RSI SmartCap 6 month Review

Here's what some guys have done with racks that line up:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rsi-smart-cap.679267/page-24#post-25088812

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rsi-smartcap-photo-heavy.683746/page-23#post-25786086

Those two threads have just about every question answered and tons of other info in them as well.

 

Thanks!

 

I figured this had to be someplace close to me, like perhaps San Francisco, and then I noticed you mentioned "urban California". Where else. I started this thread earlier, and it soon became ranty about SF, but I did get some good safety tips: https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-do-you-secure-stuff-in-your-truck-in-urban-areas.742173/

I was strongly considering an EVO Adventure just because I thought they were actually secure. My local Truck Cap shop also recommended it for security. But your review may have just saved me, so thank you. I am also concerned about security, although the rest of the bay area (where I am) outside of SF/Berkeley/Oakland seems relatively better -- but if anything the fact that your SmartCap has held up to 6 months of urban California should say that it's pretty secure. Nevertheless, I will strongly consider ARE given your comments.

 

Would you (perhaps in a different thread / DM) be able to tell me more about the Alucab and your window grid mod? What sort of price do I expect to pay? (They don't advertise prices on their website).

 

how tall are you? I was thinking of doing the smart cap and decked drawers with a small memory foam mattress to lay on. I’m 5’7 so not so bad with the short cab

 

I'm 5' 10" and slept diagonally and still wasn't comfortable but I like sleeping flat on my back.

 

Same here. Between RSI, Alu-Cab, and RLD it's really hard to pick. I've tried making pro/con lists thinking that would help but it just made me question what features were most important.

 

Anyone else have leaking issues with the air vent? Tried using Butyl tape as suggested by RSI and it didn't help one bit. If it was a few drips I wouldn't care too much, but taking it through a car wash ends up with about a quart of water inside. I live in a snow/salted road climate, so regular washing is a must.

 

Found this at the perfect time, thank you for the in depth review. I knew I wanted some kind of cap and had heard good things about smartcaps and they have been so hyped up. I still hadnt been set on them though.

 

Glad I didn't opt for the smartcap after reading this review. Am just has happy with a rack/tent/locking drawer system I think

 

Contemplating ordering and wondering the same. Living in NY I go through a touchless wash in winter a few times.

 

I love my EVO A. Perfect for our family build and the doors act like a sudo mini awning when I am in back doing dad shit serving the fam. I put a sun shade over the rear window when up to get full shade there too. Ive got molle bags and power running up to them from the bed full time to charge all camping gadgets. I also have the expensive table lol but it works perfect with an AluCab tilt slide and

$885 dometic CFX3 35 portable refrigerator and freezer - 36L - powered by AC/DC or solar portable refrigerator with wifi/bluetooth temperature control - ideal cooler for car, RV, camping and home use

dometic CFX3 35 on Decked drawers. Meaning I can pull the table out fine with a fridge sitting on all that. Anyway cant say enough good things.

WRT washing - I never go carwash. But DIY washes I spray a pressure washer up there all the time. Never a drop. Some dust from recent trip to Moab but that all came from the tail gate as I hadnt bothered to seal yet (thats done now though).

Most ingress on my rig comes from where the painted body wraps under the bed composite on the sides in the rear. Meaning its crap kicked up from the rear tires leaking back down into the bed. But this is totally on the truck and has zero to do with the cap. Cap is rock solid. Hope this helps a bit.

 

To be clear it’s that little spot in the back I highlighted where the you can see the Super White body fold over the composite bed. Nothing to do with the SmartCap. I get grit and little drips coming through there from time to time.

I think it could be easily blocked with butyl tape or a bead of silicon. Honestly it’s so minor I haven’t bothered yet but may do soon as I am finally getting into the bed seal proper post Moab last month.

Let me know if any other questions.

 

Seen a youtube review on this and RSI got in touch with the guy to rectify some of the issues will post link when I find it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=slwLNjTAVxo

Lot of the same issues and sounds like a good review.

 

I ordered the EVO for my long bed 7 months ago with 1/2 down. Still don't have the cap and RSI will not give my dealer an ETA. Really???
Rethinking and possibly cancelling my order since they really don't care about their customers.

