RSI Smart Cap

[GRR95]

Does anyone run a RSI Smart Cap for their upland rig? I have seen some threads mentioning the smart cap but nothing in regards to upland and how it works when hauling dogs around in cold and warm conditions. My main concerns are;

1. Does it get excessively hot in the summer and with that does the small window help enough for air flow?
2. Has condensation been an issue?
3. Any issues with water intrusion or dust?
4. Any general comments on if the smart cap, is worth the money. (a new leer is $4,500+ when set up for upland and dogs so not to worried about that)

Thanks for the help!

 

[hoooogan]

Another option is OVS. My buddy has one and loves it. Didn't cost an arm and a leg either. Just a leg.

Expedition - Truck Cap W/Full Wing Doors, Front and Rear Windows & 3rd Brake Light

Find the perfect Truck Topper Camper Shell with Expedition - Truck Cap Full Wing Doors, Front & Rear Windows a 3rd brake light.

overlandvehiclesystems.com

I have some experience with shells and pop-up toppers, so here:
1) Yes, it is going to get hot. Its a black metal box. Cracking a window will help, but it'll still be considerably hotter than ambient due to the nature of the shell. I had a GFC which has plain metal panels. Cold and heat transfer was a problem. I lined the panels with Reflectix, which helped. Depending on your area, you might consider rigging up a fan of some sort for hot weather.
2) Condensation is inevitable unless you take drastic measures to vent or dry the air (forced air heater, diesel or propane). No good way around that. Be cold and drafty or get a heater. Fan will help too.
3) If the caps are assembled well, it won't leak or have much dust intrusion. You can always add a dab of silicone to trouble areas. BUT, you also need to take steps to seal the bed/tailgate/bed rail caps. I know my Colorado had a massive gap between bed and tailgate.
4) Worth is subjective, but I love having a secure place to store my things. Also, being a singular color, resell will be easier since you aren't dealing with paint matching.

 

[RunNGunSC]

I love my smart cap and think it would work well. It is very rigid. Mine does have the windows but they do look like they are relatively small.

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

So far so good. No top tent and no dogs in the back yet. Slept a couple nights in it with all windows open and the back open.

I tested the water proof and dust proof abilities by parking it out in two VERY heavy monsoons. Blowing dust followed by very heavy downpours. It stayed dry and dust free. We shall see how it goes long term and through the fall and winter hunts.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Tagging in. Just bought a brand new F350. This RSI was the direction I was wanting to go. But......EVERY YT review video says they are NOT water tight. Like....at ALL.


And their Dust Mitigation mini vent or whatever....does not seem to work well per the video reviews I've watched. So I am very interested in what you obtain for feedback.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

From the vids I've watched it seems frozen window/panel locks are an issue also

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

From the vids I've watched it seems frozen window/panel locks are an issue also

Are these recent or old videos? They’ve made several production changes.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

I'll go back and re-visit. Last 2 years???

 

[GRR95]

Are these recent or old videos? They’ve made several production changes.

I've seen some of the same videos I'm sure but I'm always a little leery of youtube boys who might have been given a discount to review the product or a similar product. Also watching some of the installation videos put up it makes sense why there would be water and dust leaks due to some sub par workmanship...

definitely things to consider though!

 

[mxgsfmdpx]

I've seen some of the same videos I'm sure but I'm always a little leery of youtube boys who might have been given a discount to review the product or a similar product. Also watching some of the installation videos put up it makes sense why there would be water and dust leaks due to some sub par workmanship...

definitely things to consider though!

I had mine installed by a dealer for that reason. They know all the tips and tricks as they have done 100s of them.

He mentioned several changes they’ve made as well to make them more water and air tight. For me, we shall see with more use and how quickly the seals and weather stripping die from AZ summers.

So far so good in some absolute downpours and dust storms that look like the movie the mummy.

