2000 Dakota had an ARE cap. Loved it. Spent a few nights in the back. Opened the slider window to the cab to let in ventilation. Bedrug added padding. Pleasant evening. 240,000 miles and 14 years on the cap. Had to replace the window struts twice once they stopped holding the windows open.
2014 1500 CCSB with ARE cap. Both caps were lined and had/have side opening windows. New ARE caps come with fold down rear window between cap and cab to allow window cleaning. I had an LED light added. With Bedrug, it is fully carpeted. No noise or rattling from items riding in bed. Items in bed are not beat up due to padded bedrug and cap liner.
I wanted the side opening windows so could easily get to items at far end of bed without having to climb in the bed. That option makes the windows less sleek looking but more functional. Extra several hunderd $ but worth it for me. Use the windows all the time. I leave the slider window in the cap open year round. Even while in car washes. Maybe a few drips get in but nothing noticable. Helps to vent the space and keep it a tad cooler.
I spent the afternoon getting my cap order just right the day before I bought my truck. Called the cap dealer as I was driving off the dealers lot. Takes about 4 weeks for them to build and color match.
I have tools and equipment that stay in my truck for work. Cap and tailgate are locked with tinted windows. Battery operated tools are protected from weather and causal theft.
Truck with cap is better than SUV. Noise, mess, smell or whatever else from stuff being hauled is seperate from passenger compartmart. With sliding rear window, smaller items can be retrieved from bed if planned ahead. On trips, put the snacks and drink cooler at end of bed near cab. Kids open the slider and get stuff from the bed but still have plenty of room in the cab for all their other stuff.
Caps weigh between 150 and 185 lbs. depending on options, ie: folding windows, carpet liner, lighting, roof racks, etc. Takes 2-4 people to put in place or remove. Not due to the weight but because it is bulky. ARE makes their own special aluminum clamps that are basically just fancy C-clamps to secure the cap to the truck bed.
Anytime you have to haul something larger than fits in the cap, take it off and set aside. Takes about 10 minutes to take off or put on.