[WARSW]

This is a great post. I'm looking at these same two caps myself. This is perfect timing.

 

[ZMan079]

I have the Leer 100XR and the Bed Rug....

Leer Cap
http://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9211

Bed Rug
http://www.ram1500diesel.com/forum/showthread.php?t=9222

I think Leer did a great job on color match, this my 2nd Leer (3rd if you count the Century that I had on last truck is now owned by Leer)....

Very happy with it so far..... I got fold down sliding front window, cap liner (matches bed rug nicely), racks for fishing poles and clothes, and remote lock..

HTH,
ZMan079

 

[DieselDK]

I love my leer canopy. It works very well with my dogs. I also like the accessories that leer offers. I currently have the petscreens which are great, and I plan on getting the leer locker in the future which adds more storage!

 

[Sbrunotte]

Just looked at a SnugTop that had the best lines of any cap for the Ram I've ever seen. Windows looked amazing. I'll link a pick. Couldn't find a dealer, BECAUSE THERE'S ONLY ONE IN CANADA AND ITS 4,000 KMS AWAY! $2710 for the cap, and $800 for shipping. I wish I was still living out west =/

View attachment 70

Summerland is great place for a little vacation and the drive from ON is pretty nice. Last summer I did VCR to Ott and return over two weeks. Great trip and the truck loved the highway time.

 

[nstavros]

I purchased a SnugTop "Super Sport" Super Sport - Truck Cap | SNUGTOP for my 2015 6'4" bed. Let me first start off by saying that I’m always attracted to the “more expensive” options from any manufacturer. Here is my best value assessment in my opinion:

The SnugTop “Super Sport” comes standard with:
* Carpeted headliner, walls and rail
* frameless windows (very clean looking)
* small tilt-out window and large window is fixed (no screens)

I also purchased the following add-on options:
* Pro-Lock with Keyless Remote (this option automatically locks/unlocks the rear camper-shell/cap/topper door with all doors/tailgate by means of the stock Ram key fob or passive entry)
*2 each 24" LED strip lights mounted parallel alongside the wheel wells,
*“Sportsman's” package which includes clothes hanger & fishing rod holders in addition to supporting up to 500lbs on top (250lbs is standard).
* Fold down with sliding middle window (against cab)…this helps with cleaning the surfaces “in between the exterior of the cab and the exterior of the topper)
* Yakima roof rack and track

SnugTop requires the "Paint Code" from the driver side door panel to ensure they have an exact color match. I have the Bright Silver Metallic; the match is perfect! It is installed directly on top of the plastic bed rails (But NEVER touches any of the truck paint, neither on the bed, tailgate or the cab..

There are a few reasons why I chose SnugTop in lieu of LEER or A.R.E:


1 - I've owned a SnugTop tonneau cover on a previous truck of mine. I had the tonneau cover for 16 years without any issues. The clearcoat, paint, underside carpet, & locks never needed repair. The only thing I had to do is replace the 2 shocks after almost 10 years. Long story short, SnugTop has a great track record.
2 - I was told that A.R.E. are geared more towards Toyota rather than real trucks like ours.
3 - Leer and A.R.E. simply didn't seem as "complete" nor did they pay as close to attention to details as SnugTop. SnugTop seemed more custom and finished compared to the other brands.
4 - I went to 3 different local dealers in the Southern California area (2 in Orange County and 1 in Los Angeles). All 3 quoted me a range of prices that varied greatly FOR THE SAME cap/shell. I was specific on comparing apples-to-apples.
5 – I live in Southern California and SnugTop is manufactured approximately 35 miles away from my house.

Look on each manufacturer's website as they have monthly specials. Educate yourself as much as you can before going to dealers. I called each manufacturer to learn their products directly from them. By the time I went to the dealers and heard all the BS coming out of their mouths, I was positive I had more knowledge of the products than them.

I paid approximately $3,000

 

[ecodiesel13]

we're you hoping for something like this:

I made my own with LED tape light from SuperBrightLED.com

I made my own LED light strip in my old truck it was pretty easy to retro fit. I had the A.R.E dealer install the light strip as a stock feature on my new cap. I only wanted the center strip, but from the factory it only goes 3/4 the way back. It just might be the way the light kits are shipped to A.R.E. Mine on my old truck was a roll that I could cut to desired length.

 

[Crash68]

It just might be the way the light kits are shipped to A.R.E. Mine on my old truck was a roll that I could cut to desired length.

The factory Leer lights suck, a lighter puts out more light.
The LED tape lights are cut to length waterproof version. I am using the same ones under the bed lip on my buddies truck as he has a tonneau cover and wants bed lights.

 

[TStreet]

Seeing that this thread has been open for 2 to 3 years, I'm interested in knowing how things turned out with the LEER versus the ARE cap.... Wear, Tear, Durability, Installation problems, Maintenance Issues, Etc., - any and all help would be appreciated as I have to make a decision between them in the next 10 days and place an order......

