A.R.E. Truck Cap Warranty
The A.R.E. truck cap warranty gives fiberglass caps limited lifetime coverage, but only for the person who bought the cap new and only while it stays on that truck. Parts like struts, locks and windows have their own shorter terms.
Summarized from A.R.E.’s published warranty policy on RealTruck. The policy itself is the final word.
- Who is covered
- The original retail buyer only
- Fiberglass body
- Limited lifetime, on the original truck
- Where to claim
- The dealer you bought from
- Register within
- One month of purchase
- Never covered
- Glass breakage, hail, accidents, off-road damage
A.R.E. Warranty Coverage by Product
How long each part of an A.R.E. cap or tonneau cover is covered, for the original buyer.
Cap bodies
Fiberglass capsShell and mounting rails, while you own the cap and the original truck. Paint won’t fade or peel faster than the truck’s, if a dealer installed it.
OTR textured coatingAgainst cracking, bubbling or flaking. Color is covered 3 years.
DCU aluminum capsSkin, frame and rails. Paint is covered if painted to the truck’s code.
HD aluminum skeletonThe frame inside CX HD and MX HD caps.
Classic AluminumBody and hardware together.
Parts and hardware
Gas propsAgainst losing pressure. Wipe the shafts only with a dry, soft cloth.
Locks and keyless entryLock cylinder and housing, keyless entry, fiberglass wings and the center brake light.
Windows, doors and sealsFramed windows and doors, lighting, brackets and screens. Bonded glass is covered against seal leaks.
Broken glassGlass breakage isn’t covered on any model.
Tonneau covers
LSII and 3DLSame terms as fiberglass caps.
LS3Limited lifetime, as listed on RealTruck’s LS3 product page.
FusionLifetime on the finish, 5 years structural.
DoubleCoverLimited warranty on the whole cover.
Source: RealTruck A.R.E. warranty policy and A.R.E. product pages. Bar lengths show the term, not to time scale.
What the A.R.E. Warranty Doesn’t Cover
These are excluded on every A.R.E. product. Impact damage matters most, because it also decides whether a stress crack is covered.
- Neglect, abuse, alterations and added equipment
- Accidents, off-road driving and racing
- Vibration from worn or altered suspension or a loud sound system
- Hail and other acts of nature
- Broken glass
- Wear on the truck’s bed paint under the cap
Exact paint match isn’t guaranteed either, because truck makers’ own paint varies from batch to batch.
Stress cracks: covered or not?
Starts at an edge Covered
A crack that begins at a window, boot, door opening or base rail is covered for the original owner.
Star pattern Not covered
Points to a hit from inside the cap, so it counts as impact damage.
Circular rings Not covered
Points to a hit from outside the cap, also impact damage.
How to File an A.R.E. Warranty Claim
Claims go through an authorized A.R.E. dealer, not through A.R.E. directly. Bring everything on the right and the visit is usually one trip.
- Go back to the selling dealerClaims start with the authorized dealer you bought from. If you’ve moved, use RealTruck’s dealer locator to find the nearest one.
- Bring proofYour ID, the purchase receipt and proof you own the truck.
- Have the details readyThe online claim asks for order number, truck year, make and model, product name or part number, a description and photos.
- Let A.R.E. decideA.R.E. chooses whether to repair or replace. A different dealer may charge labor if you bought elsewhere.
Bring to the dealer
- Photo ID
- Purchase receipt
- Proof you own the truck
- Photos of the damage
- Order number or part number
Register Your A.R.E. Cap
A.R.E. asks owners to register within one month of purchase. The old 4are.com/register address now opens RealTruck’s registration form.
A.R.E. Camper Shell Serial Number and ID Tag
A.R.E. doesn’t publish where the ID tag sits. Parts dealers say to look at the rear of the cap, and on most caps the plate or sticker is inside. A dealer uses it to order the right factory part.
Owners on TacomaWorld think the tag reads like the truck it was built for: year, make and model, then cab and bed codes, then the series. They read RC as regular cab and SB as short bed, but A.R.E. hasn’t published the format, so treat it as a guide.
Example tag, as owners read it
Owners read this one as a TW Series cap for a 2012 Tacoma regular cab with a short bed. Your dealer can decode your tag for certain.
A.R.E. Warranty FAQ
Is the A.R.E. warranty transferable?
No. Every term applies to the original retail buyer only. A used cap or a cap on a used truck has no factory coverage.
Does the warranty cover leaks?
Seals and framed windows are covered for 1 year, and bonded frameless glass for 1 year against seal leaks. Owners report dealers resealing leaky caps under warranty in that window.
What if my dealer closed?
Take the claim to the nearest authorized A.R.E. dealer with your receipt. They may charge labor because you didn’t buy from them.
Does moving the cap to a new truck end coverage?
For the fiberglass body, yes. Its lifetime coverage lasts only while you own both the cap and the original truck.