A R E Camper shell build quality is a joke

[ckgjt]

So after waiting 5 months for my ARE $4k shell I have to say I am pretty ticked. I have been chasing a severe window leak on the front (behind the cab) opening/pivoting window. Dealer was good about replacing the seals which were not put in correctly and the leak was just as bad so they decided to replace the Window which took 1 1/2 months to get...so I make a 3rd trip to the dealer and when they took the "old" window out I see that the dude who cut the window openings was obviously an idiot, possibly drunk or both. That "Misscut" was not even fully covered by the window frame allowing water to come in there and then on the other side 1/3 of the lip is cut off. These are the two areas where the water has been coming in. I am pushing for a new shell vs the "repair" they did by putting putty in the damaged areas that did slow the leak (it seeps instead of pouring in) but ANY leak is unacceptable based on this window opening . I love this shell as the rest of it is nice and the OTR option is definitely worth the price of admission.. Quality and pride of workmanship is so subpar it is ridiculous. I know I am not the only one that has issues with fitment and other items. ARE you really need to get your act together.

Sponsored

 

[Hootbro]

Does not surprise me. Had like quality issues on a ARE top for my then owned 2009 Tacoma. I had moved away from my selling dealer to another state and getting a local dealer to honor the warranty was like pulling teeth.

In talking to a few top dealers, they basically said ARE and the other makes are like the RV manufacturers in that they run their employees in like sweatshop condition where they are judged on output quantity vs. quality with the mantra the dealerships will pick up the slack for quality escapements.

 

[Rujonesfamily]

Sorry about your issues but that looks like a beautiful Mal.

 

[ckgjt]

Sorry about your issues but that looks like a beautiful Mal.

Thanks....She is a German Shedder and DEFINITELY 5150 Craziest most relentless GSD i have ever had lol

 

[Stratus109]

Thats pretty bad. I thought ARE was supposed to be good?

 

[NotSo Bright White]

I too have been dealing with camper shell hell. Ordered a RSI Smart Cap in August. I was told eight weeks for delivery. It never showed up! I started asking the dealer if they could find out an ETA. He said no. He said I would know when it would arrive when he did. Finally, on November 29th, I went to the dealer and asked for my deposit back. No apologies or nothing. Didn’t even try to sell me another product! I think it may be the best thing that could have happened.

That same day I ordered a Harker Outdoor EDC. The customer service was a HUGE improvement as I was contacted by both owners. They had one in stock and started adding my options. I am hoping in the near future to have a great camper.

 

[Padre]

I too have been dealing with camper shell hell. Ordered a RSI Smart Cap in August. I was told eight weeks for delivery. It never showed up! I started asking the dealer if they could find out an ETA. He said no. He said I would know when it would arrive when he did. Finally, on November 29th, I went to the dealer and asked for my deposit back. No apologies or nothing. Didn’t even try to sell me another product! I think it may be the best thing that could have happened.

I was on the website for RSI and they listed a dealer near me. When I was on that dealers website RSI was not listed. So I called the dealer and they said they stopped listing it because they have had trouble getting them and like you had to give some money back. I ended up getting an All-Cab through AVO in Asheville.

 

[Padre]

So after waiting 5 months for my ARE $4k shell I have to say I am pretty ticked. I have been chasing a severe window leak on the front (behind the cab) opening window. Dealer was good about replacing the seals which were not put in correctly and the leak was just as bad so they decided to replace the Window which took 1 1/2 months to get...so I make a 3rd trip to the dealer and when they took the "old" window out I see that the dude who cut the window openings was obviously an idiot, possibly drunk or both. That "Misscut" was not even fully covered by the window frame allowing water to come in there and then on the other side 1/3 of the lip is cut off. These are the two areas where the water has been coming in. I am pushing for a new shell vs the "repair" they did by putting putty in the damaged areas that did slow the leak (it seeps instead of pouring in) but ANY leak is unacceptable based on this window opening . I love this shell as the rest of it is nice and the OTR option is definitely worth the price of admission.. Quality and pride of workmanship is so subpar it is ridiculous. I know I am not the only one that has issues with fitment and other items. ARE you really need to get your act together.

