Fiberglass Truck Topper

[RealMuddyboots]

I have a Ranch cap on my 2009 Ram 2500 8' bed that I bought same time of truck new in 2009. The front window flips down so you can clean backside of your cab windows. Side windows screened sliders. Crazy but the rear window pistons still work fine after all these years. Interior lighting still works great. The cap is removed at times for a truck camper and seals good when I put it back on. Simple wood frame built so I back in between frame, unbolt, raise my back up so cap lifts slightly, slide 2x4 across front and rear of cap. Drive out. Cap is never torqued which saves the structural integrity. It does not leak at all even being this old.

I put a XXL cot in truck under cap for quick overnighters though I have done 3 days comfortably. I am 6'5" 265 svelte Sasquatch and still feel its comfortable even though I am 3/4 Century old.

The front window folding down is really nice feature plus it still has a slider so it matches up to my truck slider. Not sure what I would use that feature for other than sliding a 12' 2x4 up through so inside truck.

 

[Fire_9]

I went with a "Flated" topper. It is under 80 pounds, I can take it off or put it back on by myself. It deflates, and I can put it in my cargo carrier when I want to use the truck bed. I have a Honda 4-wheeler I use a lot, and it fits in the back. When I get to where I'm camping, I unload and put the topper on to camp. It has a 12-volt air pump and takes 10 minutes to inflate or deflate.

They are made in Missoula, Montana.

I just heard about these a couple weeks ago and it seems like a pretty interesting concept. All the reviews I've seen are pretty positive as well

 

[Wild Bill]

I've had my Leer for 8 years, it was leaking badly around the windows after 2 years, the rear glass/frame is falling apart, the gas pistons didn't last, removable/sliding front glass frame doesn't fit in the opening and has 1/2" of clear space if it slides all the way to one side, side window seals dried out and cracked after 4 years, I'll never buy another Leer

My leer doesn’t leak unless it’s blowing hard as well. Gas pistons were totally shot when I got it. Seals all suck.
I’ll be looking for something different in my next one as well.

 

[Two Trax]

I have had very good service with a Jeraco fiberglass units. They are still made in PA.

 

[Bonasababy]

ARE midrise. Side windows open up, which I highly recommend. Carpeted roof to prevent condensation when sleeping in there. It was pricey (I bought it new), but worth it. No regrets.

Same thing here! I went with the windoor only on the driver's side for better visibility, mid rise carpeted headliner fold down front window. Ordered mid December took about two months. Was happy with my last one installed in 2013.

New ones sure are NOT cheap anymore. I found prices varying by hundreds of dollars for the same topper from different dealers, so shop around.

The rear door on the old one had a plastic lip over the tailgate that was lousy...replaced it several times, they crack in our cold winter weather.

New one has a fiberglass lip which doesn't have that issue, I'm told.

I went with the two locks for the back door, the single ones are more prone to problems.

I know folks that want something heavier duty...load bearing roof and rack for example...love Smart caps.

 

[jtn]

I went with a "Flated" topper. It is under 80 pounds, I can take it off or put it back on by myself. It deflates, and I can put it in my cargo carrier when I want to use the truck bed. I have a Honda 4-wheeler I use a lot, and it fits in the back. When I get to where I'm camping, I unload and put the topper on to camp. It has a 12-volt air pump and takes 10 minutes to inflate or deflate.

They are made in Missoula, Montana.

How are they for security? I get you could probably cut into it with a knife, but can you see the stuff stored in the back? Wondering how safe it is while in the grocery store parking lot.

 

[PNWtrekker]

My 2010 Ram 2500 wore a Leer I found on Craigslist. Color-matched it for around $300 at Maaco in the winter when business was slow. Including the paint, I suspect I paid well less than half the price and made money on the bed slide that I bought at the same time. If it was me, I'd buy any of the ones mentioned but be patient and buy it on CL, FB, etc. Now I run a Diamondback Tonneau which I love! In my experience, once a fiberglass topper goes on, it is never coming off. Too much of a hassle. I literally borrowed and rented trailers to avoid taking it off.

 

[D4570]

How are they for security? I get you could probably cut into it with a knife, but can you see the stuff stored in the back? Wondering how safe it is while in the grocery store parking lot.

The windows are dark. It's like most toppers.

 

[Zellhouse]

Had really good luck with my ARE. Bought it 6 years ago & have spent 3 doz + nights in the topper. Put a bed rug in it, rope LED light on the interior roof, & sealed up the tailgate to keep the dust out.

Haven't had any problems with it leaking water & get minimal dust inside the shell. Also have a drop-down window that is a must for keeping both the exterior windows clean between the cab & shell.

Gas pistons are getting a little anemic & will need to be replaced after this coming summer. About par for the course with these things.

Went with the MX series. The extra height is nice inside, not bumping your head when you sit up.

Was a bit pricey, bought it new after picking up the new truck. Figure it's paid for itself with all the nights we've spend camping out in it.

 

[Mallardsx2]

Once you get your truck cap all you need is the sticker that says "Retired Navy" lol

 

[Wild Bill]

I need to replace my topper pistons and weather seals on my Leer.
Anyone got a take on whether to go OEM or aftermarket?

 

[Zellhouse]

I need to replace my topper pistons and weather seals on my Leer.
Anyone got a take on whether to go OEM or aftermarket?

Have had good luck with aftermarket in the past. Picked them up at a local auto supply.

 

[bluegrassdan]

Just ordered an ARE for my F150. Seemed to be the best choice out of what was in a reasonable (if there is such a thing) price range (~$3K) and with the options I wanted.

 

[El Jason]

For the current price on fiberglass, the aluminum options like RSI Smartcaps are a little more appealing.

 

[Wild Bill]

For the current price on fiberglass, the aluminum options like RSI Smartcaps are a little more appealing.

A neighbor of mine has a Smartcap on his pickup. Very sharp looking and incredibly practical.
I'll be looking at Smartcaps if my next pickup doesn't have one on already.

 

[dan.kirkpatrick]

ive got a leer for my dodge 2500,but most of the time i dont have it on so i can load my quad.

 

[BAKPAKR]

I bought a new truck in December and the next day I went to buy a Leer shell which would had been my third. I found out from the shop Leer had moved to Mexico. Leer and snugtop are made in the same plant. He told me they are not the same company. So I went with ARE, It took almost 10 weeks to arrive. The shop said Leer / snugtop aren’t the same company. If replacement parts are needed they take forever and sometimes show up wrong. My thoughtsView attachment 365678

I wish I would have tried ARE. The dealer carried both but recommended Leer. So, I went with Leer. I am not too happy with the fit of the $4,000+ cap on my Tacoma. And, it leaks. The dealer wasn’t concerned about the fit and blamed the leaking on Toyota. I guess Toyota didn’t design their bed to fit a Leer cap.

 

[El Jason]

Man, that sucks.

I have read accounts of the RSI and other modular aluminum caps leaking, but it’s easily fixed with some silicon caulking.

 

[BAKPAKR]

Man, that sucks.

I have read accounts of the RSI and other modular aluminum caps leaking, but it’s easily fixed with some silicon caulking.

Yes, I am going to end up doing my own caulking.

 

[JohnCushman]

I got a canvas best top for my F150. It's not water or dust proof, but it's functional and does the job. One thing I like about it is that it folds down out of the way so I can use the bed for taller stuff.