Thanks for the help

 

[kswaterfowler]

I have an ARE Vseries. I had them put the sliders in the windoors for the dog, and I have the rope light option.

Be careful on the install. The whale tail that is installed to go over the lip of my tailgate has taken the paint down to bare metal and that sort of pisses me off. Also it doesn't seal at the corners, make sure they add the mudflaps. I contacted ARE and they sent me some.

 

[BlueMerleBC]

Caravan Camper Tops | Camper Tops and Canopy Tops in Reno | Custom Made Steel Weather Proof Truck Tops
$$$ but awesome...pretty much all you see here. Just sharing.

 

[nstavros]

Here's a few photos of the newest addition to my 2015 Laramie Ecodiesel.... My in vehicle, truck bed storage system called "DECKED" I have the 6'4" bed length and obviously purchased the corresponding DECKED system. The DECKED system has been installed for about 4 days and I've already used it as intended. The installation was quite simple (yet still somewhat time consuming as I did it all by myself). The most time consuming portion was installing all the numerous bolts/screws, besides that it was a simple install. I purchased the accessory locks, trays and dividers because I like to be organized and safe. I'm just an average guy whose truck bed is generally empty most of the week. Once the weekend comes, it's full of stuff (kids toys, water bottles, misc. belongings, etc.) as my family and I use the truck for all of our outings (4 year old, 2 year old and an 8-day old kid!).

You can buy directly from their website and do the install yourself! Check them out! AMERICAN MADE TOO!

 

[OurdoorsmanEco]

Between the Leer XL and the ARE Z which do you think fits better around the tailgate? would love to see photos of the caps on new Rams, I am having a hard time finding them on the web, if I do the angles are bad. Seeking input??

 

[Patroller8D]

I looked at Leer and ARE, ya nice but when it comes down to price I went with a Jason. Not top of the line but everything fits well and much cheaper. At first I thought dust was getting sucked in around the rear window and then discovered there are openings by the tie downs at the front and rear of the box. Have to McGuyver something to seal them off

 

[Crash68]

Between the Leer XL and the ARE Z which do you think fits better around the tailgate? would love to see photos of the caps on new Rams, I am having a hard time finding them on the web, if I do the angles are bad. Seeking input??

There is a plastic cap that goes over the entire lip of the tailgate on the Leer 100XL:

(yes I know the truck is dirty, it rained yesterday)

There are no leaks from running it through a car wash. I don't notice any dust build up inside.

 

[OurdoorsmanEco]

Thanks Crash68! I appreciate the photo and comments. I have a LeerXL on my 2005 Sierra and love the cap, recently replaced the latch and gate skirt as I am preparing to sell it when my Outdoorsman ED arrives. Have always had tops and debating between another Leer XL and ARE Z. The Z is $400 more as best I can tell the only difference is the internal hinge and slightly sharper angle on the back of the cap.

 

[Crash68]

Have always had tops and debating between another Leer XL and ARE Z.

Most of them have crappy lighting inside, if you look at my post (#57) in this thread, I added some custom LED lighting.
Don't know where your located but if your somewhere in S.E. Michigan, I recommend Tom's Auto Glass in Chesterfield, great customer service.

 

[OurdoorsmanEco]

I am in Minnesota. My truck has led lighting in the bed, so curious to see how it lights up the cap. My current lighting does suck, but I never did anything about it.

 

[RAM Fan]

We love our ARE with the rear walk-thru door. We opted for the hinged side windows that not only open with sliding screen windows but the entire frame tilts up to open up the complete space for maximum ventilation. The pictures show the walk-thru door as well as the hinged rear door for big item access. I have added a powered Fantastic Fan in the roof and my wife and I have no trouble sleeping on the custom full size bed we have in the back of the 6'-5" truck bed. I have also installed screens over the openings and also black out curtains. If anyone is interested, we are looking at slide-in campers and would be willing to part with this cap for a highly discounted price. I know this isn't the thread to advertise things for sale so please check the appropriate section here for the actual listing (give me an hour to compose it and upload more photos)

OK .... I haven't been on here in a long time and I can't find the page where we post things for sale, so I'm going to stretch the rules a bit and just note it here I guess (also include more pics)

Everything you see pretty much ... ARE shell, 12V powered Fantastic Fan, screens, curtains, 12V interior light, carpeted interior, clamp mounts, sliding glass front window for $1,800 ($1,850 including full size futon mattress)

 

[BlueMerleBC]

Ram Fan,
Here you go:Buy/Sell/Trade

 

[RAM Fan]

Ram Fan,
Here you go:Buy/Sell/Trade

Is it possible to just move this over ? Or should I just do a "cut and paste" to get it over there ?