The Ultimate Upgrade: Why A.R.E. Truck Caps Are the Best
Unlocking the full potential of your pickup truck often starts right at the tailgate. While a factory bed is highly versatile, an open truck bed leaves your expensive gear completely exposed to the elements, theft, and erratic weather. Because of this common vulnerability, millions of truck owners search for the perfect solution to secure their cargo while maintaining their vehicle’s rugged aesthetic. Enter A.R.E. Truck Caps (also widely known as camper shells or truck canopies).
For more than fifty years, A.R.E. has established itself as an absolute titan in the aftermarket automotive industry. They have done this by manufacturing some of the most durable, aerodynamically sound, and visually striking fiberglass and aluminum truck caps on the market.
Whether you are a weekend overlander exploring remote mountain trails, a dedicated contractor hauling valuable tools to a busy job site, or simply a family driver needing extra waterproof luggage space for a cross-country road trip, an A.R.E. cap fundamentally transforms your truck.
In this comprehensive guide, we will break down why these premium camper shells are considered the ultimate gold standard for modern trucks.
1. The Core Benefits of Installing an A.R.E. Truck Cap
When you install a premium camper shell, you are not merely adding a temporary cover to your truck; rather, you are essentially converting your vehicle into a highly secure, weather-resistant SUV with a heavy-duty bed.
Bulletproof Security for Expensive Gear
An open truck bed is an open invitation for opportunistic thieves. Even a standard soft tonneau cover can be sliced open with a pocket knife in a matter of seconds. Conversely, A.R.E. truck caps feature reinforced fiberglass structures, heavy-duty locking mechanisms, and optional integrated electronic locks that tie directly into your truck’s key fob. This means when you lock your cab doors, your truck bed is instantly secure.
Absolute Weather Protection
Rain, heavy snow, intense UV rays, and road grit can easily ruin tools, camping gear, or groceries. Fortunately, A.R.E. builds each shell with meticulous automotive-grade rubber seals along the base and windows. As a result, your cargo stays bone dry and fully protected through the worst downpours and winter blizzards.
Surprising Fuel Efficiency Gains
It sounds counterintuitive to add weight to your vehicle to save gas, but an open truck bed acts like a giant parachute at highway speeds. Air flows over the cab and slams directly into the tailgate, creating immense aerodynamic drag. By installing a sleek, cab-high A.R.E. canopy, you smooth out your vehicle’s profile. This vastly improves the aerodynamic drag coefficient, which can noticeably boost your highway miles per gallon (MPG) over long distances.
2. Breaking Down the Top A.R.E. Truck Cap Series
A.R.E. does not believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to vehicle customization. Consequently, they offer several distinct model lineups tailored to specific lifestyles, aesthetic tastes, and functional needs.
CX Series & CX Evolve: The Modern Standard
The CX Series is arguably the most popular choice for everyday drivers who prioritize an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) appearance. It features a clean, cab-high profile that perfectly mirrors the body lines of your specific truck make and model.
The upgraded CX Evolve takes this styling a step further by introducing an elegant, frameless rear glass door. This design element completely eliminates chunky aluminum frames, providing a ultra-smooth, premium look that closely resembles a factory-built SUV roofline.
V Series: The Budget-Friendly Workhorse
If you want premium fiberglass strength without paying a premium price tag, the V Series is your ideal match. This traditional lineup utilizes a classic framed rear door and sliding side windows. It strips away some of the expensive cosmetic extras while retaining the exact same high-grade fiberglass construction and weatherproofing found in the luxury models. This makes it a phenomenal choice for outdoor enthusiasts and value-conscious truck owners alike.
Overland Series: Built for Adventure
Designed specifically for the rugged demands of off-roading and overland camping, the Overland Series stands out instantly. It features a unique, two-tone paint design that sprays a durable, scratch-resistant spray-on protective coating onto the high-stress areas of the cap. Furthermore, this structural coating reinforces the shell, allowing it to easily support heavy roof racks, rooftop tents, and rugged gear loads over brutal washboard dirt roads.
