I want to get some type of bed cover for my truck and am considering the ARE LSII Series f/g cover because of its looks and the number of positive posts on this Web site. I haven't ruled out the soft cover, though, mostly because of convenience, as has been often repeated in the threads. The only kind I've completely ruled out are the type that require drilling.
My question to you is this: Just how much of a pain is it to take off the hard covers (e.g., ARE)? About how much do they weigh?
Thanks for any add'l info & replies.
John

[This message has been edited by Big Easy John (edited 12-26-1999).]

 

I have the snug lid, comes off in about 2 shakes....very easy to remove....weighs about guessing....100 lbs....two snap rings, slide out to rear..it is off....Dave

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1998 F-150, SC/Flairside,oxford white 4x2,4.6,auto,3.55s,nerf bars,cls 111 towing,bed liner w/mat,atlas polished wheels w/285/75 R/16 BFG A/Ts (black side out),all plastics guards/bug shields,air raid/k & n filter, superchipped, duals out the back corners, flow master 3 chamber, snug top lid, f-150 online sticker back window-honk if you see me!!! Fabtech 3 1/2 lift .coverking dash cover.
San Antonio
DWESSELS89@AOL.COM

 

I have ARE FG cover on my truck. I love it!!!!!The paint matches the truck perfectly.It weights about 110 lbs. Comes off quick & easy 4 clamps hold it on. Its the best l@@k for my truck. Check out my home page at the end of my signature. Cost not cheap, but if you buy cheap 9 out 10 l@@k cheap too!!!...... LARIAT1

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Red/Silver LARIAT, SC,Flareside 4x4 ORP,Tow Pack.,A.R.E Fg. Bedcover,3.55LS,4.6L,Auto,Spiltfire Platinum 3 Sparkplugs,K&N Airfilter W/Mod.Factory Airbox,Custom Dual Exhaust W/20`` Chrome Tips,AVS Window Shades & Door Sills & Tail Lite Slots,GTS Carbon Fiber Headlite Covers,FORD 2-Piece Bra, Tinted Windows, Pendaliner Tailgate(Inner)Cover,Ford Security System W/Motion Alarm, Foglites Works W/Brites On, FORD #1 TRUCK Under Glass On Front Bumper,A/TS Goodyear Tires,Perfomance Fiction Carbon Metallic Disc Brake Pads, Owens Fg. Step Boards,55 Watt (Replacement) Backup Lites,Pilot 55 Watt Back up Lites On Hitch Under Truck. This is LARIAT 1... IN The Great State Of Indianahttp://hometown.aol.com/terrylariat1...page/auto.html

 

I had the ARE cover just like Lariat 1 on my 97 flareside. Loved it but I never took it off. It didn't look like it would be very difficult, just 4 clamps hold it on. I've already ordered a new ARE LSII cover for my new truck!! The ones on the superdutys fit a bit differently, they don't completely cover the black rails but I really liked the quality I got from my first ARE top and I'm sticking with the same brand.

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2000 F250 Crew Cab 4x2 6 speed Diesel XLT Super Duty
Woodland Green, Power Mirrors, 3.73 LS, Captains Chairs
Trailer tow Pkg, Class IV hitch, sliding rear window
running boards, rear privacy glass, 265/75/16 AS OWL tires
ARE tonneau top, mud flaps
am/fm/cassette/cd, Clarion APA 5240 amp

[This message has been edited by Tina (edited 12-28-1999).]

 

As I figured. ARE is well liked among F-150 owners. I see a lot of them down here. My next door neighbor's son has one, but I can't seem to catch him walking to or from his truck. It's even the same color as my truck will be (Deep Wedgewood Blue).
If you don't mind my asking, Tina and Lariat1, how much did your covers cost? And is it worth shopping, or are they all pretty much sold at suggested retail?
Dave, exactly what is a snug lid? I'm still new to this stuff.
Thanks,
John

 

John, send me you email address and i will send pictures...........my add is below...........Dave

