Problems with our RSI SmartCap! 

You guys are undoubtedly some of the nicest folks on social media. Don't know that I could've remained so calm in dealing with the SmartCap issues that you did.

I just wanted to come back and say thanks. I watched your video before buying a one year old used RSI cap. I looked, no gaskets out of place, yet, when I got home, I had to tighten all the bolts on the front and back seam. Your video saved me from living the same problem. Love the cap still.

Glad you all shared this info. I've had my SmartCap for over 2 years (30k miles) on my Ford Ranger and it has been stellar, no real issues. However, I haven't had my truck on such demanding trips, just the occasional wheeling adventure. Makes sense that bolts should be checked periodically like most aftermarket bolt on equipment.

I was going to buy one of these because I love the versatility and we've been following the channel closely, but having second thoughts now. Thanks for putting this out there!

Thank You for making this video and Thank You for providing the updates on how RSI has rectified some of the issues along the way. I’m still on the fence about getting one, but this video is extremely helpful.

Thank you! I have one of these toppers in my build plan. I really appreciate your sharing the maintenance requirements.

Bless your heart! I hate having to redo something! Takes all the fun out especially when it’s hot outside

thank you so much for taking the time to post this. I really appreciate it as it has simplified decision making for me. I could never have done what you have done to restore the functionality of the smartcap...back to ARB it is then...cheers from Australia.

Agree with others about using locking nuts and maybe star washers, especially considering how much torsion is being applied during your adventures. Thanks for sharing your experience!

Thanks to share your experience with RSI, useful to take a proper decision about my next hardtop

Great video. I've had my EVO for 2 months and love it. I will add this to my maintenance list to periodically tighten the bolts.

Looks like normal double sided window sealant, that you can buy from Lowe's. I can't see myself do this every 5-10 thousand miles as a check up. Great video, keep posting!

Thanks for the heads up. Always sorta figured the seals could be a weak point. Put this on my annual punch list.

Just put mine on a week ago. Good information to check for maintenance, thank you! I will say I was surprised they wanted all bolts torqued to the 4-4.4 ft/lbs range. I had to go ahead and raise that a little bit to have confidence in it personally.

When I got my Alu-Cab installed I was advised to periodically check and retighten the hold down bolts. All the off-road travel can certainly loosen up the fasteners.

I initially ordered an RSI Smartcap, it didn't come in for a year so i got mymoney back and ordered a fiberglass cap, it fits well and looks good - so far no complaints.

Yeah I’ve watched this channel and another channel that said they are having issues with them and they need on a regular maintenance. I’m bummed out. I really like the slide inside window. I’ve decided to go with the Alu Cap Explorer

Thank you so much for this video. I loved our rsi smartcap so fae on my 20 taco. I'm goingo to retorque thoss bolts now. It's been 6 months

I use aircraft fasteners when I want to ensure something doesn't come loose. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Good info. Im running the RLD cap. It seems to have some paint issues with the northern ohio salt in the winters. Also, the RLD locks tend to freeze up in the winter. Constant lubrication helps but darn. All the caps have one thing or another to watch apparently.

Thanks for the info, I’ll be checking those fasteners tomorrow

I just purchased and installed a Smartcap Adventure. They are now supplied with locknuts. The assembly and installation was very easy! Although I haven’t used it expect for about 500 miles under highway conditions, I am very impressed with the quality!!

Thank you for sharing this! Something for me to keep an eye on with mine.. appreciate it 😊

Huge thanks for sharing these details!

I had know idea and yes I have a Smart cap on my Gladiator and will go out and tighten all nuts on my unit....Thank you

I installed AluCab canopy on my wife's gladiator and it had warning stickers all over the place "retorque hardware frequently"

We just installed an ARE overland camper shell on the Tacoma and are excited to see how it performs.

This video is great. Definitely get the lock nuts or washers. Thanks dude

Great looking modular top. Looks to me like you could use some silicone during assembly and blue lock tight.

Very fair and informative video. Unless we're talking about a hammer, everyone's product breaks or fails at some point. How the company handles these situations is what matters. RSI seems like they care.

For the price RSI gets for their canopies, I would expect a lot better. Their response seemed somewhat reasonable but goven the design it's nearly impossible to perform the recommended periodic mainten. Also, where I live on southern Arizona, I can totally see those seals lasting two years max before the heat and dryness ruins them.

