(I apoligize in advance if this has been discussed elsewhere in this forum, however a search didn't turn up anything.)

Just got my 05 LLY in a Black 2500HD SLT Crew Cab Long Box. I want to put a cap on it and have seen brochures for the Leer (100XQ) and the A.R.E. (Z Series) and they both 'look' real nice. However, I don't know much about caps so I'd like to hear any personal experiences or opinions on either.

Plus, should I have it clamped on or have it bolted? I will probably never take the capoff once it is on, but I also said I would never get married, have childeren or live in New Jersey! So I try not to say 'never' too often.

The A.R.E. dealer is offering a $50 upgraded 'Railsaver' tape, instad of the flat foam tape they normally use, does anyone have experience using that.

Thanks.

I have an 04' Chevy CC SB in Black with the ARE Z series. I looked at the Leer and did not like alot of things about it. ARE uses automotive grade hardware on the locking mechanisms on the rear window, they are carpeted inside to help reduce noise, fit is nice and clean and looks sharp. I also do not remove it, ever. I did have mine clamped on though because I did not want to have holes in the top of the bed if I ever did need to remove it for some reason. My vote, go for the ARE!

I'm looking at both as well.

The ARE is about $100 more expensive here. The liftgate hinges are a new design, look nice, not sure about durability. Otherwise, I think it's a better unit than the Leer. Local dealer wants $1700 for a Z.

ARE is alot nicer than Leer in my opinion... But you might also want to look at Jason Caps they are pretty nice also.. You can see them at www.jasoncaps.com (http://www.jasoncaps.com)

Heard a few bad stories re the Leer caps. Whatever you decide on, don't use the thin flat foam tape that most cap dealers use for standard installation. A site you might want to check is "truckcapseals.com". Used to be named Missouri Polymers but now is named Hogarth Concepts. Tel is 1-677-954-5625. All the rubber is heavy and seals well between the bed and cap. Have used it on 4 vehicles. Since you have a long bed make sure 4 clamps are used on each side. To make the installation water tight you'll need to seal the tail gate. To make it dust resistant you'll need some aluminized tape and seal the spaces under the bed rail by each stake pocket.

I was looking at the ARE Z series at one time and talked to a guy in Iowa that says that the Unicover Legend uses the same glass as the ARE Z series. I got my made in Iowa Legend for $1400 installed after tax. Just thought I'd throw out an option.

I have purchased over 10 Leer caps since 94 for various trucks, most being the 100 model without side windows. Never had a problem. Purchased a new A.R.E in 02 because I thought it might be a better fit for the CC (it wasn't). The fiberglass sides cracked in the first 6 months and the rear door never fit. After 8 months of *****ing, and finally having a attorney send a letter, they sent a new one. It cracked in about 5 months (door did fit well) and another attorney letter finally got them to buy it back. Bought another Leer 100 which has now been on two trucks for over 50,000 rough miles without a problem. As to Leer, when this was discussed in threads here (and on another site), it seemed to be very apparent there were lots of Leer problems in the midwest and east coast, but almost none on the west coast, which are built in the Woodland, California plant. My biggest problem with A.R.E was lack of service and the fact I had to go to an attorney to solve the problems. All I ever warrantied on my Lears were door handles, which were always warrantied immediately on the spot by the dealer. My dealer also gave up on A.R.E.

...thank you all for your comments...

I've had both and I greatlt prefer the ARE. I wish I could remember the brand on my wifes truck because it is a POS. I would definately go back to ARE. LEER is no better only more $$$$.

We have the ARE DCU series caps on our trucks and no problems. Hinges, handles, and harware is all rugged. This model of ARE is not pretty, but it holds up and we have tested a few!! Overall ARE is a good product.

Good Luck,

LT Construction Co.

Thanks again for the great info...I've decided to go with the ARE based upon the following:

1) I like the Local A.R.E dealer's shop better than the LEER, but I guess that could have gone either way based up on where I lived.

2) IN my research, A.R.E. generally got better reviews (for non-commercial use) than Leer, on this and other forums.

3) Still have not fully ascertained whether Leer even makes a cap for the Sierra CC Long Box (dealer is researching, but Leer web site says "if it ain't on the list they don't make it"; and it doesn't list the CC Long Box specifically).

4) The A.R.E. is $1600 installed and the Leer is $1595 plus $85 installed (but they use clamps). Apples to apples (i.e. w/ clamps) it probably is $1640 (ARE) vs. $1680 (Leer)

5) A.R.E. has a fold down (for cleaning) w/slide front window option for $125 vs. Leer with only the slide window, no fold down.

6) The A.R.E. dealer offered the Railsaver (an upgraded heavy duty tape) option and the Leer dealer didn't seem to think it was necessary, not sure I agreed with that.

They both offer keyless entry, which seems great, but not sure if I would spring for that. It is $125 option plus $150 to install. Has anyone actually done the install themselves? I don't begrudge the dealer the money, its just that I can afford the extra $125 but it would be tough to do $275 just to avoid an extra key (I have like 10 keys just for all the locks on my TT alone!)

My Sierra has a cool button which just turns on the bed light (my F-150 didn't). Has anyone wired their cap's interior dome light to that?

Once again thanks for all the input.

