RSI vs RLD vs Alu-Cab guys. Please weigh in on your experiences

I went with an RSI EVOa for my access cab long bed. A buddy has a GFC on his 3rd gen, and it's awesome, but also more expensive. Not having to drive to Montana was a big deciding factor in favor something besides GFC, although they make a great product. I was also looking at having an aluminum topper built by a local installer, but it would have been the same price as the RSI, which they also distribute, and it was only 3-5 days to get one.

That being said, I like the design. I like that it's steel. I love how much weight it can support, and the integrated rails. I like the slider window. I don't like the latches- they always fill with water- but this seems to be a common problem. I'm just going to stay on top of them with Tri-Flow. A square nut from one of the roof rack rails was missing, but RSI did send me a new one And I just had issues with the aluminum clamps- I posted in the 2nd Gen thread already, before seeing this thread. Long story short:

On a recent trip, the topper slid back a couple of inches every day on the bed rails. We were able to move it forward, shim it with some cut coolant hose and clamp it down (broke 2 bolts) every morning, but I wasn't excited about it, especially after spending a bunch of money on the topper.

In my humble opinion, the clamps that came from RSI are garbage, I'm just wondering if anyone else has experienced this as well? It's really too bad.

I have new steel camming clamps from ARE, and ordered some bed rails from KB Voodoo Fabrication, and I'm going to replace all of the weatherstripping as well. Am I missing anything? Starting to have a some buyer's remorse after taking a closer look at my buddy's GFC, especially after they announced all of their new CA locations/partners.

 

New video on the alucab contour (2 weeks old).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3lQbj2ehLY&ab_channel=Bustabeatgeorge

not sure if im a fan of the vertical portion near the cab, looks like a bigger gap than the rsi and gfc. maybe this helps with the positive pressure vent?

the lip on the rear window looks like it wouldnt work well with a mountain bike tailgate pad.

i am a fan of the window by the cab being able to open.

it comes with lights inside already? thats nice

 

I've had good experience with my RLD cap. It is made of stainless steel, which is great for strength, but makes it on the heavy side. My cap is sitting on a Tacoma 6' bed, so it has two hatches on each side, which makes accessing gear easier, plus RLD has cabinets that you can add for more storage. My cap came all the way from South Africa, and it took 9 months to arrive...ugh. Not sure if RLD is still experiencing delays though.

 

What load bar are you using?

 

RLD Load Bars 50"
https://www.rlddesignusa.com/p/rack-systems/load-bar-kits/

 

This just made me cross RLD off my list, looks like I'll be going with the alu-cab contour. Thanks for sharing this story man. I feel like I just dodged a bullet! I appreciate it.

Anyone have any pics of the Alu-cab contour on a long bed tacoma?

 

Very interesting info regarding RLD. I haven't had any problems with my cap. No leaks at all. It was mentioned that RLD may be in some sort of difficulty. I just looked at their website, and they posted the following notice: "Due to the ongoing supply chain crisis we have made the difficult decision to temporarily pause all new canopy orders for fitments not currently in-stock or in-route to our warehouse. We will reassess end of year, 2022. Please contact us for availability of canopies and accessories before ordering! If you would like to be put on an email list to be notified when we have reopened the order process please use the "Contact Us" form located under the "About Us" tab on our home page. Please use the close button at right to access this menu and additional site navigation. We are very sorry for the inconvenience and thank you for your continued patience." (RLD website) It does not look promising.

 

Love my alucab explorer canopy on my 2nd gen dcsb. I did my research on all the other options and for me wasn’t even close. I also have have converted several of my buddies with 3rd gens to alucab after they see it. I Would recommend alucab over both the other options because of price, weight, aluminum over steel and accessories options. I have used it in all weather conditions here in the PNW and cali and I’m a 4 season camper. Any of the minor issues mentioned can easily be mitigated with proper installation and sealing with bulb seal, silicone etc where needed. For the locks dry white lithium or graphite in locks as soon as you buy it and install covers. Keep spray handy and respray before camping in freezing temps or keep a heat source like a long handle lighter or torch work well. This is only an issue when below 25 F.

For reference I Have ran it all from tonneau cover, bed rack, custom soft topper, bed bars, leer shell etc and done so across the country and back having lived/camped/off-roaded on both coasts and down south. This is the best option for me for weather proofing and security with so much room for storage and organization. I currently have all the options alucab offers for accessories including the now discontinued alucab drawers system with tilting fridge slide. I would recommend the decked system to replace that as several buddies have it. Drawer system is nice but you lose the internal space of the shell so depends on your needs and function. Great for organizing things and even more secure storage for guns and gear. I highly recommend the side cubbies and storage tray bars that fit front runner wolf packs perfect. The lock covers are nice and do a pretty good job of keeping water out without creating condensation. I also got the security grid for back window to deter thief’s even more or smash and grabs.

Load bars and mounting are stout and have height adjustable options for whatever setup. They use universal M8 bolts and can fit front runner accessories. Also their roof top tents are some of the best on the market but that is a whole different rabbit hole. They also have the best 270 awning which I got used and it’s awesome. Great quality and holds up in all conditions i have thrown at it.

