It's nice to see that there are still some pro's left in this business, and I hope to find one in my area (SE Georgia) as caring and knowledgable as you are Kevin! Blessings!!!
WOW!!! THANKS, KEVIN, FOR THIS GREAT LOOK AT THE FEATURES OF THE "Z" SERIES A.R.E. PRODUCT THERE'S NO REASON TO SUFFER, WITH A SUB-STANDARD TOPPER!!! I'LL BE WANTING AN "A.R.E."!!!
Very informative video, very much appreciated. I'm reading through the comments and getting nervous though. Going to go talk with an ARE dealer later today
I am Totally Disappointed, Bad Quality. The Handle gets cracked every winter, The side window fell off and I called A.R.E. and they sended me to another company. What a Shame!
New Z top purchase for my 2018 Tacoma: 1/23/2019 PROBLEMS: Back lid window leaks profusely due to wire housing being stuck behind lid hinge on rubber seal. Topper cannot be unlocked with key and opened in cold weather. I had to get a heat gun for lock to open. Dealer said I had to wait till lock "thawed" out. Pathetic! Don't expect ARE Customer Service to answer phone: after 20 minutes I hung up and sent email with no response addressing these issues to date. I will update comments if and when problems fixed.
The red truck in the video has a plastic/rubber piece that goes along the top of the tailgate, do you carry a shell for the newer Ram pick-ups with the tailgate where the doors open sideways? This piece looks like it might impede the opening of the tailgate sideways?
Opening the rear window hatch from the outside is best done with two hands because the latch ARE uses on the Z-series works as both a latch and a pull lever. If you sue one hand to to that it's easy to stress the mechanism, but after a while, you'll probably get better at it. I've found that I'm almost always opening it with one hand because I'm usually holding something in the other hand that's going inside the shell. I've had to replace my latch twice in 6 years because the plastic moving parts inside are not strong enough to withstand everyday use and break from fatigue. A proprietary replacement latch from ARE is the only solution and they cost $85 (plus $15 shipping to your dealer). There is a small round knob that's less difficult to turn for opening from the inside, but there is no way to lock the cap for personal security when you are inside. So far, I have not had problems with suffocation or death while sleeping inside mine. Perhaps Mook Wolf is posting his comments from the grave.
3:58 can you tell me the name of that pieces please, mine just broke and the steel arms just pop out of the window rail, i need a little plastic piece that goes on the tip of the steel arms
I too refused My ARE Z Series camper shell. The glass fit was terrible. One side was shoved all the way up and the other side shoved all the way down. The flip out windows were actually curved the opposite way of the cap and would not shut. Even with tough cranking there was still a 3/8" gap. The little plastic wheels that ride in the track would not last long and ARE only warrants the glass for one single year. ARE Z Series is a piece of junk for what they charge. The representative said ARE won't even send a new one to replace it stating there is no guarantee it will be any better. Even ARE knows this high end Z Series cap is junk. Customer service was not that helpful and Its impossible to reach them by phone, only email. After placing a deposit and waiting three weeks for delivery, I guess they think I am desperate and would accept anything. NOT !!!! You think they care if I am being inconvenienced over this. NOT !!!! The result...I received less than zero from doing business with ARE and they should do better, especially leaning so hard on the "Proudly made in the USA" thing. I am STILL without a cap THANKS ARE....Big thumbs down ARE
I also have a Z series cap for my Tacoma. 6'bed. I purchased the roof rack rails only. I found that there is a vacuum created at the rear window while driving, (the window is closed) this in-turn causes the rear window to become very dirty with road grime. I recall the old station wagons had an "air foil" attached to the roof. which eliminated the vacuum & the exhaust from entering the rear. is there something like that available for my rails
Too bad A.R.E. customer service doesn't follow through on their promise of delivering a quality product. after 5 months, I am still waiting for their customer service person to follow through on a promise he made to me. It's companies like this that hurt good dealers like vaca valley truck. It is hard for me to do business with a company like A.R.E. when they don't follow through on what they promise their customers.
My experience with ARE factory customer support has been similar. They have not responded to any inquiry I've made. If you aren't a dealer they are not interested in you or your satisfaction with their product. The ARE dealer you choose is critical to your ownership experience. My dealer in NC has been very good, but they say ARE is not easy to work with.
