How to Remove and Reinstall an A.R.E. Truck Cap

A.R.E.'s Gary and Brian will take you through the steps on properly removing and reinstalling your A.R.E. Truck Cap.

[@ZiggZagg11]

I need three buddies...

[@captaincrypto9660]

Just ordered my ARE Z series topper today. Love the look of ARE. Hope these issues are not common

[@devildog8084]

Ordered my A.R.E shell back in the beginning of Feb. right after receiving my new Silverado, and I just received it earlier this week (over 20 week wait) was told several times that it was being built and and that it would be shipped. Original time frame I was told was 10-12 weeks. After that just plan on getting the runaround. I even offered to drive up to Ohio and pick it up when they told me it was a shipping issue, only to find out that it hadn't been built and that it was just another line of BS they were coming up with. On a good note only 2 of the 4 windows leak....I like the function of the vented windoors but they leak pretty bad. Not looking forward to taking it the dealer, I'm sure they will make up some crap. Paid $3350.00. I recommend going with Leer (I have one on my Ram) it's been on for 12 years and have had NO issues. If I hadn't spent so mush I would take it off and use it for target practice then burn it to the ground. (With the so called fiberglass shortage) you can tell that the shell is much more flimsy than the older style. Have a nice day

[@shawnlauderdale6502]

Let's see, "4 people on each corner", that would be 16 people! Lol!

[@polarlab113]

Why don’t any of these install videos show the seal being applied and give a part number

[@abnerresende]

Great!!! God bless ur Job !!!

[@QuestionableConcepts]

Get that man a Lav mic!

[@nopro5433]

So purchased a Nice used Z series one for my 2020 Taco fits great I’m needing the plug in pigtail for the Vehicle side to the Topper? (Male)fitting Looked on sight could not find?

[@carolguthrie887]

I would like to know how to replace the 3rd brake- light bulbs on an older ARE truck cap.

[@shirleywillis6196]

@ktcreat I bought a 2017 used Tacoma with a ARE cap. I like it a lot BUT I have a leak in the upper left side of cap. Trying to figure out the best scenario to try to seal the leak. Do you recommend taking the cap off, cleaning off the sealer and putting down a new sealer strip or shooting some expandable foam in that area. When it rains hard, I get a lot of water seeping through. Any suggestions or tips

[@SPHINX144]

How do you remove the inside bolts that have a plastic clip around them? I need to reapply double sided tape to the ARE trim pieces that go around the canopy window and cannot get them undone?

[@redentortrinidad1614]

Does it need to remove the bed plastic railing for F-150?

[@Joybellmorgans]

Was thinking of getting the A.R.E truck cap instead of a canvas truck bed tent but I am concerned about damaging the bed rails on my truck that support a hard tri-fold tonneau cover (for the winter only).

[@kuehnel16]

What is this a pink Floyd video😅

[@dragonsbreath1984]

I’m wondering if I can lift this off with my tractor forks if I wrap them in thick foam.

[@raptorrob2686]

I've got the Z-Series cap with all options and a Bed Rug, highly recommended!

[@Ber7in]

Is this a Z series?

[@StormLaker]

How many clamps do you need? Amazon sells them in packs of 4?

[@delmargoonetileke]

Hey Gentleman...squawking all the way from Sri Lanka ( wonder whether you know where that is? :) ) You guys saved a ton of trouble for me by showing how this is done. I was scratching my brains, drawing various options and brainstorming how to attach the cab to my Hilux pickup truck...as usual I was getting ready for an overkill. The clamp mechanism saved the day for me...Big thank you and all the very best.

[@tylerjames1716]

Hi friend I want to learn about Sri Lanka. Greetings from usa.

[@Hammerback0]

Took mine off by myself, looking for video of how to get it back on by myself. I’ll keep looking before I start engineering a solution

[@randallthomas5207]

If you have a rack on top, and a carport or garage just build a pulley system which hooks onto the roof rack bars. When I was young and healthier, I used to just climb inside and lift it on my back and put it back the same way. I’m older and wiser now, so I built a lift sling, and installed a winch line that drops down from the roof of the carport. From there I can put the forks on the tractor and move it to wherever I’m going to store it.

[@josephdonnaway5755]

How can sitting on a clean, flat garage floor distort the shell?

[@RedWingsninetyone]

I just purchased a truck with an ARE cap. This video will come in handy when it is time to remove the cap. My cap came with the rack removed. Is there any recommendations on the best way to plug the holes?

[@RedWingsninetyone]

+Outfit4Life I'm not 100% sure what the model is. My truck is a 2008 GMC Canyon. The cap is taller than the truck at the back, if that helps at all.

[@RedWingsninetyone]

+Outfit4Life Fiberglass. The number is N1750979. I appreciate your help!

[@RedWingsninetyone]

+Outfit4Life Alrighty, thanks! I also have one more quick question. If I plan to temporarily remove the cap for the summer, what do you recommend is the best way to waterproof the 3rd tail light connection? Or should I remove it all together?

[@RedWingsninetyone]

+Outfit4Life There is a quick disconnect, but I didn't know it would keep it protected. thank you very much for all of your help!

[@rsstnnr76]

A few questions. About how much does a cap cost? How strong are they? Could I put a 14 foot kayak on the rack?

[@rsstnnr76]

Outfit4Life Is there a dealer in the Orange County California area?

[@vetomkz]

thanks

[@tracyweber9308]

When I removed my cap one of the mounting base rails came loose. How do i reconnect it correctly?

[@treyethridge9113]

Re-install begins at 3:15. You're welcome.

[@flonkas]

Thank you comment from 2 years ago

[@B711HD]

Thanks

[@jonsheets966]

Should you remove the plastic bed side protectors, on mount the cap over them?

