Home Forums Gear Hunting Trucks and Four-Wheel Drives ARE or Leer truck topper

I have only ever owned one truck cap and it was a ARE. I never had any problems out of it and the only time it ever leaked was once when a mounting clamp came loose and I was driving it in a thunderstorm.

I bought a new Tundra and the local ARE dealer has retired and closed up shop. There is still a local Leer dealer.

I went by the local Leer dealer and priced a 100Xr with windoors. I was about ready to order one until I started looking at the reviews on YouTube. According to YouTube the new Leers leak, come loose all the time, have a lot of overhang on the sides, etc.

I called a ARE dealer about a hour away and they priced me a topper for about $500 less. The ARE topper is the model V which is not as refined as 100xr (the way the glass is mounted to the topper). I have not found a bad review on YouTube about them but that might be because I believe there are a lot Leers in use.

Any have any recent experience with either Leer or ARE toppers? Would you pick on one over the other?

I’ve had 3 ARE shells. They have all been fine, with small leaks around the back glass that can be easily sealed. Be aware, I believe the V series is the value series and they have a reduced warranty compared to the other offerings. I would drive an hour each way to get an ARE over a leer for sure, based on what I’ve seen out of the leer shells I’ve looked at.

The only thing that I don't like on my upper end ARE is the dark tint to the glass. That makes it harder to see out the rear vision mirror at night. My dealer cautioned me to be careful not to break that tempered rear window glass because I won't like the replacement cost. An led light bar and that carpeted ceiling are nice options. I had a Glastite cap on a truck that I camped with and moisture from sleeping inside the bed of the truck promoted mold growth on the ceiling.

K1500,

I believe you’re correct that the V series is their value series. According to their website they only make the V series and the Z2 series for the new Tundra and Z2 series isn’t available with windoors.

I would much rather have one of the other series they offer but it doesn’t look like they are available for the Tundra at this time.

I had a Leer from circa 2013 or so. It was garbage. I have an Are now and the fit and finish is much better. It is sort of a mid tier model, but everything is done much better than the Leer I had.

I've had a Leer on my Tacoma since I bought it new in 2007. Paid $900. Have a Leer on my 2014 F150 ($1400) Prices have gone way up. Both are the basic model with nothing extra. Both are still in great shape. I did have to replace the pistons that keep the back window open on both trucks after a few years.

No personal experience with ARE. But I've been 100% satisfied with what I have and haven't seen any need to look elsewhere.

I haven't bought a truck cap for more than ten years but have had both in the past. Never a problem with either one. If anyone is thinking about a folding truck bed cover, I can tell you what not to buy!

Check out Craigslist you might find what your looking for at a fraction of the cost.

Very true. I had an '89 F150 with a cheap aluminum cap that rattled and I junked that one because I wanted a fiberglass cap. Ford had changed the box size, so nothing nearly new off Craigslist was going to fit. Then looking at Autotrader.com I found a fiberglass cap the exact same color on an old truck at a dealership. A road trip and $75.00 and they were happy to take it off their truck for me. Lots of used truck places remove the caps for some reason before they sell the truck.

I went with a ARE on me last one mainly based on reviews, and it has been great. With that being said watch how they fit to make sure they are not rubbing paint where there should be space to clear. I ended up having to put a 1/8"x 2" strip rubber peace on my bed rails to make sure things cleared.

What does a new cab height ARE canopy cost without a bunch of extras?

Last time I shopped was in 2017, for a new Tundra. At that time, all the fiberglass canopies that I looked at from ARE, LEER, etc. basically seemed like crap. I went to several local dealers to check them out in person. I bought an ARE but it really didn't seem any better or worse than the others.

My expectations might have been high though, as I was originally planning on a metal canopy.

As I said earlier I've had positive experiences with Leer. But there are too many negative posts to ignore. Unless I'm mistaken Leer has 2 manufacturing facilities. One in Indiana, and another in California. I wonder if there is a difference in quality depending on where they were made. Living in GA mine most likely came from Indiana. Could it be the ones made in California and sold in the west have more QC issues.

I have a pretty basic ARE cab high shell but added the sliding drop down front glass and windoors on both sides. $2,800 and a 16 week wait a year ago.

I’m guessing, I added about $450 with the extras.

Thanks guys. I appreciate the advice.

Have had three Leer caps on F150’s over the last 20 years and purchased another Leer last August for a new truck. Latest Leer is absolutely flawless in fit, finish and function. More than double the $$$’s of the last one and hopefully the last I’ll need.

Pretty sure that my Leer was made in Milton, PA.

Had a Leer on my F-150 Platinum worked great held up for 5 years, been trying to find a cap for a Jeep Gladiator,no luck so far, anyone got any idea's??? Rio7

I was the A.R.E. Dealer today and a Jeep Gladiator was getting a topper. I think A.R.E. Is making three different models for the Gladiator.

Seen quite a few in my AO with the Smartcap EVO. They look pretty good but I have no personal experience with them:

https://www.na.rsismartcap.com/products/smartcap-evo-jeep-gladiator