I just got a quote for an A.R.E. Z-series for my 2015 SCab, 6.5-ft bed. My specs included half slider-screen side windows, 12V LED light, sliding tilt-down fwd window, & Yakima racks. The quote came back at $3,570 plus tax which was about $1K more that I was expecting . I have not asked for a breakdown to see how much the options are adding, but was hoping someone may have some comparisons that may tell me if I'm getting a reasonable quote.

 

Toppers are a lot more expensive then they should be!

I have a 5.5ft bed so not sure how it compares to 6.5ft bed pricing. But, I did some serious price shopping (Denver/Boulder Colorado) for the Z-series or the Leer 100XL. I got quotes from multiple dealers and they all were around $2,500 for the top + racks + remote lock + headliner + sliding tilt-down front window.

I just ordered a Leer 100XL + Bedrug ($425) and it is $3,100 out the door. The base Leer is $2000, plus the options, plus install, plus taxes, etc.

Now just have to wait the 3-4 weeks for Leer to make my topper...

 

Thanks for the data point...I was expecting around $2,500 which seems consistent with your quotes. I'm continuing to shop and will advise on what I end up with.

 

I was able to get a "dealer discount" because they referred me.

 

I got a quote from another A.R.E. dealer a few hours away and it was much more in line with expectations (~$900 less!!). Here is what I am getting for $2,700:

2015 Ford F150 SuperCab, 6.5’ box, SZ Blue Flame
ARE Z Series topper, equipped with the following:
Base price $2,277.00
Paint
Tilt-down sliding front window (+ $20)
½ sliding side windows with screens, in place of the standard frameless screen-vent side windows (- $90)
Pet screens on the side windows (+ 58)
12v LED interior light
Carpeted interior liner
Frameless rear door with a palm-handle latch
Electronic lock on rear door (+ 195)
Yakima roof rack system (includes tracks, towers, landing pads, crossbars and locks) (+ $340)
Trimless bottom edge
Freight charges, seal, clamps, and installation
$2,800 total
-$100 ARE coupon
$2,700.00

Evidently each dealer is free to establish whatever pricing they can get, so it pays to shop around even for the same brand. The previous quote of $3,570 did not include pet screens.

 

Definitely pays to shop around! Glad you found a good option.

 

Where are you located??? Here in western NY I haven't found a base price of less than $2500 so far on a Z series....


Also, has anybody priced Jason, or Jeraco cap to see where they fall price wise?? I'm sure they are not as good as a Leer or ARE but does the price reflect that?

 

I'm in South Dakota...the dealer I placed the order with is near Minneapolis, so it will be a road trip, but I have relatives to visit in the area.

 

I'm in Denver/Boulder Colorado and the Z-Series base price is around $2,000. I didn't price out Jason or Jerrico mainly because I heard quality wasn't as good as the A.R.E. or Leer. One of the dealers sold both brands and said he wouldn't recommend going with them because they aren't significantly cheaper. To save a few hundred bucks isn't worth it to me. But to each their own...

Maybe you can try to negotiate? Since the dealers set their own prices, it doesn't hurt to ask and mention that other dealers are selling for cheaper.

 

Yeah if its only a few hundred difference I would stick with ARE or Leer as I have experience with both, but if the other brands were say $500 less I'm interested in the savings potentially.


At the end of the day its just a chunk of painted fiberglass with some glass in it, I would guess the main quality difference would be in the hardware that they use??


The ARE/Leer dealer I was working with already told me he would beat a written offer from another dealer by $75, I'm not sure if that holds true for a dealer half way across the country though as I'm sure he knows I wont travel 2500 miles to save $300!