Looking to get a topper/shell/camper top/whatever for a Mega Cab...what to look for?
 

As a kid, I always thought these toppers were ugly and nasty. That was when they were made of aluminum. Now I see they are actually made to follow the lines of the truck, and even look like they belong on it. They are a LOT nicer now.

Only brand I've really heard of is LEER. I'm sure there are many others out there now. Who else should I check out, and who should I stay away from?

I see that LEER has like 6 or 7 different models to pick from. Thanks for making it more confusing!

I do know I want one that sits the same as the roofline of the truck. I don't want one that sticks up in the back for a larger opening. I do want one that follows the lines of the truck closest possible, to give it that almost-SUV look.

I don't know what other features I really want or need. It's main intended use is to keep the dogs out of the weather on road trips, and as a place to put luggage/boxes. Not a contractor or anything like that.

I see all these window features. Do you guys really open them up and play with the screens and stuff? [roll] I'm thinking a regular old non-opening window is fine, but I'd like to hear otherwise if you think so.

Thanks. :)

Oh yeah...going on the '07 in my sig.

The best looking one is the Leer 100. It has glass from front to rear and will give you that SUV look. I think that would be the only model I would consider even though it's pretty expensive...

Well, I just did a quick check and the Leer 100 is NOT the one I was thinking of. There is a model that has the smoked glass window start at the very front of the cap with no fiberglass at the front at all. I'll try to find it....

Alright. I was right but it's the 100XQ that you want. Top one in this link...

http://www.leer.com/dodgemodel2a.html


If you were going for function over form then I would suggest the 122. That's what I have. It's a high topper and I can almost stand up in this thing. There is so much more room to work but people start referring to you as "Grandpa" when you have one of these.....[coffee]

Thanks man. That seems to be in-line with what I am looking for. I saw a truck on here that had "the look" of what I like, I will see if I can find the picture again.

True about function...I just don't need something like that. Def not wanting a Grandpa topper. :lol: Just something to keep boxes/dogs out of the elements. :D

I had no idea they cost so much money.

Here we go...

User: Shagginwagon

Attachment 69395

Attachment 69396

Attachment 69397




This....I don't like...
https://img128.imageshack.us/img128/2552/dsc0088nb6.jpg

I bought my truck used with a no-side-windows LEER 100R on it. Fits close all around. Great paint match. That, with a MOPAR bedliner is a great combo I quickly learned when one has an 8' bed as I do. Fuel mileage is outstanding (airflow has only one "breakpoint" at rear of cap/bed instead of passenger cab and AGAIN at tailgate, tonneau cover or not) so truck utility is not compromised.

I find that it takes a "favorable" wind of 5-mph to offset rear drag vacuum (tested over 14,000-miles on more than a dozen 700-mile roundtrips); that quartering bow winds of the same or higher make you notice the drag off the back. This is at 58-mph for all those miles. I've never had a straight tail or head wind, but at 1725-rpm/58 mph I average 24-mpg: empty, loaded, rain, clear, heat, cold, traffic, no traffic (always have to cross Houston E-W), etc. Have seen above 25-mpg many times and 27 several times. You'll be pleased with the numbers for your truck, a bed cap was an unexpected surprise to me. Durn sure glad I didn't sell it.

(Had an "economic migrant" break out the back window in mine, so take a tip and install some security film on the glass when it is new. The local glass company want the entire frame to match the glass, send it out for tempering and reinstall; taking 2-3 weeks. LEER dealer just wants $285 to replace whole thing. The film would have prevented him from getting in, I believe, so that would have been a tiny piece of satisfaction).

There are some really good choices available. Fiberglass looks the best, IMO. But alum is lighter and often cheaper. The down side of alum is that it can transfer a lot of heat, so it should be insulated if that's a concern.

Leer is probably the best know. But they are also the most expensive. Look at other brands like ARE, Snugtop, and Century. They also make excellent products for less money.

I wasn't too concerned about the overall look of mine. So I found a used Raven top for $200. It came off a Ford, but fit's fairly well anyway. It's weatherproof, and pretty much the same color as my truck.

Just had a LEER top XL100 installed on Wednesday. Very clean look, painted
to match the factory color and a pretty decent warranty. It's for an '06
Mega-Cab

Haven't had it long enough (obviously) to see what it had done to my
fuel mileage, but like the op, I got it to keep the dogs and the luggage
in the back. It's only been a few days, but so far so good

Still liking it? Mind if I ask what it cost + paint?

What i have it called a Century. Could check them out also. Mine cost around 1000 painted to match.

I had a Snug Top Super Sport on my old Dakota. It matched the lines perfectly but was expensive, $1300 for a Quad Cab Dakota in 2001! Attachment 67981

After having it for a few months, I love my Leer. Mine was matched with the factory paint (bright white)...and I can't beat the security of being able to lock things up in the back...and the dogs don't seem to mind riding back there

Off hand I think I paid $1300 for it...money well spent

I went through this when I first got my truck. I started out with a retractable tonneau cover that I purchased used for $250. It worked well, but I could hear the aluminum slats rattling going down the highway. I then purchased a white camper shell off craigslist for $300. The shell was good for camping, but it was a cheaper model with small windows. I couldn't see when backing out of my driveway, so it had to go. I was going to spring for a new Leer 100XL or Snugtop Supersport cover, but the $2350 price tag was too hard to swallow. I had the funds, but just couldn't pull the trigger. I looked for a good used one, but they are rare for the longbed.

I ended up buying a leer hard tonneau cover off craigslist for $250, and getting it painted for another $250. For $500 I have a large secure trunk that joe-bad-guy can not see into. For camping we prop up the cover and hang some tarp to enclose the sides and back. Not ideal, but for the 2-3 times a year we camp it's fine. One benefit about the tarped method is that the tailgate being down adds a couple more feet onto our enclosed space. I may get creative and have something made to have the camp site look less white trash. I do like the look of the painted tonneau cover, as it still looks like a truck instead of an SUV.

Mine's about the same as that white one...

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...m/HPIM1110.JPG

For looks I prefer the cab high model as well, but if you plan to use the bed and carry a lot of bigger/taller things with the shell on, the taller models are much more practical.

My Dad has a shell similar to Dodgezilla's and uses it for hauling just about everything, including a full size dirt bike (with the handlebars loosened and tilted down) 55 gallon drums of diesel, etc.

The extra height makes carrying and moving things around inside a lot easier. Just my 2 cents!