I want a topper for my JT Rubicon. LEER or A.R.E.?

[ToJTornottoJT]

I want a topper for my JT Rubicon. I don't need anything fancy, I just want something with side windows that can slide open and a place for a roof rack. I don't need or want a $5,000 topper. I am thinking of either the LEER or the A.R.E. toppers. Which is better? I will get it in black to match my hard top. Is there a quality difference?

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[ckgjt]

I want a topper for my JT Rubicon. I don't need anything fancy, I just want something with side windows that can slide open and a place for a roof rack. I don't need or want a $5,000 topper. I am thinking of either the LEER or the A.R.E. toppers. Which is better? I will get it in black to match my hard top. Is there a quality difference?

I love my ARE CX shell...If you go with Are I would suggest the OTR option....if you are wanting one order it now and hopefully you will get it within 5 months!..yep..took FIVE months...still cant figure out why I cant rotate the photos correctly on this forum

 

[dcmdon]

What's OTR?

I'm in the same boat. Gladiator on order. Considering toppers. I like the fact that the ARE comes in body color at no additional charge

 

[FitfulGoat]

I have the ARE CX HD and love it. Personally the looks of the ARE best match the body lines in my opinion.

 

[Jaxmax]

Don't have a Leer or ARE, but have one of the metal caps, and the flip up side windows are my favorite thing about it, can easily reach in from side to get things out, I did not consider it important but it is sweet, perhaps check that option on your list. Also depending on your needs, be aware of the roof ratings, I think the fiberglass ones get interior bracing to get the higher numbers. As for $5,000 , I don't think any of the caps are above four grand.

 

[ToJTornottoJT]

I love my ARE CX shell...If you go with Are I would suggest the OTR option....if you are wanting one order it now and hopefully you will get it within 5 months!..yep..took FIVE months...still cant figure out why I cant rotate the photos correctly on this forum

Can you tell me the cost? What is the OTR option?

 

[FitfulGoat]

@ToJTornottoJT The typical price for the ARE CX ranges from 2300$ to about 3400$ fully loaded in HD. If you don’t plan on carrying a heavy load on the top the standard is more than capable for carrying things like kayaks. The HD gives you an aluminum internal frame and a 550lb dynamic roof rating.

OTR is the finish on the cap. If you want it to more closely match the black hardtop this is the suggested finish.

Just FYI

 

[ckgjt]

Can you tell me the cost? What is the OTR option?

OTR option is a linex type of coating that is scratch resistant and as mentioned matches pretty close to the OEM black roof texture..in certain light you can see the difference but pretty close..I am into my cap with every option ..OTR bed rug, Windoors, flip front window with a slider,Yakima rack, carpeted headliner electrical etc for 3900 installed tax etc. did not go with the HD or the tool boxes..wanted the HD but when i ordered I could not get the HD with windoors which are a must have in my opinion- the OTR option was 450.00 yet the Yakima was 480.00 go figure!...ps how do you get my pictures to load correctly??

 

[ToJTornottoJT]

OTR option is a linex type of coating that is scratch resistant and as mentioned matches pretty close to the OEM black roof texture..in certain light you can see the difference but pretty close..I am into my cap with every option ..OTR bed rug, Windoors, flip front window with a slider,Yakima rack, carpeted headliner electrical etc for 3900 installed tax etc. did not go with the HD or the tool boxes..wanted the HD but when i ordered I could not get the HD with windoors which are a must have in my opinion- the OTR option was 450.00 yet the Yakima was 480.00 go figure!...ps how do you get my pictures to load correctly??

I rotated your pictures, saved them, and then reposted them.

 

[Angus_NTX]

I got an ARE classic (non HD because I’ll never use an RTT). I went with matte black over the OTR because it didn’t seem like it was as good of a match, to me, for the factory roof. I paid 3,500 installed with the carpet, sliding front window, sliding sides with screens and led lights. For me, my use, best add to date.

 

[spectre6000]

Back when I got my ZR2 Bison, I did a deep dive comparison between topper manufacturers to compare primarily quality. This was ca. the end of 2019. Here's the writeup cut and pasted:

"I recently made a pretty deep dive research project of this for my coming-soon Colorado. I internetted it hard, and ultimately came to the conclusion that 99% of what I was reading was people justifying their life choices, and the only way to really learn what I wanted to know was to go look in person... So I took a day and went to topper dealers in the area and wasted a LOT of salesman hours....

