What caps does everyone like?

I'm a Leer guy myself, but I have heard a lot of other names tossed around.

The dealer I got my last one from has Leer and Swiss. Any comments either way?

As for options/equipment - do any of you have the openable windows in the front? Either the slider or the tip out/picture frame window? Do you like it?

What other options have you found to be "must have's", or at least a useable addition?

Do the regualr latches work OK? That is, the dual left/right T-handles? Mine is a hard tonneu with the push button in the middle - doesn't work the greatest.

How about the fit of the window/door over the tail gate? Does it all work pretty well?

Those of you that have experience with both regular and mid-rise designs - what comments can you offer? Does the mid-rise give you really that much more space/useability? Has anyone used the cap as a camper? Any comments on "head room"?

 

Once apon a time ago I used to work for a place that sold and installed them. Leer was always thinning the overall thickness of the fiberglass yet raised the prices. I liked jason Jason Industries, Inc. - Truck caps and tonneau covers designed personally, as they had the thicker fiberglass. The more windows you have the more weight it adds. I personally wouldn't get the slider window but then again my back glass isn't a slider either so it would be pointless to have it anyway. I like the looks of the caps with no windows on the side but they trap heat in like crazy so I'd get a slide side windows to help with that. The only "can't live without option" for me is a dome light. Make sure you get a cap that is made for your truck and get it color matched and fitment and looks shouldn't be a problem.
As far as sleeping in the bed, as long as it's installed right it is water proof so the only problem I would have is it holding the heat in.

 

I always liked Leer myself, I'd like to get one for my new Super Duty myself. I'll be getting another one just like my last one with the Browning package on it, you get carpeted interior, an overhead lockable gun box, a pull down clothes hanging rod, and a set of Yakima adjustable roof racks. It's an excellent add on.

 

How much does everyone use the roof racks? What for?

I was looking in to those as an option for transporting antennas and masts so it doesn't stick out the back. I can close the cap up with the rest of my gear inside but I don't know how necessary that would be. Nice for when I could use it but not sure about the added cost.

If the back window is held open with something long (enough to pass a pipe, 2x4) and it rains - does much water come in or has anyone paid any attention?

The Browning edition does have some nifty options.

 

I have a century T-Class and is a very nice topper. Lots of room

 

I have a Leer and have been very happy with it.

 

My last cap was a Leer. About 3 years ago. I still think they are the brand to beat, at least on a nationwide level.

I had the tip out front window and I liked it. The main reason to get it for me was so that I could clean the back glass on the truck. No way to get to it if you don't have the tip out. Unless you have a boot and pass-through, which is not something I would want. I would not drive around with the window removed. It would definitely get stuff wet.

I had swing out SUV style side windows, and they were pretty good. Obviously they don't open very far so you won't get huge ventilation. But enough to keep the temps down inside. I had side slides in a previous cap, and they do open a lot, but the slides also get filled with dirt and sand and then they get hard to slide. I had to take them out twice for cleaning over the 16 years I owned that truck, and they could have used it a lot more often than that. I would do the SUV style swing outs again.

My Leer had the slam-latch center latch in the rear. I didn't really have any problems with it, but I didn't enjoy having to slam it hard to shut it either. I owned it for 3 years and it worked fine for all that time. But over all my impression was that I would rather have dual T-handle latches on the two corners. What I would never want again is a single T-handle in the center. Those are a break-in waiting to happen.

My second and third choices would be Snugtop and ARE.

 

I used mine for hauling ladders and a canoe back when I had one.

 

I can't offer much with regards to the brand. Mine was on the truck when I bought it, and is mfg by a local company in WV.

I prefer the regular cab-height design purely based on the looks. I can definitely see the advantage of a high rise design for getting some tall things in. Like, I just bought a belt/disc sander that was on a stand and had to lean it WAY over before tipping it up so it would clear. The high rise would've made loading easier. No big deal though.

Mine has the dual T handle locks and, like Bill, I also prefer that over the single center T-handle.

Also, make sure you get a set of locks that don't use the CH751 key. If you search around, everybody and their brother has that key. Some tool boxes, truck caps, side boxes, campers, RV's, pop-ups, boats, display cases are just a few things that use this key. Mine originally did and I swapped them out for a set that doesn't use such a common key.

Lastly, you might see if any of them offer a rear wiper as an option. A few years back I read where some mfg's were going to offer that. A.R.E I remember specifically but I'm not sure if they do yet. Driving on wet roads trashes up the back glass in a hurry. I pieced together a home-brew rear wiper on mine based on parts from a 91-94 Explorer. 2 years so far and it still works great and is worth its weight in gold IMO.

Here's a write up I did about it:
2004 F250 Truck Cap Rear Wiper



And here's a side shot of my top

 

bpunds - excellent post! The ventilation is one thing I was considering with the side 50/50 sliders. Other models have the tip out windows but they don't have the same open area that a 50/50 does. It sounds like the 50/50 may not be quite enough either. Good thinking. I'll mark that down on my brochure to get some pricing on the "windoors" (thats what their called). Any idea if you can get a screen insert for the windoor or just the 50/50 slider portion of it? Might be a great option for going on vaccation - I can put things that may be accessed throughout the trek near the windoors for easy access without opening up the back.

When I was checking up on caps the last time the removable front window came up just for that reason. A must-have I think, don't have an option price for it but I have a feeling it won't be too cheap.

1975StroppeBaja - fantastic idea! That would be really nice to have a wiper and I do a lot of driving in the winter (I'm in Ohio afterall). I will look in to that as an option. That page you linked to on how you built it is great. Lots of good information in there. Are you an electrical engineer or other electronics type hobbyist/tech/professional? Fantastic write-up!

 

Another thought - the roof racks are removable aren't they? As in the base rails are built in to the cap and the rack attaches to the rails? Or are the rack mounts hard, or impossible, to get off?

 

I believe the 50/50 sliders already have screens built in. Rigging up a fan would help a lot with ventilation too, if one isn't an option shouldn't be too hard to hard wire one up. (12v fan of coarse)

 

The slider portion does, but there is an option for the whole window to flip up like a tool box lid. That opens up the entire window opening to airflow, not just the half covered by the slider.

LEER Truck Accessories turns your pickup truck into the perfect vehicle for work, play or everyday life Check out the "front and side window options" section, second from the bottom - "radius side windoor".

My brochure also shows a 50/50 slider in the same openable configuration - "side windoor sliders".

The fan is certainly an option.

 

I see said the blind man....in that case I'm no help. The maker might have an option, if not then I say a roll of screen, scissors, and Velcro and make something yourself. Might not be pretty, but if you just want it to keep the bugs out while sleeping in it, then it would work.

 

I had an ARE 8' cab hi with split window in the front and 50/50 sliders on the sides also yakima tracks and bars up top. It served me well for 11 years. I tinted all windows with limo film (super dark) for security and privacy. Also when driving at night the glare from other vehicles headlights was almost nonexistent. I drive with my side mirrors and don't really use the rearview( habit formed from driving big rigs). You can order shell with just the tracks and add the bars or baskets later. The are a little tricky to install without leaks from rain. As well as getting lined up just right.
I just ordered a new one with this exact same set up for my 2011 F350 that I'm waiting to take delivery on. Dome light is a must.