ARE Overland Cap

Anybody have one and if so how does it fit?

 

I had one, got ride of it. The fit was not so great it leaked all over the place from day one.

Windows were popped out which is one of the reasons it leaked, dealer broke the canopy while doing warranty work on the windows dropped it, and still never managed to fix it properly so it didnt leak

That being said, i’ve had nothing but bad experiences with any of the canopy manufactures.

There are tons of good reviews out there, just approach your canopy purchase with care. All the big three as far as I am concerned are not worth the hassle. (Leer, snugtop or are). I’d go with tradesmen or alucab and get yourself an aluminum one.

Steve

 

Ditto on the recommendation for a utility aluminum canopy. Over 4 trucks and 20-some years, I've had none other than these utility canopies. I like to take my canopy off seasonally and store it in the garage. Once upon a time, when I still had some upper body strength, I could do this by myself. Now I need help. Never had any problems with leakage, problematic windows or rear hatch, etc.

Admittedly the color-matched fiberglass canopies look nicer and are more aerodynamic. So if you're leaving it on year around, glass makes sense, although it has a much higher up-front cost. Not sure how much of the cost of a canopy is recaptured at sale.

 

I don't have the Overland, but have the CX. It doesn't leak, the dealer did use silicone on the cap. I'm not sure where all the silicone was used though. Works well. I don't think I'll have another truck without a cap. Windoors are a must.

That being said, I thought pretty strongly about going with one of the utility caps..... Wife wanted to keep the truck pretty though, hence the fiberglass cap.

 

i have it, no problems. See my profile for more pics. Never leaked. I do get water in the bed, but that's because of the truck bed design (not the cap). Folks who don't have water issues have specifically plugged holes/gaps in the bed wall.

 

My only "complaint" about the cap is that is does not auto lock with a fob.

 

I have it as well, and so far I love it. As mentioned, you'll need to cover some holes in the compartments to keep water out.

 

Hmm, only area on the bed I have ever had water come in was btw the front and sidewalls on the bed. But they supply neoprene plugs with the canopies and often rtf silicone it there. Other then that, never had water get in the bed anywhere else. Was all canopy defects and poor installs. Oh and I lived on Vancouver island home of the never ending rain in the winter time.

With my alucab, I can sit there with a Pressure washer and nothing gets in btw the bed/cab, etc. It says bone dry. Supports I think 8000lbs or that was when the canopy failed. Amazingly wide windoors as in the entire side opens up. Except for a small portion towards the back of the bed. They use the same size Windsor’s btw the short and long beds. I like it as I attach items in that back corner on the beds with Velcro (knives, tools, etc). Would prefer it was the entire length, but I can pull coolers/etc out if need be no issue.

Anyways, not trying to turn this into a don’t buy thread, just be aware there are issues with all threee of the manufactures canopies. Not everyone sees the rain that I did and do regularly either so the water may not get in or they may not notice.

Few pictures of the alucab so you can see how it looks. Mind the garbage on the second one it got blown off my trail gate as I was snapping pictures.

 

I looked at the Overland, but am more leaning towards SnugTop at the moment. Seem to be a lot more happy customers there. Also, seems a huge part of this is which dealer you use, and how good they are at doing their job.

I really, really want to get something. My work gear is crammed in the back seat along with 2 child seats, and my passenger seat and floor are also piles of gear. I need something bad. But some of these canopies end up $3000-$4000 and I am going to be so pissed if it turns out to have a bunch of problems, so I haven't committed yet.

I like the Alucab in theory, but it's so damn ugly.

 

I actually think the Alu-cab looks great. Very utilitarian.

I will say, that you aren't going to pressure wash my truck and not get water inside. Heck, there are big openings around the corners of the tailgate. They do that for ventilation, it won't rain and get wet through there, but you are going to get water in if you pressure wash from the side.

 

I've been very happy with my ARE Overland. Have the swing down Cab cap window for easy cleaning and the Passenger side cap window is hinged with gas props for easy access to the inside of cap. Zero leakage as the installer addressed the gaps in the front corners of the box during installation. And I live in Rain Country here on the Wet Coast of BC. Would certainly buy it again as my dog loves it.

 

Fit is good. Occasionally I get minor water inside. Love the windoor. Rear window could be better fit wise. Going to add rear tailgate seal which should help. Love the topper though. Nice to have stuff out of the weather and secure.

 

Obviously looks is subjective... but this cap is by far the best looking cap.

 

My leer caps never leaked, even when pressure washing.

 

I think the performance of the canopy has a lot to do with the installation being done correctly. The guys at Canopy West in Surrey did an excellent job on the installation. Knew of the issue with the front corner box leak on the tacomas. And so paid special attention to sealing them up as well as the fit and finish of the Canopy it self when mounted. Even went so far as to change the rear window gas prop shocks out as the window was going to far high for me to reach in order top close it, Being the shortass I am. A side benefit being the window opening lower now, prevented me from shearing it off once when I backed into my garage, forgetting to shut the back window.
In my case the installer's excellent eye to details during installation made the difference.

 

Lots of good info here. The Alu-cab looks nteresting. Maybe I missed it but I wonder how expensive they are and can you get one in my part of the country. Also, can you get one with windows all around, I plow snow and need as much visibility as I can get with a cap on.

That said, a local dealer has kind of convinced me to go with a CX over the Overland once I explained my needs. The cost savings between the two would permit me to add more options to the CX without missing any advantage the Overland might offer. Still looking.

 

I would agree, I loved the look of the canopy. Just far to many issues with mine, that i will never recommend one of the big three again to anyone. There are a lot of horror stories about them out there, same goes with everything.

All I can say is do your home work and pick what is right for you.

 

You plow snow with your tacoma?

I picked mine up in Bozeman Montana. Was literally a deal I couldn’t pass up, kind of fell right into my lap, I was intending to just continue with my KB Voodoo Rack (which I was having issues with as well), but they offer came up and I couldn’t resist.

Steve

 

I am not familiar with the Alu-cab but over the years I have had 5 or 6 aluminum shells and with rough country off road travel, every one ended up with cracked welds on the interior frame. I picked up a Overland shell today and drove it home in the rain. no issues. This is my 3rd ARE shell and I have been pleased with all of them.