If you have to redo it again you may want to try some safety wire lock washers. Would be a pain to set correctly but they would keep the bolts from rotating. Looking forward to the rest of your Utah trip. I think our next trip out from NC will follow parts of your route. As a side note, have you considered Big Bend area for a trip?

That sure seems like a lot of money for a lot of user maintenance. I think that topper looks great, hopefully RSI can improve the design enough that maintenance isn't so demanding. Thanks for the video.

I tell everyone alucab. All one piece. Lighter. Lots of accessories. I’ve had mine all over Moab and Colorado. Little to no dust. No water leaks. Love the accessories for it too. No clamps. It bolts to the rail system to help distribute weight.

There is also the RLD topper. Stainless steel and incredibly strong. I believe they are one piece. Pretty sure that is what I will be putting on my truck when it is time to order a topper.

I got a SnugTop on the truck right now and was looking into an RSI Cap. Now I’ll need to reconsider the switch. RSI makes some strong camper shells but for $3k+ and all the add on, I’m scratching my head at RSI’s response.

Thanks for the video. Will be adding some blue Loctite to mine.

Looks like a nylock style nut would be a good solution. If you go the route of Locktite I would use the blue for this as it is easy enough to still remove the bolt/nut assembly without much work.

awesome job! I chose the RSI smart cap just b/c alu-cab and RLD ones look hideous but i do like how theirs is built tho. I'm making sure that I'll be doin maintenance every 3 to 4 months on the rsi smart cap i just got it installed today. and those seal sucks from the box. I can see that those foams are not in line when torquing to right spec. it seems to seep out a little about 2 inches long.

Yikes, I was going to look into buying one of these. Glad I saw this video. Changed my mind with their quality control.

Great video. Thank you for the heads up. After you point out your predicament, it makes sense with this product being shipped in a flat box, and needing assembled, it would require this type of maintenance. Who would have thought at the time of purchase though? Checking bolts on suspensions and drivelines after hard use is essential too. Will the rigors of off road be too much for nyloc nuts? If you don’t plan on changing your configuration could you also use a panel bonding agent?

HEYA just bought a Smart cap in the Philippines and I had it Painted White to match my Ford Ranger Wildtrak, and i found out they didn’t install the gaskets until my first trip with my quick pitch tent and 270 awning installed, im waiting for the gaskets to be shipped to the smart cap representative in Manila OUCH! But they are so awesome and will take everything apart and do it right even though didn’t do the install, I Have many praises for Premium Overland and there crew for helping me out on this. They say no charge they want there product to be right . And thank you for the advise on the maintenance issue good video on this RSI smart cap

I found your post after googling this problem as the exact same thing happened to my cap. I’ve got a Jeep Gladiator with the EVOa cap and after wheeling through Moab the exact same seal as yours came apart. I’m super irritated by this as it is a tonne of work to pull the cap off and fix the seal, not to mention I can’t even get a replacement seal without dealing with their customer service; it isn’t an option to just order online. For what they charge for these caps they should come with longer screw assemblies and lock washers…we’re talking about a $1 worth of hardware.

Thanks for making this video, looks like real world issues that rarely get aired on RU-vid. I was considering an Alu-Cab just because it's one piece. Seems to me inherent in a multi-piece system that it will need maintenance throughout it's life. Don't really want to deal with that. My old Snug-Top had issues, but not like this.

Haha, your cleaning helper seems to think you should be paying them more attention, lol!! 🤣🤣 And tell Deb for me, us left handlers are the only ones in our right minds. Glad you were able to get it fixed up. That's one seriously beefy top. Quite an interesting piece of kit, but that's what we make checklists for 🤣 I wouldn't know what to do without my checklists.

Would make sense to use blue I would think and or some nylon bolts. Still a nice functional cap. I like my jl though 😀

You guys should buy the alu cab contour canopy or a Gaia cap or a RLD canopy.

For what we pay for it up here in Canada you would have to be insane to get one. With any cap, box stiffeners are a great idea.

As far as the dust goes, we have an issue with our tonneau cover. I've found fine dust is getting blown in through the drain holes at the front of the bed. The water is sealed out so I couldn't figure it out I recorded in the bed going down a dirt road and it was blowing in from below.

