What camper shell for a 2011 gmc sierra??

greg912 · June 2, 2014

I am planning on putting a shell and bedrug in my gmc. I duck hunt in the winter and frequently travel 2 hours to a cabin our family has in the summer, I need it for hauling my dog. I like the Leer brand. I want advice, pictures and suggestions! My truck has the solid back glass, should I invest in the slider? I tried to attach a pic of a setup I really like. It's my first post so I don't know if it will work. Thanks!

Greg C.

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greg912 · June 2, 2014

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Blue2500CC · June 2, 2014

Greg,

I had a Century Ultra (same as Leer 100 I think it is- framed windows & rear door) on my '10-1500 and liked it very much.

SO.... I ordered the same Ultra model for our new '13-2500HD, and what a nightmare! They have recently been having trouble with the paint codes (back in Dec/Jan last I knew, not sure if corrected yet!). Our '13 is Blue Topaz, and when the topper showed up, it was more of an Indigo Blue, considerably darker in color. So instead of waiting for the topper to go back to the factory, I agreed to have it painted locally. I was more worried about the color match I didn't notice for 2 days the topper just didn't look right. It was for an extended cab, not a crew cab!!!! Didn't line up for crap along the back window area of the truck cab. So they made another topper for me, and I have noticed that around the windows the paint is actually cracked, and looks like it was taped of and repainted. I know this isn't the fact as I received the extra paint for touch up (the correct color this time!). So the only thing I can think is they installed the windows way to soon after painting it!!!!

The third brake light install looks like a hack job as well. I am not sure I would order another Century/ Leer product at this point. Though I do like where the topper and bed rail meet a little better than the A.R.E. models, but that is just my personal opinion.

Leer and Century are in the same family (brothers I think it is, don't remember exactly), and made in the same factory.

I had a slider installed in our 2k, but not the last 2 trucks. Leaked at first, but after replacing the window it was all good. Just have the slider installed before the topper comes in and wash the truck or drive in some rain!

At the minimum, get the drop down front window which makes cleaning the topper front window and truck rear window a lot easier/ or even possible!

Good luck deciding!

Blue2500CC · June 2, 2014

Another thing to think about: Do you ever pick up a couple 2x4's when needed and stick them out the bed over the tailgate with it closed? The all glass (frameless) rear window is very easy to break per my dealer if you do!

Mike-1000 · June 3, 2014

I've had good experience with the Leer brand. I had a red one on an '03 long bed and currently have a white one on a '13 long bed. Both had/have the frameless windows and frameless rear glass with the self latching handle. Personally, I like the frameless look better. I never try to tie the back glass to anything hanging over the tailgate. I do think that's just asking for trouble. The latch on the new one is made in such a way that you can't hardly tie to it anyway. I think that design is intentional. One thing to consider no matter the brand is that you can order a front window that opens. That allows you to clean your cab window and the outside of the topper window from inside the bed of your truck.

Mike

greg912 · June 3, 2014

Greg,

I had a Century Ultra (same as Leer 100 I think it is- framed windows & rear door) on my '10-1500 and liked it very much.

SO.... I ordered the same Ultra model for our new '13-2500HD, and what a nightmare! They have recently been having trouble with the paint codes (back in Dec/Jan last I knew, not sure if corrected yet!). Our '13 is Blue Topaz, and when the topper showed up, it was more of an Indigo Blue, considerably darker in color. So instead of waiting for the topper to go back to the factory, I agreed to have it painted locally. I was more worried about the color match I didn't notice for 2 days the topper just didn't look right. It was for an extended cab, not a crew cab!!!! Didn't line up for crap along the back window area of the truck cab. So they made another topper for me, and I have noticed that around the windows the paint is actually cracked, and looks like it was taped of and repainted. I know this isn't the fact as I received the extra paint for touch up (the correct color this time!). So the only thing I can think is they installed the windows way to soon after painting it!!!!

The third brake light install looks like a hack job as well. I am not sure I would order another Century/ Leer product at this point. Though I do like where the topper and bed rail meet a little better than the A.R.E. models, but that is just my personal opinion.

Leer and Century are in the same family (brothers I think it is, don't remember exactly), and made in the same factory.

I had a slider installed in our 2k, but not the last 2 trucks. Leaked at first, but after replacing the window it was all good. Just have the slider installed before the topper comes in and wash the truck or drive in some rain!

At the minimum, get the drop down front window which makes cleaning the topper front window and truck rear window a lot easier/ or even possible!

