July 23, 2025 - Both brands are renowned for their high-quality construction, exceptional paint matching, and numerous features, making them top choices for consumers looking to optimize their truck’s cargo area. If you’re in the market for a new topper, you’ll need to decide which brand to choose. So, which is right for you? In this feature, we compare these popular camper shell brands—A.R.E. and LEER—to determine which offers the best assortment of features, the highest quality construction, and the best value.

July 23, 2024 - Hey guys, Looking to throw a topper on my 2019 Short bed crew cab SR5. I know Leer is supposed to be the biggest company in the industry but I am...

August 15, 2022 - Based upon the reviews/comparisons that I have seen online, I am leaning towards the Leer 180XR. The fit and finish of the Leer appears to be a little better and the ARE appears to be more prone to leaks.

December 22, 2019 - I was leaning towards ARE, that’s what the local shop recommended (they sell both) but my wife likes the Leer’s “look” better and they have a free headliner coupon too so it’s a bit cheaper I do like the single handle/lock on the ARE but I doubt that will matter much in actual usage.

October 25, 2020 - Lets see what you are towing!

December 18, 2025 - I bought the ARE for my RAM s as Leer didn’t offer a slightly taller than cab option. Very disappointed with the ARE due to leakage of dust and water around the back lift window. The weather strip doesn’t last and all my efforts to seal have not yet been successful.

March 30, 2025 - A few hundred dollars less than the retail price listed on the ARE webpage. Also got a fairly cool in bed locking tool/storage box on Amazon. Made out of material similar to a pelican case. ... I’ve got a Leer, it’s 12 years old and has been on and off a few times due to projects etc, now i solely use a trailer when that’s a necessary task.

March 25, 2022 - They claim to be planning for an eventual 8ft model but no word on when and I don't have time to hurry up and wait, I did enough of that crap for Uncle Sam. Tough choice to make between the two you're looking at but if funds aren't an issue I think the Smartcap is worth the coin and will leave you happier in the long run. ... Try pricing out a Leer with all the features that are standard on the RSI.

May 7, 2022 - I talked to my local camper dealer yesterday. They carry both ARE & LEER. The only ARE currently available is the V series. 12 week lead time. No LEER available yet but she called and they said they are hoping to have the XR & XL available within the next month. Once available only a 4-5 week...

September 25, 2021 - It boiled down to the only moving part on the Topper, the rear Window hinges. I chose the A.R.E. Z series. A.R.E. rear window hinges are substantially heavier, stronger. Everything else seemed pretty much equal. A.R.E. also uses American owned and made Yakima racks. Leer doesn't.

Our family just got our first dog this summer (yellow lab), now that she's reached full size, there's just not enough room for the kids and her in the...

Browse our lineup of truck caps to request a quote from your nearest authorized LEER® dealer. Not sure which truck cap is right for you? ... Truck Caps—also known as camper shells, canopies, or toppers—are one of the most popular and versatile bed cover options for pickup trucks.

April 4, 2008 - Leer and ARE are both solid truck cap makers. I have had one of each on my last 2 trucks, and was happy with both. Every truck I have had with a cap has leaked a little from time to time. It is not a problem with just Honda leaking.

December 28, 2016 - The Leer and Century brands the rear door hardware did not last one winter and it corroded badly, Replacement parts were expensive and hard to get, no dealers had them. Dealers were useless in this endeavor and I had to call the company multiple times to get what I needed. They are not in the habit of making replacement parts available.

November 9, 2023 - Second, what is it about the Leer group product that makes it worth about $1000 more similarly configured? The only options I want are some lighting inside, a sliding front window so we can still sort of use the slider in the cab, and rack rails that will eventually have my wife's Thule Hullavator kayak rack installed on them and the quotes I have gotten are ~$3200 for ARE and $4200 for SnugTop/Leer from local dealers (just south of Seattle).

However, many SnugTop owners will tell you that they are worth the extra cost due to the quality and user experience. The SnugTop canopy is fitted with four rubber gaskets between the bed rail and the shell. This prevents even a single drop of rain or water from entering inside. In addition, the shell overhangs the sides to allow a smooth water drain. LEER also overhangs to the side but only slightly.

April 4, 2024 - I had a Leer years ago that we camped out of. The roof liner started to fall down so I had to send it back. After that is was pretty good. When I was looking for a cap for my 2016 f150, I started looking at Leer but ended up with the ARE. It was cheaper than the Leer and had more features at that time.

February 18, 2025 - I like the AL and lighter steel units, but can't get my head around their price tags. I also can't seem to find either with the features I'm looking for (slider front window, slider side windows with pet screens that open upwards ("windoors"), so ARE and Leer have bubbled up (in spite of their stupid high prices also!).

September 21, 2010 - LOVE the windoors on my ARE. Lots of air flow for the dog. ... A.R.E. here, I had ordered a Leer first. The dealer called me and said when she tried to order the Leer they told her the Leer windoors would be 9 inches shorter than the molded indentations in the sides of the cap.