I tried to get an ARE as well but they were backed ordered. I was able to get an All-Cab, which was what I really wanted anyway, from AVO on Asheville for not six much more than you paid for the ARE. Sorry you have had so much trouble for it. I am hoping you are able to get it resolved.

 

[ckgjt]

Thats pretty bad. I thought ARE was supposed to be good?

so did I. I was shocked to see this. I bought the ARE because they had a good reputation or so I thought after doing more internet diggin it appears they are having quality pains of late. It was one of the few shells that look good on the JT vs some others that look like a steel box on/in the bed

 

[WK2JT]

Damn, did he use a hand saw to cut that opening? ?‍

 

[Stratus109]

so did I. I was shocked to see this. I bought the ARE because they had a good reputation or so I thought after doing more internet diggin it appears they are having quality pains of late. It was one of the few shells that look good on the JT vs some others that look like a steel box on/in the bed

Dude probably just chalk it up to newness, i mean think about it. Chevy ford ram around for 40+ years . The JT what 3 years? Still no excuse when dropping that amount of cashh

 

[Terry]

So after waiting 5 months for my ARE $4k shell I have to say I am pretty ticked. I have been chasing a severe window leak on the front (behind the cab) opening/pivoting window. Dealer was good about replacing the seals which were not put in correctly and the leak was just as bad so they decided to replace the Window which took 1 1/2 months to get...so I make a 3rd trip to the dealer and when they took the "old" window out I see that the dude who cut the window openings was obviously an idiot, possibly drunk or both. That "Misscut" was not even fully covered by the window frame allowing water to come in there and then on the other side 1/3 of the lip is cut off. These are the two areas where the water has been coming in. I am pushing for a new shell vs the "repair" they did by putting putty in the damaged areas that did slow the leak (it seeps instead of pouring in) but ANY leak is unacceptable based on this window opening . I love this shell as the rest of it is nice and the OTR option is definitely worth the price of admission.. Quality and pride of workmanship is so subpar it is ridiculous. I know I am not the only one that has issues with fitment and other items. ARE you really need to get your act together.

Sorry to hear this. I bought my Rubi in August 2020, and my ARE topper was delivered in early November. Not one leak, and it keeps most of the dust from extensive desert trail driving out. Took it out last week for a full day of driving in a heavy rain storm and again not one leak... anywhere. My Atticus loved the pictures of your big dog though. We are close, perhaps they should meet.....

 

[Bos]

Bought my Gladiator Sport in October 2020, ordered ARE shell days later, waited about 8 weeks for delivery (which seemed like a long time then, but the wait is longer now). I'm happy with it, and think it seems a bit sturdier than the Leer(s) which I had on other vehicles over the years. Both makes were/are OK, but I like the ARE and would order another one for my next Gladiator.

 

[Black_Widow_Overland]

I haven't had one issue with my ARE topper. Over all I'm pretty happy with mine. I really want the EDC topper by Harker Outdoors, but.. the funds weren't there. So.. I got ARE topper in just 2 weeks.

 

[SargeDiesel]

So after waiting 5 months for my ARE $4k shell I have to say I am pretty ticked. I have been chasing a severe window leak on the front (behind the cab) opening/pivoting window. Dealer was good about replacing the seals which were not put in correctly and the leak was just as bad so they decided to replace the Window which took 1 1/2 months to get...so I make a 3rd trip to the dealer and when they took the "old" window out I see that the dude who cut the window openings was obviously an idiot, possibly drunk or both. That "Misscut" was not even fully covered by the window frame allowing water to come in there and then on the other side 1/3 of the lip is cut off. These are the two areas where the water has been coming in. I am pushing for a new shell vs the "repair" they did by putting putty in the damaged areas that did slow the leak (it seeps instead of pouring in) but ANY leak is unacceptable based on this window opening . I love this shell as the rest of it is nice and the OTR option is definitely worth the price of admission.. Quality and pride of workmanship is so subpar it is ridiculous. I know I am not the only one that has issues with fitment and other items. ARE you really need to get your act together.

hard to believe they let it out the door like that. I hope you get it resolved.

Sponsored