Ridgeline Cap

Check out this link.

http://www.4are.com/product/view_models.php?mk=h&md=r

looks like everyone wants a blue truck!

WOW! I like this one! Thanks!

looks like everyone wants a blue truck!

But I think a silver one would also look awesome on a silver truck! I want to see that.

Boy, does that look nice!! :) :)

But I think a silver one would also look awesome on a silver truck! I want to see that.

Is that color GREEN?

Is that color GREEN?
Nope...just your imagination and good lighting. ;)

Boy, does that look nice!! :) :)
You know Z..I didn't think I would like it but I do. I don't need one and I like the look the way it is..but it is sharp. :)

Nope...just your imagination and good lighting. ;)

LOL...that's funny LadyRidge. Never be taken alive? :)

I got quoted $1800 for one yesterday. My local truck topper place said that it would take 14 working days to get it as it is manufactured after the order is placed. I am going in today to order one and will keep everyone posted. By the way, I think everyone really likes green. The color green indicates a creative yet deeply intellectual mind.:D

I got quoted $1800 for one yesterday. My local truck topper place said that it would take 14 working days to get it as it is manufactured after the order is placed. I am going in today to order one and will keep everyone posted. By the way, I think everyone really likes green. The color green indicates a creative yet deeply intellectual mind.:D

Good luck! I agree with your interpretation of the color green.

I totally agree.....:D

Me too!:D :D :eek:

O.k., went down to the truck topper place to see if I could order a cap. The quote of $1800 yesterday was pretty close. With tax and installation, it was right at $2000. I asked the salesman how long would it take to get one. He called A.R.E. and they said 8-10 weeks to get one. I wanted to get one on so that when I moved from Texas to Washington State next month (U.S. Army transfer) I would be able to keep some stuff dry and secure. I will wait until I finally get there and then order one. Maybe the price will go down by then:D . I tried to tell them to cut me a break and get me one quick since I had a very handsome and powerful Amazon Green Metallic Monster but they weren't listening. By the way, for $150 more, you can get the cap with keyless entry and if you have a roof rack, they will custom cut the cap to fit around it.:eek:

Check out this link.

http://www.4are.com/product/view_models.php?mk=h&md=r

arman...... A.R.E. does make an excellent cap (I had one on my previous truck and loved it). This time I'm going for the BasicKoncepts hard tonneau (better visibility and meets my needs better). However, here are some more pics of the A.R.E. from SEMA. These are on the boards somewhere, but I already had them on my hard drive so...... enjoy the view:
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I wish they would show one with a picture of the back gate swung open sideways. I was wondering how they handle that functionality - probably have to open the cap back window to pull that maneuver off. Good picture of inside where there is a cutaway for the in bed light on the Ridgeline sail piece. Glad to see that was thought of. 8-10 weeks is quite a long lead time but it sounds like they are not going to stock any and do it by build when order. I too am apprehensive to buy the cap without seeing it in person and seeing what it really does to the already tough visability behind. Might have to wait for springtime and the car shows around the East Coast come to town.

arman...... A.R.E. does make an excellent cap (I had one on my previous truck and loved it). This time I'm going for the BasicKoncepts hard tonneau (better visibility and meets my needs better). However, here are some more pics of the A.R.E. from SEMA. These are on the boards somewhere, but I already had them on my hard drive so...... enjoy the view:
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Thanks for the pictures BassBud, gives a better visual to ROC members who might be interested in a cap. Like you I ordered the BasicKoncepts tonneau cover.

O.k., went down to the truck topper place to see if I could order a cap. The quote of $1800 yesterday was pretty close. With tax and installation, it was right at $2000. I asked the salesman how long would it take to get one. He called A.R.E. and they said 8-10 weeks to get one. I wanted to get one on so that when I moved from Texas to Washington State next month (U.S. Army transfer) I would be able to keep some stuff dry and secure. I will wait until I finally get there and then order one. Maybe the price will go down by then:D . I tried to tell them to cut me a break and get me one quick since I had a very handsome and powerful Amazon Green Metallic Monster but they weren't listening. By the way, for $150 more, you can get the cap with keyless entry and if you have a roof rack, they will custom cut the cap to fit around it.:eek:

Thank you milkm@n for the info. Good luck on your move.

Steel Blue metallic rules! That is all.:D Except the olive green belongs on Army vehicles;)

I think this cap looks great although $2K is a lot of money to keep things dry and/or secure. I think they did a spectacular job of making it look like it belongs to the rest of truck. Honestly, it makes the Ridgeline look a whole lot more conventional (not good or bad just an observation).

