After nearly two years of ownership, I deliver my final thoughts on the RSI SmartCap EVO for the Jeep Gladiator. Is it worth it? 00:00 Intro 00:57 Opening Thoughts 03:05 Downsides 04:35 The Verdict
Awesome review man, thanks for spending the time to put this video together, it's one of the best RSI reviews on RU-vid. I ordered my RSI canopy 4 weeks ago for my VW Amarok and should receive it in a couple more weeks, can't wait!!
Appreciate the kind words man! Hopefully they've figured out some of the logistical issues that they used to have and that you get it quickly. I'd be curious to hear your impressions on how it works with the Amarok. I've always loved those trucks!
I think I will purchase one for my 2020 Gladiator Rubicon, I am also function over style but this cap seems to function very well with a great aesthetic. My Gladiator is also Red and seeing how good it looks in this video sold me.
Thanks man! Certainly no regrets. I think it's the best all-around cap out there. The only thing I'd improve are the latches. They're sturdy, and have great action to them, but they suck (get stuck/jammed) in the cold.
Thanks! It's been a minute. Life has been crazy, as usual, and other things have taken priority. Man, that's a long time! It's worth the wait for sure, but I had no idea they were on that long of a delay. Hopefully it arrives soon!
@@dayforit1750 to the US. Most of the delays reported were a combination of port delays, customs as it went through Canada first before it came into the US. Then for me the shop who was doing the work was backed up a month. Had the cap for about two months now and was able to get out before it was too cold.
Be glad you didn’t get the RLD! I have one on my Colorado. Not a bad canopy; however, they really don’t “exist” anymore. So, no more support if something happens.
Oh, dang, that sucks! I thought they were a relatively new company? I had my eye on those as well, but ultimately decided to go with the RSI for various reasons. No regrets!
Good to see you back with new content, looks like you ended up with a fixed solar panel up top? Didn't like the slide version? Really looking hard at caps for mine, but not fitting the truck into the garage with a cap/ikamper combo is still my hangup.
Thanks! I'm hoping to find time for more content soon-ish. I did like it. With the materials I had though, I couldn't get adequate exposure at full extension. Some cells were still shaded, which resulted in minimal output. The fixed solution is far better for what I need. I sat down, went over what I really needed, and realized that that front part of the rack likely would have gone unused anyway. I also didn't really need 200 watts, as the 100 watt single is sufficient for me. I may revisit it in the future to try to make a 100 watt solar slide, but for now I'm good with the fixed option. Similar boat here. My Jeep no longer fits, but I'm personally fine with it living outside until I move and can (hopefully) find a larger garage.
@raheemdaya9055 Thanks! If you're talking about the red/amber marker lights, I have a whole video dedicated to those. Feel free to check that out for the details, and let me know if you have any questions.
I'm not sure I fully understand the question. Are you referring to the roof tracks on the SmartCap? If so, it was hassle free as the hardware simply slides right into the track. The feet of the Frontrunner rack mount to that, and then those feet bolt to the bottom of the Frontrunner rack. I have had no issues adding any components to the rack or the shell since installed. Does that answer your question? If not, let me know.
Please disregard my last message if you saw it. I somehow managed to completely miss the part number that you posted... I added the rack prior to Frontrunner coming out with a specific kit. I ordered the universal canopy tray, sized 1425mm(W) X 1358mm(L), part number RRSTJ07; a set of their RSI-specific track inserts, part number RRAC921; and a set of the 70-80mm feet, part number FASS013. It fits well, and I have had zero issues since install. If I did it again today, I would just fire and forget on the rack kit that you mentioned, since I imagine it is an all-in-one kit.
I've honestly never measured, and I'm currently out of town for a bit so I'm unable to check currently. Based off of what I was able to find online though, the smartcap sides are listed by RSI as 21.65" tall. Add that to whatever the box depth is and it should put you ballpark. A quick search on the forums yielded about 17.5", so I'd estimate around 38"-40". If you need exact, I can try to remember to measure when I get back home next week. My personal head room will be lower due to my bedslide, but I may be able to get a rough measurement from a corner.
Any issues with it leaking. I just saw a video and the guy was showing how all the nuts and bolts came loose and his cab was full of dust and leaked in the rain.
No issues at all. I'll get a little dust around the tailgate if I'm hitting dusty trails at high speed, but that's more the tailgate than it is the cap. I've never had water leakage. His seal is either damaged/not seated properly or he didn't retighten hardware after installation. I retightened after my first 500 miles or so and found a *lot* of loose nuts. Then I did it again after maybe 5,000 miles and found a couple. I checked again a couple of months ago, and they were all still tight, so I don't expect any more issues.
Thanks! I usually float between 15 to 16 mpg. Considering everything that I've added to it, I'm not upset about that at all. I have very relaxed driving habits though, and tend to cruise around 65-68 on the highway, so your mileage may vary.
I've never noticed an excessive amount of heat. It does have a built-in pressure vent up top, and windows on the sides, so maybe that helps. I wouldn't recommend leaving dogs in it while parked for an extended period of time or anything crazy like that, but I've never been concerned about anything back there melting or getting excessively hot where I live in TN.
Thanks man! I recall seeing an official weight listed somewhere, but I don't remember where. I don't see it on their site. I want to say it was around 150ish, depending on the configuration. That seems accurate from what I remember during the install. I was able to get it up on the bed solo like it was a turtle shell, so it's not terrible.
Like I mentioned, the aesthetics definitely are subjective! I know caps aren't for everyone, but I personally love it on the Gladiator (and most trucks, to be honest). I think it gives it more of a rugged look. Regardless, it does add a ton of utility--that fact really isn't up for debate. Whether or not one *needs* that utility should be the deciding factor on whether or not they should run a cap, not just the appearance of it. Unless it's a pavement princess or show truck, consider function over form!
You're welcome to your own opinion, but I think you need to get your head checked. This cap looks epic on the gladiator, suites the lines and rugged look perfectly.