The concrete part of the research I was able to find was that ARE had some really nice hinges and didn't have fastener covers on their glass leading to a really nice, high quality appearance. While that's true in a binary sense, it's only the case on a SINGLE model (one aimed at looking slick and like the back of an SUV, but not available with options I needed). The majority of ARE's toppers were not especially different to other manufactures; a lot of extruded aluminum frames , flat glass panes, and fiber glass. I was interested in a particular ARE topper that had an optional frame that gave it the ability to support 500# on the roof. That same model could be had with the solid aluminum windoors with optional boxes. Turns out, that frame is REALLY intrusive, and only supports 500# IF you use the specific rack that utilizes its mounting points (not really compatible with much else). The boxes were also only good for 200#, which isn't much when you think about it. Finally, looking at the fiberglass itself, it was rough. Really rough. The dealer specifically only sold ARE toppers with carpet lining because it was so rough. There was a Jason they had in on trade (and I have one on my current truck), and the difference in finish was stark. I went into the whole ordeal thinking ARE was where I would end up, and I was thoroughly disabused of that notion. Specific to the Colorado, the transition from the top of the cab to the topper looked really off, and seeing it in person, it looks like there may actually be a backward rake to it, but it was hard to tell with the tops up on the rack and not having a Colorado on hand to actually see it. I feel like the model I was looking at was only available with double handles (I prefer a single).

The same dealer also had ATC, and those did not seem especially better or worse than the ARE in any way I could tell. The hinges on the rear hatch may have been a different extrusion profile, but not different in a way that seemed to make any difference from what I could tell. Fiberglass finish was comparable to the ARE tops...

The Leers seemed about on par with the ARE, but I don't recall the fiberglass being as rough. They definitely seemed better styled relative to the specific truck in question. I didn't look super close at the Leers, because...

The Snugtops were far and away the best thing going. For starters, the commercial topper with the solid windoors and shelved boxes is rated for 500# WITHOUT a silly frame, and the boxes were rated for either 250# or 300#. Additionally, the back glass is curved, I don't care about the fastener covers on the glass, and it just looked nice. All of the commercial toppers used the same square chromed latch mechanism, while the Snugtop uses a unique pentagonal mechanism... It's neither here nor there, but something I noticed. The quality was better on everything I saw. The main handle could be set up to be locked with the truck's locks (a few had this, but the integration was much better on the Snugtop). The single, central latch mechanism was also better on the Snugtop. I don't know how I feel about it, but the solid windoors on the Snugtop were fiberglass where the others (where it was an option) were all aluminum. The bottom of the Snugtop also drops down over the top of the bed sides in a way that seems would be helpful ensuring weatherproofing, but I can't say the rubber gaskets aren't good enough all around (my Jason doesn't leak around the edges for sure).

The Snugtop/Leer dealer also had another no-name brand I didn't recognize or remember, and it seemed about the same as the ATC.

I started the day thinking ARE, and I left firmly decided on Snugtop. I owe no one anything, and haven't committed to anything in any irreversible way, and I'm not the type that feels I need to justify my life choices to people. Depending on what you're looking for, I would say each manufacturer probably has something that will scratch your itch nicely. Even the cheapest top would provide some functional security, though maybe not be entirely weatherproof. I was specifically looking for something in a commercial flavor with the solid sides, shelving, and the ability to take some weight on a roof rack."

I ultimately bought the commercial grade SnugTop. I had to take it back for some warranty repairs, but sold the truck after only a year and a half, so didn't get a super long term feel for it. I REALLY liked the tool boxes. One of the downsides to a truck is the lack of a trunk. Stuff is either in the cab taking up people space, or it's in the bed either exposed to the elements or the dirt and residue of whatever was in the bed last. The tool boxes are like having two small (think convertible sized) trunks. On a trade spec F150, it would look like you were a plumber or an electrician or something. On an enthusiast spec baddass-mobile with the higher trim spec (the curved glass, etc.), it looks mean and awesome! 10/10 would do again. Ufortunately, SnugTop doesn't do anything for the JT yet... So... ARE has the most similar option, and should the topper landscape not change by the time I have my JT, that's the way I'll be going.

 

[SquirrelNuts]

I got an ARE classic (non HD because I’ll never use an RTT). I went with matte black over the OTR because it didn’t seem like it was as good of a match, to me, for the factory roof. I paid 3,500 installed with the carpet, sliding front window, sliding sides with screens and led lights. For me, my use, best add to date.

I didn't know you could get it in Matte Black. That looks great! I saw the OTR in person once and it had a shimmer to it that I thought really clashed with the non-painted black hardtop.

 

[Angus_NTX]

I didn't know you could get it in Matte Black. That looks great! I saw the OTR in person once and it had a shimmer to it that I thought really clashed with the non-painted black hardtop.

it was a pretty good match when I first got it, but just a little off because the topper seemed glossier. Now with some miles, dirt and a few washes, it’s a perfect match. Quality is still not up to par with the price tag. However, still my favorite mod.

 

[Chance575]

I was in the business 19 years ago and a installer for 5 years. Snug top was one of the best. Pretty much all of the tops used the same style of windows. I think no matter who you go with it will be ok.

The absolute best I saw was the Canadians who had a stamped steel topper. Double walled and insulated, but people buying a $40k truck at the time didn’t want to pay $3k for a cap.

 

[cuellar13]

As someone that sold and installed toppers while I was in college, ARE is the way to go, hands down. Leer is a "household name" in the topper world, but not known for quality. We used to see a lot of paint and de-lamination issues, not to mention the way that ARE built their toppers was far superior. I have seen one (ARE) that came off the bed of a truck (shitty install) that hit the highway at 70 mph, and just have cosmetic damage. That sold me.

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