Smartcap Evo Sport - 3 Year Ownership Review

[@deanmay338]

Last month I bought a 2024 Chevy Colorado Z71 in glacier blue metallic and added an RSI SmartCap EVOa (no windows in the gull wing side doors). Absolutely love it. Yes, pricey. However, I cross shopped ARE and Leer fiberglass shells. If I equipped them as closely as possible to the RSI Smart Cap, they were both within $200 to $500 of the SmartCap! If I would have had the “LineX type paint on the ARE, it would have added another $600!!! Plus, 5 to 6 week wait. Now that the SmartCaps are made in TX, my dealer could get one in 1 to 2 days! Love the function for hauling camping gear and accessing it as well as the look. There was not much difference in weight with mine weighing 195 and the fiberglass shells weighing 170 upward.

[@medical4855]

Great channel! Thank you for your review. I have a 2022 Ranger Tremor and just ordered this same cap. Your previous videos sold me on this. Yes, they now have covers for the locks. Hoping mine came with them otherwise you can get them separate under warranty.

[@Bobbydell]

I got the EVOa adventure on my 2021 Ranger Tremor. Didn't need the windows and preferred the added security. I've had it since October 2023. Mine came with the rubber latch covers in the box. I added them right before winter here in VA. They were super easy to add on after you do one. Never had any issues opening up the cap during freezing weather. I added some rubber protection to help them last against the sunrays. A con is it does add another step on opening the cap. But I lock mine anyways so it's not that big of a deal. It does hide the latches so less likely someone might test to see if they're unlocked. Oh, on the cap brake light wiring. From SmartCap they had the wiring harness going towards the driver's side. I had to actually feed it to the passenger side down underneath the truck. Not sure it's because I have the tow package. But definitely take a look underneath before running the cable. Ask me how I know. 😂 I believe there's plenty of slack you can test before running it.

[@GetBusyLivin]

Haha that’s actually a great tidbit of info thanks for sharing! I’ll keep that in mind when I finally wire it. And ya, I’ll definitely be adding the covers this fall!

[@bryanjones8821]

Just watched your video and it was very informative. I think a great idea would be if someone made an optional window tunnel between the 2 sliding glass options between the truck and cap. Something flexible but sturdy enough so water and dust can’t get in and maybe it’ll help with the temperatures of the cap for the pets. Just a thought and great video

[@ricky110882]

Price is high but fiberglass options are starting to get into the $4k price.

[@GetBusyLivin]

I know it's crazy how much these bad boys cost!

[@Jonnyfixedgear]

Great video! I just put a Smart Cap EVOa on my 3rd gen Tacoma. The current production versions have a redesigned latch that is supposed to not allow water in to freeze, plus they can be opened from the inside. I believe the latches will be available separately soon-ish. It took them 3 years to develop after the initial reports of latches freezing. I know RSI made a few other changes over the years as mine has the port for the bed light and a different mounting system from the earlier models. So far my only complaints are that the locks turn anti-clockwise to lock, not sure if that is a South African thing, and that being black powder coated the inside is very dark. I am curious about how you have your traction boards mounted. Looks like a convenient location. If you could make a short about that I would appreciate it.

[@nijel7327]

ive heard mixed reports on the doors opening from the inside. you're saying current builds do?

[@Nate-zy5ce]

Wish either RSI or some other after market company sold a window screen accessory, maybe magnetic, maybe velcro, that could be put over those little side windows on the inside of the gullwings, and seal nicely, to keep bugs and bees out. Do you know of anything like that? Any idea how easy it might be to creatively make something using velcro perhaps yourself after you buy? Other? In the summers here it gets hot so leaving those little side windows open, with screens on them, would help air it out and keep it from overheating inside but keep bugs out at the same time. Great idea that heat sensor for the rear, readable on your smart phone. Are you confident in its reasonable accuracy? Thanks.

[@GetBusyLivin]

i made some of my own screens using mesh fabric and magnets. i know there are some camper van style screens that exists in the market but not sure about smartcap specific. i’ll look into that! the temp sensor seems pretty accurate but that’s totally based on feel. i need to place a thermometer in there to confirm

[@medical4855]

Love the videos. I have the same set up. What load bars did you go with?

[@GetBusyLivin]

I just went with the ones that you can order from Smartcap. They're easy to install and have a heavy duty t-slot built into them which is nice for mounting stuff