ARE camper shell lack of QC- - update!

[JTGuy]

I bought my ARE top in '22 and have had no issues . It's been off road many times. Fit and finish are perfect. Got all the options and paid under $3K. Looks great on the JT and many people love it.

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[1945gpw]

I bought my ARE top in '22 and have had no issues . It's been off road many times. Fit and finish are perfect. Got all the options and paid under $3K. Looks great on the JT and many people love it.

Nice looking rig!

 

[HueCity0846]

I have had my ARE classic for two weeks now and very happy with it. This is my second ARE, the other on a Ram. My dealer recommended the classic because the one-piece glass lid is heavy and can come out of adjustment from rough roads. Replacement door is $900 vs $350 for the metal framed door.

 

[1945gpw]

So a little update. Long story short ARE took the shell back, removed all the windows, repainted the entire shell and installed the roof track system. Overall took about 4 weeks to get the shell back.

Originally was pretty annoyed since this is how I should have received it the first time but glad it’s all resolved and it didn’t get damaged with all the shipping back and forth. Now I am happy with how the shell turned out lol.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

Thanks for the update. Maybe that camper was just a Friday build. But in any case, ARE has redeemed themselves.

 

[HueCity0846]

Real Truck is buying many after-market manufacturers of truck accessories. The Netherland based corporation goes into cost cutting measures to increase profits. I bought one for my Ram in 2018 and one for my Gladiator 4 months ago. Fit and finish is not as good on the new one. I am not a fan of Real Truck and their business model.

 

[MattK]

Glad they fixed it for you. Mine has been solid since I had it installed back in August '21. It's been all over the country, off-roading, all kinds of weather with very little fuss. I did have it re-adjusted back from the cab a 1/2" after a trip to Baja where the washboards have their way with everyone and everything no matter the suspension, speed or tire pressure. :D

I keep eyeballing the Super Pacific topper though. Starting to want to get out of the ground tent situation. I love my Gazelle but the packing/unpacking of stuff into and out of it on multi-day trips can get a bit old.

Link to my post in case the info is helpful to anyone.

 

[1945gpw]

Glad they fixed it for you. Mine has been solid since I had it installed back in August '21. It's been all over the country, off-roading, all kinds of weather with very little fuss. I did have it re-adjusted back from the cab a 1/2" after a trip to Baja where the washboards have their way with everyone and everything no matter the suspension, speed or tire pressure. :D

I keep eyeballing the Super Pacific topper though. Starting to want to get out of the ground tent situation. I love my Gazelle but the packing/unpacking of stuff into and out of it on multi-day trips can get a bit old.

Link to my post in case the info is helpful to anyone.

have you tried the roof top tent on the ARE? My sales manager said it will work just fine on it and I also have a friend who has a leer on his Tacoma and has been tenting off it for years with no issue. I’m planning to get one eventually and see how it goes

 

[Rubicon Runnin' Bob]

I had zero trouble with my ARE topper. Paint is identical match as I gave them the paint code for the hard top. I have the built in toolbox on drivers side as well. Personally think ARE is best looking cover Looks like factory fit. Sorry you had issues but that happens in all things.

Same here

Mine was installed Jan 2024

There is nothing "man-made" that is without problems

 

[MattK]

have you tried the roof top tent on the ARE? My sales manager said it will work just fine on it and I also have a friend who has a leer on his Tacoma and has been tenting off it for years with no issue. I’m planning to get one eventually and see how it goes

No. It would have come apart on some of my off-road trips if there was an RTT up there. They will not tell you the dynamic load rating on their CX Classic topper because they don't know or test for it. ARE advertising shows pictures of an RTT mounted to their fiberglass shells but I wouldn't do it myself. Attempt at your own risk.

They make a version of the topper called the "HD" which can be optioned in the CX line that has internal bracing. The feet on it are static though so if the rack you want won't fit those dimensions you'd be out of luck. I just have the rack for miscellaneous stuff that I don't want in the bed, or I don't access often.

 

[HueCity0846]

their website says 550lbs

550lbs is not correct by a bunch. The ARE Gladiator camper is posted at 160 to 170lbs and varies depending on options. My Gladiator is the 2nd ARE cap I have had and both are excellent.

 

['51WillysCJ3a]

Glad they fixed it for you. Mine has been solid since I had it installed back in August '21. It's been all over the country, off-roading, all kinds of weather with very little fuss. I did have it re-adjusted back from the cab a 1/2" after a trip to Baja where the washboards have their way with everyone and everything no matter the suspension, speed or tire pressure. :D

I keep eyeballing the Super Pacific topper though. Starting to want to get out of the ground tent situation. I love my Gazelle but the packing/unpacking of stuff into and out of it on multi-day trips can get a bit old.

Link to my post in case the info is helpful to anyone.

ordered mine through A.R.E., I added the TopperEZlift Weekender, beats having a tent

 

[Rubicon Runnin' Bob]

ordered mine through A.R.E., I added the TopperEZlift Weekender, beats having a tent

Very interesting, thanks for posting it!

 

[Vtur]

So a little update. Long story short ARE took the shell back, removed all the windows, repainted the entire shell and installed the roof track system. Overall took about 4 weeks to get the shell back.

Originally was pretty annoyed since this is how I should have received it the first time but glad it’s all resolved and it didn’t get damaged with all the shipping back and forth. Now I am happy with how the shell turned out lol.

The paint job looks really nice. I want to add roof tracks on my ARE but don't know the brand and length to purchase. Do you happen to know what track did ARE used and lenght?

 

[rj74]

ARE QC is a joke. We are a dealer and see issues on 90% of the tops that come in, we typically send a couple a month back for defects. Their color match is typically spot on but the paint tends to have debris in it and fish eyes. Fitment is also an issue, rarely is the fit true, most have to be forced to fit and clamped in place. I can do a cx built like I want for $2k and still wouldn't order one.

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