New in the USA: RLD Design

Installed today

 

This thread is great, lots of awesome info on the RLD’s. I ordered mine back in February and just had it installed in the Denver area. I have a question...

1) Is there an easy way to tell the 2nd and 3rd gen canopies apart? Everything lines up for the most part, but the back door has about a 1” gap from the bottom to the tailgate. The shop that installed it is contacting RLD, but I figured I’d ask.

The day after the install I took it up to the Buena Vista area for some hiking/camping. The road we took to get back to Mt. Antero was rough and definitely 4WD necessary. I was super happy with the cap as it didn’t move at all, this thing seems strong. I love the doors and after some use am ok with the two doors a side on the LB. I slept in it and got rain and hailed on. Aside from the hail being a little loud, I was still dry the next morning, even with the gap between the tailgate.

I haven’t had a chance to really test out the positive air vent, but it seems to me if you’re in 4-low you might not have enough speed to make a difference.

As of now I’m happy with the flush mounted latches...we’ll see this winter.

I’m glad I can still use the rails in the bed. I was able to keep my hi lift mounted in there with no issues.

I’ve gotten a lot of compliments and people telling me to keep it black. I was planning on getting the doors painted white at some point.

 

This is what it looks like on my 3rd gen. About a 1” gap at the middle of the tailgate.

 

It’s hard to see, but I actually have a 1” gap vertically. I was wondering if others have had this issue, or if they gave me the wrong cap, or just the wrong door. I’m mildly frustrated, but glad I have one of these.

 

Yeah that might be for a 3rd gen. Can you just put more weather stripping?

 

My 2nd Gen tailgate doesn't lock. Weather stripping will certainly help with the dust and things, but it's still so easy to get inside even if the cap is locked. They're going to send me a new door, but coming from South Africa...could be a long time. I have a workaround I think I'll use.

I'd like to actually know if I have a 3rd gen cap though. I'm sure someone on here that has a 3rd gen cap could maybe take some measurements?

I've contacted RLD requesting some measurements....I got nothing yet.

 

Just an update, Tom with Adventuremobile contacted me back and confirmed the correct cap, but wrong door. He's shipping one out to me now. So, I won't need the measurements. Thanks for all the input.

 

That's good. Glad they're taking care of it ASAP.

 

In case anyone was curious, it's possible to mount an RTT on the RLD without a roof rack.

All I did was drill new holes in the RTT where the aluminum rails mount to. About 1.75 inches away from the stock holes in the RTT. Taped over the stock holes with black gorilla tape to keep it water proof. Then used the aluminum sliding channel brackets that comes with the RTT and 5/16th bolts to mount the RTT to the RLD. There are 6 pre-drilled holes in the RLD that is normally covered with black plastic caps. Just pop those off and bolt down your RTT. This mounting method ensures that your RTT is as low as possible and also makes it theft proof unless they pry open your side doors.

***If you attempt this, make sure you are drilling the RTT along the cross member. Use the stock holes as reference to locate the cross members.***

 

Would anyone with a 2nd gen RLD be able to measure the distance between the pre drilled holes from driver side to passenger side? Putting together a rack before I take delivery and would love to know how far I need to space out mounting brackets. Any help/insight would be greatly appreciated, thank you!

 

I can get that for you in just a few hours. You wanting to know the space between the holes on the raised rails on the RLD cap?

 

I measure 35.5” from center to center. My cap is on a long bed, but that shouldn’t matter.

 

Many thanks my brother, that's what I needed to know. Really appreciate the info

 

Another question/measurement for anyone, if you don't mind. How long are the ribs on the top of the roof for a short bed? Ordering some top tracks/track slats and I've got 42" and 48" options. I've got 48" on my fiberglass topper but not sure if that would be too long for the RLD. Thanks all!

 

Loving this thing so far...

 

If any of you need a rack for your RLD canopy, the Yakima HD bars (small) work great as they can be bolted directly to the canopy and have a inch or two of clearance with the side doors open.

 

Good to know!!

 

Figured I should also post this in here. My RLD Canopy from @Adventure Ready is here! Review and more pics coming soon.

 

How did you attach the bars? Did they come with all necessary hardware? Did you get the 55”?
Thanks

 

Yes the 55 inch bars. This size works great as when the side doors are all the way open it leaves a little gap between the two (close to an inch if I recall). The bars do not come with any mounting hardware. You will need some T bolts to mount them. I used the following from some awning mounts I had mounted to some other Yakima HD bars I have. These bolts work great and are also stainless steel
https://www.etrailer.com/Accessories-and-Parts/Thule/853-5648.html