[striper]

I have a frontier king cab. I'm looking to purchase a topper to compliment my setup. I will mainly be using it for camping and road tripping.

My priorities:

Making sure that everything inside remains dry. I've never owned one of these before but I heard that some can leak.......

Also, I want to put bars on top of it. I will be transporting a kayak up top. Ideally, I would like to put a cargo basket up there too for waterproof storage totes.

I've done some research and I've noticed that the prices for used ones are much cheaper than buying new. $300 vs $1500. Why such a huge price gap?

Right now, I'm leaning towards either an ARE or a Leer but I'm not sure which model to get. A salesman at Capworld told me that some caps are better for camping than others. Mainly the ones with more head room. He also said that some have windows that are easily replaceable whereas others do not.

Price is a concern for me but I don't want to cut any corners. Push comes to shove, I will spend whatever it costs to get the right cap as I plan to use it a lot.

Thanks in advance for the suggestions. If people want to post pictures that would be great.

 

[Vet Tanker]

I have a Vision shell on mine and love it. My truck's a CC shortbed, so at 6' tall, I'm not sleeping back there, but I've never noticed it leaking during the few real storms we get here each year. Mine sits even with my cab roof, but they do make them that raise up above that for increased head room as long as your truck isn't a shortbed. You can also get it with a roof cargo rack installed. IIRC, it all came to about $1150ish. I was on a budget too, so didn't opt for the roof rack. Only thing I can think on that massive price gap new vs used is anyone selling it just wants to be rid of it.

 

[Bill_c]

You should not have a leaking problem with an undamaged and properly installed cap. Mine is a Leer but I liked ARE too; the Leer people just made me a slightly better price. There are some lesser known brands that seem as good but I did no research on them as they were not so easily available to me.

If you buy new you can have the manufacturer install the roof rack and probably avoid a potential leak source there. For camping one thing you might consider that I wish I had was a flip-up side window. You can quickly run the price up with options but that one seems particularly useful. Another that I have is the remote entry having the lock keyed to my truck fob - that one I really like. Good luck!

 

[Mr Burns]

I purchased a Leer 100XL a few years ago, for the same reason you want to purchase yours, but just got rid of it a few months ago.

It was a great cap - looked very good on the truck, paint match was dead on and never had an issue with water infiltration. The mistake I made is that I did not purchase a sliding window option for the window that faced the cab of the truck (so not the hatch window at truck tailgate). I found that when I drove on dry gravel roads, lots fine dust infiltrated the cap. This fine dust covered everything inside the cap (sleeping bags, equipment etc). This is even after I tried to close the tailgate and hatch window with various seals - all to no avail.

I then researched this issue and was told that you have to purchase a sliding window option. On gravel roads you have to crack that window slightly which creates a negative pressure inside the cap and prevents dust infiltration. If you buy yours new, then I would ask the dealer about what I stated above and see if the sliding window would prevent this. Maybe a side window that opens might solve this issue as well?

Don't make the same mistake I did.

 

[Bill_c]

... I then researched this issue and was told that you have to purchase a sliding window option. On gravel roads you have to crack that window slightly which creates a negative pressure inside the cap and prevents dust infiltration. ...

Makes sense, although it's probably positive pressure. Nice tip. Thanks

 

[upflying]

Cab high shells are for sleeping and cargo only.
Taller camper shells give some room for sitting up but could create interference when entering a garage. Taller shells also affect aero and mpg.
The dad-gum tailgate is often a shin beater when loading, unloading and climbing in.
Shells with double rear doors eliminate the tailgate.
Lift up side windows allow access to cargo at the front of the bed, much better than beating up your knees when doing the crawl.

 

[shift_RUSH]

My guess is that buying used will severely limit your choices since our Frontiers are quite unrepresented in the used/aftermarket world. Not saying you won't have choices, but persistence will likely be required.

I've had both an ATC and ARE...and neither have leaked in the front or sides. The rear window is far less sealed, so I've noticed a few drips from trips to the carwash = not really a biggie, imo.

