TLSfarm
Junior Member
I also have an A.R.E. on a 1500 crew cab.
ARE website has photos of caps on various trucks.
Camper shell
- Thread starter 2012RAM1500RT
- Start date
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ARE website has photos of caps on various trucks.
themactep
Junior Member
Not a regular cab but you get the idea. The cap is ARE Z-Series with a modified lock.
https://youtu.be/JWDxamDGOgU (nevermind the language, lol)
Elkman
Senior Member
Camper shell manufacturers also have versions that slope up at the front and the camper roof is 8 inches higher off the bed. Much better for using the camper shell for camping and it also increases the size of the opening for placing larger objects in the bed of the truck. I went from this type for all my trucks to a conventional one that was the same height from the cab to the rear and often I wished I had gone with the taller version when loading the bed.
I would not own a pickup truck without a camper. I can take twice as much to the dump or twice as much on a trip with shell and with darkened windows I keep my gear out sight from thieves when parked anywhere.
I would not own a pickup truck without a camper. I can take twice as much to the dump or twice as much on a trip with shell and with darkened windows I keep my gear out sight from thieves when parked anywhere.
Craig Bowers
Junior Member
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2020
- Posts
- 22
- Reaction score
- 50
- Location
- Bakersfield, Ca
- Ram Year
- 2013 1500 Outdoorsman 2018 2500 CTD 4x4
- Engine
- 5.7 Hemi
My 2013 1500 Outdoorsman CC with an ARE shell.
scrounge
Member
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- Jul 26, 2021
- Posts
- 55
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- 15
- Location
- Deep in the heart of Texas
- Ram Year
- 1999
- Engine
- 318
I bought an Astro used; I don't recommend it. Not well designed, and I had to replace screws where the struts connect. It leaks through the rear window hinges. The rivets holding the passenger side interior plastic screen disconnected, and I had to tape that window to keep it shut. Other problems that I don't remember.
tcburch
Junior Member
- Joined
- May 21, 2015
- Posts
- 17
- Reaction score
- 6
- Ram Year
- 2012
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
I've always been partial to Leer (sorry, no pictures), but ARE is a great choice also. If you do the hard shell with a BedRug you'll be glad you did...
OP
OP
I found a camper shell for my truck, already painted the correct color and 1/3 of the price of a new one. I'm still not a camper shell person but it doesn't look bad at all. I guess my "Pavement Princess" is going camping in about 4 weeks!
calinb
Junior Member
- Joined
- Sep 5, 2016
- Posts
- 24
- Reaction score
- 14
- Ram Year
- 2004, 2016
- Engine
- 3.7 6-cyl, 6.7 Cummins
I have a gen. 3 Ram so no photo but I recommend a cap that has a sharp angled flange or lip that extends down past the deck of the box where the cap rests and seals. The flange must slightly overhang the outside of the pickups box, instead of the cap terminating with an almost square outside corner and flat bottom on the bed rail.
The problem with most cap to box mating surfaces is water surface tension. The sharp angle of a Leer cap is the solution, which allows water to drip off the side rather than clinging to the underside of the cap and running downhill until it finds a way around the rubber seal. Even with a perfect seal, it can run downhill to the tailgate and usually some of the water finds a way in there. I've seen this feature in cap other than the Leer. I don't recall but maybe Gemtop was one of them, but I think Gemtop is out of business now.
I learned the hard way and for for years I've thought of adding a fiberglass extended flange to my cap. Now that the paint is getting pretty old, I'm think I'm getting close to doing it.
BTW, I have tailgate seals too, and they only get you so far.
I have no interest in Leer, other than I regret that I didn't pay a little more and buy one!
The problem with most cap to box mating surfaces is water surface tension. The sharp angle of a Leer cap is the solution, which allows water to drip off the side rather than clinging to the underside of the cap and running downhill until it finds a way around the rubber seal. Even with a perfect seal, it can run downhill to the tailgate and usually some of the water finds a way in there. I've seen this feature in cap other than the Leer. I don't recall but maybe Gemtop was one of them, but I think Gemtop is out of business now.
I learned the hard way and for for years I've thought of adding a fiberglass extended flange to my cap. Now that the paint is getting pretty old, I'm think I'm getting close to doing it.
BTW, I have tailgate seals too, and they only get you so far.I have no interest in Leer, other than I regret that I didn't pay a little more and buy one!
