transmaster

Did you look to see if this clown's eyes where brown. A cap is supposed to be weather tight. Sounds like slipshod job. The only place you could expect a little water is through the tail gate not through the windows not around the edge. I would do two things, I would contact the manufacturer about it. http://www.4are.com/product/mx/ below is the warrently" Next I would would descend upon this installer like Godzilla on Tokyo. As General Norman Schwarzkopf would say this is a bunch of bovine scatology

Warranty Conditions

• Warranties are subject to the terms and conditions below
• All warranty considerations apply for original retail purchaser only

A.R.E. Brand Fiberglass Cap and Fiberglass Tonneau Cover Limited Lifetime Warranty (Z, MX, CX, V, TW, LSX, and LSII)

A.R.E. warrants to you, the original retail purchaser of an A.R.E. brand fiberglass truck cap, that the body will be structurally free from defects in material and workmanship for as long as you own your cap and the original vehicle. The body includes the fiberglass shell and mounting rails only. A.R.E. warrants to you, the original purchaser, for as long as you own your cap that the exterior paint will not abnormally fade or peel due to material or workmanship defect faster than the original pickup it was installed on by an authorized A.R.E. retail dealer.

V Series model truck caps with a serial number lower than 1769712 received a limited 3-Year warranty with no paint match guarantee.

Hardware
For the original purchaser, locks, fiberglass wings, and center mounted brake lights are warranted for three (3) years from your retail date of purchase against failure due to defects in material and workmanship.

Gas props used to assist in opening doors are covered under a five (5) year limited warranty against failure due to loss of pressure. This warranty does not cover damage due to misuse or neglect. Never wipe the shaft of the props with anything other than a dry soft cloth. Regular operation of the props will actually increase the life by lubricating the seals and shafts.

Window and door frames and hardware, remote keyless entry, 12 volt, battery lights and Prop Light switch are warranted for one (1) year from your purchase date from an authorized A.R.E. retailer, from failure due to defects in material or workmanship. Also covered for one year are all seals, brackets, locking hardware, and screens. Glass breakage is not covered under this or any warranty.

Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU) Limited 3-Year Warranty
All A.R.E. Deluxe Commercial Units purchased on or after April 1, 2004 are covered for a period of three (3) years against structural and/or paint defects. This warranty applies to the unit body, which includes the exterior skin, framework and mounting rails only. A.R.E. warrants to you, the original retail purchaser of an A.R.E. Deluxe Commercial Unit for a period of three (3) years, that the exterior (if custom painted to your vehicle's paint code) will not abnormally fade or peel due to material or workmanship defect faster than the original pickup it was installed on by an authorized A.R.E. dealer.

.019 Recreational Aluminum Limited 1-Year Warranty
All A.R.E. .019 Recreational Aluminum Caps are covered for a period of one (1) year against defects in workmanship and materials. This warranty applies to the unit body and hardware, which includes the exterior skin, framework, mounting rails, locks, hardware, gas props, hinges, windows, and doors.

THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY OR IMPLIED WARRANTY OF FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. ANY SUCH WARRANTIES ARE DISCLAIMED. THIS A.R.E. WRITTEN WARRANTY IS THE SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY PROVIDED FOR ALL A.R.E PRODUCTS.

EXCEPT FOR AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN THIS A.R.E. LIMITED WARRANTY, A.R.E., ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS, SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR DIRECT DAMAGES AND UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL A.R.E., ITS SUCCESSORS OR ASSIGNS, BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES due to installation, use, misuse, abuse, neglect, or otherwise regarding any product sold, distributed or manufactured by A.R.E. Some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation or exclusion may not apply to you.

STATE LAW MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS.
This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may also have other rights which vary from state to state.

Exclusions
Not covered under this warranty is structural failure due to neglect, alterations, addition of equipment, abuse, accident, use in competitive racing or vibrations from worn or altered truck suspensions or sound equipment.

Stress cracks in the fiberglass body that begin from a window, boot, door opening or from the base rail are considered structural or material flaws and are covered under warranty for as long as the A.R.E. truck cap is owned by the original purchaser. The exception to this warranty is when it is determined by A.R.E. or its authorized dealer that such stress crack(s) were caused from misuse, abuse, collision or competitive racing. If a stress crack occurs it should be repaired without delay to prevent future failures due to neglect.

Stress cracks in the exterior finish caused by impact are not covered under warranty. A stress crack caused by impact from the inside of the truck cap has the appearance of a "star" on the outside surface. A stress crack caused by impact to the outside of the truck cap will cause circular stress cracks. Both stress cracks radiate from a center point(s) of impact. Impact cracks are usually on the sidewalls of the body. A mark may or may not be visible at the point of impact.