Well, I think that since RSI did not provide those instructions of "Periodic Maintenance" they should have paid the labor to the shop you had professionally install your cap. With that said I use blue thread locker, locknuts or lock washers on everything on my jeep.

no specific experience with RSi but in general my expletive with similar says assemble - torque - run for a few miles - re torque with blue loctite or nylock nuts i would be real surprised if it would need to be tightened again unless the foam was failing i intend to order an RSi cap and will def use your insights to avoid e similar trouble!

Thank you for your purchase of our product! We understand you have had some “issues”. Well, we would like to let you know this is YOUR FAULT. Our design, build and parts are shit, but it was your responsibility to do maintenance. Yes, we know we hide these maintenance instructions from you, but it is your responsibility to look for these even know you did not know they exist. We know that other products have seals and do not come apart like this, but our product is a high end product with a high end price. You should know not to treat it to rough. So, with that in mind we wanted to thank you for your business and remind you once again this is your fault. Thank!!

I was concerned about something like this happening when I saw this originally, still interested in one of these considering the alternative is a leer or ARE product that doesn’t have the modularity these do (imo) I’ve had to tighten down the clamps for my tonneau cover twice in the past year.

I just ordered this cap but in the commericial series. Hopefully the dealer installs it correctly. Im going to call them and ask them to use bkue lock tight. the install is 250 so ill see if they can add it for me. Thanks for the info and heads up.🎉

What I want is a low profile roof top rack with removable sides and ends. This way you can go wide open for summer trips and then seal it up for winter or when just parked to secure items in tue bed

Good info Sir Cab looks good but too much maintenance and this cab is pretty pricey I will pass on this. Thanks for sharing 👍 Awesome Gladiator 👌

I'd try nylon locking nuts. If that didn't work, maybe serrated flange nuts and bolts, also called whiz nuts and bolts. They might or probably will gall the stainless steel though, but they won't move.

I was about to buy this but I will give another thought

Great information. Could you use lock nuts or is that some kind of special nutsert?

Thanks for this video.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Very informative. Did you assemble the topper initially when you bought it or was it assembled by a dealership?

Several of the videos on these will discuss the fixes for these issues on installation. A friend who has one, put his together and utilized marine grade liquid gasket and utilized locktite on bolts. He has had zero issues in the past year. Just possible work around ideas.

thank you for sharing this, i've been looking for a top but i don't want to do any "maintenance" How many miles do you think you had on it before the seals started working loose? Also, what about lock washers or lock nuts? would that help at all?

For the price this should not be a problem. Definitely glad I saw this video.

Surely blue Loctite wouldnt hurt them. I want either this or an rld to replace my softopper.

That looks like a pain in the rear, I’m definitely not going to run this set up, I feel like these smart caps are relatively new and this is a major flaw. 4-5k for a cap that leaks or requires periodically maintenance sounds like a rip off. Now your gunna be looking very closely for water drops every time it rains or every car wash.

Great heads-up video. Sounds more like the RSI Not-So-Smart Cap!

Would it make sense to use a Sikkaflex bonding combined with self securing nuts instead of the this foam seal? Surely this would also improve the structural integrity of the whole hardtop?

Here is a thought: take the cap off and remove all of the sealant, then have an expert welder weld all of the seams, no more leaks! Then repaint or recoat the metal..

Thanks!

About to go through the same process. How did you pull off just part of the shell without a lift?

If you're not gonna take it on and off regularly I'd use red loctite on the bolts that hold the seals, if I need to do maintenance or remove regular, I'd use blue and locking nuts and lock washers just to be safe. They should have came with those at a minimum.

If they have lock washer how do the bolts come lose ?

Well you just helped me make up my mind, not getting it. If the fact that it comes in pieces is just a shipping convenience why don't they make it so that assembly is more secure and/or permanent? If you plan on keeping the darn thing permanently why not use permanent attachments and sealer? My suggestions would solve those issues and make life easier for everyone, you are welcome. 😉. I'm back, I'll look around a bit more and if I don't find something compatible for the price I may just go ahead and get it and follow my own advice about making the connections better than manufacturer standards. thnx again.

You have more patience than I would have had with them.