[@DoubleJThe]

You all completely overlooked the foam weather stripping that gets old and falls apart, but leaves a near-permanent adhesive behind. How do you get that mess off?

[@DoubleJThe]

@Warrior It took a wire brush and MEK to get that stuff off, not a fun job

[@buckrogers2530]

Was thinking of purchasing a used A.R.E shell online for my Tacoma. Is it necessary to waterproof the rails or can I just lay it on and fasten the clamps? Thank you.

[@dangerdanadv1445]

Every shell I've ever seen has weather stripping on the mating surface so you shouldn't need to waterproof it. It will seal when you tighten the clamps.

[@TexasRedneck]

wish this went over how to wire up the Cap to the brake lights. I have a 2015 GMC Sierra and this isn't as easy as tapping into the brake lights.

[@OldAndGettingOlder]

A.R.E. doesn't recommend hanging the cap from the ceiling for safety reasons. Okay. That's a very generic answer. I'll decide what it is safe and what is not safe in my garage. Can the cap handle being hung from the ceiling? That's the question you should give an answer to.

[@PNWTruckCamper]

Exactly. The answer is probably no, but ARE doesn't want to admit their toppers aren't that rigid

[@patriotone755]

Let’s see a video about preventing the truck cap from rubbing the paint off the bed rails. How do you prevent this from happening? The foam tape flattens out over time, the cap edge then sits directly on the painted bed rail and rubs the paint off.

[@pgo2372]

Buy some bed rail covers to go between the bed rails and topper. They're cheap.

[@JustBrianMusic]

what is that stand you are using? im gonna need that!

[@jordanjohnson4912]

Looked like a couple o old sawhorses

[@99shadows66]

Search up ATD Tools 7811 Work Stand - 500 lb. Capacity online. They run around $50.00 It folds up when not in use. (Three buddies not included)

[@ML-iy5kn]

I need replacement glass for the side window. I only need to replace the glass on half of the side. The dealership wants to charge me $900 for an entirely new window with frame. That's too much to pay and it's impossible to find it at a salvage yard. I'm not happy about this.

[@bertobarbero3740]

How to install:? Me: play it in reverse,same as how you detached.

[@micahpearl2021]

the sound is awfull but the video is well done!

[@LibertyLeslie]

My search was for a one person removal...oh well guess there is no such thing without hoisting it

[@johns4870]

saw horses

[@12bestskater12]

Deadlift from the inside and rotate it 90degreees. If you’re ok with scratching your truck, slide it off

[@Mychelial]

So can these be installed without drilling- only using clamps?

[@iflopgardens]

Watch the video and find out a s s w YP E

[@tomkearns6830]

While this video shows how to remove & replace in a large clear area and with 4 people, it is unrealistic for the average guy in a two car garage with a wife and 2 kids. The remark about a 200 pound load on a ceiling hoist is just a legal CYA remark. Modern day garages should be able to handle that load. You guys at ARE should be able to design a lift that will take the cap off and store with only one person and a mechanical system. Its just another accessory. You my be able to lift by the Yakima roof rake but that might require stiffening plates in the fiberglass top.

[@kaden1499]

If finding enough people is your greatest concern then I recommend leaving your house after work and getting to know your neighbors. Get to know them and then there ya go!! You now have people who can help you! And who said anything about taking it off in the garage? If you have room great. If not the pull out of the garage and take it off. No room to store it in your garage? Easy, put it in your back yard or on side of your house? Don't want to leave it out side in the weather even if its wrapped and covered? Store it in the garage and park the truck outside. Still not an option? Then don't take it off period. If you need to be taking it on and off all the time you should have saved a lot of money and just bought a soft or hard tonneau cover. Didn't take much but glad that I could help!! lol. I agree though, they should make a pulley system that takes it off safely to hang on top of the garage without damaging the side rails.

[@m.g.540]

If you ever need trim parts to replace damaged or parts that went missing, good luck! A.R.E. could care less.

[@richardkeyes986]

Oh ya only took 4 people

[@mikehoffinger8097]

sounds suck.. cant hear what being said at distances.

[@davewells548]

Ï

[@theonionwizard8686]

I mostly hear bad things about ARE, just get a Leer bros

[@zacklove7326]

Sounds like you don't have any actual experience bro, I bought my ARE 4 years ago and have had no issues at all.

[@theonionwizard8686]

@@zacklove7326 no, I don’t. Just sharing what I’ve heard from people that do. I’m glad yours is working for you

[@jeffhanlin787]

That's why I bought an ARE had a leer absolute junk!!!

[@BigRigRich]

Sound stinks.

[@rickricciardi635]

horrible video-audio

[@wizzarin424]

First you volume was way up, then you have it muted. then you crack it up again... thumbs down video. AND you did not mention ANYTHING about re-sealing the canopy to the bed. Do it your way the canopy will leak like a siv.

[@kaden1499]

You need to learn how to listen and to finish watching a 6.5 minute... You're too impatient, but I guess you probably know everything am I right? Start watching this video (should I say for the first time or FINISH watching) from 4:03 4 minutes and 3 seconds into this short video. Unless I am imagining the whole last half of this video, they DO mention, and give re-sealing information. You need to make sure you know what you are talking about before you get all butt hurt and stop the video to comment about something that was not given in the amount of time that your attention could last. This reply is not intended to cause ill feelings, but I do not control your emotions nor should you let others actions affect how you feel. Just don't go around talking about things you don't know. "AND you did not mention ANYTHING about re-sealing the canopy to the bed"....... Oh man... what has this world come to.

[@BjBnet]

Thumbs down for that annoying intro