Well JB, I CALLED Vaca Vly Trk, Kevin I think. Told him I needed a shell QUICKLY. since I'm forced to take my Husky EVERYWHERE I go! Needed it VERY BADLY. I actually was willing to pay a fee to expedite it's RUSH. Kevin had 2 ph #'s for me and a 8 -9 days later he called me and I told him " I won't be needing it'! I know the guy was "slammed" with business but how hard is it to make a 60 second call? Did buy a loaded, (A R E ), cap w/ Windoors all around and a Bedrug for my new Duramax Dually Crew, but from "Fernando" @ Mobile Living In Concord Calif. Great Experience.. Remember NEVER buy a Cap with Cash. . . You Have NO RECOURSE!
alittle birdie I'm an ARE dealer and have very few problems with ARE they build a fine product I have had great luck with their stuff - I have been selling shells and truck accessories for 30 years, Sometimes its the dealer not taking time to do the job right, Shells like most items are man made and can have issues but if they are addressed properly then there should be no problems
ARE uses double-stick tape to hold in the brake light on the Z-Series, not screws. It's a two piece clear plastic housing with an LED strip inside and is stamped "Made in Canada". The poor seal between the two parts of the housing allows condensation to form inside it within a few months and it is difficult to break the strong adhesive bond of the tape when you pry the housing out of the camper shell to service the light. Screws would have been a much better method of attaching it.
alittle birdie I dont know what issues your having 8 trips is a lot, It should be addressed in no more than 2 in the worst case but once again I don't know what the issues are
I’m two years into owning a Z series. Both side windows leak badly and the front fold down window might as well be open when it rains! Beware the one year leak warranty.
+kennyhomebrew Kenny they are called different names all over the country, Chances are your in the northwest that's what they call them there, Here we call them camper shells and back east they are called toppers
Prices I have gotten northern VA with the drop down front window, light kit and keyless lock are currently quoted as $3100-$3200 for the full size truck, six foot bed model. After some searching I was able to find it for $2735 OTD and installed.Be aware, individual dealers can set their own pricing so prices vary.
I have a Z2 on my 24 F350. Total $5k POS. Supposed to be the top of the line. The fit and finish is crap. Big divets in the paint, the fiberglass is $hit, all wavy, cracked, pock marked, places where it wasn't painted at all, freking window screen wasn't attached in places, they over torqued the window frame and bent the moulding. I can't say enough about the lack of quality with the ARE Z2 topper. Oh, and leaks, of course it does.
I''m not happy with my ARE. I have a 2015 Ram 6'4 bed. The design to keep water out of the latch/tailgate area is horrible. They run the rubber weather stripping long, so every time I shut the tailgate it smashes the weatherstripping. If you cut the weather stripping short it's not waterproof. For a brand new $2000 canopy it should work flawless. My coworker has a snugtop for his Ram, and he loves it. Much better design.
My Z series is a P.O.S., water leaks all over, even the rear window thru the frame by the hinges, drips on everything inside. The rear window isn’t even centred and doesn’t latch properly. My dealer Action Truck is totally useless, they just put you on the ignore list every time. Once they sell you something there is no service whatsoever. I complained to ARE and they just told me to go to another dealer. If ARE made a better quality product I wouldn’t need to waste my time going back to any dealer. My cap barely rests on the front bulkhead of my box , shame on ARE , my truck was built in Mexico and is head over heals better made than your USA made canopy.
Just called your office and man is it true how friendly you are. I’ve never in my life… What an experience! Thank you thank you thank you!
It's nice to see that there are still some pro's left in this business, and I hope to find one in my area (SE Georgia) as caring and knowledgable as you are Kevin! Blessings!!!
WOW!!! THANKS, KEVIN, FOR THIS GREAT LOOK AT THE FEATURES OF THE "Z" SERIES A.R.E. PRODUCT THERE'S NO REASON TO SUFFER, WITH A SUB-STANDARD TOPPER!!! I'LL BE WANTING AN "A.R.E."!!!
Thanks for your reply Kevin. I wish all A.R.E. dealers were as professional as you are!
Very informative video, very much appreciated. I'm reading through the comments and getting nervous though. Going to go talk with an ARE dealer later today
Beautiful Video
This is perfect. I'm looking for one for my truck! Liked and subscribed!
I have the same top in white on a Dodge 1500 looks great never noticed any leaks and had no parts failure as of yet
Nice overview!
What a great review. I want one for my 2017 F-150 Lariat!
Really appreciate this video!
I am Totally Disappointed, Bad Quality. The Handle gets cracked every winter, The side window fell off and I called A.R.E. and they sended me to another company. What a Shame!
Mine worked great for years! No issues.
Love mine! Has power locks so when I lock truck it locks! Sweeeeet!
Silly question: Can you get a camper shell that has the ba k window of the truck removed for access to the bed?
