A.R.E. Truck Caps ~ CX Revo or Z2 ?

[A-Jay]

Been a fan of these units for many years.

Prefer having the covered bed, especially with several big dogs.

Had a few different models on several different trucks, but on the last three rigs it's been the Z series.

Quality unit with great fit & finish

I'll be taking delivery of a new AT4 in Feb 2021 and am currently doing a little 'advanced research' as to which cap to go with this time around.

A.R.E. has recently updated the Z series with the new Z2 line and also added the CX Revo.

Both seem like they could be what I'm looking for however, prior to the final judgment, I'll need and intend to take the 90 minute cruise over to the 'local'

A.R.E. dealer for a first hand view of my options.

Either way, I'd certainly appreciate any experienced feedback here from any & all BR members who have some input one way or the other.

Thanks in advance 

A-Jay

 

 

 

[MN Fisher]

Personally - if you're putting the dogs in the back - go with the Z or CX Evolve so you can get air-flow back there.

 

I've been a Leer fan since my first truck.

[Scott F]

I bought the Revo cap last year. Is the Z2 a new model? Looking at the catalog, I don’t see a $500 improvement of the Z2 over the Revo. What makes the Z2 more expensive?  I don’t have a dog to ride in the back so I don’t need side windows that open like I had on the Z series I had on my old truck.  I really like the way the ARE’s look and are designed. 

[Glenn]

I have the Z-series.  Aside from some leaking issues that ARE resolved, it's been a good cap.  I really like the electronic locks.

 

I also have the bedrug.  Very durable. You can get it dirty and then just vacuum or hose it down. My only complaint is that the double-backed tape/velcro isn't a great way to hold it in place, especially if you have a spray on bedliner.

 

[A-Jay]

1 hour ago, Scott F said:

I bought the Revo cap last year. Is the Z2 a new model? Looking at the catalog, I don’t see a $500 improvement of the Z2 over the Revo. What makes the Z2 more expensive?  I don’t have a dog to ride in the back so I don’t need side windows that open like I had on the Z series I had on my old truck.  I really like the way the ARE’s look and are designed. 

 

12 minutes ago, Glenn said:

I have the Z-series.  Aside from some leaking issues that ARE resolved, it's been a good cap.  I really like the electronic locks.

 

I also have the bedrug.  Very durable. You can get it dirty and then just vacuum or hose it down. My only complaint is that the double-backed tape/velcro isn't a great way to hold it in place, especially if you have a spray on bedliner.

 

Thank You Gents.

 I forgot to mention that I am also a Bed Rug user & abuser and have been for many years.

Certain I would not own a rig without a Bed Rug. 

After several Z series units and no problems, 

I am hesitant to stray from what has worked so well.

While the Z2 is a newer model (and I will be sure to address the ventilation situation), 

the back glass style and the way it forms around & over the tailgate on the CX Revo is intriguing and something I am seriously considering. 

It's so hard to determine what's what on my PC monitor.   

May take advantage of the forecasted sun tomorrow and visit  A.R.E dealer.

Just waiting to hear back if they have a Z2 and CX Revo demo on the floor there that I can check out in person.

More to follow I guess.

Thanks again

A-Jay

[A-Jay]

Follow up ~

With the new GMC's build date locked in and delivery date fast approaching - approx 4 weeks,

I hit up the 'local' A.R.E. dealer and ordered the new topper today.

Went with the CX Revo as the molded back glass appeals to me.

Unfortunately delivery is not until the first week of April.

So the new AT4 Family Truckest will not have a turtle back for a month or so.

More to follow. 

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

So the new AT4 Family Truckest will not have a turtle back for a month or so.

Better than me with the old Work-Truck...I didn't order my topper until a year after I got the truck.

 

Going good, AJ

[A-Jay]

Just now, MN Fisher said:

Better than me with the old Work-Truck...I didn't order my topper until a year after I got the truck.

 

Going good, AJ

Thanks

The cap on my rig now was purchase new and put on my 2015 Sierra when I bought it.

When I traded that truck in for the then new 2018, this cap was like still like new.

Also the 2018 GMC's body style hadn't changed for 2015, so rather than buy a whole new cap, 

when I traded in the 2015, I had the GMC Dealer install that cap on the 2018 truck. 

 The new AT4's body styling is not close so besides getting the new topper

(a month after I get the truck), I'd been nice if I could find a buyer for this one. 

My GMC dealer doesn't want it and I don't blame him. 

 And there's no 'companies' up here that deal in used caps, (not driving to Detroit)

so it'll most likely need to be a private sale.  May use the local FB market place

and/or E-Bay for a local pick up.

Still have to figure out how to get if off my rig and onto a potential buys rig

without jacking either one up.

Either way, someone's going to get a very sweet deal on a looks-like-new onyx black cap. 

A-Jay

 

 

[throttleplate]

i had toppers on previous trucks i owned and yes i slept in them and loaded them up with gear, truly loved them but i was always worried that my stuff would get stolen out of them due to the windows and locking systems are a major weak point.

 

Since i moved back to the usa from the philippines i now only own a car, a small honda civic that gets 39 mpg on the highway and all my fishing gear fits in the trunk.

