Brand suggestion/ideas for bed shell?

Turns out I won't be able to use a tonneau cover for the bed so I'll have to go with a basic+ shell: tail brake light, dome light and the optional forward/cabin opening window.

Leer, A.R.E., make them for an 8' Tundra bed and I think SnugTop might too. I've only been able to look at the Leer and A.R.E.

What I've been able to find out is the A.R.E. costs a little more than a Leer, it has a single lock/rod mechanism vs. Leer's dual handled locks, the A.R.E. has what looks to be a little beefier tai gate assembly, and the warranties are the same.

Any more suggestions on what to consider for a shell? Am I missing an important consideration? Is one better than the other & why?

Thanks, Nate

Reply to
N Williamson
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On Sat, 24 Dec 2005 07:41:32 -0800, N Williamson found these unused words floating about:

The Are -can- be had with a dual lock, I have one.

However ... They don't fit as well as a SnugTop, any 'skylight' window (hi-rise) will leak and you -may- have a rub on the tailgate due to clearance problems.

Reply to
J. A. Mc.

Thanks - I'll check the SnugTops. The tailgate has a thick 'sleeve' over the top edge. Hopefully that'll be a good fix.

Reply to
N Williamson

Bel-air and Innovation are two brands at the sub $1000 price range. I got a nice, basic shell with no insulation, front and side sliding windows for $900. The locking handles are left and right, and operate separately, and I'm just fine with that. Pickups and women are kind of similar; pick your price.

Though you didn't ask, I got a $300 Bedrug that is definately worth the price.

Reply to
Alex

Sorry Nate, I cant get passed the part of you not being able to use a Tonneau cover. Why not? This is America, you can get anything. I suggest a custom shop. I know of a custom shop here on Long Island, that can put a custom tonneau cover on anything you drive, and for around 300.00 dollars. Frank

Reply to
franknlizob

The snugtop looks good but I have had lots of problems with mine. The windows have leaked since I got it and the dealer nor the manufacturer would fess up or pay for repairs to the brand new top. The snugtop was 1500 greenbacks too :^o( ...so I think you would be better looking at an ARE...thats what I'm doing next time.

My 2 cents,

Billymack

Reply to
BillyMack

Reply to
Noon-Air

I'm not particularly impressed with snugtop. I forked over $2200 (including tax) because I wanted the remote open and the fold-down window at the cab, carpetting, etc. The paint job was sub par - chipped in various places. It was shipped back to snugtop twice for repainting before they just gave me another new one. Some other "features that I wasn't impressed with:

- chunks of fiberglass trapped between the carpet and ceiling

- sloppy carpet seams

- water leaks thru the brake light lens

The latest shell styles wrap over the top of the truck rails (for looks). For some (like me) that occasionally remove the shell to haul stuff this can be a problem because you really need to be careful to not chip the bottom (painted) edge of the shell when it's off the truck.

Campways is my local snugtop dealer. I would not give them my business again for the following reasons:

- scratched the paint on my tailgate and on top of cab (at 3rd brake light) during installation

- gobs of silicone caulk used between side rails and shell (said it keeps water out)

- customer service post purchase (although they did eventually replace the shell)

Reply to
M.Paul

side opening locking windows (to retrieve tools etc...), if you really are going to USE the truck.

wished i had gotten them.

Reply to
tbuggle

I got mine on the drivers side *only* so that I didn't have that huge blind spot on the passenger side. Having had the side window tool box for a year and a half, there is no way I could ever do without it, and yes, I really USE my truck.

Reply to
Noon-Air

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