RLD Design Stainless Steel Truck Cap/Canopy

Happy to answer any questions anyone has if they are debating purchasing one of these new or used!

TLDR: Great secure, durable cap. Satisfying locking mechanisms and overbuilt design.


How:

Been meaning to write a review for this guy ever since I used it for a bit. I purchased back in 2021 as Leer had ghosted me with my deposit since 2020 (understood the supply chain issue, but ghosting me made me look elsewhere).

After gorging my brain with weeks of research on a very sparsly reviewed product (at the time) I decided I would take the gamble. I live in SoCal and called around to Rhino Adventure Gear and they happened to be getting my cap in stock the next week so I pulled the trigger. Rhino Adventure Gear are some solid guys, met the owner and everyone else who works there are stoked to be in the adventure space.


Why:

I chose the RLD because it looked beefy and over built—wanted to buy once, cry once when buying a cap. As I mentioned I initially wanted to go with a built out Leer, but due to my personal experience and stock I started looking into some caps built out of South Africa. I figured they had everything dialed because they are used more often over there. I lived out there for around 8 months and always loved all the Defenders and different rigs on the road.

The cap was intended to be used for daily use to protect anything I put back there and also as a weekend camping set up. I am 5’10 so I can fit in my short bed sideways if I could get over the bed’s wheel well.

The stainless steel design really intrigued me as I would be able to use magnets on the interior for miscellaneous things and exterior use at camping sites.


Use:

My truck is my daily driver so it had to be relatively unobtrusive and reliable. Over these past ~3 years I haven’t had any too huge issues that made me wish I chose another cap. Any complaints I have are typically due to having a cap in general for hauling or dumping things that a cap would get in the way, leading me to get a roof rack for those small occasions.

The locking mechanisms are excellently designed and provide a confident click. Occasionally the key takes some finagling to get in—though this is really only for the side panels that get unlocked/locked less frequently than the back panel. The back panel key holes get used frequently so they work like butter. The interior window to the back of the truck feels strong and seals great. Little to no wiggle and also has a positive click on the locking mechanism. Perfect for when our old pup gets wet and dirty but still wants to be part of the conversation.



I suspect the look of the cap makes people not interested in attempting to break in—I live in a populated downtown area and have had my back window broken into several times but no one has attempted to get into the cap. I also DIY mirror tinted the back to deter any potential break ins, though due to the aforementioned break-ins keeping anything valuables in the back within view overnight is a rarity.

I built a platform that can be folded out of the way easily out of some spare wood I had laying around, not pretty but works the way I need it to. Sleeping in the back worked, its no four seasons but I am camping after all.



As I suspected I love the stainless steel component—I made covers for the front and back of the cap with magnets that easily pop on and off to conceal the inside. Further, being able to mount lights everywhere is great. I ended up buying a cheap battery operated LED strip that perfectly fits in the T-slot roof channels which was a nice surprise. The ability to use magnets are often overlooked in a lot of these caps when comparing fiberglass to stainless steel!




Controversy:

I read some guys had some terrible paint issues with this cap—that really blows for paying so much for this cap. Luckily I have had no problems with my unit whosoever, even when using high pressured water to clean the cap. I have a pinstripe from some branches but I haven’t found any paint chipping.

The only thing that concerned me was a little surface rust on the bolts in some areas due to being shipped overseas but I kept my eyes on them throughout the years and nothing has gotten worse so I am in the clear.

No leaks from the cap as I sealed everything prior to install with butyl sealant tape. The only water intrusion is when I really spray the cracks when washing and even then there are only little drips. I have noticed condensation is an “issue” meaning sometimes in the mornings there are some drips inside, but nothing too problematic and I suspect this is something that happens to all caps.


Conclusion:

I would buy one again based on my experience and utility that I have had over the years. Though from my understanding these aren’t being sold around here anymore, might be due to the paint issues they were having.

I am debating selling it and replacing it with a tonneau as my life requirements have changed—or I may just take it off and store it if things ever change again since I’ve had such a great experience with it.

 

I regret selling my RLD and now they stopped making them I'm always hunting for one on the used market

 

Definitely a fear of mine if I ever try and sell mine!

 

as i understand, there was a bit more to the "controversy" than paint problems. the company seems to have imploded, at least as a going concern in the US, and a number of people with warranty issues were left standing with their dicks in their hands when both the US and SA distributors/manufacturer completely shined them on.

if anyone were to buy one used, they'd better get if for a really great price because they're not going to get parts or service for it, ever.

 

I don't disagree--I just don't have any personal experience with the stated problems. Rhino Adventure Gear did tell me that RLD discontinued selling in the U.S., and RLD's own website confirms this.

 

I bought an RLD cap off facebook for my shortbed. Got it for pretty fair price compared to everything else on the market. I have no issues what so ever with mine. The RLD logo plate is rusting but that's literally just the logo plate. No paint issues, the side windows leak a tad if I pressure wash it, but the inside of my bed and contents stay dry so it doesn't bother me.

It also came with the table holder on top. That thing is kinda flimsy but works fine. I did have to replace the struts though.
I am a satisfied customer probably helps I got it used/discounted.

I wish they were still around and making accessories in the US like RSI.

I was able to get a hold of some RSI NEW latches that you can open from the inside and they fit and work great on the cap so that's a bonus.

I think I just got lucky. My cap was fully loaded with side windows a cabinet the drop down table kit and roof load bars.

 

What did you pay for it? My badges were rusting too. I contacted both the US and S. African guys and got a run around for over 1 1/2 years to get the new badges and eventually, I just gave up but was a pain for quite a while

 

I paid 3K for it about a year ago.

 

Ah--one of my gripes with the RLD I forgot to mention is all the branding. I feel like a billboard for them with the badges on every side PLUS the window etching. I almost immediately I taped off and used plasti dip on the badges to make them less eye catching, then removed excess between the lettering with a tooth pick. If your rust is just on the surface it might be worth taking a wire brush to it and covering it as a preventative measure.

I might have to pick up some RSI latches because opening the cap from the inside would be a huge plus.

 

Definitely worth it compared to the competition

 

Where were you able to find the RSI new latches? I have been unable to find them at all?

 

I think TacoVabes may have a better answer for you, since I have an RLD cap.

But--I have seen RSI latches pop up for sale when I am searching through Tacoma for sale pages on Offerup/Craigslist/etc. Might be worth reaching out to RSI to see if you can order direct (and under warranty).