I had a snug top on my ford and hated the way it fitted against my tailgate.Ive looking at the Leer and the A.R.E. and the dealer said that they have had better luck with the quality if the A.R.E. .both units look good to me.any input or pics would be much helpful.
Rich

 

I had an A.R.E. on my 95 chevy (back when it was new) and had great luck with it. Color match was so close you could not tell unless you were REALLY and I mean REALLY looking and the fit was great. My vote- A.R.E.

 

I've had both. My 98 dually had an A.R.E. Didn't have good luck with it. The back window had a problem with the frame coming apart. I have had an '03 and my current truck with the same Leer shell (100xq) and they have been great. I get so many compliments on it but above that the quality is superb. As it should be for a $1,400 shell. I wouldn't have a truck without one though. Here's a pic 2 days after I bought the truck.....

 

I had an ARE on my old '01 Ram. It was built very well, very solid corners. It was just a cab-high model, without any options. I think it was about $1300 installed.

The local business I bought it from steered me away from Leer, stating they have too many complaints and problems with Leer. One year later, they dropped the Leer line.

I then bought a really fancy Leer cap for my '04 Dakota Quad Cab. I had every single option available on it. I paid $1800 and I like the cap. The side pop out vent windows and rear window would never seal 100% properly, and would ocassionally leak.

A friend has a $1600+ Leer on his GMC Duramax, which has has a crack in every corner and constantly window seal problems. Leer will not do anything for him, stating his puts too much weight ontop of the cap.......

With my current '04 Ram, I have a mid price level Swiss cap. For the price I paid ($500 used), I am very pleased with it.

 

Carryboy!!! Weird name, but really great shell. Much, much better than anything else I have seen. I have even been pulled over by LE and asked what it was and where can it be obtained.

Mine is on a Tacoma. Sorry, don't have any pics, but here is a link

I looked at Leer, A.R.E. and others before I bought the Carryboy. There was absolutely no comparison. The Carryboy was much more heavily built, had an automotive slam lock on the curved rear glass, and looked like it was part of the truck. It also cost more.

BTW, they can be had without any glass in the front. The dealer recommended a boot and no glass, and that's the way I went. I haven't regretted it one bit. I can open the rear slider and reach right into the bed. We put silicone grease on the boot at install, and in even a torrential tropical downpour, the most I might get is a drop or two.

The topper has been on for over seven years. I am completely sold on the brand and the manner of installation.

 

I had a Leer cap on my 1998 for 6 years with no problems. It looked like new after a wash/wax. The Leer on my 2004 looks to be holding up just as well after 4 years.

 

I bought a Leer 100XQ or something like that in April 04. Been to the selling dealer twice for water leaks around side windows. Still leaks to this day and selling dealer is a useless piece of cow pie. I bought the Leer on its past reputation of super quality......wrong! The paint is a perfect match but how hard is it to match to a white truck. The rear window weather stripping has worn the paint off the tail gate down to the primer..............go for another topper other than LEER...........not what it used to be

 

I looked at all the big names I could find and finally settled on the A.R.E. TW

 

I went with the LEER 100XQ as well. This is my first truck, first topper, but I have had absolutely no problems at all. It's sealed well against the bed rails, window seals are fine, and the seal around the door doesn't leak. Paint matches perfectly. I've had it for about 18 months and couldn't be happier. Here's a pic:

 

I have a LEER XL and couldn't be more happier with it!!
I only have it on the truck in the winter time cause i run a stack through the summer. If i didnt have the stack it would be on all the time.
My vote is for LEER.

 

I've had both brands and had problems with both, but less with the Leer. If I was going to buy another one it would be a Leer.

 

Just an idea for useability
the one thing I ordered on my last 2 shells was a opening door/ window on the driverside. and the screen slider on the pas. side.the best of both worlds. opening and air!
just my 2 cents.

 

I 2nd this. I have the workman's door AKA windoor on one side and the sliding screen window on the other. It's great. Here's a pic of the workman's door on a camp trip.



I have a Leer and had one side window fixed due to leaks. It still leaks. Next time I'll do it different.

 

I have had two Leers both of them leaked like an old pup tent.
I now have a Raider Nomad II and love the look,fit and all the options like the gun/rod box built into the ceiling.

Raider makes a nice lid.