A.R.E. Z Series Truck Cap: secure & weather-proof - Consumer Review

Truck owner, sportsman and A.R.E. brand enthusiast, Ryan Dechaine, shares why the features of the Z series truck cap work well for his lifestyle.
The Z Series Truck Cap is engineered to provide the best fit and finish possible. The truck accessory's styling, frameless doors and windows and attention to details make the Z-Series Truck Cap the perfect choice for any truck. The product also offers room for storage and accessories along with optional keyless entry system.
For more information on the Z-Series truck cap, please visit:
www.4are.com/product/z/
A.R.E. is a Truck Hero company. For more information on Truck Hero, please visit:
truck-hero.com/

[@mikemccomas1440]

I'm on my third ARE shell. First two were on F150s, great shells. Current Z series with all options on 2018 Tundra. Guess my luck ran out--this one leaks like a seive. Dealer has removed it 3 times, each time it gets worse. $3000.00 dollar nightmare!

[@jenniferalves152]

Helpful. Thank You.

[@fernewilkinson1734]

Great Cap

[@jjohnsoniaff1]

I had one on a previous Ram and also on my current Ram (Z Series Cap). I have had it on my current truck for over six years. Started leaking after one year. Took it back to the installer who just said the seal warranty is only for one year. Every time it rains I have water in the bed. it sucks to pay that much for these things and then have them leak.

[@lindafisher6171]

I just got my ARE camper and right away both windows leak it leaks from the one side down the , took it to the installer he pretty much has it attitude. Sorry for your luck. Do not invest your money in these caps !!!

[@snowleopard1918]

My Z series cap is a p.o.s. to but it bluntly, installed by hackers. All the windows leak, the rear one drips on everything that’s below it, the rear window isn’t even centred . When first installed the rear window didn’t latch properly on one side, the installer only tried twice to fix it and never got it to latch properly. The rear door foam is longer on one side and the ends are not glued down for the last 4”. Brand new install and they didn’t even clean the inside of it. The fold down front window is very hard to put back into its final up position. Just poor workmanship all round. The middle clam on the passenger side doesn’t fit, it’s like the canopy flange is the wrong design and not really a good fit to the truck box. Not worth the $5k Canadian I paid. Kevin King

[@CaptainSkidmark74]

I have had 2 ARE series caps...fit and finish is nice, but current one has had 2 palm lock failures...first palm lock was not the powered one, it froze constantly.... eventually it broke, so i had powered one installed, it freezes too, and then the solenoid locked up so it is now manual... brake light on the back stopped working after 3 years.... when you contact ARE, they tell you to contact the dealer... will probably go a different route next round...

[@citizenpark2782]

Been reading a lot of comments with people having major issues with A.R.E. Fair to say the quality has gone down quite a bit.

[@ddflafun]

I bought a z top for my black 2500 Silverado and its gone back to a.r.e. twice due to fd up paint and havent even had it on the truck....so far very disappointed as i use my truck for Catering so im renting a box truck while im waiting for my top to get fixed. I also bought a full length bed slide out with is sitting in the rain without my top as i purchased it as a package....

[@Gman-qm6bv]

My A.R.E. Z Series ($4400) leaks during heavy rains. Camping Corral did not tell me about this feature.

[@ls1powered240sx]

What was the cost on this one?

[@Foxfried]

can you travel with tailgate down with the topper in case you need to haul something like some 10ft lumber?

[@b.b.5048]

I have an ARE for my 2015 Ram, and I have not been happy with it. The waterproofing design is what bothers me about it. Basically, they take the weatherstripping that runs around back opening (around the sides and roof of the hatch) and they run it long. Every time I shut the tailgate it smashes the weatherstripping. I cut it shorter because I thought it was an install mistake. Now water leaks in. If you don't run it long it's not waterproof. The tailgate over time wrecks the weatherstripping and it has to be replaced. Other manufacturers don't have this design.

[@Gman-qm6bv]

I have the same issue.

[@jeffreylc]

Looking for a topper for my new truck I just ordered. Depressing to read these comments. The vids on Leer aren’t much better. Guess I’ll flip a coin.

[@Gman-qm6bv]

A friend of mine bought a Leer and he said it leaks a whole lot.

[@ls1powered240sx]

Not cheap The Z is $2200 painted and installed. Tilt down front is $100. 12 v with prop switch is $185 hooked up. Power strip is $125. Keyless entry is $300 hooked up. This cap takes 4-5 weeks to get and we just need color code and deposit to order. Call or email with any questions.

[@crispusattucks6094]

I've not heard good things about any cap. I think I'm going to get a diamondback hd or decked storage

[@Caseysmith146]

Just so you know, that topper has probably rubbed the paint off of your nice Tundra. I have a 2016 Crewmax and installed a new ARE. The quality of the topper was complete crap and I returned it to a dealer. When they removed it, the side of the bed just below the bed caps was scuffed. Paint rubbed off. ARE makes junk!

[@Caseysmith146]

A.R.E. Accessories I order the z series cap on May 3, 2018. It’s now August 11, 2018 and I ain’t got no cap and I’m $3k lighter. Your products are junk, poorly designed, and second rate. The dealer returned the cap to ARE and apparently last week you all sent it back purporting to the dealer and to me it was fixed. The dealer (Barret auto accessories in Cleveland ga) again returned it to you. At this point I have to get an attorney involved and that’s gonna suck for everyone involved. I assure you, treating customers like this and pushing out shoddy products will result in your failure.

[@---tx9xx]

I mean, couldn't you just take a hammer to the glass? Same as leaving valuables in your truck cab which are often broken into, thieves looking for firearms. Seems like a cap with no glass is better, can't find any though

[@masterful7574]

What is a “dirty dahg”?? Campeen, fisheen, canoeeen, are not words.

[@DRDRYWALL1969]

Garbage company 4 year old cap discontinued they no longer supply parts leaving my cap worthless customer service said sorry about your luck and hung up on me don’t purchase ARE they will leave you helpless

[@timotheify]

If they can't fix it, make it work. I've got an 87 pick up with a brahma camper top. Ever heard of Brahma? They went out of business probably over 20 years ago. I'm having to customize my rig, but that's fine.

[@sundogbc8603]

Their products A.R.E. crap. My comments: 1) Skip the keyless entry. I'm about to be on my third one in as many years after the original cracked and the second filled with water and rusted out. 2) The "cable" that goes from the lock to the clips (whatever they're called that holds the back window) is only plastic. That's hardly going to last. Even picture hanging wire would be an upgrade. 3) While I don't expect it to be air-tight, it would be nice if whenever it rains the inside of my truck box didn't get wet from water wicking in. My previous truck had a LEER tonneau cover for more than 10 years without a single issue. Guess whose product I'd buy next?

[@AdamJBell]

Every review I read is awful not gonna lie... Plus they don't respond to anyone