Posted: 7/17/2005 11:19:11 AM EDT
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Looking to invest in a shell for a Chevy Silverado. The two I've looked at are Leer and SnugTop. I'm also thinking of getting the Yakima roof rack attachments already installed (rails). They both offer that option. Anyone been to this rodeo before. They both seem to be a bit pricey and one of the dealers doesn't really want to deal (leer). What are the advantages or disadvantages of both. How close did the paint match. How did yours hold up. Anything you would have done differently? Any other brands I should look at? And it seems I would have to remove the spoiler of the top of the tailgate and replace it with a different style so the bed will lock...anyone done this? |
I have a Leer cab high on my '03 Tacoma 4x4. The only disadvantage is not being able to put stuff taller than the shell into your truck. Other than that, I love it. Just depends on your needs. The paint match is 100%. No complaints at all, looks like it came from the Toyota factory installed. Can't say I would have done much different. There are only 2 dealers of shells in my area, and one of them is a big chain type accessory place that was staffed by a bunch of fucktards. They could care less if I dropped my $1300 or not. The other place was smaller, and had better prices. Took about 2 weeks to get the shell paint matched and shipped from the factory, and took about 30 minutes to get installed and wired up. Can't say too much about brands, I looked at Leer, Covermaster and Raven. I liked the Leer the best, the finish out seemed better to me, and many folks I know who use their trucks pretty hard swear by them. The price was about the same as the others with similar options. Hope this helps. |
Mine is hardmounted, the only advantage I see is a more streamlined cargo area. My bed is Rhino'd, but not over the rails. As far as I know, over the rails liners do not affect the seal. |
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I have a F-150 and I put the SnugTop Xtravision on it and I think it's great - perfect fit and paint match. I have Rhino Liner sprayed in the bed and also over the bed rails, it doesn't bother the mounting a bit. I also got the front swing down window option, it makes cleaning the truck and shell windows easy. |
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Snugtop on my ex-GMC stepside. Fit and finish were first rate, I also sprang for a soft cargo liner that was for the dogs who used to ride in there. Marine carpet, foam molded to fit the ridges in the bed, velcro held it in place. It was a hrad mount, no problems. True, you can't stack ubertall crap in there, but I never did that anyway. |
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ARE cab-high on my '98 F150. Perfect paint color and texture match. Great glass. Frameless windows. No frills, just an interior light. I use the clamps. If I need to put tall or otherwise bulky stuff in the bed, I can have the thing off by myself in 5 minutes. In fact, I keep a 3/8" drive ratchet and a 1/2" socket bungeed to the bed rail for that purpose. Easier to get the cap off single-handed than back on, but I've done that plenty, too. I've had it almost since new, and it still looks great. The LED brake light assembly needs to be replaced, but otherwise OK. My bed has a plastic liner, but there should be no problem putting one on a Line-X or similar liner. Just remembered: I need to replace the foam tape on mine next time I have it off. 
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I am on my third truck, second with leer. I have gotten carpet lined, and have a bed rug. I did have a little bit of problem with one camper about 10 years ago - Leer replaced it and upgraded it (when I replaced, I got the carpet lined with boot - MUCH nicer than sliding window - better visiblity and one less glass to get dirty. Once you start living with a cap, it is hard to go back. I had rail riders on the first leer, I have a different quick disconnect on my current Yak. The new one is better than the rail rider, but not sure what it is called. Had up to 500 lbs on the old one in central Mexico (some dirt roads, some partially paved) no problems. Friend has that cap now, still going strong after 10 years. It made several trips of thoses trips to mexico when I kayaked more. needless to say, perfect fit, perfect paint match - Leer looked the most like an SUV with a proper set up, not that hard to pop off and on - but have not done that for 15 years - but used to do it every time we went fishing. I could do it myself in about 5-10 minutes. Now I do not have a drive under lift, do not want to think about pulling it myself. |