Leer 122 Cap Defects – Defective Rear Door, Dents, and Replacement Woes

Having trouble with your Leer 122 truck cap? My first experience with a Leer 122 was a disaster: a rear door that wouldn’t open, dents in the body, and a loud popping sound every time I used it.

Here’s what happened and how I’m handling the replacement process of a defective Leer truck cap.

I purchased a new truck recently so I could take camping adventures with my dog Beatrix. The truck I ended up going with was actually my second online truck purchase…read about how I almost committed to the wrong truck here!

I chose my dream road trip vehicle based on a couple of factors, including reliability, maneuverability, and space. I decided the Toyota Tacoma was the perfect size for building out a comfy little mini-camper under a truck cap in the back.

Why I Chose the Leer 122 Cap

I chose the Leer 122 for several reasons. First and foremost was the height. After road-tripping and camping in my 2016 Jeep Cherokee, I learned something I really wanted was the ability to sit straight up in my camping space. There are a lot of truck caps out there, but the Leer 122 was the only one tall enough that would allow me to do so.

I decided to buy the cap new. It was a big investment, but since I was going to be camping in it, I wanted something in perfect condition. I went to my local dealer and ordered a brand new cap. Here’s a price breakdown:

Leer 122 base price: $3,276.00

Carpeted headliner: $215.00

12v power block: $200.00

Total with tax: $4,078.86

After going straight to the dealer and spending this much money, I never thought I’d have Leer truck cap quality issues!

As you can see, the Leer 122 cap looks amazing on my truck! The paint match was perfect, and I love the shape and style of the cap.

The Problems Started Immediately

Unfortunately, the problems started right away.

Everything seemed fine when I tested the cap at the dealer. But when I got home…barely 5 minutes away…the left lever wouldn’t budge on the lift-gate window. My 19-year-old son, my dad, and even Dave the handyman all tried, but no one could get it open. I quickly got in my truck and drove it back to the dealer.

To their credit, the dealer did the best they could. They made some adjustments to the way the cab was sitting on the truck, showed me the lever now opened as smooth as butter, and sent me back home. Unfortunately, it didn’t last. As soon as I got home, I tried to open it again, and the same thing happened: the left lever was stuck.

Perplexed, I went to the dealer yet again. They told me they would order another lever for me because the problem was this one was the wrong length. They affirmed that I would likely have trouble turning it up and down until I received a replacement.

I was crushed! I had waited four weeks for this cap, paid over $4,000, and it wasn’t right?! Once I got home, I realized with some gentle pushing and pulling on the lift-gate window, I could coax the lever open and access the back of my truck. It wasn’t perfect, and it certainly wasn’t safe or acceptable for camping, but at least I could use my truck for now.

About a week later, I received a call from the dealer telling me that Leer had shipped the wrong levers, and they were going to have to send an entire replacement lift-gate window. By this time, though, I had noticed even more problems with the cap.

Issues with the Rear Door, Structural Damage, and Other Defects

The damaged left side slot from the lever issues

First, I noticed that the slot the lever went into was extremely damaged. This was part of the whole cap, not the lift-gate window. I don’t know if the damage is what caused the lever to function improperly, or the improperly working lever damaged the slot, but either way, it was unacceptable. It was scraped up, and the piece on the back holding it in place was loose.

The damaged insulation/tubing

Second, I noticed that the tubing attached to the cap, to insulate the space where the lift-gate window closed, was damaged as well.

The bent frame of the cap on the left side

Third, I noticed several bent or pinched spots in the actual body of the cap: on the left side of the door frame, the middle, and the right side. This kind of damage on a brand new cap was completely unacceptable.

The bent and pinched metal in the center and on the right side

I had also noticed that every time I opened the lift-gate window, it made a really loud “pop” sound!

What’s Next? Waiting for a Replacement

I spoke to the dealership again, and they were super understanding. They have been very helpful throughout this process, and agreed to petition Leer to send me a whole new cap. But…there would be a huge delay.

I would have to wait 4 to 6 weeks for a new cap, which meant I had to cancel my spring camping plans. Months of planning…down the drain. And after spending over $4,000, I expected better quality from Leer.

I had already passed the Jeep on to a family member, so I couldn’t even use it for camping. I know I still had the option of sleeping under the stars, but…I’m a comfort camper! Beatrix is a special needs dog and we need our comfy setup!

Dejected, I agreed to wait the 4 to 6 weeks for a replacement to come in. That’s where we are now. I don’t know what I’m going to do if the second cap comes in damaged like the first. I just have to trust the process and keep my fingers crossed that this time, Leer’s quality control is acceptable and I get a well made cap.

Now I’m just hoping the next cap is better than the first. Stay tuned and I’ll update you when the replacement arrives and let you know if Leer finally delivers the quality I expected from a $4,000 truck cap!

Have you had issues with a Leer 122 cap or other truck caps? I’d love to hear about it. Drop a comment below!