truck camper top ????
 

looking for advice: I've never had a camper top but am looking for one. F350 dually, 8 ft bed and the truck is rarely used unless it's hauling the boat or a Toyhauler to the racetrack with gear in the bed. I think I want one with a raised top to help direct air over the boat or trailer as well as more space for tools and spares at the racetrack. Leer makes a model, 122, that a local dealer has for about $1700 but I can't find much about them, or any other brands. for those that have them, what do I need to know or be aware of?

Dodge pic from website but mine is a 2007 white F350 crew cab dually.

I had ONE topper (and it was also a Leer). I needed more space than a pickup offered and the only other alternative was a full size van (expensive, also not what I wanted to drive). Ordered a Leer with no side windows. Quality and install were fine but I hated it, not tall enough to walk around in (on your knees trying to avoid the unfinished fiberglass underside of the topper). I ended up selling the truck and the topper within a year or so of doing it.

If I ever did another one I would only do the topper if I bought a bed slide also.......solves getting in/out of the bed
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqC_PM_zE4M

1700 dollars to look like a queer - I say go for it Russ!!!

I got an ARE on my truck. I went with the max height because it is a dually and I wanted all the space I could get. ACCESS is a major pain if you don't have side windows. Always have to climb up in the truck to get things because you can't reach through the side.
Mine has windows on all four sides that slide, open and tilt. With box boards I can step up at any location and reach things most anywhere in the bed without having to climb up in the truck. With the front window tilting in I can clean the glass and the truck cab glass too. I would not have it any other way but one like this is not cheap. I have $4,500 in mine but it is also finished inside with two flip down clothes racks. This price was the build with every option and color matched to my truck. If you don't carpet finish the inside of a cap it will echo all kinds of noise and the fiberglass will always be poking you.
Look on ARE's website and you can do some build ups to see how you like it. Look at the "TW" series caps for the max height.
http://www.4are.com/product/tw/

I have a standard height ARE on my 1500 Sierra. I stole it off CL for $250, I just had to paint it. Three windows open and lock, it's great for reaching gear and not needing to climb inside. I do miss the tall cap I had on my last truck tho.

http://www.4are.com/product/mx/gallery.php?bx=t

I had fold a covers on last 2 trucks...worked good...but needed more height that was water proof, so found this ARE top of the line model on Craigslist, was black, but had nice flush windows, curved rear glass, that you just close to lock, full finished inside, so we wrapped the top with matching red wrap vinyl, black around the windows of the truck, added a elec tailgate lock, love the deal now, key is using a bedrug on the floor so you can kneel of and feels fine, can roll over to carry something crappy...
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...psomgpn48j.jpg
http://i227.photobucket.com/albums/d...ps0uuaff2n.jpg

I used a Leer about 10 years ago on my old 95 F350 dually. It did what I needed it to do. I bought it used for $200 and it had windows on all sides with the extra height in the rear. Do check your garage door to make sure you can clear. The used market is the way to save big dollars on the caps. If I was to do it again, I would have went with the folding panel bed covers instead.

This is my second cap and I'll probably never own a truck without one again.

Great job on the cap, it looks very good.
Buying used is definitely the cheaper way to go if what a person wants is available. I ordered because I didn't have time to wait and watch and the contacts and dealers I knew did not have anything in their channels at that time.
ON the single wheel trucks the cab level cap looks great and that is the way I would go. On a dually the max height looks very proportional to the dual wheel fenders and I like that look for a tough looking truck with lots of room.
I was never a cap guy until getting rid of my Suburban. Once I realized all the inside space I was loosing the cap seemed to be the perfect option. Before that I had the Roll-N-Lock on two trucks. It was great and I liked it but I like MORE inside space now and the cap does that for me.

Oh yea, the height of a max cap will not fit in all garage door openings. I have a 9 foot door so my truck fits in the garage at this house but it would not clear the door of my previous house.
My issue with the flat style bed covers is that the handle bars of a bike would not clear the cover. More space was needed for most of the things I had to haul so I left that style for the cap.

Ditto.

found a used one I'd have to paint, mine is all white.....not sure if it's worth the savings though. It also does not have the removable front window to clean between the cap and truck. It's about $1200 less than a new one and I'm not sure how old it is.

As for doors, my garage has (2) 12 x 14 tall doors, getting it in won't be a problem!

Not bad but maybe keep an eye out if your not in a hurry.
The Leer cap has a really hard rise in it at first and comparing to the ARE cap the gradual even slope it has seems more aerodynamic than the Leer. Maybe it is just me but I like the ARE cosmetics and design better.
Only $1,200 less than new is not that good for a used one. That is still more than 75% of new and you still have to paint plus the front glass will not move. Just sayin.
I think you will like a cap.

Look at nearby CL ads. I drove an hour to get my cap, it was DEFINATELY worth it!!

and ck out getting painted...for decent job $$$$

The one I bought was in mint shape, just a scuff n shoot. I have a hookup at a paint supply house and shot it myself.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]537189[/ATTACH]

Don't for get the Bed Rug. I love mine. Moved shell over from 01 chebby to 07 and my bed has never had anything on the paint.

Now If I can only find one for a 10' bed for da 6fiddy

I like my A.R.E. Z-series. Great look on my GMC. I think it actually looks better than the new suburbans plus has TONS more usable space.

Extended height is nice for climbing in and extra space. Definitely know your height and keep it in mind. You will be more limited when approaching parking garages and even some drive thru that have a low awing height.

I second the Bed Rug making it easy on your knees and on more delicate gear. Skip the sides, and just get the bottom rug they sell separate. Sheet metal is getting so thin though, I would still get it spray lined. My bed has many dings, several appear to be from propane bottles and I am pretty gentle when loading gear. Bed liner will also seal up the MANY holes and ports used during manufacture.

Ordered a A.R.E. TW yesterday. Already have a rubber mat in the bed and that should help with the knees. Thanks for all the help.

Great. Post up some pics when you get it situated. I'm confident you will love it. I love my ARE cap.

ARE has great fit and finish, you'll love it.

that rubber is nothing like the bedrug !!! they have one thats just a mat...

Top is really just to help create better airflow over a trailer and boat (bugs) and secondary to carry/lock-up all the spare tires, tools, gear I bring to the racetrack. Dirty tires, etc will be in there so I need something I can hose out on occasion.

Get the cap yet? I want to see some pics.

Ditto on the Bedrug. I haul at least 8-10 loads of firewood every year, deer, dirty greasy parts etc. Hit it with the garden hose and maybe some dish soap and its all clean.

Thought I posted on already? Loaded up heading to the track (which is where Im at right now).
[ATTACH=CONFIG]538853[/ATTACH]

Oh yea, great look. it makes so much more useable space but adds a bunch of acreage when it comes time to wash.
Looks great and I think you will like it.