 

I can but dont want to invest in a new or used truck just for the topper, the trucks are so expensive now days even used are outrageous and the gas mileage hasnt changed since i bought my last ford truck brand new in 2004, the FX4 extended cab with 5.4 litre gas which on the highway got 19.0 mpg.

[A-Jay]

On 1/14/2021 at 5:00 PM, A-Jay said:

Follow up ~

With the new GMC's build date locked in and delivery date fast approaching - approx 4 weeks,

I hit up the 'local' A.R.E. dealer and ordered the new topper today.

Went with the CX Revo as the molded back glass appeals to me.

Unfortunately delivery is not until the first week of April.

So the new AT4 Family Truckest will not have a turtle back for a month or so.

More to follow. 

A-Jay

 

Recent contact with the A.R.E. dealer indicates the CX Revo delivery date is still on time

for the 1st week of April. 

Install is tentatively scheduled for very soon after the delivery truck pulls in. 

So the AT4 remains 'Cap-less'.

Hope it comes arrives in advance of open water.

A-Jay

 

[Jigfishn10]

I believe it was Tom Petty who said: "The waiting is the hardest part"

 

I know what you're going thru, I have exactly 1 month before I pick up my boat from the dealer. ?

[slonezp]

19 hours ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I believe it was Tom Petty who said: "The waiting is the hardest part"

 

I know what you're going thru, I have exactly 1 month before I pick up my boat from the dealer. ?

You settle on a name yet?

[Jigfishn10]

2 hours ago, slonezp said:

You settle on a name yet?

We're gaining on it...Down to 2

[A-Jay]

Just got the call - 

Topper's been delivered to the dealer.

Install happens tomorrow.

Timing's pretty good too.

A-Jay

 

[A-Jay]

CX Revo Topper was installed today and went without a hitch.

I like it. 

Bed Rug is going in at the GMC dealer tomorrow morning.

 I usually put them in myself but they offered me an installation price I couldn't refuse.

Free . . . 

Once I get it cleaned up I'll post a pic or too.

And if I'm lucky, they may even show up here . . . .

A-Jay

 

[A-Jay]

Finally ~ 

Beauty & The Beast.

But which is which ?

Very Happy with this one

A-Jay

[MN Fisher]

1 hour ago, A-Jay said:

Beauty & The Beast.

But which is which ?

The beast is what's behind the wheel of either.

 

Nice rigs there, pal.

[Abram the 3rd]

It's been a couple months since posted - what are your thoughts on the CX? Are you still happy with it? 

 

I'm in the same boat this very moment: Z2 or REVO? This thread was useful. Curious of your thoughts since some time has now passed. 

 

Oh, and nice set up! 

[A-Jay]

20 minutes ago, Abram the 3rd said:

It's been a couple months since posted - what are your thoughts on the CX? Are you still happy with it? 

 

I'm in the same boat this very moment: Z2 or REVO? This thread was useful. Curious of your thoughts since some time has now passed. 

 

Oh, and nice set up! 

 

Thanks Abram and Welcome to Bass Resource ~ 

I do like the REVO quite a bit.

Seems very similar to the Z2 in Quality, Fit & Function.

The MAIN difference is the way the back glass 'hatch' fits 'over' the end of the Multi-Pro Tailgate.

I definitely prefer this Revo design over that of the Z2.

Hope that Helps. 

A-Jay

[RyanW90]

I just purchased an ARE Z2 for my F150. The fit and finish has really gone down hill over the last few years. The topper I have has window alignment issues, paint issues, and was sent with missing parts. They fixed three separate times over a yeah and each time it came back woth more issues. For 5k I expected some quality control but lower your expectations if you buy ARE. My suggestion is to try Leer or other brands. 

[padlin]

And here I went from Leer to ARE for quality issues.

 

Of course we’re talking 12 yers ago.

[A-Jay]

6 hours ago, RyanW90 said:

I just purchased an ARE Z2 for my F150. The fit and finish has really gone down hill over the last few years. The topper I have has window alignment issues, paint issues, and was sent with missing parts. They fixed three separate times over a yeah and each time it came back woth more issues. For 5k I expected some quality control but lower your expectations if you buy ARE. My suggestion is to try Leer or other brands. 

 

On 4/8/2021 at 12:05 AM, A-Jay said:

Finally ~ 

Beauty & The Beast.

But which is which ?

Very Happy with this one

A-Jay

Purchased the cap pictured above new in 2021

to go on the new AT4.

Loved everything about the cap.

No issues at all.

 

In fact, when I purchased my newest rig 2024, (Pic below)

I transferred the 2021 cap over to the new truck.

Still love it and there's been zero issues.

 

I could not recommend these toppers more. 

A-Jay

[Scott F]

I posted in this thread back in 2021. I got the Revo model back in 2019 for my F150. I did replace the pistons that hold up the hatch because they got weak last year, but those were not made by A.R.E. I can’t speak for current production, but I’ve owned two caps made by them in the last 21 years, and if I was looking for a new one, I buy one again. There isn’t one company out there who hasn’t had a product fail at one time or another. That’s why they have service departments