RSI vs RLD vs Alu-Cab guys. Please weigh in on your experiences

The 2nd Gen front bulkhead rail attaches easily and fits fine on a 3rd Gen. I think Toyota deleted it to save money. At least when I added mine, they were readily available online new, genuine Toyota, for about $50-60.

 

Thanks for the mention. We still have a couple 5ft sports in stock

 

Hey sorry for reviving an old post but I had a question. How is the rear visibility without the side windows? Looking for a contour for my 3rd gen and trying to decide between window or no side window. Thanks!

 

We prefer no side windows. Typically we have at least one full bin so no need for windows. A little bit of additional security as well.

 

View out the back is fine.

 

I have 2019 crew cab with adventure cap. I can easily see out the back windows checking my blind spot. Rearview is a bit wonky at first, especially when backing up. But with a camera, it only takes a little bit to get used to. I'm getting a rear window security screen soon so not sure if that will change things much.

When I took my kid thru the BRAKES safety driving school - instructors taught everyone to position side mirrors more outside than most folks do. Meaning you should only be able to just barely see your vehicle. This reduces blind spots and really helps spot motorcycles.

 

Anyone sleep in the back of their alu-cab?
How about the getting in/out situation, can it be locked/unlocked from the inside?

 

No real rear visibility with or without windows. I already have a fridge and side cubbies so can’t see much out back anyways. Plus i have the grid window guard. I prefer no windows for security and people can’t see what i have.

 

It takes a little getting used to, but it’s not too bad. I’m glad I don’t have my rear back up camera covered by a spare mounted on a swing-out though. You end up relying a little bit more on back up cameras and rearview mirrors to clear your lane changes and what not.

I wanted to prioritize simple and secure over the slightly better visibility you get with side windows.

 

Do you have an anytime rear cam?

 

No, just the OEM backup camera. There are a few people on the Alu-Cab thread that have added an anytime backup camera. I just saw someone posted somewhere about a cool rearview mirror screen camera. I might look into that at some point. For now. I still look back changing lanes to look through my rear door side windows and move my head to utilize my side mirrors as much as possible. For DD, you just need to pay a bit more attention to your surroundings. You can always throw a couple blind spot mirrors on your OEM side mirrors to add a bit more visions as well.

 

That makes sense. Hopefully mine gets in soon. I'm on a road trip now with a tent just above my tonneau cover. It took a little bit to get used to not being able to see anything out of the rear view mirror, but I've been fine so far.
One of those camera screen mirrors sound nice though

 

For those with the SmartCap? What's your general experience been with the product and company?
SmartCaps dealers seem far more common then alucab although the Alu-Cab is more appealing to me.

I've read a few posts of people having warranty issues with SmartCaps, but haven't really seen much of the same for Alu-Cab; although that could also be reflective of them being less common?
I'm curious how the longevity, warranty and support between the two companies hold up.

 

So I've had great responses from both Mike's Custom and Offroad Alliance (listed alphabetically - I think they are both seen as valued vendors here). Mike's is west coast and OA is east cost.

As to RSI itself - While I did get emails and calls early on regarding a fit issue on a security screen - they have now sent 4 screens and they are all the wrong size... So while folks are nice enough, I'd prefer to just get the proper fit. And there were delays until their Texas plant got started, but I think those are fixed now.

There are several threads on TW about the new locks from RSI. Check those out and if that's important to you, then wait. Otherwise it's a good cap and imo looks a lot cleaner and better fitting than Alucab (which was my second choice). Strictly personal preference of course.

 

I want to update that if I were to shop for canopies again, I wouldn't buy Alucab. From my analysis, they went out of their way to make the nut slots on the roof incompatible with standard hardware so you have to buy their proprietary solutions. The tolerances on their nut slots are terrible. The canopy had leaks when I bought it through the rivets.

RSI SmartCap has innovated so much and is way ahead of the game. It's possible that the newer Alu-Cab is better, but I looked at a new RSI (2024) and was mindblown by all the bells and whistles that it had for the same price.

Edit: I finally understood that they use M8 carriage bolts as their fasteners. I stand corrected about the nut slots. Rest of the comments remain.

 

Did you find a fix for this?

 

Yeah, the steel camming clamps from ARE solved the problem. Hasn't moved at all since.

 

Unfortunately, no way to lock/unlock from the inside. In fact, worse, someone can lock you in from the outside. So if I'm sleeping in my AluCab, I generally latch the compression bolts myself and close the gull wings; there's going to be some gap, but at least no one can lock me in.

 

Was able to go thru reviews and comments here. i am in market for long bed shell for 2020 taco. Looks like RLD could be out of pic but i am working on ALuCab and RSI in phoenix area, if anyone has any on truck installed, would like to see it. i am planning to sleep in and also the roofnest on top of it for road trips

 

Not in Arizona, but for alucab you would need to get some aftermarket latches/locks to open it from the inside. I ended up with alucab for weight savings, and after reading through and keeping up with the rsi thread for 3rd gens I'm happy with my decision. Sounds like a lot of issues with rsi from panels not sealing correctly to latches not working properly, just seems like a head ache. The only thing I'm not a huge fan of are the body lines on the alucab contour, but I think it's still cooler than a leer or snugtop.