I'm in the market for a Camper shell/truck topper to put on my 2016 Colorado Crew cab long bed. I'd kind of like to hear some opinions from you guys about pros/cons of various brands. What you liked about them, or didn't like, what you would do different, etc. Don't know if I'd want a single handle/latch on the back glass or two? I've been looking at the ARE MX series. Here's a pic of one like I'm looking at on a truck like mine. I'd get it color matched to my truck, get the side vented windoors like the example pics, and the front vented tilt-in window for ease of cleaning. I don't want a cab height cap, but a mid-rise(?) cap. I've gone to a local truck parts store that is a dealer for ARE to look at them, but they didn't have them on display, and the ones they had we're customer orders that haven't been picked up but we're a different model. Any suggestions on brands and why you would chose it? Anyone know of a good place to get one within a couple hours driving distance of KC? I'll drive a little ways for a better deal. Looked on Craigslist locally and eBay. Not much for the 2015+ Colorado's. Thanks!
I had an ARE on a GMC Sonoma. Loved it. Never had any kind of problem with it. It was color matched and matched really good.
I’ve been looking for one myself. Got it narrowed down between Leer and ARE. From the research I’ve done these seem to be among the best. Haven’t owned one though, so can’t help with personal experience, sorry.
A few comments in bullet point form... ws 1. Cab height looks sleeker but lacks being able to stand anything normal and marginally tall such as a mower or snow blower. 2. The taller it is, the heavier it AND the glass rear window is. The helper pistons will not last as long and getting bonked on the head sux. 3. More wind resistance. I doubt they did any wind tunnel testing. 4. I have an electric sliding rear window in my 2008 Z71 and a manual on the cap. Thats OK for extra long stuff beyond a doubt! Forget the tilt in window. This stuff aint OEM and will not last! Parts are unobtanium. 5. A single middle handle is much simpler to operate. They tend to corrode with salt etc. Keep them well lubed. Two handles are dumb. 6. I have rear swing out side windows with screens.. YUP, gotta keep them skeeters outa there when yer sleeping in it. Try closing it up from the inside! 7. Mine was color matched, but by them, not a body shop. Its only off about 3 shades of silver. Either is good, but a noticeable difference. 8. Third brake lite (required) and inside lights are useless, and usually done with Scotchlocks... USELESS 9. Clamping and sealing are issues as are plastic bed liners. That combines into a giant dirt trap for rust and critters. Do a rhino-coat kinda system with some 1/4" drains drilled UP FRONT!. 10. Shop around for price! HUGE differences. Get a primered unit and have them COLOR MATCH to your paint code, not generic from a can stuff! Maybe an extra 100.00 but worth it. 11. Just remember, the bigger it is, the more it stows. That stuff keeps getting pushed up to the front so eventually you cant find anything. Just my $0.02 12. Shop at the RV places. Truck stores wont getcha whatcha want. I like the spray on vinyl look in your pics!
Thanks for the replies. I'm not in a big hurry to get one(probably by end of summer, Aug or Sept), in time for a canoe trip and the Nats. Had truck Line-X'd the first week I bought it. Not worried about wind resistance too much. Truck gets great fuel mileage with the 4 cyl turbo diesel. 22-23 mpg in the city, and close to 30 on the highway. Tilt-in front sliding window is just for occasionally cleaning truck rear window and camper shell window without having to remove camper shell. Agree with you on the Scotchlocks. Wouldn't have them on anything I own. Apparently, there is a harness that is made now that tees into the trailer wiring harness(plug-n-play) from the backside of the bumper that gets you the third brake light function and 12v power for interior lights or power ports installed in truck bed. No splicing or Scotchlocks! Thanks for the replies. Keep em coming, more suggestions appreciated.
I’ve had several of both Leer and ARE and never had any problems. Always had mine painted by a body shop though to ensure they matched.
Because mini-vans are wrong-wheel drive and can't tow my car and trailer. And....it's a mini-van. And.... I'm single, and that would be creepy driving a mini-van.
Youll be surprised with a 25-50% INCREASE in fuel economy as well. The tail gate is an air dam as the breeze comes down off the roof. Thats where those gator nets come into play or a complete removal of the tailgate. ws
http://www.discovery.com/tv-shows/m...s-database/driving-tailgate-fuel-consumption/ https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/news/2013/08/pickup-truck-tailgates-and-fuel-economy/index.htm
Mythbusters disproved that theory. No tailgate or tailgate down made matters worse. I'll try to find the episode on youtube. I couldn't find the the Mythbusters clip so.... Here's another video that talks about it instead............
Yep, I remember watching that episode. The air hits the gate and makes a swirling "bubble" for more air to go over the top of, much like an invisible topper. There's a discussion going on on one of the Pro-Touring forums I'm on about wings in the back of pickup beds.
I cant argue facts, only my experience, and that was that both new trucks saw a pretty dramatic increase in MPGs with a cap. I find them utilitarian anyway. I need the coverage for tools and equipment, and any family members that get obnoxious on a road trip. Hit the back Jack! ws
I picked up the one I have on my Chevy off Craigslist for a low price of $150 and it was about a hour away. I got lucky it was a matching color.
Mythbusters did a program on this and found that the above is not true. The only way to improve mileage in a pickup is with one of those fabric mesh tailgates.
I agree, the cap probably does help fuel mileage, it's just the tailgate statement that I was not agreeing with. BTW.... I recently bought a 1500 Silverado with a cap on it and I can't wait to take it off and sell it (hopefully). For my needs, I would prefer a soft tonneau cover.
So...to those that have ordered and bought one new, is it standard procedure to pay, let's say 50% down, and the rest on delivery/installation?
Ya know Nick, I looked at soft snap downs, roll ups, and fiberglass tonneaus, and they all failed miserable with snow loading and "ponding" (the soft ones). The glass jobs with 6" of wet snow on it can be a bear too. Then theres the rigid one that slide forwards with a section on top of a section. The best place I found to buy one (and a 25 foot enclosed tool trailer I had) is Wheel go camping on 159th a few miles west of Bell road. My current 2008 silverado has dual electric beer can windows, and the cab has a deicer element to boot. Still cant see back with the tinted (3X) glass. ws
