Before I bought my topper I had a hard time finding new DMaxes with toppers on them. Made it tough to figure out what I wanted to buy. In the end, I went with an ARE (similar to the one I used to have on my Tacoma) I even ended up building a carpeted platform similar to what I had in my Tacoma. Not the best pictures in the world but I am extremely happy with the topper. All my trailers are bumper pull so no reason for me to not have a 6.5' trunk. Also makes it so I can sleep there when I am on my photography and hunting trips.
This topper locks and unlocks with the key fob
I post the top picture of my dogs before grundy on the tailgate and Otisbait in the back
And a shot with my 94 in the back ground
I put an ARE on my /15 with the keyless rear window lock and the side window flip ups. I like it in theory. In practice some days I'm ready to blow it up.
The level of expertise and care put into assembling it is downright disgusting. I have places where the assembler put his drill through the weatherstripping for his rivets. No rhyme or reason to putting trim around windows in a straight or parallel to the curves line. They don't think that one of the reasons people use them is to keep cargo or tools dry. The seal they provided does not keep anything but a brief mist from entering. The worst part is the rear window hinge binds on the frame before opening, eventually it will wear the window seal to nothing wear it rubs every open and close. It won't open to even horizontal so anybody taller than 5'10" has to becareful their head doesn't line up with the latch mech. unless they want to carve a rut in their head. I'm 6'2" and have to duck to get under the open window at the best of times let alone around the latch. I know that it is going to be tough to keep water out from the rear window area where it meets the tailgate and that the box is not even water tight to begin with but that is not the water entry I am complaining about. ARE from mine and another guys bought around the same time reflects total lack of care in assembly.
Did you get any kind of warranty with the shell? I would think a factory defect(s) should be covered, although I don't know what they would do to fix it.
My '05 has gaps between the sides of the tailgate and the sides of the bed. It's real noticeable when I look back there to back up the truck. I know it won't ever be but so waterproof. Does anyone have any tips on filling in the gaps?
Same here with my 05. They make a tailgate gasket seal that works really well. Goes down each side and along the bottom. Since installation I haven't had any issues with keeping the bed dry along the tailgate. In a downpour or when I have parked with the truck facing downhill a tiny amount of water gets in behind the wheel wells on each side. Just enough to make the spray in bedliner look wet and feel wet to the touch. No standing water.
Here's mine the day I brought it home. While the topper is nice to have for the kids hockey bags and such in the winter, I can't stand this thing on my truck. It;s going to get sold and I'm going to put and hard folding tonneau cover on it.
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