Z Series: The Pinnacle of Luxury
For drivers who refuse to compromise on aesthetics, the Z Series represents the absolute peak of fiberglass design. It features completely frameless, flush-mount side windows with vent screens, alongside a heavy-duty, contour-fit rear door. The entire shell curves organically around your truck’s tailgate, resulting in an exceptionally polished, high-end appearance that looks like it rolled directly off the factory assembly line.
3. Commercial Power: The A.R.E. Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU)
While fiberglass caps dominate the recreational consumer market, working professionals require something infinitely more rugged. For these demanding scenarios, the A.R.E. DCU (Deluxe Commercial Unit) is the ultimate fleet solution.
Constructed from fully welded, heavy-gauge aluminum, the DCU is built to endure decades of relentless abuse on active construction sites. Because it is highly customizable, tradespeople can configure the shell with massive, locking side-access toolboxes, internal dividers, specialized lighting, and heavy-duty rooftop ladder racks. It acts as a mobile workshop, keeping thousands of dollars in tools organized, dry, and heavily secured against theft.
4. Crucial Customization Options to Consider
When purchasing an A.R.E. truck cap, you are not buying an off-the-shelf product. Instead, each unit is built-to-order, allowing you to select specific upgrades that match your exact lifestyle requirements.
O2r Outdoorsman Windows (Side Access): Instead of standard sliding glass, these side windows flip upward like a hatch. This allows you to easily reach into the front or sides of your truck bed without crawling through the tailgate.
Internal Fabric Headliner: Upgrading to a dark gray, synthetic carpet headliner completely transforms the interior feel. It deadens road noise while driving, insulates the bed against temperature spikes, and prevents condensation from forming on cold nights.
Integrated LED Lighting: Do not rely on your phone’s flashlight at a dark campsite. A.R.E. offers internal LED light strips that can be wired directly to your truck’s electrical system or triggered via automatic prop-switch activation when the door opens.
Roof Rack Systems: If you haul kayaks, skis, surfboards, or overland tents, you can factory-order your cap with pre-installed tracks from premium brands like Yakima or Rhino-Rack.
5. How to Properly Maintain Your Camper Shell
Investing in a premium truck canopy means you want it to last the entire lifespan of your truck. Fortunately, keeping your shell in pristine condition requires only a small amount of periodic, smart maintenance.
Washing and Waxing the Fiberglass
The premium automotive paint on an A.R.E. cap features a high-end clear coat that requires identical care to your truck’s body panels. Therefore, always wash the shell with a pH-neutral car wash soap and a soft microfiber wash mitt. To prevent harmful UV damage and oxidation, apply a high-quality ceramic spray protectant or traditional carnauba wax at least twice a year.
Lubricating Locks and Hinges
The rear glass door uses dual gas-charged struts and a rotary latch system that are constantly exposed to road spray, dirt, and winter salt. Because of this harsh environment, you should spray the lock cylinders and moving hinge joints with a dry graphite lubricant or a high-quality silicone spray every six months. Avoid heavy oils or grease, as they tend to trap dust and create a gritty paste that accelerates mechanical wear.
Checking the Mounting Clamps
Most canopies are securely fastened to your truck bed rails using heavy-duty aluminum structural clamps. Over time, heavy vibrations from rough roads can cause these bolts to subtly loosen. To ensure your shell remains perfectly aligned and weather-tight, open your rear glass door every few months and use a socket wrench to confirm all clamps are firmly torqued down.
Summary Guide: Finding Your Perfect Fit
Choosing the right truck cap boils down to identifying your primary daily activity. Use this quick reference guide to point you in the right direction:
The Daily Commuter: Choose the CX Evolve or Z Series for unmatched automotive design, frameless glass elegance, and maximized highway aerodynamics.
The Weekend Camper: Opt for the CX Series or V Series paired with a carpeted interior headliner and sliding side windows with mesh screens for optimal airflow.
The Hardcore Overlander: Select the Overland Series, equipped with factory roof tracks to safely mount a heavy rooftop tent and rugged off-road gear.
The Dedicated Tradesperson: Go straight for the fully custom Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU) to build a bulletproof, highly organized mobile workspace.