New Z top purchase for my 2018 Tacoma: 1/23/2019 PROBLEMS: Back lid window leaks profusely due to wire housing being stuck behind lid hinge on rubber seal. Topper cannot be unlocked with key and opened in cold weather. I had to get a heat gun for lock to open. Dealer said I had to wait till lock "thawed" out. Pathetic! Don't expect ARE Customer Service to answer phone: after 20 minutes I hung up and sent email with no response addressing these issues to date. I will update comments if and when problems fixed.
Does it has a lock built in it so you can lock and unlock with a mechanical key?
The red truck in the video has a plastic/rubber piece that goes along the top of the tailgate, do you carry a shell for the newer Ram pick-ups with the tailgate where the doors open sideways? This piece looks like it might impede the opening of the tailgate sideways?
How many inches does that window pop out?
I'm new to trucks, but is this cap easy to open and close if you want to sleep inside?
ROTFLMFAO! :)
Opening the rear window hatch from the outside is best done with two hands because the latch ARE uses on the Z-series works as both a latch and a pull lever. If you sue one hand to to that it's easy to stress the mechanism, but after a while, you'll probably get better at it. I've found that I'm almost always opening it with one hand because I'm usually holding something in the other hand that's going inside the shell.
I've had to replace my latch twice in 6 years because the plastic moving parts inside are not strong enough to withstand everyday use and break from fatigue. A proprietary replacement latch from ARE is the only solution and they cost $85 (plus $15 shipping to your dealer).
There is a small round knob that's less difficult to turn for opening from the inside, but there is no way to lock the cap for personal security when you are inside.
So far, I have not had problems with suffocation or death while sleeping inside mine. Perhaps Mook Wolf is posting his comments from the grave.
Z-Series is a really great topper! I love mine.
3:58 can you tell me the name of that pieces please, mine just broke and the steel arms just pop out of the window rail, i need a little plastic piece that goes on the tip of the steel arms
I noticed the black pieces on top of the bed are showing. Is this able to install without those so that its a smoother look?
I too refused My ARE Z Series camper shell. The glass fit was terrible. One side was shoved all the way up and the other side shoved all the way down. The flip out windows were actually curved the opposite way of the cap and would not shut. Even with tough cranking there was still a 3/8" gap. The little plastic wheels that ride in the track would not last long and ARE only warrants the glass for one single year. ARE Z Series is a piece of junk for what they charge. The representative said ARE won't even send a new one to replace it stating there is no guarantee it will be any better. Even ARE knows this high end Z Series cap is junk. Customer service was not that helpful and Its impossible to reach them by phone, only email. After placing a deposit and waiting three weeks for delivery, I guess they think I am desperate and would accept anything. NOT !!!! You think they care if I am being inconvenienced over this. NOT !!!! The result...I received less than zero from doing business with ARE and they should do better, especially leaning so hard on the "Proudly made in the USA" thing. I am STILL without a cap THANKS ARE....Big thumbs down ARE
I also have a Z series cap for my Tacoma. 6'bed. I purchased the roof rack rails only. I found that there is a vacuum created at the rear window while driving, (the window is closed) this in-turn causes the rear window to become very dirty with road grime. I recall the old station wagons had an "air foil" attached to the roof. which eliminated the vacuum & the exhaust from entering the rear. is there something like that available for my rails
Where I can buy the rear window?
Too bad A.R.E. customer service doesn't follow through on their promise of delivering a quality product. after 5 months, I am still waiting for their customer service person to follow through on a promise he made to me. It's companies like this that hurt good dealers like vaca valley truck. It is hard for me to do business with a company like A.R.E. when they don't follow through on what they promise their customers.
My experience with ARE factory customer support has been similar. They have not responded to any inquiry I've made. If you aren't a dealer they are not interested in you or your satisfaction with their product. The ARE dealer you choose is critical to your ownership experience. My dealer in NC has been very good, but they say ARE is not easy to work with.
Well JB, I CALLED Vaca Vly Trk, Kevin I think. Told him I needed a shell QUICKLY. since I'm forced to take my Husky EVERYWHERE I go! Needed it VERY BADLY. I actually was willing to pay a fee to expedite it's RUSH. Kevin had 2 ph #'s for me and a 8 -9 days later he called me and I told him " I won't be needing it'! I know the guy was "slammed" with business but how hard is it to make a 60 second call? Did buy a loaded, (A R E ), cap w/ Windoors all around and a Bedrug for my new Duramax Dually Crew, but from "Fernando" @ Mobile Living In Concord Calif. Great Experience.. Remember NEVER buy a Cap with Cash. . . You Have NO RECOURSE!
