A.R.E. Camper Shell Parts

A.R.E. camper shell parts wear out long before the shell does. Lift supports, T-handles, keys and brake lights are the usual suspects, and most can be matched from what’s printed or stamped on the old part.

Shop A.R.E. cap parts on Amazon Factory part? Start with the ID tag

A.R.E. Lift Supports by Size

Gas props hold the rear door and side windows open. A.R.E. covers them for 5 years against losing pressure. After that, replace both at once and match the old ones on part number, extended length and force.

Extended length, center to centerC16-1520845 LBPart numberForce per strut
Part numbers on the old strutExtendedCompressedForce eachAmazon
C16-06389 C16-33275 14.0 in. 8.9 in. 24 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-04154 025531 14.45 in. 8.98 in. 24 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-19568 ARE 9093 14.96 in. 9.05 in. 40 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-15208 ARE 14269 15.67 in. 9.37 in. 45 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-23994 C16-15066 15.67 in. 9.37 in. 55 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-02648 C16-16411 17.0 in. 10.0 in. 35 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-15645 17.16 in. 11.22 in. 20 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-06867 SE172P60 17.13 in. 10.24 in. 60 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-04445 SE172P55 17.2 in. 10.6 in. 55 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-21706 SE185P45 18.5 in. 11.25 in. 45 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-20651 C16-33313 18.7 in. 10.83 in. 40 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-20877 23.0 in. 13.0 in. 37 lb Check price on Amazon
C16-23833 (tonneau lid) 18.0 in. 10.9 in. 100 lb Check price on Amazon
Tonneau lid 20 in. 19.7 in. 11.8 in. 110 lb Check price on Amazon

The bar shows extended length on a 24 in. scale. All struts listed are aftermarket replacements whose Amazon listings name A.R.E. caps. Most use 10 mm ball ends and come as a pair.

No Part Number on the Old Strut?

Enter the extended length and the force, and the Amazon search fills in with those numbers. A small difference in length is fine. If you’re torn between two forces, the lower one is easier to live with.

Check matching struts on Amazon

Measure the old strut fully open, center to center. The force is usually printed on its body, in pounds or newtons.

A.R.E. Rear Door Handles and Locks

Check two things before ordering a T-handle: which way it turns to open, and the spacing of its mounting screws. A door with two handles needs one of each direction.

RealTruck sells the factory A.R.E. T-handle in clockwise and counter-clockwise versions. It pairs with A.R.E.’s locking rods with the square hole.

Left handleTurns counter-clockwiseRight handleTurns clockwise
  • Rear door T-handle with 2 keysTurns clockwise. Screw holes 1.5 in. apart. Fits most V, CX, TW, MX and Overland caps with one T-handle on the rear door.Listed under the ARE brand by a third-party sellerCheck price on Amazon
  • Dual T-handle set, left and rightLeft turns counter-clockwise, right turns clockwise, keyed alike. For doors with two handles.Aftermarket, listed for select A.R.E. and Leer capsCheck price on Amazon
  • Bauer T-500 side access (windoor) lockNot side specific, uses a K127 key. Check your windoor lock says Bauer first.Aftermarket lock maker partCheck price on Amazon
  • Palm handle, A.R.E. part 15691For LSII and LSX tonneau lids and X or Z Series caps.Aftermarket replacementCheck price on Amazon

Replacement Keys for an A.R.E. Cap

A.R.E. cap T-handle keys are cut to a code stamped on the lock face. Read the code, then order keys cut to it. Some caps use Bauer locks instead, and tonneau covers use a separate cam lock code.

Some newer A.R.E. caps use lock cylinders keyed to the truck’s own ignition key.

0007Key code stamped hereA.R.E. codes run 0001 to 0020.Order two keys cut to that code.No code on the face?Look for a Bauer stamp, or aska dealer for a matching cylinder.
  • Cap T-handle keys, codes 0001 to 0020Two keys cut to the code stamped on your lock. Each code is its own listing; pick yours from the options.Code-cut keys, not factoryCheck price on Amazon
  • Bauer J327 cap keyFor caps with a Bauer lock stamped J327.Code-cut key, not factoryCheck price on Amazon
  • Tonneau and toolbox cam lock keysCut to code on a 1660 blank for A.L. Hansen and Strattec style cam locks.Code-cut keys, not factoryCheck price on Amazon

Third Brake Lights for A.R.E. Caps

A.R.E. caps mostly use one of two styles: a 10 inch flush light or a recessed light. Match the part number on the back of the old one, or at least the mounting style.

Flush, 10 in.Sits on the surfaceRecessedSits in a molded pocket
  • 10 in. flush third brake lightReplaces AT-LED-28X30-01. Listed for A.R.E., Leer 100XQ and 180, Jason, Century and Ranch caps, not SnugTop or Jeraco.Aftermarket, fits A.R.E.Check price on Amazon
  • Recessed third brake light, blackReplaces AT-LED-36R and AT-LED-36R-02.Aftermarket, fits A.R.E.Check price on Amazon
  • Brake light and dome light wiring harness5 ft harness with fuse holders and taps for a cap third brake light and 12V dome light.UniversalCheck price on Amazon

Truck Cap Seals, Clamps and Roof Tracks

Nobody on Amazon sells these specifically for A.R.E. caps. These universal parts fit most caps, and a fresh bed seal fixes many of the front corner leaks owners complain about.

Many A.R.E. caps take factory racks bolted to reinforced roof points. For those, ask a dealer for the matching A.R.E. crossbars.

Cap railBed sealTruck bed railClampOutside of the truckInside the bed
  • Cap-to-bed seal, XL2-1/8 in. wide, 1/2 in. tall, 20 ft of EPDM. Made for caps over 200 lb or wide bed rails.Universal, no A.R.E. mentionCheck price on Amazon
  • Cab-to-cap bootInflatable 20 x 13 in. boot that seals the gap between the cab and cap windows, up to 3 in.UniversalCheck price on Amazon
  • G-1 cap mounting clamps, set of 4Aluminum clamps. The listing gives fit by truck model.UniversalCheck price on Amazon
  • Roof tracks for caps55 in. tracks that bolt to a cap roof to carry rack legs and crossbars.UniversalCheck price on Amazon

A.R.E. Camper Shell Parts FAQ

Are these genuine A.R.E. parts?

Mostly not. Amazon has almost no factory A.R.E. parts. The listings here are aftermarket parts whose sellers say they fit A.R.E. caps. For factory parts, order through an A.R.E. dealer with your cap’s ID tag.

Will an aftermarket part void my warranty?

A.R.E.’s warranty excludes damage from alterations and added equipment. If your cap is still covered, have the dealer handle the repair first.

Why won’t my rear door stay open?

The gas struts have lost pressure, which happens as they age. Replace both at once with the same length and force.

I lost my A.R.E. cap key. What now?

Look for a four digit code, 0001 to 0020, on the lock face and order keys cut to it. No code usually means a different lock, so check for a Bauer stamp or ask a dealer.