Good luck deciding!

It seems like I've heard multiple post around the internet about less than perfect paint.

Do you suggest any other brands?

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Blue2500CC · June 4, 2014

It seems like I've heard multiple post around the internet about less than perfect paint.

Do you suggest any other brands?

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According to my topper dealer it is all the topper manufactures due to the problem being a mix up of the codes (or mixtures -not sure). Not sure how true it is though!

What color is your truck? If it is color that has been around a while you may be ok, but I know the Blues have changed a fair amount every so often.

I would make sure the topper has a lifetime structure warranty. Some only have up to 3 yrs or so.

A.R.E., some Ranch models, Jason, and Leer/ Century have lifetime warranties. Not sure about Snugtop. Used to be more topper brands, but a lot have gone out of business.

03blackz71 · June 4, 2014

I had ARE z series caps on my last two trucks and loved both of them. I would recommand the ARE cap.

06pirate · June 4, 2014

I got a SnugTop several years ago and I have no problems with it at all. The paint match is perfect, the quality of the paint is fine, no flaws that I can see. It has never leaked, and still looks new.

I went with Snug because I liked the mechanicals (rear window, hinges, latch, etc.) better than what I saw on the Leers. I like their clamping system, three steel clamps on each bedrail that eliminate the need for those ugly C-clamps. I don't have a sliding rear window on the truck, so I didn't get a slider for the canopy. But I did get the fold-down front window for ease of cleaning, and it makes that a lot easier. Here in the Northwe't, we get a lot of rain and crud down in between the truck cab window and the canopy, so you need to be able to get in there and clean the windows.

I also got their "Sportsmen's Kit" which adds extra fiberglass in the corners and roof, and thicker honeycomb in the roof. They say the top will support 500 pounds, in case I ever want to put a roof rack on it.

SnugTops aren't cheap. You'll pay as much or maybe more than for the Leers, but they are a great good quality unit.

Pic below

greg912 · June 4, 2014

I got a SnugTop several years ago and I have no problems with it at all. The paint match is perfect, the quality of the paint is fine, no flaws that I can see. It has never leaked, and still looks new.

I went with Snug because I liked the mechanicals (rear window, hinges, latch, etc.) better than what I saw on the Leers. I like their clamping system, three steel clamps on each bedrail that eliminate the need for those ugly C-clamps. I don't have a sliding rear window on the truck, so I didn't get a slider for the canopy. But I did get the fold-down front window for ease of cleaning, and it makes that a lot easier. Here in the Northwe't, we get a lot of rain and crud down in between the truck cab window and the canopy, so you need to be able to get in there and clean the windows.

I also got their "Sportsmen's Kit" which adds extra fiberglass in the corners and roof, and thicker honeycomb in the roof. They say the top will support 500 pounds, in case I ever want to put a roof rack on it.

SnugTops aren't cheap. You'll pay as much or maybe more than for the Leers, but they are a great good quality unit.

Pic below

I like the snugtops, my buddy has one on his raptor. All the pictures I've seen of snugtops on gmc look like they rise up in the rear a little. I'm not saying it looks bad. The leer seems to follow the line of the truck better though. I was impressed with the quality and finish of my buddy's snugtop.

Everyone please post photos of your camper shells!

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greg912 · July 21, 2014

Well I decided to go with the Leer 100XQ. I'll post pictures when I get it on. I also had a rear slider put in my truck so I could pump some air back there for the dog.

Mike-1000 · October 10, 2014

I have a question for all the topper/cap folks.

Have you ever seen a topper installed on top of the plastic bed rail caps?

A friend just bought a new Ram (I know...I know) and just had a new topper installed. They installed it on top of the bed rail caps and it leaks badly. I have never seen one installed on top of the rail caps...anyone else?

Thanks,

Mike

06pirate · October 12, 2014

I have a question for all the trooper/cap folks.

Have you ever seen a topper installed on top of the plastic bed rail caps?

A friend just bought a new Ram (I know...I know) and just had a new topper installed. They installed it on top of the bed rail caps and it leaks badly. I have never seen one installed on top of the rail caps...anyone else?

Thanks,

Mike

Yes. Look closely at the pic above of my truck with the SnugTop. It sits on aftermarket plastic rail caps, sorry I don't recall the exact brand name. I also have an aftermarket plastic bedliner, the under-rail type. No leaks or other issues. It might depend on the shapes of the rail caps and the bottom of the cap, or type of weather stripping used.