PlainPractical
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2016
- Posts
- 16
- Reaction score
- 16
- Ram Year
- 2016
- Engine
- Hemi
Hello all! I 'm considering a cap for my 2016 1500 Express with Crew cab and 5'5" bed. This was my first pickup (drove nothing but vans for most of my life and liked the convenience). I put a Peragon cover on it (along with a bedrug) when I got it, and while convenient, it limits the height of the things I can put in (with the cover closed) and lets in a bit of water back at the tailgate. Now that the truck is coming off lease and I know I will be keeping it, I decided to look into a cap (and try to sell the Peragon). A.R.E seems to make decent caps. I pM'ed someone here with questions, but decided to post a thread, since some of the answers might benefit others:
1) I know nothing is water tight, so how much water should I expect in the bed when it rains (or when I drive in the rain), and does it tend to just accumulate in one or two spots? My Peragon mostly drips in at the two rear corners (it does not cover the tail, so water is tempted to seep in, and with the bedrug, once water comes in, it soaks in)
2) Will I have to remove the trim on the bed top edges? If so, does it leave things open for water to get in?
3) Any real effects on gas milage with cap (level with cab) vs cover vs nothing? My commutes alternate between 320 miles and 12 miles, so speeds vary?
4) While I mostly am throwing things in like bags and boxes, I occasionally carry building materials - 8 foot 2x4's and things like that - and leave the tailgate down while I'm driving. Is this a problem with a cap, and does it stress the cap out in any way (i.e. when driving, is the air trying to "pull" the cap off). Also, if I just want to throw some long stuff into the bed, and leave it hanging out with the tailgate up, can I run with the back cap window open, or is that a total no-no?
4a) Any opinions on getting a rack for on top of the cap? In my mind, I imagine the cap to be a bit weak and flimsy - so not able to support much on it's roof. Am I way off? For example, would you put a 40' extension ladder on a rack on a cap?
5) Opinions on side slider windows (vs fixed)? Assuming some water gets in, I'll need some way for it to evaporate out (or is this not a problem?). The cap I quoted from ARE had solid glass on sides (which I thought looked cleaner) but I have concerns of zero air circulation. I guess I can open the front window...which raises the question of "if I run with the front window open on the cap, does that cause any problems with cap trying to "lift""?
6) I did some research and A.R.E. seems to make the best cap for my needs. They quoted me $2400 (for a Z series) and $1700 for a simpler more tradional look cap - framed windows. Any other suggestions or opinions? I can't go with a canvas soft top - I sometimes travel to places where kids would slice it up, just for the thrill of damaging something ("Welcome to New York, sidearm optional")
If mods would rather I bust these up into seperate threads, let me know (I thought all info in one place was easier to digest).
Thanks in advance for the advice!
1) I know nothing is water tight, so how much water should I expect in the bed when it rains (or when I drive in the rain), and does it tend to just accumulate in one or two spots? My Peragon mostly drips in at the two rear corners (it does not cover the tail, so water is tempted to seep in, and with the bedrug, once water comes in, it soaks in)
2) Will I have to remove the trim on the bed top edges? If so, does it leave things open for water to get in?
3) Any real effects on gas milage with cap (level with cab) vs cover vs nothing? My commutes alternate between 320 miles and 12 miles, so speeds vary?
4) While I mostly am throwing things in like bags and boxes, I occasionally carry building materials - 8 foot 2x4's and things like that - and leave the tailgate down while I'm driving. Is this a problem with a cap, and does it stress the cap out in any way (i.e. when driving, is the air trying to "pull" the cap off). Also, if I just want to throw some long stuff into the bed, and leave it hanging out with the tailgate up, can I run with the back cap window open, or is that a total no-no?
4a) Any opinions on getting a rack for on top of the cap? In my mind, I imagine the cap to be a bit weak and flimsy - so not able to support much on it's roof. Am I way off? For example, would you put a 40' extension ladder on a rack on a cap?
5) Opinions on side slider windows (vs fixed)? Assuming some water gets in, I'll need some way for it to evaporate out (or is this not a problem?). The cap I quoted from ARE had solid glass on sides (which I thought looked cleaner) but I have concerns of zero air circulation. I guess I can open the front window...which raises the question of "if I run with the front window open on the cap, does that cause any problems with cap trying to "lift""?
6) I did some research and A.R.E. seems to make the best cap for my needs. They quoted me $2400 (for a Z series) and $1700 for a simpler more tradional look cap - framed windows. Any other suggestions or opinions? I can't go with a canvas soft top - I sometimes travel to places where kids would slice it up, just for the thrill of damaging something ("Welcome to New York, sidearm optional")
If mods would rather I bust these up into seperate threads, let me know (I thought all info in one place was easier to digest).
Thanks in advance for the advice!
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