This post is to warn others about the seriously flawed design of the cam and cable latch on the ARE Z camper shells (their top of the line). The cheap plastic cam broke after only 4 years with only moderate use. ARE has decided it`s better to have bad publicity than to do the right thing and replace the $65 latch mechanism because it is "out of warranty". I will be buying a Snug-Top when I get a new shell and I encourage others to avoid their company as well.

 

How long is the warranty?

 

I'm on my first and definitely last ARE product. Absolutely the worst cab/topper or whatever you call it in your neck of the woods, I've had.

 

Hey Guys,

ARE has come to their senses and decided that it was bad PR to quibble over a $65 part on a $2000 + camper shell. I applaud them for their efforts. As Rosanna Rosanna Danna used to say, "Never Mind"

All is well with me and ARE again. I had very good luck with their shells in the past.

BTW: Their warranty is 3 years which they claim is the best in the business. I don't really know but it sure could be true.

Thanks!!

 

Well I know snugtop stands behind their products. I'd had my lid on the truck for five years and the keyring retainer wedged between the lid and my back glass and shattered it. It is a poor design if that can happen and I let them know. They owned up to their flaw and paid my glass deductible.

 

Just ordered a Snug Top for my 2009 FX4, the XTR. Cant wait!

 

Hell no it's not.

Jason caps are guaranteed for 10 years, and mechanical parts 5 years.

 

I just ordered the ARE Z series for my 2016 Platinum white F-150 including the Yakima rack system, carpet headliner and keyless entry. It has a tilt down front slider for easy window cleaning which I like. Also, the doors and windows are all frameless with no buttons while the rear door has internal hinges and a sturdier locking handle. I looked at Snugtop, Leer and ARE. There was a $100 customer appreciation coupon the dealer applied which was pretty much negated when I got charged an extra $100 for the white platinum tri-coat paint.

 

I recently bought a used ARE camper shell for my 02 replacing a lesser quality shell I had bought several years ago for $275. The one I first had was designed for a reg cab, not my scab. The ARE is a better design than the previous one and I only paid $300 for it and sold my old one for $275.

 

Win win!
I did the same going from a Astro to a Century.

 

I've got a A.R.E. cap and will never have another. Water leaks galore, primarily at the back window once it's opened, just like in this guys video.

 

Interesting! My ARE cap stays perfectly dry in the rain. But my rear window is "frameless", and I don't think the one in the video is. Perhaps that's the difference.

- Jack

 

When will people realize that their social media economic blackmail does nothing other than drive prices up. In the automotive business the projected warranty costs, this includes goodwill, are figured in to the sales price of the vehicles. If these projections come up short the price of the next year’s vehicle is adjusted accordingly to make up the losses. It happens to a lesser extent in the accessories industry but it does happen.

 

I suppose we speak about the quality-price ratio.low price this is low quality. But when we have a low quality and high price it's nonsense

 

Physics will not be denied.