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1998 F-150, SC/Flairside,oxford white 4x2,4.6,auto,3.55s,nerf bars,cls 111 towing,bed liner w/mat,atlas polished wheels w/285/75 R/16 BFG A/Ts (black side out),all plastics guards/bug shields,air raid/k & n filter, superchipped, duals out the back corners, flow master 3 chamber, snug top lid, f-150 online sticker back window-honk if you see me!!! Fabtech 3 1/2 lift .coverking dash cover.
San Antonio
DWESSELS89@AOL.COM

 

Check out my website in the signature below for pics of the ARE lid at many angles. Hope this helps.
selva1

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2000 XLT Black Sport, Flareside, 2WD, Ext. Cab, 5.4L Auto. Other factory options: 3.55 LS, Class III tow, 6-way Captains chairs w/CD changer, Remote entry , and Slider window.
Mods: Undercoat, window tint, headlight & tail light covers, removed "Sport" decals, upgraded Triton tailgate emblem, Linex spray-in bedliner, and an ARE LSII lid.
Wish list: Flowmaster duals, K&N FIPK, and a Belltech 3/4 drop.
Check it out at: http://home.columbus.rr.com/selva1/

 

Big Easy John: I checked the price when I was just in Detroit last month (NOV) and it was $699 up there. Here in Wilmington NC it's $725. I'm stuck with the higher price as I would have had to order one while up in Detroit and just didn't have the time to wait on it. I can't remember what I paid for the one on my 97 but it was around the same. The price hasn't gone up that much in 3 years, for which I'm gratefull for. So check around, you might save a few bucks.

 

SNUG LID!!! i love mine fits like a glove ,takes two to take it off safely but it disconnects faster than you can say f150....

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pacific green 97 f150 4.6l..reg cab flareside ,ROUSH suspention down 3 fr and3.5rear,snug lid,carpeted bed, painted tailight accents,4x4 grill &bumper,k&n,chip,ram air kit,valvoline synthetic,accel super stock wires,platinum plus4 plugs,flow master muff,blue halogen bulbs,killer stereo, speed-glo dash,carbon fiber gauge accent,..."#6 sticker!!!!"

 

I also have the ARE hard tonneau cover & I love it !
I got it almost 1 month ago, so I haven't had it off yet, but watching it being put on, it looks simple & not too heavy.
It looks great, it seems to seal great, & I know that on "WINDY" days it is Definitely GREAT !
Heading to Dallas next month for the F-150online rally so I'll see how much the mileage improves then.
Cost was $699 + tax for the total. Do what I did & go to http://www.4are.com & print out the $20 off coupon for your local dealer that sells them.
GO ARE !!!



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Sean in Texas
https://www.f150online.com/features/index.html
http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Show/7936

97 White/Tan Lariat - Leather, Power Everything, Tan Leather Floor Console, 2 Chamber Flowmaster Cat Back Duals w/Chrome Exits, AirAid Intake, "SuperChip" brand Chip, All Synth. Fluids, Custom Painted TB Cover, Blue Wire Loomed Engine, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, 17x9.5 Centerline Scorpions, w/275/60/17 Dunlop Sport Rover GTX Tires, Cool Collar, Polished Billet Grille & Bumper Insert, Chrome Diff. Cover, Pendaliner SR, Clear Corner Lenses, Superwhites Headlights, Stainless Steel Nerf Bars, Kenwood Excelon Speakers, Polk Audio db Series 10" Sub, Kenwood 818 Sub. Amp, LMI Rear Seat Kit, Color Matched "Tan" (Eddie Bauer/Expedition) rear bumper, Ford Hitch Cover/Lock, Door Sill Protectors, "ARE - Hard Tonneau Cover", ...I know there is more but can't think of it now... OH yeah.. & a Fully Loaded "Viper" Alarm to guard it ALL !
Next to "Be Added",.."Power Aid" & more I'm sure !
"With a Nice 2 Tone Paint Job" !!!!!

 

I have Leer on mine. Similar to ARE but no extra humps. Im my opionion the Lear looks better on a styleside and the ARE on a Flairside.

To answer your question: I carry oversize stuff all the time. I just strap it tight to the back bumper with a motorcycle strap to keep it from raising up when stopped and pushing back down when moving.

