ARE vs. SnugTop/Leer cab height cap — opinions?

[BEC]

We've had a Lariat hybrid for just over two weeks. We had pretty much planned to put a cap on it as we had them on the two prior little pickups we had (Mazda B2200, then B2600i).

In looking about it appears there are two major choices: ARE and SnugTop/Leer.

First of all, are there any "don''t do it!" stories for either brand?

Second, what is it about the Leer group product that makes it worth about $1000 more similarly configured?

The only options I want are some lighting inside, a sliding front window so we can still sort of use the slider in the cab, and rack rails that will eventually have my wife's Thule Hullavator kayak rack installed on them and the quotes I have gotten are ~$3200 for ARE and $4200 for SnugTop/Leer from local dealers (just south of Seattle).

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[Timothyd]

We've had a Lariat hybrid for just over two weeks. We had pretty much planned to put a cap on it as we had them on the two prior little pickups we had (Mazda B2200, then B2600i).

In looking about it appears there are two major choices: ARE and SnugTop/Leer.

First of all, are there any "don''t do it!" stories for either brand?

Second, what is it about the Leer group product that makes it worth about $1000 more similarly configured?

The only options I want are some lighting inside, a sliding front window so we can still sort of use the slider in the cab, and rack rails that will eventually have my wife's Thule Hullavator kayak rack installed on them and the quotes I have gotten are ~$3200 for ARE and $4200 for SnugTop/Leer from local dealers (just south of Seattle).

Both are pricey. I wonder if they'll ever come down?

 

[Maverckfoolz]

I have an A.R.E. and decided to go with the non-roof height one. The added roof height allows for a-lot more options when moving cargo that the lower roof couldn't fit.

 

[Steamey]

I have an A.R.E. and decided to go with the non-roof height one. The added roof height allows for a-lot more options when moving cargo that the lower roof couldn't fit.

I would love to see a photo of your A.R.E cap.

 

[Maverickman74]

First question, are you losing your hair or do you shave your head or wear a buzz cut? If so go with the tallest cap you can find. The Maverick is a short truck and even with the ARE MX topper(the tallest anyone makes other than AREs DCU crazy tall aluminum model) I still hit my scalp on the rear window and side windoor. Also im 6ft and my Mav is a Tremor.

As for your options and needs I cant say enough about the windoors and I wish we had gotten them on both sides. They make reaching every part of the bed without climbing in possible. If your topper is for your pets and they are small then my solution to hold the windoor halfway down with a bit of paracord may not be the best and you would be better off with the screened sliders. Also the lighting is a fairly expensive option also. I did a bit of a writeup on here about my modifications so far to it. The lighting cost me a little over $100 i think and a few good hours time. Your results may vary. But if you are penny pinching DIY is the way to go on the lighting. The toppers already have your 3rd brake light wired up and you can follow its wiring to the topper from the 12v taps in the bed.

Plenty of pictures in these threads about my ARE MX. We did pay $4000 for it with the specialty paint, drivers side windoor, folding sliding front door, and roof rails.

If they had been available where I had to pick mine up I might have gone with a Ranch or Jason model. They are very very similar to the ARE and possibly might seal better. As is I get about a half a cup of water coming in the front corners when I go to the car wash. Not enough to bother me really. When I go to the self wash I get more than that in the bed through the tailgate sides anyways. We also park under cover overnight. At Maui lumber prices a 20x16 carport cost the same as our topper. No labor included.

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/video-added-diy-are-topper-lighting.37575/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/are-mx-topper-cargo-mods.37285/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/home-made-topper-cross-bars-plus-trucks-stuff.36644/

 

[Raymundo76]

We've had a Lariat hybrid for just over two weeks. We had pretty much planned to put a cap on it as we had them on the two prior little pickups we had (Mazda B2200, then B2600i).

In looking about it appears there are two major choices: ARE and SnugTop/Leer.

First of all, are there any "don''t do it!" stories for either brand?

Second, what is it about the Leer group product that makes it worth about $1000 more similarly configured?

The only options I want are some lighting inside, a sliding front window so we can still sort of use the slider in the cab, and rack rails that will eventually have my wife's Thule Hullavator kayak rack installed on them and the quotes I have gotten are ~$3200 for ARE and $4200 for SnugTop/Leer from local dealers (just south of Seattle).

Ordered an ARE MX on the 21st. It was $4200 out the door; which was $800 more for 5.5 in of added ht. Including llnlng, Tilt front slider, and a dome lite. The MX is not as sleek; but the added ht will be usefull. Wt is about 160 lbs.

 

[tom_tucker]

Checking back, mine was $3137 with tax, ARE MX. The cab height V would be fine I'm sure, but I like the extra space. I'm hoping to fold a king size foam mattress inside like the St. Louis arch without removing the cap. Haven't tried it yet but I need to soon and drive it 3 hours.

