RSI Smart Cap

So I gave up waiting for load bars that are back ordered and not scheduled to ship until (maybe) September!? I made my own with strut; about $80 in strut and hardware. Rock solid and low profile.

 

Installed one today. Can’t even get close to 9 foot pounds (yes I know how to use a torque wrench...). Broke the first bolt before it torqued. But the clamps seem to tight enough (if I didn’t have a torque spec) but the bulb seal hasn’t compressed much.

 

Congrats on the new lid. I’m loving mine. I recall torquing clamps to 108 inch pounds and it felt just right. I’ve also loosened and shifted the cap towards the rear about 15 mm and re-clamped after a discussion with a senior engineer at SmartCap. If you would like his name for a consult, he has been fabulous.

 

Curious to know why you moved it back; do you have pictures of the coverage on the bed by the cab and on the tailgate?

 

Yes, can send this evening. Two reasons — at first I thought it would be best to have max load on the front bed wall and the metal cap frame right up against my interior bed wall. However, moving 1/2” back is better for water control in area of tailgate per RSI engineer, and you get added bonus of cleaning windows between cab and cap easier!!

 

Cool—I think that’s where mine is already. I’ll send you my gaps as well

 

Here are pics in case helpful. I was in a monsoon yesterday for 45 minutes. Only
Leak is coming from slight gaps where the D rubber i installed on cap does quite reach the rubber on the rear window corners. Lesson learned to add inch to each side. RSI sending me a replacement D seal for the window with extra length. How cool is that! It didn’t help that I had cap fully forward the first time clamped in place.

 

That must cover your tailgate better too?

 

Really considering the commercial version for my white tundra. I wonder if the paint would look the same or if it would clash?

Would love to save the money. What’s the downside? The expanded mesh on the rear window? No windows on the side? Their website doesn’t really give a breakdown between the options. I’ll try and talk to someone at the company.

 

I've been considering the same for my white tundra. I wish they would color match the Evo Sport version, you would think they could just swap the panels from the commercial version. I think the only differences that I could find are the sliding front window and the side glass doors. I kind of like the security of the commercial version, plus I don't really plan on sleeping in the bed so the side windows don't really bother me.

 

And if you did want to sleep in the bed, I have a feeling you could very easily leave the gullwings every so slightly cracked with the help of a bungee cord.

 

They need to offer the other RSI versions in BLACK. The sport version has too damn much glass to get dirty and scratched. I just want solid side panels.

 

Hey All - I just purchased a commercial RSI Smartcap. I had the topper dealer build it and then tear it down for painting since they only come in white. They had me swing by for a test fit before paint. Lengthwise it fits perfectly but side to side it seems short to me. There is roughly 1 inch of bed rail showing on each side and inside the cap rim doesn't fit flush with both bed rails at the same time. I noticed on the topper in the recessed area for the rear door/window is a stamp that says "c F150". My invoice shows the right model having been ordered "EC1301-WH". Thoughts? Can those of you with one post a good pic of your inside and outside bedrails for me please? Also check this stamp for me. When the rear window is up mine is stamped in the top-left section of the recess with "c F150". Much appreciate any assistance. I want to know before it gets painted and I'm stuck with it.

 

OK, so we've done the measure and compare factory specs. Regardless of what my topper is stamped with it is the same dimensions as the one it should be. The paint and body shop has it all set up to start on it tomorrow. I was thinking like @Ellis_McPickle that I wanted solid side doors. I did call RSI and they said the commercial cap will be offered in black eventually, but no timeline. Mine will be color matched to the truck. I'll add the scratches myself later I'll post up full pics once it is finished and mounted. I'm just getting started on this build but have owned the truck since new.

 

I’m really interested in getting the RSI Evo cap and wondering if the side track rails have to be removed for cap install? Apologies if already answered couldn’t find in thread. Thanks!

 

For the Tundra, yes they do. Both side rails come off, but not the rear. RSI is working on a solution that utilizes the track rails (like the Tacoma) and I understand we’ll be able to put the rails back on and reclamp at that time. That said, I’m not sure I’d use those tie downs much. I installed some M6 Eye Bolts in the residual rail screw holes, and M8 in the ceiling so I’ve good lots of anchors, not to mention magnet applications.

 

Thanks for response RogueAngler! Yah, I’ve rarely used those side rail tie downs and with the shell would probably not need at all but good RSI is looking at a solution to use rails. Cool idea about m6 and m8 bolts. You happy with your RSI so far? Cheers!

 

i got the aftermarket clamps and used the factory rails. Seems to work fine.

 

Hey there ScenicRoute where did you pick up aftermarket clamps for RSI shell to connect to factory rails?

 

Someone suggested some from Amazon after I started a thread here about missing bed liner behind the factory rails. The RSI clamps are nothing special, just oversized deep throat clamps with crappy strength bolts.

 

ScenicRoute — Sorry for my confusion, but did you find clamps the are compatible with the Tundra bed rail tracks and the RSI SmartCap? If so would appreciate direct link.

Hick23 - yes, very happy so far. Just slept in there last two night on fishing trip. Loving the full wing window access to bed, and the magnetism. Found great rechargeable lithium battery lights on Amazon with 4 brightness settings that work great. Will minimize wiring needs no question. My one complaint is that the SmartCap attracts pollen — wholly smokes!!

 

I just used ones from Amazon for the tundra rails. They seem to work fine. I just deviated from the point about the RSI factory one…they’re nothing special. You aren’t restricted to using just them.

$35 AA-Racks P-AC-04N Utility Track System Mounting Clamp for Toyota Tacoma/Tundra Truck Cap/Camper Shell, Set of 4 - Black

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B07GZCYJ6T?ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

p-ac-04n is the part I used.

 

RogueAngler, Thanks for the real world experience of your Smartcap. I found the clamps on Amazon for around $40 for 6 of them. According to reviews they fit in our track system but with Amazon can always send back if they don’t. Oh man, here in the NorCal hills the pine pollen is going nuts right now!

 

Hey there, which load bars are you using with your smart cap? I’ve read it only takes rsi components but hoping I can use my current load bars/accessories. Nice setup, btw!

 

I have the RSI SmartCap load bars and they are quite solid. Easy install. However, I’m under impression that you can go with a number of racks and load bars with mounting hardware and I think Front Runner is compatible but not certain. I’m putting an UpTop Overland Alpha rack on my truck cab so wanted simplicity on the SmartCap.

 

Thanks for the info. I’m excited about getting mine. Back ordered until June but that’s just around the corner Looking forward to seeing your cab rack when finished. It’s awesome having this forum to straighten out the learning curve!

 

Agreed. My rock sliders finally get here on Thursday after a 15 week frustrating wait. Can’t wait to get them on. And tackling a little electrical work in early June!

 

Higher dynamic weight capacity than leer or are?

 

I think it’s 770 static and something like 350 dynamic. No contest. I believe the ARE HD version gets close. Don’t quote me on this numbers but should be on RSI’s website.

 

While I’m plugged in, here’s a little carpentry that I did yesterday. Simple but effective. Protects my air mattress during the day, a provided sitting platform, while designed so that two Rubbermaid containers fit beside it and two fit on it side by side secured by the lips (and perhaps a bungee). Pretty cool for an ex-banker!