Fiberglass Truck Bed Cap — A.R.E. Official Store
Our fiberglass truck bed cap delivers year-round protection for your cargo with a durable, weather-sealed shell designed for full-size pickups. Built in the USA from reinforced composite fiberglass, this cap resists fading, cracking, and impact damage better than polymer alternatives.
We engineered every seal, hinge, and mounting point to withstand highway speeds, harsh weather, and daily use. The result is a cap that keeps tools, gear, and personal items secure and dry mile after mile.
Core build details for this fiberglass cap
Fiberglass construction and finish durability
We mold each cap from multiple layers of woven fiberglass saturated with resin, then cure the shell under controlled heat to eliminate voids and weak spots. The outer gel-coat layer resists stone chips, UV degradation, and oxidation that cause fading on painted surfaces.
Our factory finish undergoes a multi-stage curing process that bonds pigment deep into the gel-coat rather than relying on surface paint alone. This means color stays consistent even after years of sun exposure, and minor scratches buff out without exposing bare substrate. We offer OEM color matching for seamless integration with your truck’s factory paint, or you can choose from our curated palette of custom finishes.
Weather sealing and water resistance
Three independent seals run the perimeter of every door and window opening: a primary bulb seal against the frame, a secondary wiper blade seal that flexes with door movement, and a tertiary foam barrier behind the latch mechanism. This triple-seal system blocks wind-driven rain, car wash pressure, and standing water from bed flooding.
We test each cap design in simulated hurricane-force wind tunnels and under fire hose spray to verify seal integrity before production. The rear door features an adjustable strike plate that lets you fine-tune compression as seals break in over the first few months of use.
Sizing, fit, and installation notes
Our fiberglass caps are molded to exact bed dimensions for current and recent-generation full-size pickups from Ford, Chevy, GMC, Ram, Toyota, and Nissan. Each model includes bed-specific mounting rails that align with factory stake pockets or drilling templates for older trucks without integrated anchor points.
Professional installation typically takes 90 minutes and includes setting the cap, drilling pilot holes if needed, torquing clamps to spec, and adjusting door alignment. We recommend dealer installation to preserve warranty coverage, though experienced DIYers can complete the process with basic hand tools and a helper to lift the cap into position.
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Common questions about our fiberglass truck caps
Match your cap to your truck's bed length, which is typically 5.5, 6.5, or 8 feet for full-size models. Measure from the inside of your tailgate to the inside of your bed's front wall to confirm bed length, then verify your truck's make, model, and year when ordering.
Our caps are molded to exact bed dimensions, so a cap listed for a 2020-2024 Ford F-150 with a 6.5-foot bed will not fit a 5.5-foot bed or a different generation F-150. Dealer fitting ensures proper alignment and seal compression during installation.
We back every fiberglass cap with a 5-year structural warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship, plus a separate 3-year finish warranty against fading, cracking, or peeling of the gel-coat surface. Warranty coverage requires professional installation and normal use conditions.
Claims for weather seal leaks, hinge failures, or color mismatch are handled through your installing dealer within the first year. Extended warranty options covering locks, gas struts, and electrical components are available at purchase.
Our gel-coat finish accepts automotive paint and vinyl wraps without special prep beyond standard cleaning and light scuffing. If you order a cap in white or black primer, professional paint shops can apply your desired color using the same process as body panel painting.
Vinyl wrapping over factory gel-coat works best when the cap is new and the surface is free of scratches. Wraps typically last 5-7 years before requiring replacement, and removal does not damage the underlying finish if done properly.
Aerodynamic testing shows fiberglass caps reduce drag compared to an open bed at highway speeds, often improving fuel economy by 1-2 mpg on longer trips. The cap smooths airflow over the bed and eliminates turbulence that creates resistance.
Actual fuel savings depend on your driving conditions, speed, and truck configuration. City driving shows minimal impact, while highway cruising at 65-75 mph produces measurable efficiency gains. The cap's weight addition of 150-200 pounds has negligible effect on fuel consumption for modern full-size trucks.
Wash your cap with the same soap and technique you use for your truck's paint, then apply automotive wax every three months to protect the gel-coat finish. Avoid abrasive cleaners or brushes that can scratch the surface, and rinse thoroughly after exposure to road salt.
Lubricate door hinges and sliding window tracks twice yearly with silicone spray to prevent binding. Check weather seal condition annually and replace any sections showing cracks or compression set. The headliner removes for spot cleaning with upholstery cleaner and air drying.
Our caps install over existing spray-in bedliners, drop-in liners, and bed mats without removal. Tonneau covers must be removed before cap installation since both accessories serve the same bed-covering function and cannot coexist.
If your truck has a spray-in liner, mention this when ordering so we can include shimmed mounting rails that compensate for liner thickness. This ensures proper door alignment and seal compression. Roll-up tonneau covers stored in the bed do not interfere with cap mounting.
DIY installation is possible with two people, basic hand tools, and careful attention to alignment, though we recommend professional installation to ensure warranty coverage. The process involves positioning the cap, marking and drilling mounting holes, tightening clamps to spec, and adjusting door gaps.
Caps weigh 150-200 pounds depending on size, so a helper is essential for lifting and positioning. Dealer installation includes fitting, drilling, torquing, alignment, and a final inspection, typically completed in 90 minutes. Improper installation can void structural and seal warranties.