I just hooked up a ski rack with some old plywood boards and old ski rack, super cheap. Next thing is a hanging cargo net for that extra attic space.

 

[BEC]

So far all ARE, apparently. The windoors bed access aspect is worth thinking about. I was thinking screened sliders mainly for simplicity and perhaps making unauthorized access slightly more difficult.

We have no pets anymore, so that is not a consideration.

The main reason for a cap is dry taller-than-just-the-bed stuff carriage. Even the V will allow much taller loads than just a tonneau cover and also the back of the Mazda hatchback that the Maverick replaced.

I don't suppose either of you with the MX noticed any fuel economy hit for the added drag. It won't be much drag, but there will be some.

I went up and talked with the nearby Leer/Snugtop dealer yesterday. They can't even predict a delivery flowtime for the Leer 100XQ Sport for the Maverick. Apparently the mold was just released to production — announced at a recent show. It's a little prettier but it's almost $4K BEFORE options.

The ARE dealer nearby quoted me 6 to 8 weeks lead time.

Keep the info coming, guys....thanks!

 

[tom_tucker]

So far all ARE, apparently. The windoors bed access aspect is worth thinking about. I was thinking screened sliders mainly for simplicity and perhaps making unauthorized access slightly more difficult.

We have no pets anymore, so that is not a consideration.

The main reason for a cap is dry taller-than-just-the-bed stuff carriage. Even the V will allow much taller loads than just a tonneau cover and also the back of the Mazda hatchback that the Maverick replaced.

I don't suppose either of you with the MX noticed any fuel economy hit for the added drag. It won't be much drag, but there will be some.

I went up and talked with the nearby Leer/Snugtop dealer yesterday. They can't even predict a delivery flowtime for the Leer 100XQ Sport for the Maverick. Apparently the mold was just released to production — announced at a recent show. It's a little prettier but it's almost $4K BEFORE options.

The ARE dealer nearby quoted me 6 to 8 weeks lead time.

Keep the info coming, guys....thanks!

Small mpg hit, 1-2 mpg after the cap installed. Im still at 44mpg average on the dash due to efficient driving.

I drove 15 min to the cheapest exxon in town and got another $0.50 off per gallon in rewards today. I think driving style, route and gas price are the real fuel economy factors. I don't notice the cap.

 

[Maverickman74]

So far all ARE, apparently. The windoors bed access aspect is worth thinking about. I was thinking screened sliders mainly for simplicity and perhaps making unauthorized access slightly more difficult.

We have no pets anymore, so that is not a consideration.

The main reason for a cap is dry taller-than-just-the-bed stuff carriage. Even the V will allow much taller loads than just a tonneau cover and also the back of the Mazda hatchback that the Maverick replaced.

I don't suppose either of you with the MX noticed any fuel economy hit for the added drag. It won't be much drag, but there will be some.

I went up and talked with the nearby Leer/Snugtop dealer yesterday. They can't even predict a delivery flowtime for the Leer 100XQ Sport for the Maverick. Apparently the mold was just released to production — announced at a recent show. It's a little prettier but it's almost $4K BEFORE options.

The ARE dealer nearby quoted me 6 to 8 weeks lead time.

Keep the info coming, guys....thanks!

I got mine installed immediately when we picked our up on our vacation. I was only topless for like 20 min. I will say our Tremor gets between 20 and 22 mpg. But we live off road on one of the tallest mountains in the world(Maui). Also with the topper it got 31 avg for a whole tank on the highway once.

The windoors do have locks on em keyed with the back window so it pretty secure. Its all fiberglass so its not like its hard to get into for someone who wants to.

Ours was shipped in 4 weeks when they told us the same as you.

 

[Maverickman74]

Checking back, mine was $3137 with tax, ARE MX. The cab height V would be fine I'm sure, but I like the extra space. I'm hoping to fold a king size foam mattress inside like the St. Louis arch without removing the cap. Haven't tried it yet but I need to soon and drive it 3 hours.

I just hooked up a ski rack with some old plywood boards and old ski rack, super cheap. Next thing is a hanging cargo net for that extra attic space.

Thats wild they mounted the clothes hangers sideways on yours, or maybe mine are sideways lol.

The net is nice. We found one that is mesh with 2 zippered compartments. I highly recomend doing some sort of inside ceiling rail. It has come in hands several times and spaces the net out nicely.

 

[tkammen270]

I just placed an order for my ARE V Series on Friday. The place I ordered it from told me the lead time is 4 to 6 weeks. I didn't get anything fancy, normal sliding windows on the side with a grey carpeted roof. The total was just under 2700. This will be my first truck with a cap. Hopefully it's a good experience.

 

[Onewheelsqueel]

Scored my Snugtop mid height cap off marketplace for $2000 and traded my factory hard tri fold tonneau cover.

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