What's the weight rating for the rack system?
How do you program the key fob?
Can i please know the details of the cross bars?
I thought this was narrated by Dennis Leary for a minute.
I think the comment was from Timothy Leary
How much does a setup like this run for?
Cool Shell.
Igor Subarist Vlogs m m
Looks really good....Hmmm
Can I take the kayak racks off the track when not in use?
yes
does anyone have a link on how to replace the palm lock for this camper shell
Did you figure this out? I’ve been looking all evening and can’t find anything to replace my latch
Ask me about the quality of my new Z series cap and how A.R.E. has handled the complaints. I have some pictures to share if anyone is interested
How was your experience?
alittle birdie I'm an ARE dealer and have very few problems with ARE they build a fine product I have had great luck with their stuff - I have been selling shells and truck accessories for 30 years, Sometimes its the dealer not taking time to do the job right, Shells like most items are man made and can have issues but if they are addressed properly then there should be no problems
At what warranty defect # does A.R.E. send the customer a new truck cap? I have had 8 trips to the dealer. $2,300 for this?
Interested in your issues
Blabbering about "issues" yet providing no details = irrelevant comments
Beware of the brake lights that will leak like mine has.
The world is an imperfect place. Screws fall out.
ARE uses double-stick tape to hold in the brake light on the Z-Series, not screws. It's a two piece clear plastic housing with an LED strip inside and is stamped "Made in Canada". The poor seal between the two parts of the housing allows condensation to form inside it within a few months and it is difficult to break the strong adhesive bond of the tape when you pry the housing out of the camper shell to service the light. Screws would have been a much better method of attaching it.
Awesome Truck cap
Kevin...any thoughts?
alittle birdie I dont know what issues your having 8 trips is a lot, It should be addressed in no more than 2 in the worst case but once again I don't know what the issues are
vacavalleytruck You keep posting on this video what are the problems you are having ? Call me 707-447-9905 Thanks Kevin
Lifetime warranty on structure and paint...How about a lifetime warrantee on the WHOLE shell...like the moving parts...that never last!
I’m two years into owning a Z series. Both side windows leak badly and the front fold down window might as well be open when it rains! Beware the one year leak warranty.
Will a normal ARE hold 600lbs static weight ?
its a canopy
+kennyhomebrew Kenny they are called different names all over the country, Chances are your in the northwest that's what they call them there, Here we call them camper shells and back east they are called toppers
Nice
These things are right up around $2000.......WTF?
This model is the top of the line they offer less expensive models.
Prices I have gotten northern VA with the drop down front window, light kit and keyless lock are currently quoted as $3100-$3200 for the full size truck, six foot bed model. After some searching I was able to find it for $2735 OTD and installed.Be aware, individual dealers can set their own pricing so prices vary.
Too much buffering? So get a better Internet connection...nothing to do with the video.
How much sir?
They strat at about $2200.00 installed plus tax
I have a Z2 on my 24 F350. Total $5k POS. Supposed to be the top of the line. The fit and finish is crap. Big divets in the paint, the fiberglass is $hit, all wavy, cracked, pock marked, places where it wasn't painted at all, freking window screen wasn't attached in places, they over torqued the window frame and bent the moulding. I can't say enough about the lack of quality with the ARE Z2 topper. Oh, and leaks, of course it does.
I''m not happy with my ARE. I have a 2015 Ram 6'4 bed. The design to keep water out of the latch/tailgate area is horrible. They run the rubber weather stripping long, so every time I shut the tailgate it smashes the weatherstripping. If you cut the weather stripping short it's not waterproof. For a brand new $2000 canopy it should work flawless. My coworker has a snugtop for his Ram, and he loves it. Much better design.
do you know if the installer trimmed the seal ?
@@andrewsagami8377 Yes the ARE retailer in Washington state where I live did the installation.
a cap with glass is simply an invitation to thieves.
My Z series is a P.O.S., water leaks all over, even the rear window thru the frame by the hinges, drips on everything inside. The rear window isn’t even centred and doesn’t latch properly. My dealer Action Truck is totally useless, they just put you on the ignore list every time. Once they sell you something there is no service whatsoever. I complained to ARE and they just told me to go to another dealer. If ARE made a better quality product I wouldn’t need to waste my time going back to any dealer. My cap barely rests on the front bulkhead of my box , shame on ARE , my truck was built in Mexico and is head over heals better made than your USA made canopy.
Too much buffering