transmaster

That is an excellent point.

SeeJ

This is my first ARE. ARE had an option that I wanted on this cap: walk-in rear door. In my case, I think the problem is more the dealer than the manufacturer ... notwithstanding the window seal. As near as I can tell the dealers hire installers who will work for the least possible wages which means minimal, or no, training. Then there is no specialized training provided other than the printed instructions that come with new products ... and the effectiveness of that depends on the literacy of both the writer and the reader.

Further, in my case anyway, "customer service" seems to have been interpreted as "service provided by the customer to the dealer" (delivering money) If the dealer had simply have done the job right in the first place or simply corrected the problems without a fight, I don't think this thread would have even got started.

I've had two Fibrobec caps (made in Quebec) in the past and have had no significant issues with them. However, I've noticed that some of Fibrobec's lineup nowadays looks suspiciously similar to ARE's ...

In short, to paraphrase something written elsewhere in this forum, manufacturing will never perfect. I do believe, however, that customer service can offset this. According to the folks on this forum, and others, caps should be watertight. That's the purpose. Many will cite occasional dribbles around the tailgate but that runs right out again.

If your dealer says a cap can't be watertight, find another dealer 'cause (s)he is already looking for excuses.

In the "if you want it done right, do it yourself" file: if you have the space (I don't), tools and ability: get the cap of your choice at the lowest possible price, do a temporary install to get it home (or get it delivered) and install it yourself. At least, that's the conclusion I've come to during this experience.

As for if it's worth the trouble, I'd not have truck without a cap or some type of cover. In fact, if 4WD was available (without a fuss and horrible expense) in full sized vans I'd probably go for that. I always carry [camping, backpacking] gear that needs to be kept dry and [more than occasionally] sleep in my vehicle [regardless of the season] when I'm traveling for work and/or recreation.

TheJMC

Agreed, the Dealers are the problem. I bounced the Leer on my 97 all over the Dunes and even bent the truck frame and the cap never leaked.

ray h

If my Leer dealer wouldve given me the choice, I wouldve installed my cap myself, but according to Leer the install is something the dealer has to do with fiberglass caps.
Ive had my cap off and on a couple of times since Ive had it (8' fiberglass caps are heavy) and still dont have leaks. If mine wouldve developed leaks between the cap and bedrail, I wouldve taken care of it myself, its not rocket science. That said, leaks around the windows are something different, thats a manufacturers warranty issue and I wouldve done exactly what you did.

SeeJ

No leaks noticed since the 3rd attempt.

I has been relatively cold so instead of rain, we've had snow ... which doesn't flow quite as easily

We've had a couple storms with sustained winds >100 km/h and it hasn't blown off. Really, what that means is that if THOSE winds didn't drive even a bit of snow through anything other than a open door then I should be confident that It's finally done right.

That being said, I'm still reluctant to go back to Action Truck Accessories ... even if they did, seemingly, come through in the end. Unfortunately for me, Action has a virtual monopoly on truck accessories in my area so adding to my truck will require Ford dealer prices, travel or mail order.

However, kudos to my Ford dealer for handling it on my behalf.

bluescrew

I just love a happy ending!

f150er

I have the same problem having bought a new F150 Supercrew and getting a new Leer Cap installed. All was great for the first month or so until we got a lot of rain, now I have puddles of water forming on the bed liner and I can't leave my camping equipment on the bed. The reason I bought Leer was because it had a good name and I expected a good cap without any problems, I have been back to the installer three times and he is still waiting to get the new seal from Leer, up to now I am trying to be patient about it as I am getting the run around by this installer, Leer is not the product it used to be and their after sales and Dealers SUCK. Will keep u posted on the outcome.

SeeJ

I think your dealer and manufacturer have to clearly identify the problem. In my case there were three problems. The cap was leaking around the front window due [allegedly] to a faulty window seal, between the cap and the bed and around the rear hatch.
The window seal was replaced.
The seal between the cap and bed is largely due to the plastic bed rail cover (which, according to another thread on this forum, is known to allow dust through) the top of which has ridges. In order to seal between the cap and the plastic bed rail cover, extra layers of foam tape are required. In my case that was supplemented with six (instead of the usual 4) clamps and silicone sealant. Since my cap isn't coming off while I own the truck, the sealant is fine. However, it may not work for you.
The rear hatch issue has to do with the walk-in door option and that isn't a characteristic of your Leer ... is it?
The only way I managed to get the problem solved was through my Ford dealer. That was only an option because I bought my truck with the cap on it so, essentially, I bought the cap from my Ford dealer. I was only dealing with the cap dealer/installer directly because I know where to find them. It sounds like you bought from the cap dealer directly so you don't have the back-up of a large volume purchaser.
I got the manufacturer involved directly buy calling them and then leaving a "comment" on their Facebook page. You might want to try the same with Leer but be careful what you say so you don't run into any legal issues. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leer-T...63917336969563
If the cap is only leaking at the seal with the truck bed, it might be cheaper to get a couple friends over and lift the cap off to realign and reseat it with double thicknesses of foam tape, than to get involved in a legal battle.
And, YES, you have every right to be annoyed. If it weren't for the feedback comments I got from the folks on this forum I might have given up. These things ARE meant to be watertight. As the manager at my Ford dealer said, "That's the purpose of a cap, to keep you stuff dry." Good luck with this.

Pierluc

i have an ARE CX Cap on my 2011 f150 and theres only a tiny bit of water comming in, i suspect the roof rack that i mounted myself but i couldnt care less i really like that cap! Have you bough yours at action truck ? i had pretty bad service there for mine ( but a great price ), the cap got damaged the day i went to pick it up and they could install it repaired 2 weeks after and did the wiring wrong for the lights. ive been told that ARE is an american compagny that bough Fibrobec so the models are the same. i believe Fibrobec still sells the SpaceCaps

f150er

well guys just to keep u all updated about my leaky truck cap, I have had it back to my installer twice more and on both occasions it has leaked less, so now I am waiting for the next downpour to see if he fixed the problem or not. If not I think I will have a go and try to fix it myself. My mistake was that I did not take the Dealers option and let him get it installed for me, as SeeJ said they have more clout than trying to get it resolved on your own. As regards to being labeled as a moaner, I dont buy into that at all, I hope my experience and that of SeeJ help some others before they part with a lot of cash for maybe the same type of problem. MY ADVICE IN HINDSIGHT IS BUY FROM YOUR TRUCK DEALER, THEY WILL MAKE SURE YOU ARE LOOKED AFTER.