Truck bed cap

jimbires

Handloader
Aug 16, 2011
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do any of you guys know if the plastic truck caps are still being made ? I've searched online and can't find anything . many years ago I had a plastic cap on a 1/2 ton chevy 8' bed . I liked it . it looked like a fiberglass cap , but weighed like an aluminum one . back then I could put it on and off by myself . it's been so long ago , I can't remember the brand for sure . I want to say it was compliment , or century , that made them , but I could be wrong . I do remember where I bought it , but they have been closed for many years . thanks for any help on this .
 
Jim
I’m not aware of a plastic topper but I did get a new ARE topper for my truck this past summer. Boy did the price jump up on them.
ARE CX series with flip up side windows, LED lights that turn on when you open up the glass.
This is just like my last one and it suits my needs perfectly.

JD338
 

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JD , that's a nice looking set up . truck and cap .


I live about 100 miles away from the Leer factory . I bought my last cap from them , and was pleased with the whole thing . I had no issues with anything . it's supposed to rain all day tomorrow , so it looks like the perfect day for me and Sally to take a road trip . the way it worked last time , I'll have to go up and order it and make a deposit , then go back , when it's built , and they'll install it . this is a century , Leer , Snugtop factory . I guess I'll go up look around and get one ordered . they are having a sale on them right now , $200 off on some of them .
< this is a link to Leer . sure has a goofy name ?


I had the Leer model 100XR on my2018 Tacoma , it was a nice cap , and suited my needs . standard included a dome light and both side windows slide with screens , frameless glass , and one center handle on the rear window. the only option I added was a sliding , and tilting front window . 8/10/18 it cost $1614.00 + tax , no shipping since I'm at the factory . I'm sure that price has gone up .


Toyota does not build a truck I'm interested in at the present time . just about all these mid size trucks are 4cyl turbo's . Nissan still has a V-6 in the Frontier . it's my first Nissan . it only has 70 miles on it , but so far I do like it . time will tell how it holds up . it's a 2027 , and has stuff I'll probably never use . I read online Nissan is planning a full model line update between 2028 and 2030 . I'll bet the Frontier gets a 4 cyl turbo in this update .

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Nice looking truck Jim! Leer make a good topper. Yours has the same features as mine;
Side windows with a screen, front window with slider and drops down for cleaning, gray fabric liner, dome light with prop switch and the side windows have LED rope lights with a prop switch.
I love my truck but I don’t like the multi tailgate. It’s a problem waiting to happen. A conventional tailgate is not offered. The 6.6L turbo Duramax has more than enough power for anything, especially the big deer that Sue shoots every year! 🤣

JD338
 
Nice looking Nissan, I like a good mid-sized truck with a v6, especially for driving around in the mountains.
If you are looking for something light and easy to remove they do have a bunch of the Canvas/soft toppers around
I have an ARE MX on my GMC similar to JD's just bumps up about 6 more inches and really like it.
 
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when I had the plastic cap , I was doing a lot of towing . this cap was a wedge design . even with the cab , and it had the high rise in the back to help get the air up over my box trailer . it did make it very nice to crawl in and out of the bed .

I did see the canvas ones , but didn't care for the looks . I think it would be convenient though .

I talked to the one guy I hunted Kansas with . he trades trucks fairly often . I asked him where he was buying his caps , I remember him saying it was fairly local . He said the last couple trucks he's bought have had the same size bed , so he's just been keeping the cap , and getting it painted . he said he thinks the place he bought from closed . I tried to call them , but no answer , so I assume they did close .

I went to Leer yesterday and got one ordered . it'll be built in about 4 - 5 weeks . then I can go get it put on .

I like the mid size truck . it does everything I need to do . they are a little smaller , and that makes it nice on the narrow two tracks I get on . I can already say , I think my Tacoma turned a little tighter than this Nissan . normal driving you wouldn't notice , in a tight spot I think , I did already notice .

JD , funny you mention the tailgate . I thought that when I first saw it too . I'm in the heart of coal country . it's all but a fond memory now . we still have a few coal strippers , but nothing like it was in the past . the tailgate on those stripping trucks , I would consider them wear items . I worked for the local Chevy dealership at that time , and the parts dept , kept them in stock. most of those trucks went through more tailgates than tires and brakes . something about full 55 gallon drums didn't mix well with tailgates . could you imagine replacing these multi tailgates semi regularly . it would put a dent in the profits . we also kept a couple refurbished bench seats in stock . there was a local guy that did upholstery work . we would stick the refurb seat in and take the worn out seat to get it redone , and then put it back in stock . those guys should have been included in the R&D departments , they sure did test out the trucks .
 
Jim
The multi gate is all aluminum and they are not as durable as a conventional tailgate. Sometimes I miss the good ol days.

JD338
 
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