I’m looking to add a topper to my Silverado. Was wondering if I could get some pros vs cons on Leer, A.R.E, and others. I’m currently looking at the A.R.E CX with outdoorsman side windows. I also like the keyless remote option on the Z model. Would love to get some input on durability, security, as well as some Monday morning quarterbacking on what you wish you would have gotten after you’ve had some time with your current topper. Thanks!
whatever you get, I would recommend side windows that open up or atleast one side. my fiberglass leer is 18 years old and the side windows started to leak about 2 years ago. mine do not have side windows that open up although i didnt have a choice. a PITA
I have a Leer 100XQ on my 2011 and the only thing I’d change would be to add the remote lock. I like being able to tip the side windows out even when it’s raining to give the dog a breeze when it’s in the crate (This model the bottom rear of the window cranks out).
Perfect timing!!! I’m in the same boat big beard, I priced out a ARE MX with ourdoorsmen windows for my Silverado. Hope to hear some input from others as I want to order this week as I was told it’s 6 weeks for an ARE.
After getting a topper this year I wish I would have just bought a Yukon and a utility trailer instead of a pickup 
I got the A.R.E CX with outdoorsman windows like you are looking at. I also got the interior rope lights on each side with prop switches, that makes them come on when you flip up that window. Also got the front flipdown slider window and cargo rails on the top. This is going to make it sound like you shouldn’t get an A.R.E. but you can find plenty of bad stuff about Leer online and on Youtube so I can’t say which is actually better.
The first one I got was made incorrectly, one side didn’t have a straight bottom and left a big gap near the front. I left it on for about a month before the dealer sent it back to get fixed. The lights didn’t work right because they were wired wrong. In the month I had it a screw fell out of the front window.
The dealer sent it back to A.R.E. and it came back with just the trim reworked a little bit to hide the gap. Dealer then contacted rep and they agreed to make a new one.
Second one fits much better over the bed and looks the way it should look. The rear door though fits much worse and the dealer had to put some foam pieces on the inside of the lip. With the foam it seals really tight which is good in some ways but bad in that it’s kind of hard to close sometimes. The lights were also wired wrong again on this one and the dealer had to swap some connections around to get it working right.
Having had two I noticed that the color was noticeably different between them. My truck is a 2013 so I didn’t expect it to match exactly and, luckily, the second one matches better but it’s interesting that there was so much variation between them. The rear door is also a bit different. Seems odd to me that two of the exact same topper can vary so much, doesn’t seem like there is much consistency. Both have areas of shoddy construction around the windows were the trim is obviously bent a bit to make it work but it’s only visible from the inside. The edges of the rear opening, that you see when the door is open, are another area that isn’t finished very nicely in my opinion.
Anyways, my opinion on options:
– rope lights with prop switches are worth it if you get the outdoorsman windows. I was torn on the cost but when it’s dark it’s really nice to have those really bright LEDs automatically come on when you flip up the window.
– flip down front window. Whether you have a slider or not get the flip down option for the front window because it’s the only way the two glass faces between cab and cap are ever getting cleaned.
– outdoorsman windows. They are kind of ugly but I think they are useful. One thing to consider is try reaching into your truck bed from the side and see how far you can reach, remember that the window is about a foot higher than the current edge of the bed. I can load in duffel bags and tents and chairs and stuff through the side, my girlfriend can’t reach anything. Also you have to be careful you don’t scratch side with zippers or other stuff because you’re going to lean into it while trying to reach for things.
– roof rack rails. If you think you will ever want that you might as well get it now so that it’s covered by warranty. Splitting the cap putting them in later would be painful.
Things I don’t like about a topper:
– There’s going to be at least a few times a year where it gets in the way of what you are trying to haul. I just cut some big branches off a tree and had to cut them up more and watch the screens now for example.
– It doesn’t defrost like the windows of your cab. I’m just starting to notice this now with the rain and cold, it can be hard to see through.
– Toppers are ugly. I knew this when I got it though 
Edit: attached a couple of quotes to give you an idea of how ridiculously expensive they are. I don’t have an A.R.E. quote for what I ended up getting but it was about $2700 with outdoorsman windows, flipdown front slider, rear and side rope lights with prop switches, and roof rack rails.
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My ARE has been decent. Its over 5 years old and looks good. Great color match to truck. Carpeted interior is nice. Only problem is leaks pretty bad. I need to take it in for that.
I have a Leer 100XR on my F-150. I love it and it doesn’t leak a drop. The way the Leer toppers attach with a J-hook, they are much cleaner on the inside and less prone to snagging things on the clamps. Mine’s carpeted and would recommend it for sure. I have a remote locking rear and flip windoor side windows. I wouldn’t own a topper if the side windows didn’t flip open.
My 3rd brake light didn’t last but the replacement is still going strong. From what I gathered, the brake lights and dome lights on these toppers are pretty much all made by the same company…
Be prepared that a fully loaded ARE and Leer will run you just under 3k all said and done, like Reef said.
wow I had no idea toppers were so expensive.