Let me know if you have questions and hope this helps anyone on the fence.

 

Nice setup man would love to get together and compare these. I’m here at JBLM.

 

This is awesome to hear. Rin and his team at ok4wd are top notch.

 

This is what we were considering if we went to a trailer. Love the gfc but the alucab just checked more boxes for now. Nice setup.

 

I dig your setup. I am waiting on my Alu-Cab Contour to arrive. I also went without side windows. I might add the security grid like you did. And if I planed to park it somewhere a bit more sketch, I might rig up some opaque fabric to tie into the grid to keep curious minds out. I'd run this behind the grid so that those looking in, that there is a security grid beyond the glass.

When deciding on direction for bed storage, I wanted to future proof my vehicle plan. I could probably have gotten by with a tonneau for a while, but I feel like they are fairly limiting on storage when you need it most. I could see that the extra storage of a canopy would be more useful overall. I figured I'd save myself that progression path and just get what I'd probably end up with. For weight and design, it really only put 2 main options in the running. GFC and Alu-Cab. I appreciate that the Alu-Cab doesn't have the space-frame bars to have to work around like the GFC. That, and the accessible cabin door next at the front would make cleaning the glass between the canopy and the cab doable. My plan is to try to keep as much stuff inside the cabin as I can. I would like to be able to mount my Scepter 5 gallon gas cans along the bed rail if needed.

More of a 3rd gen question, but can't the 3rd gen front "front bulkhead spacer" be swapped out for a second gen version here?

It looks like 3rd gens lost the mount rail here and it was replaced by a regular non-rail version. I'd like the option to mount items there, and I should figure it out before I mount the canopy, as it would be a PITA after getting the canopy to swap it out.

 

Thanks man and yeah added security for me was a must. I may also add the reflective material used for sun visors and cut to fit behind grid screen. This will block off and help keep cooler.

I went through the same thought process you did on the gfc. The side bars and lack of cubby doors didn’t work for me. I wanted max usable space.

for the 3rd gen bulkhead bracket I’m not sure would have to look at my buddy. I know second gen has rails there and i have front runner M8 eye hooks there for tie down points. We both have the cross bar storage tray in front bulkhead. We put front runner wolf packs which fit perfect and stack as well there ( up to 4) and i have my second battery and sometimes water jug there for longer trips. The scepter should fit sideways there and can be strapped down easily.i can get some pics after i fix my winch later.

 

I just went to AVO to check out an AluCab Cabin for my RCSB Tundra. It was a pretty sweet setup.
My only thought is that I wish it incorporated some sort of center window in the gullwing door.

 

does anyone know if there are any aluminum hi top or hi rise toppers like the snug top/are/leers options?

 

FYI - Apex Overland is now east coast distributor for GFC Go Fast Camper.

 

you missed the post earlier in this thread that said RLD are in a bunch of legal trouble and had been shut down and assets seized. Sounds like a scam company.

kinda crazy, I'm researching shells/toppers and thee seems to be issues with all the SA vendors. RSI still late on deliveries and 2 years later still havnt released the updated locks?

perhaps it's worth staying away from SA vendors? Idk ‍♂️

 

Interesting note about RLD, that sucks.

There is another post specific to RSI Smart Caps. Shout out to Offroad Alliance and Mike's Custom Toys for their great customer service.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/rsi-smart-cap.679267/page-171#post-28779793

 

I got my new Alu-Cab Contour (Blinders Edition/No side windows) installed a couple weeks ago. I am digging it so far. I did prep the top of my bed rails to help keep out dust and water. MULE Expedition filled in the gaps at the front corners. I had filled that space in with Butyl tape, but it interfered with the cap, so they redid it. I added the silicone covers. I do feel like these covers at $12 a pop should be included in the purchase price.

I had a chance to use it on a short camping trip up at my buddy’s property. I was surprised at how little dust got in. The dust came in near the untreated tailgate area. It doesn’t really bother me much. I might tinker with treating the cubby and tailgate area a bit. I mean.. it’s a truck. I’m not performing surgery back there.

It’s a sharp looking unit. Pure boxy sexiness. Hahaha. The interior LED lights came in handy at night looking for your favorite elusive beer in the ice chest. I don’t have anything to compare it to, but I think the positive pressure vent helps keep dust out. There was a little condensation on the rear window the next day after spraying out to inside to clean up the dust. It cleared itself up after a few minutes driving down the road.

Alu-Cab shipped the incorrect rear struts so the rear door currently only opens to 90*. MULE is working on getting the correct ones drop shipped to.

I need to get off my butt and throw my lift on to get the full effect and truck rake back.

 

I’ve had the RSI Smartcap evo sport for a bout a year now and my only complaint is I can’t seem to find a good way to insulate it. I’ve used reflectix most recently and a double sided adhesive tape with the hopes of finding the time to make a carpeted liner to go over that. Otherwise, no complaints and I think it looks pretty cool.