RLD Design Cap - Ordered!

Same old story here. Mine passed right by Seattle and is now just hanging out off the coast of Cali. Probably just waiting in line to go to port. New ETA is for November 3rd. I ordered last January!

 

This is proof that RLD either needs a US manufacturing plant (unlikely) or a large US warehouse stocked with all the popular SKUs. This kind of delay is just ridiculous.

 

Maybe an ignorant question, but I really am curious. At what point does it become a breach of contract and you can cancel and get your deposit back?

 

WOW!!!! At first it looked great,, pricey but looked good!!?? Then to find out they are not in the US and then to hear about shipping, well it was just a wash out at that point! Sorry some of you folks spend that type of money and do not have your product! Personally I do not care how good they are after reading all this it’s not worth it!!! Hope it all works out for y’all.

 

Wow, I have an aluminum ARE on its 5th Duramax, 2500HD. The cap is over 15 years old. I’m curious as to what makes these foreign tops worth the wait?

 

I’ve been wondering the same thing. With their demand and back orders they’d probably let us walk away and return our money. Might have to get CC involved though.

what would I do instead? Legit question. After all this wait and cost I’m thinking I should have just gone all in for one of the pop up camper variations (GFC, etc.). Of course it’s probably another year out before I get that, so not an ideal situation either.

 

Well... we're stuck I guess.. In the meantime, what are some things we may need to do/order/fix in preparation?

To-do:
-Tailgate seal
-Bed stiffeners/supports

Post-Install:
-Load up my truck with all of my gear and the newly installed camper shell and go to my local truck shop to figure out the leaf springs. Maybe a new pack, or maybe just adding some new leaf springs (leaves?). I already have a squeak from my current leaf springs, but I haven't figured out yet if that means I am fine with more squeaks or if it's something I want to address

Would like to-do:
-Tailgate lock (integrated with key fob)
-Bedrails (I don't have any plans solidified inside yet, but I'm sure these will always be helpful)


Questions:
-The plastic caps on the perimeter/top of the bed - should I do anything with these? This is the primary point of contact where the RLD cap will rest. I think the most important thing it does here is provide a sealing surface. Is there anything I should do to prepare this area? At least one user here sells a 'heavy duty' version of these plastic caps, would there be much value in adding these? The factory provided ones have a bunch of raised areas/ridges. Maybe 1/8" variation in height. Shouldn't mess with the seal, but maybe not ideal?
-What do I need for install? Torque wrench... Anything else? I'll need to wire up the new brake light. That probably has a wire harness, but I'm not sure.
-Don't yell at me, but I still have to figure out how to actually camp in this RLD camper. Specifically I'm talking about how to open/close the shell from the inside. From what I understand that may not be an option, but I haven't dug in too hard yet.
-Long term my plan is to build out the inside for 2-4 week camping trips/living off grid. I have a job that lets me be largely remote, and I want to take advantage of that. I want to build out the back so that it has: basic insulation (maybe just use the magnetic/velcro panels for simplicity), bed system (primarily for 1, but expandable for a guest), auxiliary and waste water (auxiliary = cleaning, washing hands, etc.), drinking water, and all my other gear. I want to take advantage of the RLD strength and use it for some/all of my structural support. Ultimately keeping the floor of my bed clean and somewhat truck-like. Obviously much of this will still have to rest on the floor.
--> Any recommended resources on the above? I've learned a ton from all the vandwelling/cardwelling communities, but the camper shell is it's own unique challenge!
-I want to set up something like an outdoor room. This may ultimately be unreasonable and I will have to just settle for a camper/trailer I pull behind me. I'm imagining something like an annex (but I don't think I want a RTT right now, living in a big city it's already hard enough to park - if I lose parking garage access I'll be toast in some cases). I've considered just getting a pop up shade, and throwing up a couple of sidewalls and a tarp on the floor. I'd rather have something more insulated and purposeful though. I'm in construction and I imagine this as becoming my field office day-to-day.