A sliding window to match the rear cab slider yields a very small pass-thru to access the bedspace. Some like this, I see it as near worthless. YMMV

Due to the dust and dirt accumulating on the outer glass surfaces b/tw the cab and topper, I'll recommend a hinged drop-down window so these surfaces can be cleaned directly. The carwash wand can only do so much when spraying from the side b/tw the two.

If buying new, you can outfit your topper as you desire. Yep, it costs a lot more...but may very well be worth it.

Good luck!

 

[upflying]

One more point about the cab pass through topic. Avoid at all costs a "cab contact" or "cab kiss" seal that creates an open pass through at the front of the shell. After a few years of driving, that seal will rub the paint off the back of the cab.
Used, if you can find one, will most likely not be a paint match either.
Shell attach method is another issue to think of. Either drill holes on the top of your bed or use "camper clamps" that avoid drilling holes. The clamps might have a tendency to shift.

 

[glamisdude]

I had a Century shell for about 4 years. They are made by Leer but at a lower cost. It was a great shell didn't leak, fit good, paint matched perfect. I used mine for camping and built a sleeping platform with pullout storage, etc.
A few words of advise:
- For the love of get at least one windoor!! (Flip up side windows) Makes it sooo much easier to load and access things in the front
- As mentioned, don't get a front boot. Mine had this and while it was nice for reaching into the cab, it leaked a bit and rubbed the paint off the cab...
- If you plan on off roading, avoid a fiberglass shell if possible. Especially since you want to put a kayak and roof basket on. I had about 100lbs on the roof of mine (roof rack with some gear) and it was starting to crack around the edges. If in were to do it again metal contractor type would be the way to go. Makes it nice that you can screw into the frame as well, fiberglass is a pain..
- If you plan on sleeping in it, get at least a mid height shell. Cab height looks nice but is too low on the inside to be very useful for much of anything. Also makes sitting up painful...

 

[Thelt]

If I were you I would try to find a used one. You may not like it once you have it installed. If so you are better off being out $300 than $1,500......

 

[09eq]

I have tall (cab height are too hard on persons back) ARE w/slider side windows, double locks on door, battery operated light so can't accidentally run down auto battery, and fabric lined. Do not have sliding rear window in truck so did not get it on shell (I have no issues with car wash cleaning windows using spotless rinse). Tall shell will fit in standard garage but probably won't with any type of rack on top. Definitely buy used if can find what you want - only thing that may be worn are the gas door struts and lock mech.

 

[Mr Burns]

Makes sense, although it's probably positive pressure. Nice tip. Thanks

Yes, positive pressure is correct. I was still half asleep as I wrote my original post. The coffee had not kicked in yet. ::grin::

 

[striper]

One more point about the cab pass through topic. Avoid at all costs a "cab contact" or "cab kiss" seal that creates an open pass through at the front of the shell. After a few years of driving, that seal will rub the paint off the back of the cab.
Used, if you can find one, will most likely not be a paint match either.
Shell attach method is another issue to think of. Either drill holes on the top of your bed or use "camper clamps" that avoid drilling holes. The clamps might have a tendency to shift.

The salesman at Capworld said the same thing about the seal you are talking about. He said that he refused to install one because he had so many complaints. He specifically said it would rub the paint off.

I'm going to try for used but I have low expectations. I have a blue truck so black or white might look kind of funny.

Will a Tacoma cap work?

I was planning on the clamps as I don't really want holes in my truck.

I was wondering about installation and buying used. I'll see if I can find some good videos on how to install a cap. Sounds like it's going to be tricky.

I wish I had a trailer. There are several free caps I found but they are all for different types of vehicles.

I really don't want to pay $1500 but I also don't want to wait until October to find the right one.

 

[glamisdude]

The salesman at Capworld said the same thing about the seal you are talking about. He said that he refused to install one because he had so many complaints. He specifically said it would rub the paint off.

I'm going to try for used but I have low expectations. I have a blue truck so black or white might look kind of funny.

Will a Tacoma cap work?

I was planning on the clamps as I don't really want holes in my truck.

I was wondering about installation and buying used. I'll see if I can find some good videos on how to install a cap. Sounds like it's going to be tricky.

I wish I had a trailer. There are several free caps I found but they are all for different types of vehicles.

