ARE vs Leer topper

Hey guys,

Looking to throw a topper on my 2019 Short bed crew cab SR5.

I know Leer is supposed to be the biggest company in the industry but I am looking to see what guys think of the ARE topper also.

Unfortunately SnugTop is off the table unless I find a used one here in NJ.

Please share your thoughts . Thanks!

 

Never owned a Leer. All I can tell you is that I’m 100% satisfied with my ARE Overland after about 4 years of ownership.
I suspect all the big topper names are about equal in terms of quality.
I wouldn’t hesitate buying another ARE topper. My biggest advice for any first time buyer is to carefully consider which options to choose. Windoors on both sides are an absolute must for me and I imagine 99% of others feel the same way. Accessing gear in the rear is much easier with windoors.

 

I wasn't impressed with ARE attention to detail. It looks like a blind man half-assed the front slider interior trim.

 

Windoors a must have!

 

I had ARE on my previous 3 trucks. When I bought this truck, the ARE dealer said he couldn't say how long it would take to get what I wanted. I was rather surprised and then he admitted that they had been having some quality issues, which really surprised me. I ended up with a Leer and have been very happy with it. All that said, that was 7 years ago and maybe ARE has gotten better with there QC.

I don't think you could go wrong with either and I would suspect that both would be similarly priced at the same spec.

 

If you go into it not expecting a water tight camper shell , you’re good to go …. If you expect the old school perfection…. That no longer exists …

 

Just to throw a wrench in the thread, I've been thinking about getting one of these...

https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/Expedition---Truck-Cap-W/Full-Wing-Doors

 

I've had an ARE Classic for a little over 4 years now and have had no issues. I had a Snug Top on my 1994 SR5 and would have gone with Snug Top again but could find no dealers east of the Mississippi River. I looked at Leer but the local ARE dealer blew everyone else away on price so that's what I went with.

 

Just go smartcap it’s lighter better built .easier to remove .i had are on my ford ranger quality was horrid . How expensive these caps are now the smartcap is your best bang for your buck .

 

I like my ARE

 

I have had both ARE and LEER and was happy with both. Currently have a LEER on my 2020 AC Tacoma. The windoors are nice to have.

 

I have had both, the key is a good dealer. Look it over really good, any blemishes/defects should be taken care of by the dealer. And the dealer should stand by the installation as well, ie water leaks.

 

i have owned 4-5 leer and 1 ARE and prefer the leer. i think the lines of the leer are better and they seem to be more consistent.

the quality of my ARE is not very good. the bottom of the ARE is uneven and there is a much wider gap (between the canopy and bed) in the center than at the ends. i have seen a few ARE's on various trucks with the uneven edge.

 

This is my Leer 180.

The Leer dealer in my area also is a Line-X shop. So for $300 (price of a bed spray) they ordered the topper, pulled all the pieces off, sprayed the topper and put it back together. Topper may outlast my truck.

I was looking at the ARE toppers with the black spray, but it just doesn't hold up like a Line-X premium coating designed to be on a bed of a truck. The topper is super strong now (and heavy)

 

I don't doubt that. The 180 is pretty heavy to start with.

 

I went with Ranch, which I think is made by Leer. Saved $1000. In my experience the windoors are overrated for a shortbed truck. I keep stuff in my bed 24/7 and don't regret skipping the windoors. I guess if you can't get in and out of the truck bed easy, then maybe it's worth the price.

I would however prefer a mid rise cap instead of the cab height, the extra headroom would be nice.

 

Any of you guys get spiders that love to web up your truck? Any thing to keep them out?

 

Smartcaps are butt ugly.

 

I agree. You want a dealer that is willing to go to bat for you if you have quality issues.

 

I ordered a base ARE without side windows and without inner surface carpeting.
The inside surface of the ARE is unfinished fibreglass, unlike the 1991 Brahma on my old truck.
Otherwise, the fit and paint match are perfect.

It took 5 months from time of order until it arrived.