ARE CX cap question

For those of you who have installed a cap/ shell/ topper, how much below MSRP are people usually paying?

I've been calling several local ARE dealers (Central CA), and they are all quoting me MSRP.

The cap I'm looking at is:
ARE CX HD
-sliding front window
-glass windoors on both sides (can't slide because of the 5' bed)
-double lock on back
-dual LED/ dome light strips

I'm being quoted $2,759, with it coming to $3315 out the door after tax and install. Every place I've called so far is quoting pretty much the exact same thing. From other threads I've been researching I was under the impression that some dealers are willing to go way below MSRP, but I'm not seeing it locally.

Any info or advice would be appreciated.

 

I bought a Leer for my 2015 and I had the same issue. Only discount I got was with a monthly coupon that Leer had. ARE calls them monthly offers. They are located on the top of their web page.

 

Ya sounds the same for me. I opted not to get the CX HD but thats about the same price I was quoted. Try going to the dealer/installer and negotiating in person.

 

Thanks guys!
Joe, what did you end up going with instead?

 

For the price of that i would switch and go with this one.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tradesman-truck-tops-commercial-style-topper-shell.504188/page-2

 

We haven't purchased anything yet because of the prices but we decided on the Z-Series. We initially went with the CX HD because of the roof capacity for RTT, 2 people and gear, but ARE told us that the unofficial weight rating of the Z-series is 700 lbs which was enough for us. I'll have to find the quote but the Z-series came back at around $3000 which included install.

 

Ah, interesting. I'm guessing that would be the static strength? Without the aluminum frame like the HD has, I don't see what would make the Z-Series more sturdy than the CX...? I'd heard 500lbs for the CX HD, but was assuming that was the dynamic rating. So the standard Z-Series would probably be considerably below the CX HD in that regard. I think both of them are roughly a 200-250 lb dynamic load unless they have the HD upgrade.

 

I have been price shopping (online quotes) for the past month or so, and this was my experience as well. The quotes I received were almost always exactly the same for base price of shell, and then itemized breakdown of the accessories (tracks, headliner, removable sliding front window, driver side windoor and pet screen on other side). PM me if you want breakdown costs I was quoted, but seems to be very different than West Coast (I am in Louisiana).

I found a store within ~1 hour that was very helpful on phone/e-mail, so I went with that one (ARE CX - non HD). Once I actually went in to order, he was able to knock small amounts off of each one (between 2 - 7 %, so nothing significant) including the shell, without my even asking. He knew I was coming in to order that specific shell/options anyway!

I was more worried about finding someone responsive/customer service oriented, but I am SURE that if you actually go in and talk to a couple different places, you can get at least a little discount...

Based on my conversation with him, it sounds like they get MANY quote requests via phone/e-mail, so keep that in mind. Definitely pay close attention to the monthly coupons. I went with the free headliner to maximize the discount on my selected options.

 

Correct Static weight, I think the dynamic weight was still only 250.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/whatd-you-pay-for-your-shell.498134/

 

I just wanted to provide a quick update for anyone like myself, who is considering an ARE CX cap:

I called ARE this morning and confirmed that if you have a short bed Taco, you can't get the "windoor" with the vent option, that slides open in the middle section. This may not matter to some, but I often transport my two dogs in the bed, and I have to have a venting option for them. It's unfortunate, because I really wanted the windoor option, but I have to go with the Mitered half slider, because venting takes priority over opening, for my purposes.

 

You could do a windoor on the drivers side and a vented window on the passenger, right?

 

I actually just thought of that as soon as I submitted my last post. Great minds think alike. I'm sure they would let me do it, but the downside is that vents on two sides work exponentially better than a vent on only one side.

 

Yeah, very true. Although it wouldn't be hard to wire in a small fan (maybe computer fan?) to help circulate air in there. Trust me, the windoor is worth it!

 

This is exactly what I did. Although I am already rethinking, for same reason (dog will be in back).

I have read others that added a windoor down the road/on used cap. Don't know if it is possible to add the vented after?

 

You can add either as far as I know because it's an entire assembly that drops in (at least it was on my old cap). Only thing is they're not cheap at all. It was almost $500 for a single windoor assembly.

 

That's exactly what I did on my v-series... Needed a slider for the dog.

 

Don’t forget to order it with pet screens- they are really good.

 

the windoors really help (on both sides), especially if you have a long bed

 

If I get one I don’t think I’ll do the screens. They add one more layer to reduce visibility, and my dogs always ride in crates in the bed, not loose roaming. If I let the dogs wander in the bed I’d get the screen for sure.