 

I just found a dealer in Denver, CO with the smart caps in stock... but then I came across these new caps by GAIA Campers and they do have caps for the Tacoma. They are welded stainless steel, not bolt together which I like. It has an opening top lid as well which could be pretty nice in certain circumstances.

 

Loooong time lurker, first time poster. Great shout out on GAIA caps, I hadn't seen those before and have been debating brand for some time.

FWIW, I sent GAIA the following email and will report back. If I had to ask it over again, I would have added some items below:

---sent

Hello,

I came across your caps in the Tacoma World thread below and have some questions. You might wish to post info there or start your own thread (naturally with a free cap to yours truly for the great idea, huh, huh?).

1. Some pictures have outside hinges on windows or side panels, meaning a bad guy can simply unscrew the window hinges and crow bar his way into the cap. Other pics don't show hinges. What is available now?
2. Does GAIA offer a Positive Pressure Air Vent or similar (e.g. RSI Smart Cap)? Given your design, is this needed?
3. Do the locks or latches have any issues in cold weather?
4. Any paint issues, e.g. RLD is getting a bad rap now.
5. Do the windows have gas struts?
6. Can one be inside the cap and secure the windows? Be locked inside by someone outside?
7. Will you be at Overland Expo east next month?

----questions for next time

What about a mosquito net for the top so one can open it up at night?

How much does it weigh?

How tall is it? Is it flush with the Tacoma Gen 3 cab or slightly higher like the RSI?

Is there a sliding window option to access the truck?

 

For those interested in the GAIA camper aspect of this thread by noahv, below is the follow-up to several emails with customer service. Overall I found GAIA to be responsive, and they offer a unique design with the pop up (as far as I can tell anyway).

Q: What about a mosquito net for the top so one can open it up at night? Even if it only unrolls flat across the top, a great idea for one to vent the top and have a similar (great design btw on the sides) screen.

GAIA: yes this is being worked on currently and we hope to launch these options in early 2023.


Q: How much does it weigh?

GAIA: It depends on the model truck. Naturally, larger trucks, longer beds equal heavier caps and campers. We are working on collecting specific data per model and that will be added to the website. The caps for a 5ft short bed that you are inquiring about, are in the range of 160-185lbs similar to most other stainless steel caps and even most fiberglass toppers if I am not mistaken.


Q: How tall is it? Is it flush with the Tacoma Gen 3 cab or slightly higher like the RSI? Always important for those that want to put a rack on top, and have to account for the shark fin radio antenna, etc.

GAIA: Most stainless steel caps on the market are slightly taller than or equal height to the high point of the truck cab dome high point. But, not usually higher than the antenna. Most fiberglass toppers tend to be slightly lower, more similar in height to the rear part of the cab roof where the 3rd brake light is. Regardless of the exact cap height, the rack you choose will have more to do with clearing the antenna (assuming it projects forward over the cab, as in the case of a platform style rack). In the case of typical crossbars that you can bolt into the provided t-slot tracks, you typically will have leg height spacers available from the rack manufacturer to allow you dial in your total height and make the item on your roof rack "clear" your cab antenna if that item projects forward (such as kayak or plywood on the rack etc) Also, on many trucks, the antenna itself can be unscrewed and a "stubby" antenna can be put in its place to reduce its height. I understand that is not the case with the Tacoma, just pointing this out since it applies to many other truck models. The overall height of the GAIA cap is approximately equal to the cab dome high point, and slightly higher than the rear roof area. We will provide more specific dimensional data on the specific truck models as it becomes available in the near future, and add that to the website. We should have some Tacoma specific photos of the cap on the site sometime next week as well.


Q: Will there be a sliding window option to access the truck?

GAIA: This is a possibility for future generations of the cap, but I cannot say exactly when this will be available.


Q: What is the lead time? How long, and how much does it cost, to ship to Raleigh NC?

GAIA: There are multiple production runs in progress as well as containers of caps and campers in transit. Based on projected ocean freight arrival dates we project the first units will begin shipping by the end of October. However, we cannot promise a set lead time due to ocean freight variability, customs, usa truck and train availability etc. Additionally, it depends on when you purchase because orders will be filled on a rolling 1st ordered, 1st fulfilled basis. That all being said, I would estimate that if you ordered your cap in the next week, your cap would ship around the end of october to middle of november. However, if delays which are out of our control do happen, it could delay the cap being sent to you. Thanks for your patience and understanding. The current price for the 3rd Gen Tacoma Shortbed Cap is $4299 but that is temporarily reduced for introductory pricing to $3999. We also currently have flat rate shipping on truck caps of $400. However, these rates are subject to change (up and down) as truck freight continues to be volatile.