I really don't want to pay $1500 but I also don't want to wait until October to find the right one.

Tacoma cap will NOT work. Different dimensions. I has to be specifically made for a 2nd gen Frontier. Used are hard to come by and usually go for a much higher price than comparable other trucks due to their rarity.

 

[Mr Burns]

I was wondering about installation and buying used. I'll see if I can find some good videos on how to install a cap. Sounds like it's going to be tricky.

Are you going to just use the cap for camping and then take it off when not camping? If so, then maybe a color mismatched one or slightly beat up used one is not an issue.

Installing one is not hard. If you have two people it should be enough to move it into place and then clamp it on. The biggest thing would be wiring the brake light of the cap (if it has one) into your existing brake lights. That should not be too difficult of an issue and you should be able to find lots of instructions online. It's just a splice of a couple of wires.

 

[upflying]

I used something like this to lift my shell on and off the truck bed.
Garage Hoist System Truck Shell - Bing images

 

[striper]

Tacoma cap will NOT work. Different dimensions. I has to be specifically made for a 2nd gen Frontier. Used are hard to come by and usually go for a much higher price than comparable other trucks due to their rarity.

That's good to know. Thank you. That means I'm probably going to have to buy new if I want a shell that fits. Especially if I want the paint to match.

I'm going to look for a week on craigslist and Ebay. If nothing shows up, I'm going to have to buy new....

If anyone has one, feel free to contact me. I'm willing to drive a ways to pick it up.

So is it possible to install a kayak rack on top of the high shells? The high shell would be great for sleeping but storage up top is a must for me.

Are you going to just use the cap for camping and then take it off when not camping? If so, then maybe a color mismatched one or slightly beat up used one is not an issue.

Installing one is not hard. If you have two people it should be enough to move it into place and then clamp it on. The biggest thing would be wiring the brake light of the cap (if it has one) into your existing brake lights. That should not be too difficult of an issue and you should be able to find lots of instructions online. It's just a splice of a couple of wires.

Ideally I would like to use it for camping and road trips, then take it off. I would also probably leave it on during winter. Space is a concern though. I don't have a good place to store it. I would also have to do it by myself. I'll probably leave it on full time at least for now.

I think a blue truck might look funny with a mismatched topper but if it saves me a $1000 I might go for it.

 

[BORNGEARHEAD]

I picked up my A.R.E. topper, in excellent condition, from craigslist for the low cost of $300. The roof rails, you can easily add. Mine had Thule ones on it and I took them off and helped the neighbor install them onto his topper. My truck is white and the topper is night armor. If I had a bug in my butt, I would either get it vinyl wrapped or painted to match but I don't mind it being a different color.

 

[striper]

I picked up my A.R.E. topper, in excellent condition, from craigslist for the low cost of $300. The roof rails, you can easily add. Mine had Thule ones on it and I took them off and helped the neighbor install them onto his topper. My truck is white and the topper is night armor. If I had a bug in my butt, I would either get it vinyl wrapped or painted to match but I don't mind it being a different color.

That looks pretty good. I think with the white, black, or silver trucks you can get away with mixing colors. Not sure about my blue though. Maybe it would look okay with a black one.

What model is that ARE? I like your wheels do. What kind are they?

By the way, $300 is a steal for that. Nice find.

I just found this on Ebay but the guy is asking a lot for it. Nissan Frontier Leer Truck Cap 05 12 | eBay

 

[BORNGEARHEAD]

That looks pretty good. I think with the white, black, or silver trucks you can get away with mixing colors. Not sure about my blue though. Maybe it would look okay with a black one.

What model is that ARE? I like your wheels do. What kind are they?

By the way, $300 is a steal for that. Nice find.

I just found this on Ebay but the guy is asking a lot for it. Nissan Frontier Leer Truck Cap 05 12 | eBay

I couldn't tell you what model topper it is. The wheels are Level 8 wheels, not sure which type they're called.

One thing I was gonna add, if you want to camp/sleep in a topper, try to make sure you get screened slider windows. It is awesome being able to sleep at night with the windows open and no bugs. You can see the one window on my topper is a flip up but the passenger side is a slider with a screen.