OP
OP
This one is a Leer and it has the lip all the way down the sides and it touches the paint no where. The factory caps on top of the bed sides was even able to stay . The sides even curve with the bed shape. I'm still not the biggest fan of camper shells but I can't say enough good things about the way this one fits and it's the best one could look if I'm going to have one. It literally was made for my truck! Can't believe I even found one the right color!I have a gen. 3 Ram so no photo but I recommend a cap that has a sharp angled flange or lip that extends down past the deck of the box where the cap rests and seals. The flange must slightly overhang the outside of the pickups box, instead of the cap terminating with an almost square outside corner and flat bottom on the bed rail.
The problem with most cap to box mating surfaces is water surface tension. The sharp angle of a Leer cap is the solution, which allows water to drip off the side rather than clinging to the underside of the cap and running downhill until it finds a way around the rubber seal. Even with a perfect seal, it can run downhill to the tailgate and usually some of the water finds a way in there. I've seen this feature in cap other than the Leer. I don't recall but maybe Gemtop was one of them, but I think Gemtop is out of business now.
I learned the hard way and for for years I've thought of adding a fiberglass extended flange to my cap. Now that the paint is getting pretty old, I'm think I'm getting close to doing it.
I have no interest in Leer, other than I regret that I didn't pay a little more and buy one!
shift_dad
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jun 26, 2021
- Posts
- 9
- Reaction score
- 7
- Location
- Edmonton, AB CAN
- Ram Year
- 2015
- Engine
- Hemi 5.7
Leer / Cap-It 100XL with rear third brake and a BlackVue camera lol. Not this year, but next Christmas I want to put one of those Bedrug (BRT09CCK) kits in it. It's just the wife and me and a couple of small dogs lol.
OP
OP
Have to say that looks very good!
Yarek
Member
My truck turned 21 this summer, so I'm not sure if the picture will be relevant, however, one thing I want to mention, because I sometimes camp in the truck with my wife. I bought the SnugTop camper shell with the extra tall roof. It's awesome to be able to sit up in bed (albeit somewhat slouched), while still having storage space under the mattress, all the while having the comfort of an 8" mattress. My truck has 8' bed and quad cab, and is lifted. So the big camper shell actually looks pretty good on it.
550lb rack, screened windoors(a must for sleeping!), carpeted, LEDs, slider!
Perfect paint match! Love it!
CalDad14
Member
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2021
- Posts
- 67
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- 55
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Ram Year
- 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab, 4x4, 6-speed, short bed, 392gears
- Engine
- 5.7
Super clean! Wanted to go w/a Canopy like yours. How it is taller at the rear. Budget was a factor. That blue is beautiful. Nice setup.
CalDad14
Member
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- Jun 9, 2021
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- 67
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- 55
- Location
- Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- Ram Year
- 2017 Ram 1500 Crew Cab, 4x4, 6-speed, short bed, 392gears
- Engine
- 5.7
Right on! Truck looks great man. Color matching and a good deal.... Got to love it when a plan comes together! Enjoy your upcoming camping trip and be safe.
Toddbigboytruck
Senior Member
I have a 6 4 box and found a truck cap. On Kijji
paint matching And I love it all I need to do is weld or buy a basket to put on the Lear supply roof bars.
Attachments
rockmanm35
Junior Member
Here's my white Leer cap on a 2017 Laramie, not a fan at first but two months in, I like it
Bill
Bill
OP
OP
I agree, every thing your truck fits together. Very good looking truck!
Coastal WA Gal
Member
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- Jan 5, 2018
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- 49
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- Location
- Washington coast
- Ram Year
- 2017
- Engine
- 5.7 Hemi
Thanks! I got lucky that the options I wanted were available on a Blue Streak Blue truck relatively nearby. As far as the cap budget goes, if I remember correctly, the basic color matched ARE TW started at around $1800 when I ordered mine back in 2017. I ordered mine with the aluminum surround for the back glass window (solid aluminum is also an option), the carpet liner for the cap, pet screens, a 12v power outlet with 3 outlets, a light and 4 "clothes bars" and paid about $2,800, including installation. I haven't camped in my truck yet, but I do plan to cobble together a light weight, easily removable narrow twin size bed frame from 2" PVC pipe to fit over the tire hump and still have plenty of room for storage under the bed frame, as well as the rest of the truck bed.
