lazynorse
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Mar 16, 2022
- Threads
- 41
- Messages
- 315
- Reaction score
- 588
- Location
- Washington State
- Vehicle(s)
- Ford Ranger Crew Cab XLT FX4
- Occupation
- Public Health
- Thread starter
- #1
Appreciate insights. Shopping for a 5' bed.
I presume ARE and Snugtop are generally more expensive, but not necessarily leaps and bounds over Leer and Century (same I believe, different brand labels) in the quality department. I'm leaning Leer/Century. Maybe other brands but I'm unfamiliar. I'm in WA State.
I also understand the flush, sexy 'SUV' recessed glass on the sides is actually more leak prone than the classic style with visible gasket trim around the side glass. Thinking going that classic style, not SUV style recessed for that purpose, less leak prone.
Back hatch has me stumped. My uninformed brain says old school style aluminum framed glass might be stronger, less break prone but maybe that's not a problem for the all-glass rear hatch design. All glass certainly looks better. All glass is usually the step up from base models. That's fine, but I want reliable first, looks second.
Single center handle (generally with wires to the outside lock engagements.. maybe dual rods to the outside lock engagements? Don't know!). I close my eyes and see myself annoyed with unlocking and opening two handles every time I want into the back of the truck for daily use. I'm sure two handles on each side are simpler, maybe more reliable, maybe more secure. Would love feed back here.
Windoors. For sure want those. I don't mind two handle action here, which I'd use camping and not everyday.
Hinged/removable front window. How else to clean the back truck cab window? I've heard horror stories of how flimsy the canopy front windows are when they're removable. I don't want that hassle. Maybe blasting soapy water from my pressure water will suffice for that area. For the single utility I foresee - cleaning the cab window - I'd be paying an add on fee for the canopy and possibly be getting a liability along with it. Thoughts?
Carpeted lining? No. I'd rather have the lighter colored raw fiberglass to aid seeing around back there in low light.
Thule or Yakima tracks. Definitely. I want a rack to hold stuff longer than 5' bed. I currently have a Yakima Skybox 12, a long but skinny box that works awesome on my Subaru Outback. I'd probably shop around 'lesser' brands than Yakima/Thule for the actual feet/landing pad and aerodynamic blade-style crossbars. Any suggestion there?
Speaking of 5' bed.. the reason I have a Yakima Skybox 12 is to fit my car camping tent, a Gazelle T4 'instant' tent. The thing is 68" long when packed. If packed in a canopy, it'd need to be propped floor to ceiling if straight down the bed or diagonal, all cattywampus across my other gear. My 'loadout' fits in a Subaru Outback now, I'm sure I could make it work with everything under the canopy but I still want the option of roof rails and my Skybox 12.
Timing. I just ordered my Ranger and waiting on the VIN. No idea when it'll be ready for pickup. Canopy orders take a couple months, too. I'm sure the canopy dealer would be pissed if I ordered too early and it sat there before I even had my truck!
Alu-cab, RSI, etc. These are cool. If Alu-Cab had a more ready option for windows in their windoors (actually, just solid opening side panels, stock), I'd probably go that way. That's a custom order as I understand, upping the price and the turnaround time from across the globe. I'm not spending $4000 on an RSI. They all have similar challenges as their fiberglass counterparts in the dust and water intrusion category. So, I like but can't really get over the cost differential and the minimum daily improved experience. Color choice seems black or gray. I'd pick gray for a little heat reflection, but it'll be mismatched on my Cactus Gray FX4.
So, long read but I'd sure appreciate any reality checks on my presumptions, any guidance appreciated. I'm willing to spend about $3000, but would click my heels like a leprechaun if I get something that looks and works good for less.
I presume ARE and Snugtop are generally more expensive, but not necessarily leaps and bounds over Leer and Century (same I believe, different brand labels) in the quality department. I'm leaning Leer/Century. Maybe other brands but I'm unfamiliar. I'm in WA State.
I also understand the flush, sexy 'SUV' recessed glass on the sides is actually more leak prone than the classic style with visible gasket trim around the side glass. Thinking going that classic style, not SUV style recessed for that purpose, less leak prone.
Back hatch has me stumped. My uninformed brain says old school style aluminum framed glass might be stronger, less break prone but maybe that's not a problem for the all-glass rear hatch design. All glass certainly looks better. All glass is usually the step up from base models. That's fine, but I want reliable first, looks second.
Single center handle (generally with wires to the outside lock engagements.. maybe dual rods to the outside lock engagements? Don't know!). I close my eyes and see myself annoyed with unlocking and opening two handles every time I want into the back of the truck for daily use. I'm sure two handles on each side are simpler, maybe more reliable, maybe more secure. Would love feed back here.
Windoors. For sure want those. I don't mind two handle action here, which I'd use camping and not everyday.
Hinged/removable front window. How else to clean the back truck cab window? I've heard horror stories of how flimsy the canopy front windows are when they're removable. I don't want that hassle. Maybe blasting soapy water from my pressure water will suffice for that area. For the single utility I foresee - cleaning the cab window - I'd be paying an add on fee for the canopy and possibly be getting a liability along with it. Thoughts?
Carpeted lining? No. I'd rather have the lighter colored raw fiberglass to aid seeing around back there in low light.
Thule or Yakima tracks. Definitely. I want a rack to hold stuff longer than 5' bed. I currently have a Yakima Skybox 12, a long but skinny box that works awesome on my Subaru Outback. I'd probably shop around 'lesser' brands than Yakima/Thule for the actual feet/landing pad and aerodynamic blade-style crossbars. Any suggestion there?
Speaking of 5' bed.. the reason I have a Yakima Skybox 12 is to fit my car camping tent, a Gazelle T4 'instant' tent. The thing is 68" long when packed. If packed in a canopy, it'd need to be propped floor to ceiling if straight down the bed or diagonal, all cattywampus across my other gear. My 'loadout' fits in a Subaru Outback now, I'm sure I could make it work with everything under the canopy but I still want the option of roof rails and my Skybox 12.
Timing. I just ordered my Ranger and waiting on the VIN. No idea when it'll be ready for pickup. Canopy orders take a couple months, too. I'm sure the canopy dealer would be pissed if I ordered too early and it sat there before I even had my truck!
Alu-cab, RSI, etc. These are cool. If Alu-Cab had a more ready option for windows in their windoors (actually, just solid opening side panels, stock), I'd probably go that way. That's a custom order as I understand, upping the price and the turnaround time from across the globe. I'm not spending $4000 on an RSI. They all have similar challenges as their fiberglass counterparts in the dust and water intrusion category. So, I like but can't really get over the cost differential and the minimum daily improved experience. Color choice seems black or gray. I'd pick gray for a little heat reflection, but it'll be mismatched on my Cactus Gray FX4.
So, long read but I'd sure appreciate any reality checks on my presumptions, any guidance appreciated. I'm willing to spend about $3000, but would click my heels like a leprechaun if I get something that looks and works good for less.
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