any suggestion on a topper for my 05 f205 long bed? could use some help?

 

Don't get a LEER They are nicely constructed with a beautiful finish but very poor hardware(no corrosion protection), few dealers, and poor customer support. No, make that VERY poor customer support. After they soak you for $2000 you're on your own. I'm the second owner of a 2003 model and already some of the parts are no longer available.

The brand I hear nothing but good things about is A.R.E. If I was in the market I would check there first.
Check out their website here http://http://www.4are.com/

 

I really liked my A.R.E, I would definitely get one again. The Z series tops look really good on the trucks. I spent a lot of time sleeping in the back of the truck and got the carpeted interior, clothes hanger, and interior light for about $1500.

 

I bought a cab high LEER for my CC short bed back in 99. Dealer I bought it from urged me to buy an A.R.E. (they sold both at the time). It looked good, but like dmp437 said, the hardware was junk. The rear window wouldn't latch properly, couldn't lock it, leaked badly. The dealer ended their relationship with LEER and the next closest one one over an hour away. No one could ever fix the rear window latches, just plain poor design. Bought a new A.R.E. for my 05 a few months ago. So far I'm happy with it.

 

I bought a soft topper. It's a canvas top that can be taken off in about 5 minutes. It flaps around a bit at hiway speeds but not to bad. They have a web site so you can do a search if interested. Overall I am happy with mine.

 

bigford8486, just put a A.R.E Z series on my 05 F350 SD Crew. This was my third A.R.E cap over the years. I'm really disappointed with the quality and craftmanship of this one!! After installation and taking home to show the famliy, wife noticed a defect on in the rear window channel; fiber glass was not finished smooth!! Well, trucked it back to the distributor; we agreed it was a defect, suggested retuning it to A.R.E. a week later it back, looks great. Take it to the inspector, she finds that they didn't completely spray the defective area, sloppy work!! She also fines swirl marks in the effected area, swirls don't look good on black!! Now she's really looking, fines a scratch in the glass of the rear window almost looks like a crack!! Again, back to the distributor, sorry but I paid $2100 for this cap, I expect it to be worth it. They didn't have must to say, they touched up the unpainted corner!! Didn't look like a crack in the glass, but maybe a scratch in the black backing. As for the swirls, suggested using a buffer or looking for swirl out. My opinion is that ARE just got sloppy!! I did outline this to ARE when registing the cap, no response!! Sorry to be long winded, would I recommend ARE, sure! But really really really inspect it on delivery!!

Good Luck!!

 

Depending on your use, consider side windows that open out and up to get at stuff inside. Smoked side glass is good. I don't know if they are available in Mass, but SnugTop in Ca. are great. I've had their products for over 20 years and never had a problem or been dissappointed...Good Luck

 

Like bfr250sd,said A.R.E is great.I have pics in my gallery,if u want to see what it looks like.

 

Just got my '06 F-250 PSD CC SB Lariat in July. First option that went on was a Pace Edwards Jack Rabit roll up Toneau. Less than a grand, helps fuel consumption, locks to keep prying fingers out and you can use it with a 5th wheel mount in the bed!

Check out their web www.pace-edwards.com. Do not try to install it yourself, takes two people and the directions can be very confusing.

 

For my 99' I just got a Century, It seems to be constructed well and looks great.

 

I'm running a Knapheide Knap-Kap on my '05 F350 CC SRW SWB. It's a little pricier than most (about $3K installed, painted, and clearcoated), but it's seriously heavy-duty. All-steel construction, about 450lbs. Mine removes the tailgate and gives double-doors in the back along with toolboxes along both sides.

 

I have a Leer topper that I bought about 4 years ago. It looks great but I can agree partially with some of the comments above. My rear dor has a push button latch mechanism that did not latch correctly at first. After the place I bought it put a bunch of washers between the catch and the topper it worked ok but not great. Finally after having the topper on and off a few times it would not work. I finally took the cover off the latch workings and found that the hooks could be adjusted, so I did that and haven't had a problem since. I think the Leer looks better than any of the others that I have seen, but I have not seen the ARE that everyone is talking about. Hopefully Leer has taken care of these problems recently, because I've looked at there new models and they offer some really neat stuff now like 110V power inverter, dual dome lights, and others.

 

I also have the Jack Rabit from Pace Edwards - it works great.

 

I really like my ARE...in my Gallery

 

You can see my ARE Z-series in my gallery... I think

Great cap, used it camping with the wife - got the split front-window, so on cold nights, I would open both the rear split in the truck and the front split in the cap and turn on the vents with hot air and the side windows open. That would pre-heat the entire bed (with air mattress) and make for a warm night. Estrogen makes a good bed-warmer

I recently broke the rear door/window. It's $459 installed ($400 for just the window and frame), and I paid $1500 for it total.

I'm waiting to see if I can find another ARE cap for sale used, for less than the install price and I'll grab it. They are running about $550 or so used around here. If I had $0-deductible glass coverage instead of $500 (company policy), I would get it replaced under the insurance.

art k.