 

[ThorM465]

I'm watching this thread very closely. I'm looking at the Smart Cap EVO Sport, LEER 100XQ Sport, and the A.R.E. CX Revo for the 2025 Raptor I just bought my wife. This may just be a local problem, but I've been shocked at how disinterested these companies have been in my money. They tightly control their dealers, I've put in multiple requests for the LEER and ARE, with near zero communication back to me from the local dealers. The manufacturers had zero interest in helping me out.

The Smartcap is very interesting, but I'd prefer a near factory look (at least matching body line) and at a minimum I want it paint matched to my shelter green truck. Smartcap is already the most expensive and I would have to pay an additional bill to get the main frame repainted.

 

[wyosteve]

Resurrecting this thread to see if there's any new info out there. I just ordered a Smart Cap today for my Ram Rebel 2500. The Evo Sport model so it has the windows etc. As mentioned above, they made several changes on the locks to try and eliminate ice, snow and dust problems. We'll see I guess. Looked at pretty much all of them, Leer, ARE, Alu-cap, OVS and preferred the Smart Cap. Dealer will assemble and install and they have done many. If any of the above posters have a longer term review, I'd be all ears. Thanks.

 

[DesertPinstripes]

Had mine for about a year. Pretty darn happy with it.

Seems like any dust that comes in is via the tailgate/bed joint on the truck and not the smart cap. Going through the car wash it will end up with a little bit of water intrusion via the vent, but it’s not bad at all.

Some paint chipping on the door on the edge of the steel. Otherwise paint is holding up well.

It’s black and metal. Gets hot AF in summer if you don’t have windows cracked.

I’m pointing out some flaws, but want to stress that i still feel like I made a good choice compared to the alternatives out there. Spent quite a few nights inside of it!

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks Desert. I'm curious-a lot of the reviews make mention of the inability to open the rear door/window if you're inside the topper. How do you handle that scenario when sleeping in it?

 

[d-bone20917]

I've had an Evo Sport on my truck for almost a year now and I'm happy with it, but I've had a couple of issues with the windows. The port windows were leaking, so they sent me some new seals. This seems to be a common issue. I think you just need to ensure the windows are closed tight and the seal stays in good shape. Recently I noticed the windows tracks were basically separating from the windows and falling off. It looks like they are attached with double sided tape or some other adhesive. They sent me two new doors under warranty which I installed yesterday. Hopefully that issue is resolved.

I did the assembly and installation myself because most of the people that I see have issues had their installation done by a dealer. I don't think they take the time to do it right like the owner will.

I've slept in mine a lot. You can't open the latches from the inside so I don't latch the back window. I just pull it shut and it stays fine. If they ever come out with new dual release latches I plan to buy them though.

 

[wyosteve]

Thanks for the insight. I've read that about the window issues so will keep an eye on them. Not sure which latches mine will come with. Apparently they offer 2 styles. Mine is a South Africa build so not sure if that makes it different from the North American builds.

 

[Big Sky Guy]

Idk, I’ve had mine for about a year. I got a deal on it but I’d have a hard time telling a guy to drop that amount of coin on one, but they are all pretty spendy now and all have draw backs. Have mine on a 2023 Tacoma. There are a lot of points for dust to come in with Tacomas so I don’t really fault the cap much for that, the vent does seem to help. The latches randomly started popping open, RSI sent me the old version of latches as a remedy. The cap does leak a tiny put around the vent. The front slider window top track fell off, it’s just ok there with some adhesive, the bottom has a piece of metal, makes no sense why they didn’t do the same for the top. RSI sent me an entire new front section which I have yet to install. They seem to stand behind the product but to me the product is lacking for the price.

We keep 3 dogs back there and haven’t noticed them getting too hot. Just keep the front slider open. I’ve never left them in there in hot sun and not driving but when on the road there is enough airflow going through there they are fine, mine doesn’t have the side windows.

I really wish Toyota would just make a cap from the same material they make the bed out of with the lift up sides and positive vent of the RSI.

 

[wyosteve]

Appreciate the info. Part of the reason I went with Smart Cap is that I have the cargo camera factory set up which protrudes a bit and Smart Cap is designed to accommodate that. As mentioned, not a huge price difference on any of the modular style toppers.