I have the Leer 100XL and it has the fold down front window .If you check their web site they have all the options,including head liner. Leer also has lifetime stuctural warranty , not sure about A. R. E. . Both good tops ,good luck

I have the Leer 100XL and it has the fold down front window .If you check their web site they have all the options,including head liner. Leer also has lifetime stuctural warranty , not sure about A. R. E. . Both good tops ,good luck

Yup...it right there:

http://www.leer.com/caps.html#xq

a removeable front slider window.

Also, I noticed that Leer is offering a $70 coupon on the 100XQ....

The Leer XQ for my new '05 LB Reg Cab is being built in Woodland, CA right now and should be at the Chevy dealer early next week for install. I opted for the fold down front window (for cleaning) and the Browning Hunting package (locking ceiling compartment, clothes hangar {hmmm}, carpeted ceiling, boat/canoe rack (Yakima), vest, rechargeable flashlight, etc. It was less as a package. Total came in at $2389 with the $70 coupon ($1680 + $599 Browning). I guess I'll find out if it's a good one.

I'm going with the Bed-Rug and will put my 3/8" rubber liner on top of that. $200 less than a Rhino liner and removeable. Can always go Rhino later if needed.

Now I'm looking for a good toolbox for the bed. DeeZee, Deflecta-Shield, etc.
Suggestions? I want stout and would go with white if I could find a good one (truck is white).

NOTNSUV,

You'll like the Browning Cap. Check the like in my sig, I have the Browning cap on my '04 and my '01. I also have the Bedrugc in both trucks. The '01 was put in when I first purchased it and is wearing very well. Spilled diesel on that one once and I simply unzipped the bottom from the sides and pressured cleaned. If anyone installs a cap, Bedrug is the way to go IMO.

I had an ARE on my DOdge and no problems. Just got a Leer for my new truck. they were the only ones that would make a cab high one with no side windows and a frameless rear window. It was a little pricey.

I don't beat my truck like in my youth so expect all this stuff to last a good long time. I had a hard time going BedRug (I picture on in my wifes 2500HD but not really a 'man-truck :muahaha: ) but think it should be fine for the occassional load of wood in camp or a bloody elk with the rubber matt on it.

Off topic, do the 265-75 fit without tweaking? I have a set of Goodyear MTR from my '93 Burb on 16x8 aluminum wheels that I'd like to slap on for winter or hunting season but don't want to adjust torsion bars or anything that will mess with the tranny and/or computer, or adversely affect the front end. I'm thinking they'll be just fine bolted up and it's easy enough to put'em on and check it out. I'd like some GM take-offs for these tires but don't want to spend $5-$700 on stock wheels.

NOTNSUV,

You'll like the Browning Cap. Check the like in my sig, I have the Browning cap on my '04 and my '01. I also have the Bedrugc in both trucks. The '01 was put in when I first purchased it and is wearing very well. Spilled diesel on that one once and I simply unzipped the bottom from the sides and pressured cleaned. If anyone installs a cap, Bedrug is the way to go IMO.

Jerry,

As far as the Leer not fitting your Crew Cab Long Bed -- a long bed is a long bed is a long bed.

If it fits a chevy 1500 2 wheel drive regular cab long bed work truck, then the same cap will fit your 2500 HD 4x4 crew cab long bed SLT. There isn't any difference between the long beds in the different cab/series configurations, or even between Chevy and GMC.

Leer has a picture on their website of a 100XQ mounted on a what looks to be a Chevy Crew Cab Long Bed 4x4 if that helps.

I'll be purchasing a Leer 100XQ in September or November. I don't have any knowledge of ARE caps. I'm sure they make fine products, but I have a dealer in town who also sprayed in my Line-x and carries Leer. It's just convenient for me to go that route.

I just put a snugtop supersport on my 05 2500HD CC LB. It sure makes the bed of the truck look longer now.

I have had it for 2 weeks now & am now use to it.

I bought snugtop over leer & ARE for look & finish. The SS uses all glass (no aluminim frames for the side & back windows) Looks more like a factory type setup, windows allmost same height wise as truck windows.

I got the tilt down front window to make cleaning easier.

I also put a bedrug liner in the back, makes a nice addition to the truck, plus a heck of a lot easier on the old kness, than a plastic or spray-on beadliner.

This is something I really like, plus the 2 small kids like it, we just got back from vacation when mom saw a store she wanted to go shopping in, the boys put down the tailgate, they played there gameboys back there & I read a book, all while mom was happily shopping, no complaints from the 3 of us!

Paid more for the snugtop, over what I could of gotten from Lear or ARE, but then you have to ask yourself " When was the last time you where dis-satified when you bought the best"

I have an ARE "Z" on my crew cab and the paint matches perfectly. Also, the roof line of the cab and cap and gap between the cab and the cap are perfectly matched, making the truck look, at first glance, like a large suburban. Also, I think it really improves the aerodynamics.

About the only negative thing I can say is the rubber strips between the front and rear windows of the cap never seemed to want to stay on. I finally removed them just to reduce the aggravation.

I am going to order a SnugTop for my '03 dually. I had one on my '98 crew cab dually since new and had no problems. Mine had the curved side and rear glass and really looked like it was a factory piece.

Does anyone have any experience with the Leer 180CC cap with the contractor tool boxes or the A.R.E. MX series with tool boxes? These are both mid-height fiberglass caps with built in tool boxes in place of side windows. I'm leaning towards the Leer I guess cause I have a better feeling that the 180CC is a contractor (reinforced) cap to start versus the MX. I'd love to actually see one in person (CT area)

Thanks,
Jaime