Consequential damage or loss due to the installation, use, misuse, abuse or neglect of A.R.E. truck caps is the sole responsibility of the pickup owner and operator. Paint wear to your truck's bed is normal and is expected with the installation and the use of any truck cap or tonneau and is the sole responsibility of the pickup owner. Precautions should be taken by the pickup owner to prevent corrosion. A.R.E. shall not be held liable for any consequential loss or damages arising from the purchase, installation or use of these products.

No implied warranty or fitness for a particular purpose, if any, shall extend for a longer duration than the terms of this written warranty.

Warranty Claims
In the event of a warranted product failure it is A.R.E.'s discretion to repair or replace the defective part(s). A.R.E. reserves the right to replace any parts with current production parts of equal or greater quality and value. All claims must be made to the authorized A.R.E. dealer from which you purchased your truck cap. If you have relocated and/or are unable to return to the A.R.E. dealer where you made your purchase, call (800) 649-4ARE or visit www.4are.com for the nearest authorized dealer. The authorized dealer will process your claim and make the necessary repairs or replacements. Personal identification along with proof of purchase and ownership of the original pickup and A.R.E. truck cap are required for all warranty claims.

Register Your A.R.E. Truck Cap Be sure to register your A.R.E. product at www.4are.com/register within one month of the date of purchase. Registration also qualifies you to receive future premiums and new product information.

SeeJ

transmaster: I think the "Godzilla in Tokyo" line is the best I've heard in a while. But your "brown eyes" and "bovine scatology" are up there. Thanks for your advice and going thru' the trouble to find the warranty info. It's encouraging.

I'm not the Godzilla type. I'm the type to HIRE Godzilla ...

Everyone,
So just to be clear: A.R.E. has been supportive so far. As far as I can tell, they're looking into this from their end. The major issue appears to be the cap dealer/installer NOT A.R.E.

Today's interaction did not go well. They refused to fit me into their busy schedule despite having two days notice of my plan to come in with the cap. Therefore, I've turned the issue over to my Ford dealer, who facilitated the purchase of the cap. The Sales Manager at the Ford dealer stated his sales philosophy as, "The sale BEGINS when the customer takes delivery of the vehicle." That seems very forward thinking and bodes well.

It now appears that this attitude is nothing new for the cap dealer/installer. It makes me wonder how some folks stay in business. Maybe they shouldn't.

SeeJ

So, here's the update.
My Ford dealer took the truck and cap back to the cap dealer/installer. According to him, they replaced the front window seal. They also lifted the cap, replaced the foam tape and used silicon sealant/adhesive to fill any gaps the tape didn't. It also looks like they move the cap forward about 1/2 inch.
If the cap installer/dealer is to be believed, the cap came from the manufacturer with about 9 inches of gasket not installed around the front window.
Let's see what happens during/after the next wind/snow/rain storm ... scheduled to occur in a few days.
I read a post here yesterday about how many posts regard complaints and whining. I expect some would put me in that group. Regardless, I'm thankful for the support you folks offered me. 'Howz that for something positive?
BTW, a bit more on the notion that caps can't be made watertight. I thought this was funny because the feedback on this post suggests that a dry truck bed, with a cap or tonneau, is a reasonable expectation. Anyway, it appears that cap installers in this area have convinced more than one person that leaks are impossible to fix. In fact, one fellow I talked to had actually built a raised floor in the bed of his pickup to put a mattress on. He'd park his truck on a slight uphill for the night. That way the water could "run right through." Inventive, huh?

jmmec

I've been talking with a dealer that sells Snugtop (which he recommends), ARE, and ATC truck caps, and he says that they are "not watertight". I'm a bit hesitant getting a cap given your experience, but there are others that have no problems with water leakage.

Seems to be a gamble ...

TheJMC

You might want to find a better dealer........

SultanGris

yea, find a better product. My dad has a 1979 truck and cap that is still watertight. Its not an unreasonable expectation unless you buy a crap product, but for 5 grand I would expect it to be a quality product, lol! Also I would think that with enough silicone anything could be made water tight.

SchuLace

My dad has a 2000 Screw with a Leer topper and it doesn't leak at all. Hopefully the problem can be fixed for you.

ray h

Im a little late on this thread but Ive got a Leer cap on my 06. The windows and seals around the bed are dry when it rains but I do sometimes get a touch of water in at the rear at the corners of the tailgate. I camp and sleep under my cap as well and I stay nice and dry. The small leaks around the tailgate just runs down the tailgate and out the bottom.
Leaking around the window seal is not right, especially for $4-$5000. I thought I paid alot at $2000.

transmaster

And here is the $29 dollar answer for the leakage around the tail gate.

http://www.agricover.com/index.php/p.../category/C90/

ray h

Nice product but I dont think I would want to close off the bottom gap as that is where water that does get on the tailgate or in the bed goes.