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

I looked at all three and went with RLD. I like that it's a single steel piece, is only 20 lbs. or so heavier than the alucab, and prefer the aesthetics to either RSI or ALU. This was painted by a local shop. After sealing the notorious two little gaps in the front of the truck bed, no leaks so far.

 

Not going to lie that looks pretty darn awesome!

 

I got the RLD bed cap put on this week. I like the strength and durability of metal over fiberglass, and I dont mind the more rigid lines.

I liked all three of these caps so it was a difficult choice. Alu-Cab seems to have good options for adding cabinets, lights, and other conveniences, and the RSI looks great (IMO) and also has multiple upgrades options as well. Ultimately I chose RLD. I value how solid it is, the windoors are huge, and I like the look. It's bent and pressed out of three steel sheets and I believe it has the highest dynamic load strength. I added some bed stiffeners (total chaos) to keep things solid in the back.

I went to the Rhino Adventure Gear shop in San Diego to get it installed. Great shop, good service, and I'm happy with their work.

Next, it's prob time to upgrade the front and rear suspension to better accommodate

 

I am such a fan of the sheetmetal bump bend, the RLD just has the design aesthetics I appreciate - being a machine shop/fab shop type of person...

The Smart Caps are awesome too, but I like how the RLD matches the angle of the cab. Now just give me the option to order in aluminum...20 lbs, that's almost 3 gallons of water I can haul into GSENM and continue with those fantastic slot canyons.

I'll just make do with my Softopper for now.

 

My RLD lasted about 2 weeks before the paint cracked and started falling off. Working with them to get it fixed.

 

oh shit. that's not good. it was my impression that powder coating went over bare metal, but i could be wrong. i don't know that i've ever seen powder coating flake like that.

 

Has any tried using the alu-can ammo can slide with the rsi smart cap? Wondering if it might be compatible.

 

It's been almost 4 months since I got my Alu-Cab. It's slowly growing on me. I mean, there is a cost to replacing it with a different canopy. The latches still suck, but the new waterproof dust covers are pretty good at preventing the keyholes from completely icing over, and also from off-road dust. The one other complaint is the lack of the positive pressure vent like the RSI SmartCap means that if you're off-roading on sand, everything in the truck bed gets dust and sand on it. There's a post somewhere on this forum by someone who hacked together their own positive-pressure vent for the Alu-Cab. I might eventually try that.

I'm really liking the nut slot system even though I haven't made significant use of it. Mostly have used it to hook bungees or put a clothesline to dry a towel or wet socks from hiking.

I still haven't found a good solution to sleeping in the canopy, especially given the security concern of someone being able to lock you inside. One possibility is to lock the latches with the gullwings open so the gullwings will never shut completely. Good to get some air flow, but can get very cold in the winter unless you have a good sleeping bag.

I've seen a few RSI SmartCaps driving around and they're definitely an eye-grabber in terms of their look.

 

Been camper shopping and think I’m gonna get a RLD because I don’t want any glass. RSI looks the best but has the worst lead time at the moment (6 months), while Alu cab and RLD are currently at 2-3 months

 

Depending on where you live, you might find an Alu-Cab without a lead time (although I figure you're not looking for that):
https://dasmule.com/search?type=page,product&q=explorer* -- they're in Oregon / Washington and seem to have them in stock

 

I contacted the 2 Texas Alu cab dealers and OK4wd.
Dasmule site says no shipping. Thanks for the heads up tho.

Looked into a Leer 100RCC also but it’s $3800 and 2 month wait

 

Oh I should've figured from your handle that you're in Texas. Yeah, Das Mule doesn't ship.

 

You can get a new RLD in 2-3 months?!?! WTF!!!!! My paint has been falling off since January but they act like they are too busy to respond to emails. It took over three months to get them to agree to replace it. I've been waiting 6 weeks for more info.

My truck looks like garbage. This is so frustrating. I really wish I bought something different.

 

RLD weight reduction

 

Washed the truck today. More paint coming off the RLD. The paint is now cracked along the top of the shell.

 

Hey Beetle,

Just curious, why did you repaint the new shell? Something wrong with the factory paint?.... asking for a friend.

 

I would assume they wanted it paint matched to the truck. The RLD caps usually come in just 3 colors unless you special order it. Sometimes it's just easier to order a black or white one and then have it painted to the color of your truck.

 

RLD offers color matching for $725. It was cheaper in the past. When the paint fell off of mine I got a quote for 1500 to repaint the shell without the doors. This included me having to disassemble and reassemble which I was ok with.

It is 100% not more cost effective to order it in the wrong color and repaint.

Much more likely his paint fell off like mine.

 

8 month review of my RLD.

 

Are there any other issues other than the paint?

I'm sorry for what you're going through regarding their non-responsiveness. That would be a red flag for me as a customer.