I have been studying all the choices and options for a lid. The real reason for getting one, is to have a place to store, junk for weekly water ski trips. The truck will always have five people in it (Screw) so there needs to be a place to store their gear.

If you have a LT lid, let me know what you think about it? All the negatives as well?

http://www.ltsportcover.com/tonneau-...0-super-xf.htm

Thanks.

 

Check out this guys gallery. He posted that it wasn't all that weather proof but fits well.

https://www.f150online.com/galleries....cfm?gnum=3691

 

Since you obviously prefer the flat lids, have you checked the nearly identical Gemtop GT Classic and the Glasstite Super Tite.

I bought the over-the-rail Snuglid SL...perfect fit, finish, and quality and no leaks.

 

I ordered the ARE LS-II. It should be here by Tuesday. I've heard good things about it, but I'll let you know after I use it. I ordered the racks for it from the factory so I can carry bikes on top.

 

Dusty I...believe me, I'm not slamming A.R.E. but I hope you have better luck than I had. My LSII had many paint defects and the lid 'horns' (front left/right corners) scratched the bed paint when the lid was opened. After attending SEMA, even my local A.R.E. dealer recommended another brand...which I ordered and luv it. Hope y'all are satisfied...maybe the East Coast products are a better product.

 

Grimalkin,

I have been to the GemTop web site a couple of times, and some of the dealer links. Really can not find out much about the lids, and they really do not have pictures? Seems like the company is really producing Toppers for work trucks.

 

HoustonP...check http://www.calconcepts.com/SolidBedC...ile/lowprofile for photos, details, prices, etc. re: (GemTop GT Classic tonneau) or go to Google, search (GemTop...).

 

Grimalkin,

I just picked it up. Watched them install it, and there's a good 3/4 to 1" of clearance between each of the "horns" and the bed. Thanks for mentioning it--I was able to watch their installation closely.

I ordered it with the rails for a bike rack. It's raining here now, but I'll post a picture or two in my gallery later.

 

Dusty...that's great news. Looking forward to your pics. A check with my A.R.E. dealer indicates that the company may have modified the 'horn' flare on later models around the 1st of the year. Also, it appears the western U.S. plant was having a few 'bad days' in the paint shop. I guess all the gremlins (Murphy's Law) struck at the time of my early order in October.

 

HoustonPerson,

I just posted pix of the A.R.E. LS-II in my gallery. The racks would be great if you wanted to carry waterskies.

 

Dusty1,

The lid looks first class. I still have not decided if I am going to do a lid at all yet.

Did it come pre-painted or did you local dealer paint it? Some of the ones (lids in general) that I have seen paint was only one coat of paint, and within a couple of years the paint wore away. I have noticed that some claim to have a base coat, the paint color, and then a clear coat.

Everybody, thanks for all the posts!


__________________

 

It was painted at the factory. The cap store manager took the number off the pillar on the truck and gave it to A.R.E. when he called in the order.

I don't know how many coats were applied, so this may be an issue later.

 

I bought the 700 series from Leer.ordered it from my dealership.made by leer but painted and packaged by Ford.installed it myself in about 2 hours pretty easy and it looks awesome.list price was 1400,my cost was 988.00.the paint was a perfect match.go to ford accessories.com and look it up.you can order in any color.even primer and paint your own color.you will just need a couple people to help putting it on bed and lining up front weatherstrip next to cab.go to leer web site to check out pictures.this is the best looking in my opinion.design matches the hood.

 

A Leer 700 Series tonneau, painted to match with headliner and installed on an '04 F150, sells in my area at a Leer dealer for $860. Ford, for shame, for asking a retail of $1,400. My local Ford accessory retailer is charging $6.00 a quart for 5W20 Motorcraft oil. Is there a lesson here?

 

I'm trying to make up my mind about what to buy for my 2003 Flareside. Red with Arizona beige trim.

SNUGLID LS looks good, has a headliner, and a nice locking mechanism.

A.R.E seems to have a superior hinge (runs the full width, rather than 2 little hinges), is supposedly easier to remove, and has props plus scissor supports to hold it open. The dealer said the rubbing "horn" issue is not a problem with the Flareside model.

LT sounded good (I was also going to see if they make a cover the 2003 Flareside) but then read about leaking problems.

Undercover sounds interesting, but I didn't like reading their website about possibly needing to trim the bedliner. Also, I'm not sure how well they paint, apparently you have to arrange for your own painting. In addition, I read some were frustrated by the double locks. Lastly, the warranty on these plastic things is only 3 years.

All are around $900 (Undercover $600 unpainted). It seems like there are pros and cons on every model, any suggestions to help make a final decision on a tonneau for a Flareside?

P.S. Has anyone seen a tonneau painted to match the Arizona beige trim, rather than the main body color? If so, did it look good?