I have an RSI Smartcap too and I'm noticing something similar but no where near as bad. How long have you had yours?

That's interesting.. They use a foam strip when there are synthetic rubbers that would last way longer...I guess RSI has never heard of Loctite!

Mine is just fine. you do have to pot the rubber strips in properly

Did you ever consider using black SikaFlex over the foam seals? I just assembled mine and looking at the seals, I don't have much confidence in them working well.

I was thinking of purchasing an overland vehicle systems Expedition truck cap for my 2019 Tacoma 5ft. bed. Is it similar to the RSI SmartCap? Have you any opinion on it either way?

Well I hope the fix this problem.

Almost bought one for my tacoma....so glad i didnt....wish you luck.✌

Would defo build mine myself, do they not even come with locknuts?

I don’t like that Smart Cap didn’t step up! Kind of a deal killer for me! I was close to laying out the cash for one until this. When you pay a super premium for a product, you deserve premium backup on that product. Thanks for the video! 🇺🇸

too much money to have this issue, and from all the video s that I've watched so far seems like the company doesn't really care after sales. going to look for other alternative. thanks for putting up this video and let everyone aware.

They dont want you to use thread locker? Then may I suggest nyloc nuts. Unlikely to vibrate loose.

Thank you for this video! I’m looking at a used one right now and after this video I unless I can get it for a lot less then what they are asking I will pass. My .02, they made these joints the Achilles of the whole system! You can see how much the pieces are flexing. These panels should be joining with overlapping J channels. I see the distorted flange at the fastening location in the video. I can’t believe they have the sections joined with open cell foam and then expect the customer to suck it up when it leaks. As an automotive designer this is a fail. At the very least with THIS cheap design there should be a thick silicone gasket like you would find on a valve cover gasket and like on a valve cover gasket that sees daily expansion and contraction there should be fasteners that limit the compression of the gasket and the fasteners should be placed every 100mm (approximately 4”) and definitely should be using blue locktight ,because this will need attention in the future, and a nylock nut. I would most definitely pull that foam seal out and make a wide, 1/8” thick bead with RTV gasket maker and let it fully cure on one side and then fasten like I mentioned above.

Can’t tell from the video but you may be able to double nut the bolt. Split lock washers are not the best, stars are ok, and with a gasket not sure a nord lock would work.

I have a question. it looks like your bed cap is warping due to the weight of the smartcap and possibly from clamping. I've heard in JT forums that majority or if not all of rsi smart cap owners are seeing warped bed cap. think it's pure aesthetic/cosmetic problem? if so, i wouldnt worry at all.

Man that sucks. Wait and buy the Alu Cab Contour Canopy that is coming out

The dealer should have resealed it and assumed all the labor. Kinda shitty customer service it would appear to me. Thanks for pointing this stuff out.

I would just black silicone the ends on and call it good. I think the gasket is going to come out again because there are not enough bolts to hold it in place.

Locktite and silicone during assembly

Thanks for the video. I'm glad you got it squared away, but I just don't understand, bolts come loose, they move around with as much off roading as is done with your rig. Checking tightness should be on the regular maintenance schedule. I mean when you can finger spin the bolts in the hole, they are waaaaaay loose. Even suspension shops want you to come back after 500 miles to inspect and tight the suspension, Not sure why this would be any different. And i don't think loctite, even blue, is the answer. Maybe a star washer, but even then. After an oil change, run a torque wrench over the cab and your done in less than 10 minutes. Not that big of a deal.

Any rust issues at all?

thanks for this-what water tank is that? thx

Your problem is exactly why I prefer to assemble my own stuff. I would blue LocTite everything. And if they dont supply nylon lock nuts, which they should, I would supply my own.

I looked at the RSI SmartCap for my Colorado. I ended up getting a RLD Designs canopy. Although one piece, it was and has not been without its issues as well. Neither one of these canopies is cheap! I don't know, I think I would have think hard about some Loctite.

Thanks for the video. I dont think I have time tor Periodic maintenance. Needs a better solution as maintenance on the vehicle alone is alot, now this is extra step? I am reconsidering. Any other campershell you recommend looking into?

I can get mad easily and jump off the deep end. I would have taken the seals out and mig welded it back together like it should have been built.