I got quoted $1800 for one yesterday. My local truck topper place said that it would take 14 working days to get it as it is manufactured after the order is placed. I am going in today to order one and will keep everyone posted. By the way, I think everyone really likes green. The color green indicates a creative yet deeply intellectual mind.:D

Had another thought- I'd be very interested in seeing how this cap further impedes visibility to the rear. As we all know, blind spots are a real problem with this vehicle.

Had another thought- I'd be very interested in seeing how this cap further impedes visibility to the rear. As we all know, blind spots are a real problem with this vehicle.
The visibilty shouldn't be any worse than any other truck with a cap on.

Given the protrusion of front edge of the cap, I'm interested in whether or not these generate additional/excess wind noise. If they do, it would indicate to me that there is more drag and less fuel economy.

I agree it is interesting they chose to put pieces of the cap resting inside the grooves of the roof itself. I do not believe I have ever seen a cap design that protrudes into the vehicle like this. I would be interested to hear their engineering explanation and if it made engineering sense and performance sense I would be impressed enough to look at this cap closely to add to my truck. I already know that a cap is essential to complete my reasons for buying the truck in the first place, I only need to decide the best cap for my money.

very sharp looking, love the look of it on the blue rtl

Thanks for being here, Steve. Here in NC, I can now tell all of the Panthers fans that I am pretty sure that even Steve Smith drives a Ridgeline. ;)

That's a good one! I think Panther Steve Smith would be proud to drive a Ridgeline! Blue, of course!:D

GO PANTHERS!

I couldn't agree more about the price. $2000 is pretty high and for us poor Army folks, I will have to make my kids eat a lot of Sponge Bob macaroni (it's cheesier don't ask me why) for a few months to pay for it:D Seriously, the cap will add an extra functionality dimension with its blind spot drawbacks.

The blind spot issue has kind of taken me by surprise. A.R.E. claims that it doesn't greatly reduce visibilty but reality is probably a lot worse. I have only owned the truck for less than a week but I will testify that it's made me become more situationally aware when I am driving. My old 97 Odssey that I traded in had great visibility and it's a change.

Yes, the green goes great with army uniforms but the real value of Amazon Green Metallic Honda Ridgelines is that they automatically make anyone who enters one better looking and more successful!!!!!:D

Yes, I bought the green for all those excellent reasons. Better looking, smarter, creative and it was the only one on the lot that had what I was looking for. Had a bad experience with a silver colored vehicle many years ago, won't buy another one (dealer couldn't match paint after the body got a ding in it).

btw, I am wondering why A.R.E didn't think about putting a rearview wireless cctv camera on the back top of the cap to compensate for the reduced visibility. Something to think about.

This is my first post. I hope this info is as valuable as the info I have obtained from this group. First, I ordered a A.R.E. cap in November from a local dealer based on many of the reviews I read on this site. Leer caps had some unfavorable reviews and I heard several comments by previous owners of A.R.E. caps that they were of high quality. Also, after viewing the pictures in this forum, both caps looked acceptable(and way nicer than my old cap on a previous truck). The debate over cap vs. no cap for me was decided by my two large dogs. My wife informed me that having them in the back with some leash system was unacceptable and I probably agree.
Anyways, I have had the cap about a week. Here are my intial impressions with it: 1. The rear view is significantly decreased. I estimate when I look at the entire surface of the rear view mirror, about 50% is now actually useable with the back window of the truck and cap. 2. The fit seems excellent. There have been some comments about whether air resistance my cause additional road noise and decreased gas mileage. I cannot comment on the mpg yet but I do not notice any additional road noise(I think the Ridgeline is a very quiet vehicle with or without cap) 3. The technician who installed the cap was unable to hook up the 12 volt interior light which was not a big deal because of the 4 exisiting and still useable(not covered) bed lights of the truck. He had no problem hooking up the brake light on the top of the cap. 4. Fit of the cap seems excellent. I have tried the hose test with no leaks but have not yet driven it in a rainstorm(my old cap leaked terribly)5. Color match appears to be perfect 5. The inside fur lining the fiberglass(not sure what is called) has a few places where there are wrinkles. It didn't bother me much but my wife noticed it. 6. The locking mechanism seems to be very solid compared to my old cap which was terrible. 7. I had some tracks installed by the factory. I am still trying to find the Yakima landing pad # for these tracks for Yakima. I think the manufacturer is Nomadic so if anyone knows that piece of info I would appreciate it. 8. Cost for the cap was $1845 but got a $50 discount coupon off the A.R.E. website so it came out to the $1800 that several other people have mentioned 9. The windows are called a frameless design and hinge open. Not sure how much air will get in for the dogs but hope they don't leak like my last setup.
That is about it. I'll do another post after a rainstorm and some mpg comparisions. I appreciate all the info others have posted including the pictures.

Raccord

pic's Raccord? Please? Pretty Please?

Welcome to ROC Raccord ! Thanks for the info and look forward to hearing more on the cap!