 

I recommend you order a "Plug-N-Play Brake Light Tap Harness" from Tundras.com user @Puppypunter.

 

Just as an FYI, and now that mine has actually hit dry land, I am going to put mine up for sale. I won’t even install on my truck as I have decided to go a different direction for my set up. Let me know if interested. Brand new.

 

Probably easier to just cancel the order and let the store give it to the next guy in line. BTW, how do you know it hit fry land? Mine still shows to be off the coast of Washington.

 

My updates detail that it has been “discharged from vessel” and container is awaiting pick up by trucking company.

 

While we wait, tell me what your new direction is!! Just curious.
Did you consider cancelling normally? I’d be curious what they would say. Seems like demand is so high it’s no skin off their back to let it go. Did you already pay?

 

None of you must work in the retail industry. Shit is more fucked up than you can even imagine, I have skis for my ski shop having an ETA in January which WAY beyond normal.

 

I think we’ve all been pretty understanding. It’s crazy times.

My initial frustration was that they told me 4 months and then I meet someone on here with the same order who had already been waiting 4 months when I made my order. That’s just intentionally misleading. I got over it though.

 

Same. If you had knowledge of the delay issues (which they did) then just be straight up with me. If you would have told me that it would be almost a year, then at least I would have known and adjusted my timeline accordingly.

As for my new set up, I am moving to an Alu-Cabin.

 

I like your style. You have an ETA?

 

On the Alu-Cabin? No. Not yet. Still working out details.

 

Well, I brought this whole debacle full circle. I walked away from my RLD order, which has now been stuck in the Seattle port for about a month. This has put this craziness to almost a year.

I have now ordered the new Alu-Cabin for my Tundra. Can’t wait to get this thing.

 

Know the lead time on your Ali-cabin yet? I’m seriously considering switching. Mine was just offloaded this week. I’ve asked a couple times for help preparing. Just a simple set of install instructions. I’m wondering if I need to order a brake wire harness? Etc. No response.

Did they give you much hassle on getting your money back??

 

Upon review of their last 15 orders over the past six months, they have all been received in the targeted 90-120 day mark. So fingers crossed.

No hassle at all on my RLD deposit. I’m apparently not the only one recently who has walked. They understood.

 

That’s awesome. You’re doing some great guerrilla marketing for alu-cab whether you mean to or not. Filling out a product inquiry now. Do you mind sharing your final cost?

 

Totally unintentional on any marketing. Just stating updated facts I gathered on a substantial purchase for myself.

I will also say this…. they ain’t cheap! I did figure out that some of their way overpriced options were better sourced locally for me. For example, the stove is a must for me, but I purchased the exact model locally, saving me almost $500! I did purchase the fit kit for the stove though. Other options purchased locally saved me a ton!

 

Just got the order form. *gulp* $13.5k barebones. My ‘dream order’ came out to like $17k and didn’t even include things that I would really like. Yikes!!!

I was jk about the marketing comment. I think I’m gonna go up to my local vendor next week. They have a demo truck.

 

Just got a call from Adventuremobile/RLD USA stating that my canopy has arrived at their facility and will be shipping out to me this week. To recap, it's been just over six months since I ordered it. Hoping to finally have it in around two weeks.

 

Hey, Ellis. Hopefully you have received your RLD by now? If so, you have some feedback or pictures of it? How was the install?

 

Nope. Haven’t even been contacted by the freight company yet.

 

So frustrating. Even though I walked away from my deal, I still have the GPS access to track it. Out of curiosity, I looked today, and mine is still in the port in Seattle. Been there since 11-4-21. But they did change the status today to “ container will be picked up today”. So it was on dry land in the port for about a month. Hang in there.

 

Mine is in Seattle as well, and I want out of the deal… black with white doors, sliding glass window option. Ordered in March, should be here I a few weeks. Who wants it? For a 21 Tundra crewmax short bed of course

 

Canopy is on its way to me by ground freight. Should be here this next week!

 

Very nice! Congrats! Post some pictures when you get it installed.