Hi,
I found this thread after getting excited about finding the ARE Topup, the topup perfectly fits my requirements, however also to my disappointment I see it is no longer manufactured.
Annoyingly I actually found it on their website - http://www.4are.com/product/pdfs/ARE_TopUp_Camper.pdf
I wanted to write to them as well but I could not locate an email address, if you have one please pass it over and I can view my thought to them as well.
Quick observations about other systems here;-
Pegasus - Over engineered, not high enough and no remote.
Herculoc - Like it a lot, still not high enough, I want to be able to stand up in the back, overhang is sort of ok, except using it when reverse parked could be an issue. Apart from that its pretty ugly compared to Topup although the security is nice. (quite heavy too)
So nice to meet you all and I'm here for a while until we find other options
Nacho
Ehhh.... El goog? Or just put in their URL?
A.R.E. Accessories LLC - Headquarters and Fiberglass Manufacturing Facility
400 Nave Rd.
PO Box 1100
Massillon, OH 44648
330.830.7800
Yeah. I agree with your comments. I feel the same. TopUp was pricey but IMO, worth it. I wrote A.R.E. already but feel free. They don't seem very interested at all unfortunately in restarting production.
I also wrote to Gary Thacker (Herculoc guy). He told me that the GMT800 would fit GMT400s. The only caveats are (1) you'd have to do a little bit of fabrication for the lower mounting brackets in the bed - no big deal and (2) the current model is designed for the GMT800's with a tailgate spoiler so there would be a bit of overhang in the back - I don't like that. The other things that turn me off a bit from Herculoc is that (a) not exactly high-enough but pretty high (b) doesn't lift straight up - cab section left exposed (c) work-truck oriented - a bit fug. However, it seems really well engineered and durable - nuf said.
I'm pretty much leaning towards building my own starting with a snowplow hydraulic power unit and 2 rams as drawn earlier in the thread. Our buddy Selow will be kind enough to fabricate free waterproof snap-in curtains for me with PVC windows