Summer day in the Uintas

[Buellsox]

I’m going to keep my truck for a while, so I wanted a topper from an established brand. I was going to get the Alu Cab Contour canopy with the side windows. I think they are one of the best built toppers out there. They are now $4800. With the tax in UT ($390) & the install ($650 Crazy) it was going to be close to $6000. I like the look of the Smart Caps but over time they can leak & I know they also had problems with the lock’s latches coming open. The only thing about the Alu Cab I didn’t like was the gap between the cab & the topper. I went & got a quote from a local ARE dealer & out the door with the tracks on the roof for my rack, opening side glass windoors, LED lights, install ($150) & tax out the door was $3600. I have a trailer so I’m not overloading my roof & putting a lot of crap in the racks when I go camping. After that I had a hard time justifying the Alu Cab. Also I understand that company’s need to make money but why the Overland place charges $650+ to install a topper & the ARE dealer only charges $150. I have had 2 others ARE toppers since the 90s & the only thing I ever had to replace was the struts & that was after several years of use. They have a great warranty, USA made & they don’t use proprietary parts like SnugCap. I will say having the side opening windoors is nice, so I don’t have to climb in the back of my truck to get stuff out. The bed liner is rough on the knees & my ranger’s tail gate is as tall as an F-150. Now after having the ARE topper for just a few months I do not regret not getting the Alu Cab or Smart Cap at all. The ARE is cleaner & they did a good job with the paint match as well. I nerded out on Canopy’s/Shell’s before buying this one & it has everything I wanted & looks good as well. I’m happy with it. If you need any pic’s let me know.

I agree. The ARE’s are built like a tank, in Ohio, and my previous one gave me zero issues in 4 years of ownership and that 150 lived outside and here in the PNW. Only time it ever showed water was near the tailgate upper corners after pressure washer style car washes and it wasn’t very much. That’s to be expected. Never weaped at the cab or rails with our Western WA rain. I had the REVO model (with the curved back glass, front slider, and the stationary side windows which worked perfectly for me, plus I really like that look)…..SO…..that’s the same look I’m going with again. Just plunked down on a REVO model this afternoon. Pled my case on a cash discount and got them down to $3900+ cash out the door on the REVO. Solid side windows again, front slider, keyless entry to the Ranger fob, & installed.
This was my last truck. This’ll be the same look going on the RR.

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[RealTruck]

I agree. The ARE’s are built like a tank, in Ohio, and my previous one gave me zero issues in 4 years of ownership and that 150 lived outside and here in the PNW. Only time it ever showed water was near the tailgate upper corners after pressure washer style car washes and it wasn’t very much. That’s to be expected. Never weaped at the cab or rails with our Western WA rain. I had the REVO model (with the curved back glass, front slider, and the stationary side windows which worked perfectly for me, plus I really like that look)…..SO…..that’s the same look I’m going with again. Just plunked down on a REVO model this afternoon. Pled my case on a cash discount and got them down to $3900+ cash out the door on the REVO. Solid side windows again, front slider, keyless entry to the Ranger fob, & installed.
This was my last truck. This’ll be the same look going on the RR.

Definitely built to last! Truck looked awesome!