A.R.E. Truck Caps
A.R.E. truck caps come in 17 current models, built to order in Ohio for your truck’s cab and bed. This guide covers every model, the warranty, where to buy and parts for older caps.
Heights are maximums from A.R.E.'s 2022/23 caps catalog, small truck to full-size.
A.R.E. Camper Shell Models by Roof Height
Each roof height comes in up to three generations. Revo has frameless bonded glass, Evolve keeps framed sliding windows with the newer rear door, and Classic has an aluminum-framed door with a T-handle.
| Roof height | Premium | Revo | Evolve | Classic | Heavy-duty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cab-height | Z, Z2 | CX Revo | CX Evolve | CX Classic, V, Overland | CX HD |
| Mid-rise | None | MX Revo | MX Evolve | MX Classic | MX HD |
| Wedge | None | None | None | TW Series | None |
| Aluminum | DCU, DCU Max and Diamond Edition DCU for work trucks, Classic Aluminum for light use | ||||
Fiberglass Truck Toppers vs Aluminum Work Caps
Thirteen A.R.E. caps are fiberglass and painted to match your truck. The other four are aluminum, built for trades, fleets and light hauling.
| Fiberglass (13 models) | Aluminum (4 models) | |
|---|---|---|
| Body | Fiberglass shell over a resin substructure. HD models add an aluminum skeleton. | TIG-welded aluminum frame with a .019 to .063 in. skin |
| Paint | Matched to your truck’s factory paint code, with an optional textured OTR finish | Baked enamel in white, black or silver. Paint match is optional on DCU models. |
| Access | Rear door, sliding or frameless side windows, optional windoors | Full-length side doors and full rear doors on DCU models |
| Body warranty | Limited lifetime for the original owner on the original truck | 3 years on DCU models, 1 year on Classic Aluminum |
| Best for | Daily drivers, camping and overlanding | Trades, fleets, ladder racks and toolboxes |
Where to Buy A.R.E. Truck Caps and Parts
A new A.R.E. cap is built for one truck and fitted by a dealer, so you won’t find one sitting on a shelf. Parts and accessories are much easier to buy.
| What you need | Where it’s sold | Have ready | Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement parts and accessories | Amazon, from third-party sellers | The old part’s number or measurements | Shop on Amazon |
| A new A.R.E. cap | 800+ A.R.E. dealers, quoted and installed locally | Truck year, cab, bed length and paint code | Find a dealer |
| An A.R.E. tonneau cover | RealTruck online and A.R.E. dealers | Truck year and bed length | See A.R.E. covers |
| A factory part for your cap | An A.R.E. dealer, ordered from the cap’s ID tag | ID tag details and photos of the part | Find the ID tag |
A.R.E. Lift Supports and Replacement Parts
Rear door gas struts are the part owners replace most. A.R.E. covers them for 5 years. After that, match the old strut by its length and force.
Rear door handles · Keys and lock cylinders · Third brake lights · Seals and clamps
A.R.E. Truck Cap Warranty at a Glance
Coverage is for the original buyer only. Fiberglass coverage lasts as long as the cap stays on the original truck, and claims go through the dealer you bought from.
| Fiberglass cap body and paint | Limited lifetime |
| Gas props (lift supports) | 5 years |
| HD internal aluminum skeleton | 3 years |
| DCU, DCU Max, Diamond Edition | 3 years |
| Locks, keyless entry, brake light | 3 years |
| Windows, doors, seals, lighting | 1 year |
| Classic Aluminum cap | 1 year |
A.R.E. Topper Reviews From 74 Owners
We read 74 owner posts across 17 truck forums. 29 were positive, 22 mixed and 12 negative. The other 11 only shared a price or a wait time.
Paint match and long-term durability get the most praise. Leaks are the top complaint, usually at the front corners, and most owners trace them to the install rather than the cap.
Z Series on a Super Duty, no problems after three years.
stufarmer, FordTremor forum, Nov 2024
CX Revo side window leaked where the sealant missed a gap. The dealer and RealTruck fixed it under warranty and lent him a cap meanwhile.
Stu x 4, Ranger6G forum, Jan 2026
The rear corner kept leaking after the dealer resealed it, with uneven cuts and paint rub on the tailgate.
Fleckbass, Ranger5G forum, Aug 2020
Who Makes A.R.E. Truck Caps?
A.R.E. Accessories has built truck caps in Massillon, Ohio since 1969. Truck Hero bought the company in 2015 and renamed itself RealTruck in 2022, which is why 4are.com now opens RealTruck’s site. RealTruck bought LEER Group in 2026, so A.R.E. and Leer now share an owner.
- Founded
- 1969, Massillon, Ohio
- Plants
- Massillon and Dundee, Ohio
- Owner
- RealTruck (formerly Truck Hero), since 2015
- Dealers
- 800+ in the US and Canada
- The name
- Initials of founder Sal Gatti’s three oldest children
A.R.E. Truck Cap FAQ
How much does an A.R.E. truck cap cost?
It depends on the model, your truck and options like windows, racks and paint. A dealer quotes the installed price for your exact truck.
Is an A.R.E. canopy the same as a truck cap?
Yes. Canopy is the usual word in Canada and the Pacific Northwest. They’re the same caps, sold through A.R.E.’s US and Canadian dealers.
Are A.R.E. caps made in the USA?
Yes. RealTruck says every A.R.E. cap is built in the USA, at plants in Massillon and Dundee, Ohio.
Does the A.R.E. warranty transfer to a new owner?
No. It covers the original retail buyer only, so a used cap comes with no factory warranty.
Can I move my A.R.E. cap to a new truck?
Only if the new bed matches, since each cap is built for one truck’s cab and bed. Moving it also ends the fiberglass warranty, which needs the original truck.
Are A.R.E. truck caps waterproof?
They’re built to seal, but leaks are the most common owner complaint. Most trace back to the install, usually at the front corners.
Owning an A.R.E. Cap, Start to Finish
Choosing
Narrow it down by roof, material and brand.
Years later
Fix it with the right part.