I can email you picts of the Leer if you like.

cphilip@innova.net

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97 F-150 SC Lariat, Styleside, White over Gold, 4.6L (Windsor), Automatic, 3.55 rear end, electronic 4X4, w/ every option of Lariat and ORP packages except the 17" wheels (I even got the OR decals now!), MOD's so far: K&N air box mod, Gibson Super Truck, clear Bugflector II, Leer TSC 600 hard cover, Bridgestone Dueler OWL ATP 265/75 R-16's, TrailMaster Invader N7 shocks, Smittybilt step bars, Ford moulded mud guards, "White-white" head lamps, Cloud Rider Design's SS Grill and bumper opening "Summer Grill's", Bosch platinum + 4's.




[This message has been edited by cphilip (edited 12-29-1999).]

 

This may be a zany question, but here goes. Is there any way to travel with a Snug Lid or ARE cover not completely shut? What if you have something a little to high back there to shut it securely. Can you get by for a few miles if you keep it under 120 mph? Can it be secured (I hate to say "tied") kind of like a car trunk, or do you suspect it would wobble off its hinges?
**Heck, if you can't ask a silly question now and then, what's the point in living?**
Thnx,
BEJohn

 

I have the Snuglid on my '99 Flareside and I really like it...of all the options on my truck, the Snuglid is the one I get the most compliments on. I can't say much about the ARE lid 'cuz they don't sell many around here in Central California for some reason (no dealer, I guess). I would guess the Snuglid, *******'s and ARE are all good choices. I just depends on what's available in your area. My Snuglid was around $600 installed.

 

I am in the process of posting quite a few new pics of my truck on one of my websites.
I will have several pics of my new ARE tonneau cover on the truck. Pics are of it open, closed, from front, from rear, from side. Feel free to check it out & let me know what you think.
Also, please join the site if you like it ! I think about 20 F150online members have joined so far. You can post your trucks pics too there !

Here's the addy: http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics

It is going through changes constantly & the latest should be done by the end of this weekend ! I should have several hundred pics up in no time. Quite a few pages going on right now, so hopefully it will load quickly for y'all.



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Sean in Texas
https://www.f150online.com/features/index.html
http://communities.msn.com/SS97FordsPics
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Show/7936

97 White/Tan Lariat - Leather, Power Everything, Tan Leather Floor Console, 2 Chamber Flowmaster Cat Back Duals w/Chrome Exits, AirAid Intake, "SuperChip" brand Chip, All Synth. Fluids, Custom Painted TB Cover, Blue Wire Loomed Engine, Hellwig Rear Sway Bar, 17x9.5 Centerline Scorpions, w/275/60/17 Dunlop Sport Rover GTX Tires, Cool Collar, Polished Billet Grille & Bumper Insert, Chrome Diff. Cover, Pendaliner SR, Clear Corner Lenses, Superwhites Headlights, Stainless Steel Nerf Bars, Kenwood Excelon Speakers, Polk Audio db Series 10" Sub, Kenwood 818 Sub. Amp, LMI Rear Seat Kit, Color Matched "Tan" (Eddie Bauer/Expedition) rear bumper, Ford Hitch Cover/Lock, Door Sill Protectors, "ARE - Hard Tonneau Cover", ...I know there is more but can't think of it now... OH yeah.. & a Fully Loaded "Viper" Alarm to guard it ALL !
Next to "Be Added",.."Power Aid" & more I'm sure !
"With a Nice 2 Tone Paint Job" !!!!!

 

Sean,
Thanks for the heads up on your truck pix. I've been gratified with many responses from enthusiastic tonneau cover owners who want to share their experiences with novices like me.
I finally caught my next door neighbor's son on his way in. He has a '99 Supercab Lariat Flairside with the ARE cover, and he loves it. He opened it up and gave me a demo. It it pretty neat.
His truck is Deep Wedgewood Blue, with the gold two tone. The blue tonneau is beautiful.
My truck is now scheduled to be delivered to the dealership during the week of the 24th (this month). It will also be Wedgewood Blue, but monotone, with gray leather.
I'll let everybody know if and when I get a cover.
Again, thanks to all!
John