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A.R.E. tonneau cover, not impressed...

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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 07:04 PM
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Sierra One's Avatar
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Unhappy A.R.E. tonneau cover, not impressed...

Well, I just had a Line-X liner and an ARE LS-II cover installed today. I ended up returning to the shop because the cover looked as if it were bent or crooked. Apparently, that's part of the design which really flares out by the cab. I used to have a SWISS Patriot model on my old truck and it didn't overlap the rails like the ARE...Needless to say it bugs me every time I look in the mirror...Hopefully, the dealer will let me trade this one back in on a SWISS, which should be out for the '04 in early November. If not I'll have a carpet lined ARE lid for a 2004 SCREW black, to get rid of...My wife thinks I'm being **** but heck for close to $900 I should be happy with it...
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 09:24 PM
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ARE LS-II Tonneau

I don't quite follow what you dont like. I just got my truck this week and had my ARE LS-II carpet lined tonneau installed the day after I picked up my truck (the same day I had the Line-X put in). My truck is all white with a white tonneau. I LOVE the way it looks on the truck, including the way it JUST covers the black plastic bed rails (so all you see is white). It is contoured on the front to match the lines of the cab.

Sorry you dont like the LS-II and I hope you get what you like, thats what its all about. Good luck.
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 09:38 PM
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pics?
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 10:15 PM
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I will have some posted tomorrow. Is the cover supposed to rub against the bed at the front where it is contoured and pivots? I don't know it just doesn't seem right...I'll have some good pics for ya tomorrow...Thanks for the replies...
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 10:20 PM
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Sierra One


Where do you live in midwest.
Who is the installer.
I may not want to go there.


Mike
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 10:27 PM
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Indianapolis...The dealer was Millennium Linings...They did the Line-X as well...To be honest, they didn't even bother to clean the cover before installing it...There was white dust all over the truck from the Line-X install...I even found a couple of small scratches where they leaned up against the bed. I should be able to rub them out but they could've cleaned up after their install...
 
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Old Oct 18, 2003 | 11:15 PM
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This may be just wild speculation, but I'll offer it up as a possible explanation for your dissatisfaction with the fit of your LS II.

About 7 weeks ago when I had just placed my order for the new Screw, I started shopping for a tonneau...looked at Leer, GemTop, SnugFit, etc. At that time, a local A.R.E. dealer told me that delivery of an LS II might be delayed because the manufacturer was adjusting the molds due to "a corner fit problem". He didn't offer any other specifics. I wonder, did you get an early production model.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 08:59 AM
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It's possible this was an early model...That and I think I was used to the look of the SWISS that didn't overlap the rails. I'm sure I'd get used to it but it really bugs me...Personal preferance I guess. Thanks for the info
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 10:52 AM
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Pics

Here's some pics.. The more I look at it I think it just needs adjusted. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=3225
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 11:11 AM
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Your pix show the rubbing on the passenger side, and the flare on the drivers side. I assume the top is flaring the same amount on both the passenger and driver sides? If it's only flaring on the driver's side, and only rubbing on the passenger side, then I'd say it needs to be shifted over toward the passenger side.


Mallen4258: Can you post pix of your white '04?
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 12:04 PM
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Sierra One...your excellent pics illustrated the problem well, i.e., the manufacturers of Flareside/stepside boxes have created an engineering and aesthetics nightmare for over-the-rail tonneau aftermarket folks, regardless of tonneau brand.

I might suggest you follow your instincts and purchase an inside-rail design. In my personal experince, once annoyed at some feature, it will bug y'all to the point of continuous dissatisfaction. The problem here is trying to fit a round tire onto a square rim...good try A.R.E. (or any other brand), but it's a failure IMO.

Great lookin' rig...lol.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 01:09 PM
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Sierra One...I must be suffering from dementia this morning. Shortly after posting the above reply (referring to Flareside boxes), I realized that your rig is a Lariat (which, of course, comes only in the 5.5 Styleside). What threw me off was your pic showing what appeared to be an exaggerated corner contour on the tonneau, as on some stepside configurations. Now, I'm really curious!

I checked other photos in the forum, the A.R.E. website, etc. and compared that with my recall of a personal inspection of my uninstalled LS-II at the dealer yesterday (will be installed Tuesday)...something doesn't add up. The LS-II that will be installed on my XLT Screw doesn't match the one in your pics as to the front corner configuration. I believe the other tonneaus have a less pronounced, softer corner configuration, but maybe I'm wrong again.

Also, one of the current truck mags on the newsstand features a LS-II install with step-by-step photos, etc. The feature mentioned how critical the fit adjustments were. Absent a side-by-side comparison of our two rigs, maybe I best get off this topic.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 04:52 PM
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Sierra One

What ever is wrong with that cover it has really
messed up your truck.If the dealer wont make
this right,then possibly a call to A.R.E. will help.
I think it needs another cover.

Mike
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 05:25 PM
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ARE LS-II Tonneau

Sierra,

With the pictures I can see what you mean on your truck. My Tonneau DOES NOT STICK OUT nearly as much as your does on the front. Also mine does not rub the body when you lift it. It does not seem to be far enough forward and sits too low on the bed. The fit of my LS-II is better, I do not know about the date of build, but I ordered it about 2 weeks ago and it was made and shipped during that period. Good luck, I REALLY like mine..... sorry you are having problems.
 
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Old Oct 19, 2003 | 08:51 PM
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Mallen,
Thanks for the info...I thought something didn't look right and I knew someone on here would be able to help. Glad your top worked out for you...Hopefully, I'll get this straightened (no pun intended) out this week with the dealer or ARE...Thanks again for your opinions...

Sierra One
 
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