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
Cap bodies
Lifetime
Fiberglass caps
Shell 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.
Lifetime
OTR textured coating
Against cracking, bubbling or flaking. Color is covered 3 years.
3 years
DCU aluminum caps
Skin, frame and rails. Paint is covered if painted to the truck’s code.
3 years
HD aluminum skeleton
The frame inside CX HD and MX HD caps.
1 year
Classic Aluminum
Body and hardware together.
Parts and hardware
5 years
Gas props
Against losing pressure. Wipe the shafts only with a dry, soft cloth.
3 years
Locks and keyless entry
Lock cylinder and housing, keyless entry, fiberglass wings and the center brake light.
1 year
Windows, doors and seals
Framed windows and doors, lighting, brackets and screens. Bonded glass is covered against seal leaks.
Never
Broken glass
Glass breakage isn’t covered on any model.
Tonneau covers
Lifetime
LSII and 3DL
Same terms as fiberglass caps.
Lifetime
LS3
Finish and ABS structure, plus 5 years on props and 3 years on other parts.
Lifetime
Fusion
Lifetime on the finish, 5 years structural.
5 years
DoubleCover
Limited warranty on the whole cover.
Source: RealTruck A.R.E. warranty policy and A.R.E. product pages.
What the A.R.E. Warranty Doesn’t Cover
- 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
- Go back to the selling dealer. Claims start with the authorized dealer you bought from. If you’ve moved, use RealTruck’s dealer locator to find the nearest one.
- Bring proof. Your ID, the purchase receipt and proof you own the truck.
- Have the details ready. The online claim asks for order number, truck year, make and model, product name or part number, a description and photos.
- Let A.R.E. decide. A.R.E. chooses whether to repair or replace. A different dealer may charge labor if you bought elsewhere.
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 report that the tag reads like the truck it was built for: year, make and model, then cab and bed codes, then the series. RC means regular cab and SB means short bed.
Example tag, as an owner described it
Reads as a TW Series cap built for a 2012 Tacoma regular cab with a short bed.
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.