Just throwing this out there but the last few toppers I purchased were from car dealerships with them on trucks at the lot. I called around to the ones I found on the internet and bought color matched toppers for $600 on average. Granted they don’t always have the same features you wan’t but for 1/3 the price I find it hard not to do.
I went to the “high liner” for the added head room while crawling around inside. Never went back to low profile.
However, the old Jason caps I had were great. This 2003 model is an absolute piece of poop. Other than the clearance inside I don’t have a good thing to say about it. Was way over priced, cheapest seals for the windows, and cheapen up in every conceivable way.
Since having this one, I see many manufactures eliminated the aluminum base and has gone with formed glass for the bottom ( where it clamps to truck). Make sure you don’t have any flex in that bottom lip or your asking for chronic leaks in the seal.
Last I heard, Jason Caps went out of business. Just hope whoever made the decision to cheapen them up rots in hell
Toppers are beautiful! Every truck out there with out one appears a little worthless to me. But that’s just my opinion.
I am getting a leer 100R put on my f150 next Wednesday at Radco, went with leer cause I could get it before a trip Mea weekend. Called ARE dealer in rochester and was told it was 6-8 weeks out and leer dealer was 4-6. Could get all the same options I was looking for from each brand, with leer being just slightly cheaper, but my decision just came down to the wait time. Look at both websites for coupons to print off. Can get either a free carpeted headliner or free dropdown front window from both companies right now and save a little cash. Both places also want 50% down when you place your order.
I had a Ranch topper on my Silverado and was very pleased with it. I was considering an A.R.E. for my new F150, but A.R.E. is 8 weeks out on orders. With fall fishing and hunting trips, I didn’t want to go without a topper, so I went back to a Ranch. Ranch was a 2-3 week wait. I won’t regret it.
I ordered it with the tip down front window, vented windoors, the 60 inch LED light strip wired to the battery, a coat hanger, and a bed rug for $2600. Dealer only asked for $200 down, too. I thought that was good.
I have the ARE Z series and love it looks great too with the edgeless glass very rugged I stand on top all the time. the wait on the ARE toppers is worth it. my only suggestion is go with a dealer that is VERY familiar with toppers and installing them.
Toppers are beautiful! Every truck out there with out one appears a little worthless to me. But that’s just my opinion.
Until you need to actually haul something…
That’s what trailers are for. You can get a lot in under a topper and then just hook up a trailer.
wow I had no idea toppers were so expensive.
Wow, totally agree. My last topper was about $600. They are quickly closing the gap between a pickup and a Suburban.
At 60k+ for a new suburban there is still a lot of room there.
Think I paid just over 1000 bucks for my Jason topper in 2012, nothing fancy though. Won’t have a truck again without one though. Next time I would get the light hard wired in though and side windows that tilt out so I can reach in fron the side.
I have an ARE topper that was on my 07 then 14 now 17 Chevy, just repainted to match the new truck. The one thing I couldn’t live without now is a Bed slide. They are spendy but worth every penny!!
That’s what trailers are for. You can get a lot in under a topper and then just hook up a trailer.
Unless you want to take along the ATV and boat. Not unusual for me.
The amazing thing about my topper is that it’s removable.
ARE Z series owner here. Tip out side windows for the dog, front tip down, led light strip, and coat hanger. Only option I regret not getting is the remote lock and often consider having it added.
Bed slide would be awesome sometimes. I’d just hate to give up the vertical space you lose installing one.
Just out of curiosity how much does a tonneau cover cost?
Just out of curiosity how much does a tonneau cover cost?
Paid about $500 for mine
Topper Cap with “open roof”?
Still reading? I’m looking for a hard shell topper (not tent) that would allow me to walk a motorcycle into the bed of the truck and then lock it within the locked topper… like a mini garage. Clearly, most toppers are too low to make this easy/possible, so I was wondering if anyone has ever seen a topper with a hinged roof that would allow for an “open roof” (easy access to the entire bed), but hen would close and lock down securely…
Stupid idea? I can’t seem to locate any products on the market that do this. Clearly, sealing out the elements is a challenge and priority.
Thanks, Jon
DT
DT, that would be ok for loading something higher then the door but you couldn’t drive that thing down the road.
DT, that would be ok for loading something higher then the door but you couldn’t drive that thing down the road.
Not all the way up. My thought would be to lower it down onto blocks that would be high enough for the bike. Depends on what bike he has. With my 14 inch bars it would be a no go. 
DT
DT & Dutchboy, that’s a clever idea. Not sure how expensive that is, but the top of my bikes (sport bikes for track days) usually fit at the highest point just below the roofline of the truck (2021 Ram 1500 Crew Cab Rebel). Lift, load, chock, secure, lower, and lock. The idea is more than just bike security, its about keeping a topper on and not converting 12 x per year. Seems like a hinged roof would be a lot less complicated and expensive… but I didn’t know this existed. Thank you for a quick reply… I’ll do some research.
I had the “Z” with one key tied to my truck.
I removed the topper because they could not keep it from leaking. The remote lock quit working after 3 years and are $100. to replace each. 2 of 3 are defunked.
The opening in the back hatch is small because the hinges really are intrusive to the area.
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