RSI Smart Cap

No problems buying used here, and I've been looking. I have a 6 foot bed, and there aren't as many of those. A few 5 footers have come up on FB market.

 

Trust the process! I got my SmartCap from Mike's. I ordered it, paid for it first, and then patiently waited. When it arrived, I drove down from Seattle, and Mike's did an awesome job installing it. They even helped me out with RSI when I had an issue with the sliding windows. Go for it.

 

There's one in UT, Evo sport.

Also I know of one dealer that has both the 5 foot bed and 6 foot bed Evo sports in stock in socal. However, if you're looking for the Evo adventure I've not found one of those for sale yet.

 

It's the opposite here, I saw a 6' one in Austin, TX but no 5' models.

 

I haven't been working with anyone. My info is just based on reading this thread. I apologize, if I'm spreading bad information.

 

hehe..must be new around here .
Not defending the practice or making the joke towards you, since people have been burned but it's not out the ordinary for items such as sliders, bumpers and other caps/toppers to require payment up front and lead time.
With anything, if you pay by CC, you should be protected, just make sure it's within the timeframe for chargeback if you needed to do that.

 

Definitely new to a Tacoma and the covid/post-covid car buying experience. We as consumers have power. Unfortunately, we don't practice it enough.

 

Ordered the adventure on December 28th and did half down the other half when it arrives. They’re estimating March delivery.

 

Sometimes dealers will have them 'in stock' - keep your ears peeled and fingers crossed! They come in batches... so the supply does dry-up now and again.

 

That's not a post-covid thing; lead times on fabricated items has been the norm for quite some time.
Truck parts, yes, but also things like homes or other construction projects, etc.

 

How’s the load bars holding up with all the weight of the tent, proplr, and gear?

 

I'm counting down until 2/12 to see if the shipping date on the product listing changes again. Fingers are crossed!

 

I have had mine since March of 2021. Great cap and well built! I haven't looked back. Still holding up. Still sealed up. I don't live in a snowy area, so the latches were never a problem for me. And when I do go to snowy areas on a trip, the latches never gave me a problem.

I use the FrontRunner bars w/ it - 3 of them because at one point I had an RTT that almost weighed 200 lbs. Now I have an RTT that is under 90 lbs.

It is a great cap.

 

Last Days for Free Shipping

https://mikescustomtoys.com/collections/smartcap-toyota

 

Ordered it yesterday.

 

Any owners find that they needed bed stiffeners for the Smart Cap?

Perhaps the stiffness of a metal cap does not necessitate this?

 

I think if you find out that you needed bed stiffeners, it's already too late to add bed stiffeners.

Also I assume because you have the cap you intend to put more weight in the bed permanently aside from just the cap. If so, I would venture to say that the general consensus would be that it would be better to be safe than sorry and get the stiffeners.

For what it's worth, I put on some total chaos bed stiffeners before my cap and drawer system, just in case.

Interesting, I've got my eyes on a tent that's about 180 lbs, but I only had anticipated 2 load bars being used for it. It's also a hardshell tent. What made you want to add the additional bar in the middle, did you notice the tent sagging in the middle?

 

I'll echo this: Tacomas need bed stiffeners unless you're leaving the truck completely stock. Even then... yeah, you should probably get them.

 

I ordered my cap and got the 2 load bars coming too. My tent is about 145lbs I don’t see why just the 2 bars won’t be enough. When I get them I’m gonna stand my 175lbs ass on 1 bar right in the middle of the bar to see how it holds up. I’ve seen a lot of heavier loads on less metal in my adventures.

 

My Tacoma has remained "stock". I've only carried 2x4, 2x6 lumber, and lawn bags, so nothing that would add significant stress to the bed.
Thanks to this forum, I became aware of bed stiffeners and its purpose.
A word search on this thread revealed nothing regarding bed stiffners, therefore I asked.

I'm glad I asked.

I going to try the Bullet Proof Fabricating stiffners.

@h2beezy @Naveronski : Thanks for your feedback