series has the OTR (Line-X like material) exterior. The V-series is painted. If I did it again, I would get the OTR.

Nice shell.

What wheels and tires are those?

 

[prsncat]

Nice shell.

What wheels and tires are those?

Wheels and tires: 17x7.5 ALPHAequipt Halo CUV Black Painted wheels with 245/70R-17 Vredestein Pinza All-Terrain tires

The wheels are unique since they have provisions for two valve stems (air up/down for off-road use).

The original 18-inch BAP wheels were installed on the Atlas Blue 2024 XL Hybrid Maverick, which I purchased for my wife and have since "sold" to my daughter and her husband. However, the all-terrain and off-road choices for 18-inch wheels are too limited, so I chose a 17-inch wheel.

 

[Maverick 24!]

Looking for opinions from people who have either ARE or Ranch cab-high truck caps for their Maverick. I've ruled out the LEER caps for a few reasons. I like the way the Ranch meets the third brake light versus how the ARE curves around the third brake light, but the gap between the cap and the cab seems bigger on the Ranch from what I can tell in photos I've seen. I live in New England and am concerned about snow/ice build-up (though seems like it could be a problem on either cap). I was originally leaning toward the ARE MX, but after learning that what looks like a skylight on the rise is not a window at all (seems silly). The Ranch mid-rise seems less dramatic, but I do like the aesthetics of having a cab-high cap.

For reference, I've got a 2022 XLT in Area 51 Blue

Looking for opinions from people who have either ARE or Ranch cab-high truck caps for their Maverick. I've ruled out the LEER caps for a few reasons. I like the way the Ranch meets the third brake light versus how the ARE curves around the third brake light, but the gap between the cap and the cab seems bigger on the Ranch from what I can tell in photos I've seen. I live in New England and am concerned about snow/ice build-up (though seems like it could be a problem on either cap). I was originally leaning toward the ARE MX, but after learning that what looks like a skylight on the rise is not a window at all (seems silly). The Ranch mid-rise seems less dramatic, but I do like the aesthetics of having a cab-high cap.

For reference, I've got a 2022 XLT in Area 51 Blue

I Have the Ranch cab height with front slider and drop down window, side sliders , heavy rear glass window and carpeted inside. It fits awsome and is good security.

 

[Meeka]

I had the A.R.E. MX-series (mid-rise) on my Maverick originally. I loved that shell, but my wife thought it was ugly. I sold it to an MTC member and ordered an A.R.E. V-series (cab-high). The V-series is on the truck now.

Someone else on MTC ordered the V-series, didn't like how limited the rear door travel was, and created a solution which worked great. Now the door of the V-series opens with the door about 135-degrees from its closed position -- much better!

The trick with the A.R.E. shells is to ensure the installer mounts it up close to the cab. Most are used to the separate bed from cab installations and set the shell back too far from the cab. The front of the shell should be close to the plastic on the back of the cab.

I ordered the optional drop-down front window so I could clean the area between the cab and the shell in addition to the back window of the cab.

The fit, finish, etc. of the A.R.E. shells is excellent.

Here are pictures of the truck with the MX-series as well as the V-series. Note that the shell is too far back in the MX-series picture. I had it moved up closer to the cab after this picture was taken.

The MX-series has the OTR (Line-X like material) exterior. The V-series is painted. If I did it again, I would get the OTR.

Your wife is right, the V-series looks better, IMHO. Wonder if you could get that one with the textured coating as the MX- series, the exterior looks cool!

 

[prsncat]

Your wife is right, the V-series looks better, IMHO. Wonder if you could get that one with the textured coating as the MX- series, the exterior looks cool!

Yes, you can get the V-series with the OTR.

I forgot (in my original post) to mention something I learned about the side windows. Although my MX-series didn't have the window-doors (opening windows) (it had fixed sliding windows), they are an option on the MX-series. They are not an option on the V-series. Thus, if you want to be able to open doors from the side, you have to go with the MX-series if you are going with A.R.E.

 

[Timothyd]

I had the A.R.E. MX-series (mid-rise) on my Maverick originally. I loved that shell, but my wife thought it was ugly. I sold it to an MTC member and ordered an A.R.E. V-series (cab-high). The V-series is on the truck now.

Someone else on MTC ordered the V-series, didn't like how limited the rear door travel was, and created a solution which worked great. Now the door of the V-series opens with the door about 135-degrees from its closed position -- much better!

The trick with the A.R.E. shells is to ensure the installer mounts it up close to the cab. Most are used to the separate bed from cab installations and set the shell back too far from the cab. The front of the shell should be close to the plastic on the back of the cab.

I ordered the optional drop-down front window so I could clean the area between the cab and the shell in addition to the back window of the cab.

The fit, finish, etc. of the A.R.E. shells is excellent.

Here are pictures of the truck with the MX-series as well as the V-series. Note that the shell is too far back in the MX-series picture. I had it moved up closer to the cab after this picture was taken.

The MX-series has the OTR (Line-X like material) exterior. The V-series is painted. If I did it again, I would get the OTR.

The low rise makes the Mav look good. One of the reasons I got a cheap tonneau cover is that I'm hoping the prices come down in the future. Seems like a lot for such a small bed.

 

[shadyglenn]

I had the A.R.E. MX-series (mid-rise) on my Maverick originally. I loved that shell, but my wife thought it was ugly. I sold it to an MTC member and ordered an A.R.E. V-series (cab-high). The V-series is on the truck now.

Someone else on MTC ordered the V-series, didn't like how limited the rear door travel was, and created a solution which worked great. Now the door of the V-series opens with the door about 135-degrees from its closed position -- much better!

The trick with the A.R.E. shells is to ensure the installer mounts it up close to the cab. Most are used to the separate bed from cab installations and set the shell back too far from the cab. The front of the shell should be close to the plastic on the back of the cab.

I ordered the optional drop-down front window so I could clean the area between the cab and the shell in addition to the back window of the cab.

The fit, finish, etc. of the A.R.E. shells is excellent.

Here are pictures of the truck with the MX-series as well as the V-series. Note that the shell is too far back in the MX-series picture. I had it moved up closer to the cab after this picture was taken.

The MX-series has the OTR (Line-X like material) exterior. The V-series is painted. If I did it again, I would get the OTR.

What was the fix on the rear window/door to allow the additional height?

 

[prsncat]

What was the fix on the rear window/door to allow the additional height?

It involved replacing the brackets attached to the shell and the shocks. Someone smarter than me figured out what to use and posted the part numbers for buying it here:

(2) Fix for low rising hatch door on ARE toppers | MaverickTruckClub - 2022+ Ford Maverick Pickup Forum, News, Owners, Discussions

Hope that helps.

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