I had the A.R.E. cap on a 2002 Toyota Tundra Access Cab and the A.R.E. Tonneau lid on a 2004 Toyota Double Cab. Both were excellent. Perfect color match, no leaks, and no wind noise. However they both obstructed the rear view. The Tonneau lid blocked the rear view mirror viewing of anything directly behind the truck and the Cap created greater blind spots from all mirrors. Raccord,I think you made a good choice.

Thanks for the info on the ARE cap. I agree with the other posts - pictures please! Especially showing showing how the cap mates to the front of the bed, both inside and outside.

Come on man ... we need some pics ... please

Sorry about the late response. My wife was out of town with the camera. AIBIKR, I just got a regular ket entry. Because I have never posted a picture before and the cut and paste thing is not happening, I m going to try the attachment route and see if it works .

Racord

It seems to be working so here are a few more. First, close up of fiber glass pice that fits over extension on tailgate. Second, close up of cap meeting roof. Notice how the cap matches cab roof.

Raccord

Computer is unexpectedly crashing when I post so here goes again. Detail of back window meeting truck and side rail from inside.

Raccord

Crashed again. Glad my Ridgeline is more reliable than this computer. View from back notice brake light above and closeup of side window with opening mechanism shown. Hope that helps.

Raccord

Very nice! Thanks for the pic's... gotta put that on my want list!

GREAT job!!!

How is the visibility?

I have a rear view camera but as far as driving is it okay?

thanks

Thanks for the pic's!
It looks like where the roof meets the cap there is a gap or it doesn't fit quite snug?

I noticed the same thing about the roof meeting area and the gap. That looks pretty sloppy and I can't see how that would not get plenty noisy, defintiely not for me.

Caps are not suppsed to fit snug. If so you would be rubbing paint off both the truck and the cap. I had an A.R.E. cap on a 2002 Tundra. Fit just like the Ridgeline cap The "GAP" as you call it does not generate any noise.

Thank you for all the information on the caps. My question is this, How does the cap window interface with the power window on the Ridgeline? On previous trucks I have had, I was able to open the truck slider window and the cap window and allow the dogs to poke their heads thru. Can anyone fill me in?

After a lot of bouncing back and forth between getting a tonneau cover or a cap, I ordered the A.R.E. cap yesterday. Security and the larger storage volume were the deciding factors. Delivery will be 3 to 4 weeks because the factory can't keep up with demand right now. The dealer said that this is a "tortoise shell" cap that fits over the body and seals around the rear window. The cap itself does not have a front window.

Mudslinger,
There is no window on this cap. The shell fits right up to the cab of the truck with in essence no interface between the back of the cab and the cap other than the window in the truck. Hope this makes sense. The tortoise shell description is exactly right. I also had a cap in which you had a double window. In terms of the gap, the cap sits approx 3/4 " above the top of the truck. Part of that height is the curve in the fiberglass(hard to see in the picture) and there is about 1/8" of sealing material. I would call it a snug fit. I have driven it in a medium rain and no leaks. Hope that helps.

Raccord

Jerseyshore guy,
I would rate the rear view visibility as poor. I am fairly tall(6'3") so I am sitting up pretty high in the seat. I would guestimate that anything closer than 30-40 feet cannot be seen in the rearview mirror with the cap on. I can't remember how much of a reduction that is from not having the cap but I remember my first impression when I got the cap was "wow it is hard to see things that are close". As far as objetcs that are farther than that, just a smaller viewing area but can be seen. Again, I you imagine about 1/2 of your rearview mirror being obstructed, that is what I would describe the view as. Maybe I'll try taking a pic.

Raccord

Thanks very much for the information on the non-existent front window. I am assuming that is for both the ARE and LEER caps?

Raccord,
thanks I have the rear view camera but was wondering about driving at night trying to see around you and if there were more blind spots with the cap.

thanks,
Chris

I have ordered the A.R.E. cap about three weeks ago,needed a secure dry space to store/transport stuff too big for the trunk.Cap seems like it marries up nicely with the design of the ridge in photos and allows me the ability to travel places with family.friends and the inevitable luggage and gear they add to my load.I will comment on my satisfaction/observations at a later date.

"They can't keep up with demand."

HUH?!?!?! I thought there would be ZERO interest/demand for this cap...quoting the manufacturers.

I KNEW this thing (ridgeline) would take off. It's too bad that there are not more styles available...like those caps that "raise" towards the rear to increase storage capacity. If I am going to pay $2K for something, I want to get what I want.

I think they need to "diversify" and produce more styles of this cap. LARGER windows, LESS "style" (read; 3 concave grooves), Easy to put on or take off, depending on your needs (like a soft tonneau cover).

Cheers,
George

Thanks for the post! I've got one on order as well for the same reason. Ie; large dog.