Q: Can this be installed by a rookie? Perhaps include an installation video online?

GAIA: Yes, they are very easy to install. No complicated , time consuming assembly is required as is with so-called "modular" caps. The cap is fully welded at the factory, so you will just need to drop it on the truck and bolt the clamps into the side tracks. We are working on more comprehensive English instructions and videos and those will be made available as soon as they are complete. At a minimum, we expect to ship the cap with a set of paper instructions.

----
Subject: Re: New customer message on September 7, 2022 at 10:56 am


From: GAIA Campers USA <info@gaiacampersusa.com>

Thank you for your inquiry. Please see responses below inline with your questions. We are also actively adding to the FAQ section of the GAIA Campers USA website and we will try to add some of these questions there in the near future as well.


Q: Some pictures have outside hinges on windows or side panels, meaning a bad guy can simply unscrew the window hinges and crow bar his way into the cap. Other pics don't show hinges. What is available now?

GAIA: GAIA is continually improving the products. Therefore, yes you may see various small changes to details on different photos taken over time. We will verify your hinge question and get back to you. In our experience, there is not really much concern either way, because attempting to unscrew a bolt from the outside would result in the nut turning on the inside and therefore still no good way to remove the bolt or hinge. GAIA stainless steel caps are a step up in security over fiberglass toppers, and also provide you with significantly more room for gear and cargo that you want to secure versus bed covers.


Q: Does GAIA offer a Positive Pressure Air Vent or similar (e.g. RSI Smart Cap)? Given your design, is this needed?

GAIA: We have found that this is not needed, nor is it widely used by most truck cap owners. In many countries without "dirt highways" you are driving slowly on a "trail" and not creating enough air speed for a positive pressure vent to make much positive pressure inside the cap (thus just letting in more dust, if the cap utilizes a physical "door" on the top of the cap) or you are driving at high speed, but on a paved highway, and there is no use for the vent since there is no dust. We have also found on some designs that utilize a passive type vent, the vent and/or its seals tend to fail over time letting in significant amounts of water especially when you are in a car wash or driving in a downpour. For all these reasons, no, at this time, we do not utilize a positive pressure door or vent.


Q: Do the locks or latches have any issues in cold weather?

GAIA: We have not observed any issues with cold weather. Most compression trigger style latches are very similar in construction and function, and therefore widely used among truck cap manufacturers throughout the world. They work well for metal panel construction, and for creating proper compression forces to pull the door in tight.


Q: Any paint issues, e.g. RLD is getting a bad rap now.

GAIA: There have been no issues with paint. Proper coating procedures and techniques are important to a quality product such as GAIA truck caps and campers.


Q: Do the windows have gas struts?

GAIA: I am unsure of exactly what you are asking. The front and rear safety glass are fixed panes at this time, not operable windows. We have found that this design is more durable over time, and that most customers have no real functional need for an operable/sliding window in these locations. The rear door on the cap of course has gas struts and lifts. Both windows are protected on the inside with removable security bars. This feature helps protect your cargo from theft, but also helps protect the windows from your cargo shifting into the glass during loading or while driving. The bars can be removed if you do not wish to utilize them.

Q: Can one be inside the cap and secure the windows? Be locked inside?

GAIA: By "windows" are you referring to the operable doors on the sides and the rear? You cannot be locked inside, you simply can remove one screw on the backside of this style latch and then you can push the latch out the mounting hole. However, no, this style latch is not "operable" from the inside, which is common among all products using this type of latch which includes most all truck caps on the market. If you are getting inside and closing the doors down, you would just leave the latches in the open position.

Q: Will you be at Overland Expo east next month?

GAIA: Unfortunately, the timing of the expo is not possible for us this year. We expect to be at future overland expos and events throughout the country in 2023. We will have more information, photos, and content coming in the near future, especially for the Toyota Tacoma.