Snug Top are headaches.. or is it just me?

I heard a long time ago from my friend that owns a body shop. Truck tops always leak. Well I firgured that was for cheap ones. I bought a $3,400 snug top super sport (not exactly cheap) and it leaked bad from the start. Car wash, rain , hose , whatever. I didn’t want to go back to the installer because of other headaches I’ve had with them since day one also ( I have a separate thread regarding NORCO CAMPER in norco ca)
I finally fixed it myself by placing a bead of clear silicone around the entire perimeter of the exterior windows, which stopped the massive leaking completely. But now to my issue…
One after 9 months my gas shocks on the rear window gave out and I was using a stick to hold it open. I went and took it back and they replaced the shocks free of charge. Although they told me they don’t have time to install it, but they could show me how it wasn’t hard, but that’s beside the point. Now here we are a year and a half later, and the shocks are failing again I rarely open the back I close it properly with care, so I guess my question is what is the best brand of gas shocks for my snug top rear window. They are master lift that keep failing. I’m sure there’s a thread on it but I figure I’d include the title headache because for this much money it seems like there’s a Lotta issues that need address for something that cost this much.

 

In the past, I've looked on those struts in various uses, found a part number and performed a search. Try a different brand maybe?

 

Ya. I was hoping someone could recommend a great brand. I don’t mind spending more for better quality. This are the one that came installed and the same ones they replaced so, 2 sets of 2 shocks I’m thinking this brand has quality issues. The first time I used the window twice daily. To unload and then load my tools at the end of the day. I don’t consider that over use. But the new set , I use (open and close) MAYBE once a week. Hardly abuse

 

the gas shocks are something that wears normally and needs to be replaced. I would get the part number
off the shocks you have and cross reference in a different brand. Important to install properly the shaft must
be down with the door closed. other wise they leak gas quickly.

 

there is a company in kalifornia that has good shocks will look for the name.
Or O'Rielly worked for me in the past. the one in my snugtop are still working
fine after about 5 years. On my 2008 they were still good when I tradedl it in

 

https://www.liftsupportsdepot.com/

I've been using them for as long time. Everything I get form them has been the Strong Arm brand.

You'll have to cross reference with a part number or dimensions.

They're socal so pretty quick on shipping. Always came usps.

 

this is what I bought and they seem to work well .

$30 Truck Upfitters 2pcs 14" Gas Struts | 40lbs Lift Supports for Truck Topper | Compatible with are, Snugtop, ATC, Leer Camper Shells | Truck Cap Replacement Parts, Includes 4 Ball Mounts

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PPPTW3J?ie=UTF8

 

I have used Suspa & Nitrolift brands with good results

 

This fella had a bunch of issues with his brand new Leer. Maybe issues industry wide these days?

https://youtu.be/jHsYLZ7rG_0

 

as gdr said it is Quality Gas Struts and Gas Springs | Lift Supports Depot

 

When you think about it, when the rear hatch is closed the struts are compressed and always under pressure. If you left the hatch open and the struts were extended they would likely last forever. Just a poor design just like automotive applications

 

These folks stock all the sizes and are easy to work with. https://mysnug.com/

 

i think you solved something. Maybe I’ll leave the back “front” shell slider slightly open maybe that will help so there’s no pressure inside when I shut it?

 

Ya that video with that guy,,, damn I thought I was the only one. That’s such BS for the amount we pay for a brand new top. Here’s me one week later when he said I could wash it

 

I often wonder what the engineering team that design these caps look like AND if they have one on their rig. My guess is no

 

Yeah so bad that they are going to replace it for him at the cost of another 200 mile round trip. I couldn't believe all the quality control issues he had from a brand new expensive cap. I hear the RV manufacturing industry is worse. High turn over and not enough semi skilled people to do the work. Maybe the same with the topper industry?

 

I had a SnugTop on my last truck (‘03 Tacoma) and it leaked in a couple of spots, nothing too bad. Bought another SnugTop for my currant truck (‘18) & it does have a very tiny leak towards the front of the bed. I’ve had it 2 years now and it’s been fine parts wise.
The first top I had, I changed out the 3rd brake light, main lock, the dust boot, both gas shocks for the window, also replaced the 2 latches for the fold down sliding window. I suppose many trips to Death Valley didn’t do it any good & I guess you could say these shells are money pits but I still like having a shell to protect what’s in my bed.

 

ya bro. Mine I had 4 80 mile round trips before I said no more.

Trip 1: 80 miles to remove my gas cap to color match

Trip 2: 80 miles to install ( got there 2 hrs early first come, and still waited 4hrs )

Trip 3: 80 miles return later same day. Got home to show wife and rear window door lock was frozen and lock would not release key.

Trip 4: 80 miles to have gas strut shocks replaced, failed less than 1 year

Trip 5: zero miles! Went on Tacoma World to get help to find better shock replacement brand and bitch and whine about having to fix major water leaks myself.

i am so done with them! I didn’t mention all the little stuff either like bolts to hold down topper screwed in at an angle, interior LED light switch works great when I turn it on once I flick it hard with my fingers 5 or six times. It’s sucks man. 50% of my issues are installer and 50% are manufacturing. But if the installer did it right even after a $50 tip that would’ve eliminated 50% of my issues. Plus when I called to tell them the shocks were bad the first thing they suggested was that I installed them upside down and it was my fault and they weren’t responsible. Of course they installed them and when I returned to have the shocks replaced once they came in, and the lady said “ our installer is busy, but I’m a girl and even I can do it , it only takes a few minutes” I was like great then come out and show me I’m just a dumb guy.

SNUG TOP BRAND THUMBS DOWN
NORCO CAMPER in California THUMBS DOWN
Day

 

I have a Snugtop Rebel it’s a 2018 model, pre Covid . It’s not perfect but better than the Leers or ARE’s I have had in the past. The main reason I went with them was the dealership quality of installation. I traveled a little farther to get it but it was worth it. My ARE dealer was very difficult to deal with. When I got home and opened up the back to check it out and load tools I saw they never hooked up the electrical. Called them back, around 1:00pm and made them aware of their mistake. They told me they could schedule an appointment for next week, really. I just spent $2500 and you want me to schedule an appointment to correct your mistake. I took the day off of work to get this installed and get all my work tool loaded. Hooked the electrical up myself and have never been back. They were completely aware that this was a work truck and I took the day off to get everything taken care of. They had from 1pm until 5pm to correct their mistake which took me about 10 minutes to complete. They chose to blow me off and force me to take more time off of work. Needless to say I have never been back, quality of dealership is as important as quality of manufacture.

 

If you want waterproof you need to put a bead of silicone or polyurethane on the rails before installing the cap and submit to never taking it off ever again. Every cap I've owned leaked, the best one, believe it or not was an old aluminum one. I gave up on them three trucks ago. Now I use a tonneau cover and realize whatever I put back there might get wet and use it accordingly. Unfortunately if you want to keep the bed as an indoor place you need to buy a 4Runner instead.