Let's See Your Caps

Snugtop XTR Gen 1. Rails are built in.

 

Well, I pulled the trigger on a new ARE CX Classic. I've wanted to get one for a year now, glad to finally be doing it. We're betting on it being here within a week or two before I hit the road for Texas (around the 3rd or 4th week of March), so there wasn't really any room for me to try and negotiate. I was trying to avoid waiting 'til we get to Texas as this will allow me more space to bring some stuff on a partial move, so I'll get reimbursed for what I carry myself. More cargo space = more $$$. Added options are glass windoors on both sides, tilt in front sliding window, 12V dome light, roof tracks and the headliner which was free via ARE promotion. Total installed with tax (less $50 for mil discount) is $2540. Base price without any options was $1793. I was on the fence about roof tracks (since I'll get bars later) but decided to have them done because if I added them later, he said I'd void my warranty. Now the waiting game begins. This is in southern New Jersey for anyone looking for a regional price.

 

More photos of my new ARE CX HD with custom 48" track system installed as well between the 500lbs. capacity bars; which is supporting the DropRacks system. Happy to answer any questions, just PM me! Its the first in the USA. You can mount anything on it and make life 10x easier loading heavy or large items. Ladders, lumber, whatever.

 

That's pretty cool. What's the weight capacity?

 

Two important questions, what's the weight capacity, and the cost? The demo video on their website says 75kg (165lbs), but that video is from 2018 so things may have changed.

I have a Hobie Pro Angler 14, which weighs almost exactly that empty.

 

My dad's boss has something similar on his Taco.

 

@Outbound @Garand on the XL version which is what i'm running on the Tundra, 175lbs. weight limit.
I'm not sure what US pricing will be so can't say nor do I work for the company. Somewhere around the $1,600-$1,800 mark I would assume after import cost.
Cost isn't to bad when you compare it to a standard roof rack setup ($600) + Thule Hullivator ($650) which is the only other thing on the market even close to this and the Hullivator can only carry a SINGLE kayak where as this can carry 2 kayaks, 3 bikes, lumber, etc. This setup is your crossbars, so all you need are Thule/Yakima/RhinoRack footpack that works.

@Cpl_Punishment yeah most likely a Thule Hullivator which only works with a single kayak and doesn't drop nearly as far down the side of vehicle.

 

Snugtop hi-liner

 

How'd you get your hands on the rack, did you import it yourself or is there a vendor doing that?

 

@Garand imported myself. I have a hand in the ski roofbox industry and that is how I linked up with this company to import one. They don’t have any vendors in USA as they don’t sell here. Shooting you a PM.

 

Picked this up for free off my local classifieds, it needed some work it had a golf ball sized hole on top, a broken window and broken rear door skirt. Got it all cleaned up and wrapped it white with Avery SW900 Supreme Wrapping Vinyl Film Gloss White | SW900-101-O. I'm about $550 into it now, $350 for the new windoor and door skirt and $200 for the wrap. Have enough wrap left over to do the mirrors and rear bumper but that will have to wait till spring. Nice bonus is it came with the Thule roof rails, wingbars and mounts. Also came with the standard load bars and mounts (can see in first picture). Not sure what this setup would have cost new but I have to think I saved at least $2k.

 

Impressive wrapping !

 

Impressive!! You definitely saved yourself some money. X2 on the wrapping.

 

Finally figured out what I want do with my truck next. Canopy with a decked system. Bought a used decked system 2 weeks ago for $560 (yeah couldnt pass that one up) on CL and just put a deposit down for a new color matched Century Ultra Max canopy at a local canopy dealer. Will be ready in 8 weeks and cant believe it only cost a bit more than used ones listed for sale (while they lasted). Not to mention a lifetime warranty. I am stoked!

 

Leer

 

Just put my leer on and wired it today!

 

Wiring wasn’t tough at all!

 

Got my Snug Top Xtra Vision installed before Christmas (ordered it 10/30). I got the tilt up middle window, pet screens, rack tracks, and remote tail gate locks installed. It looks and feels good. The only thing that surprised me was how far it overhangs the bed edges and tail gate, then hangs down an inch or so below the top of bed. I thought it would be flush with the top of bed because most other toppers I’ve seen are that way. The dealer told me they all do that as it is extra protection to keep the cap from sliding off if it gets loose. I guess I’d be worried that I wouldn’t notice it sliding because it overhangs so much anyway, and second I’d be worried about it rubbing on the paint below if it did. What is everyone’s thoughts about this?

 

@Lobo_Joe, it looks good. Yeah, that is the only thing I've noticed about Snugtops, how far down they hang. They are the only ones that come down far enough to partially cover the bedside decals.. You can always put a clear protective film under it to prevent it from rubbing.

 

Snugtops all hang lower from what I have seen. Personal preference, I suppose. I don't see it as a real plus or minus. I would have to pull the decals off. The only thing that bugs me about them is covering the decal. I don't care for how that looks. I haven't owned one but hear they are nice.

 

It doesn't look to me like it hangs much lower than my Leer, if at all. I wouldn't be worried about it.

 

mine is the same (12 y.o. snugtop). I did add some rubber trims in the corners and a matte film on top of tailgate to avoid rubbing. so far so good.

 

Looks good! I've been thinking about wrapping mine since the paint is in so/so condition in some areas from the poor repaint. How much material did you need? Any tips? I've only wrapped small panels on a cheap bike challenge scooter and it wasn't the prettiest... Seam down the middle of the cap seem to work well? how do you create a clean butt/lap joint?

 

I used 5ft x 20ft (60in x 240in) (100 Sq/ft), I cut that into two sheets each 5ft x 10ft. One seam down the middle and used 3m knifeless tape, there is also a couple seams on the front of the shell near the cab that you can't really see from outside. I watched a ton of YouTube videos and used some scrap to practice on the corners before I went for putting a whole sheet down.

Middle seam:

 

Dang that looks really good! Good work

 

Just got my century ultra sport put on today. Factory installed tracks on top, sliding windoors, headliner, and fold down sliding front window. Now to think through and plan out organization.

 

Any regrets going full XQ, without side window access? Man it looks so clean! I can't decide on XQ or XR or Windoors...never owned a topper.

 

I’d never side load anything so I opted for form over function. I believe that the XQ is the only topper that may improve the appearance of a truck. Second choice would be an XR with sliding windoors. Also, if you’ve got a crewmax I think the XR gains some ground appearance wise.

 

Just another long bed with a cap. Leer 100r, not many choices for long beds.