SmartCap Adventure Topper Installed

[Sagebrush]

I was not implying you bought it for status/price - the opposite.

Gotcha. My mistake.

Let's put it this way: if I wrecked my truck today, I'd put another Smartcap on a new Tacoma.

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[Amorak]

I love the concept of being shipped to my driveway and self install... buying shells all these years from ARE and Leer etc, installers, dealers here come and go, wait times - OMG, all are pretty horrible.
- you want to change a side window? parts ar like $900 plus - insane.

So I need to factor that into the "price" of fiberglass - let's admit the "built" in look of color matching fiberglass is not the tech/tactical/adventure look of smartcaps style that is now the going "taste".

Btw, for MANY decades I have wondered how in God's name Leer etc could ignore DUST all over the inside of shells if anyone goes on gravel/dirt roads - zero solutions - extra weather stripping (as clueless advise) only makes it WORSE! Got to have positive pressure.

South Africans to the rescue!

 

[Sagebrush]

I love the concept of being shipped to my driveway and self install...

I think you have to pick them up at a dealer.

Smartcap is very specific on the bolt torque. My old torque wrench wouldn't go down low enough. This is the wrench I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1Y5V21L?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1

 

[Amorak]

"With SmartCap, you can purchase online. And because of SmartCap's 5-piece design, your cap can be shipped directly to your home or any authorized dealer within 24 hours."

 

[soupy1234]

I think you have to pick them up at a dealer.

Smartcap is very specific on the bolt torque. My old torque wrench wouldn't go down low enough. This is the wrench I used:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D1Y5V21L?ref_=ppx_hzsearch_conn_dt_b_fed_asin_title_4&th=1

Had mine shipped to my house. Had to drag it down my driveway though (gravel). You do want to torque the bolts correctly. And even then, I had some problems with the seal puffing out.
One thing I would do differently is to superglue the entire length of the bottom gaskets instead of just the ends.

 

[Sagebrush]

Had mine shipped to my house.

Did you have to pay shipping?

I agree about gluing all of the seal. Works great.

 

[Amorak]

Wow (as I'm learning), looking around at SmartCap's competition, from good to just bottom feeding knock offs - I get why they are getting away w/ premium price by design alone...

Of a major note, if your cap will be used for pets or animals, like me - Westin, OVS, etc. virtually none offer side transparent windows w/ glass, not to mention windows that slide open. I think one site said "windows coming"....?

To me, that's a real giant gap in features (in this style of cap - not talking about "traditional" fiberglass - Leer, etc.). So, if you don't want to cook your dogs, etc., in the back in warm weather, you are basically limited to $martCaps currently from what I see. Maybe a time saver in your shopping.

 

[soupy1234]

Did you have to pay shipping?

I agree about gluing all of the seal. Works great.

Shipping was included. I don't recall if that was a limited time offer or not. Got it through Offroad Alliance

 

[grizzlyoutlaw]

I am switching from a Diamondback bed cover to this SmartCap for more space. Originally I planned to use a sliding tray with the Diamondback but found them to be mostly 4” high leaving only 15” of space. Are you guys finding usable access fror the sides? Or a PITA to crawl in and out. I have added a decked drawer to raise the floor and am thinking about the cargo glide on top. But that may be overkill.

 

[Sagebrush]

Are you guys finding usable access for the side drawers? Or a PITA to crawl in and out.

Side drawers? Crawling in and out?

Nope. No crawling.

 

[grizzlyoutlaw]

Side drawers? Crawling in and out?

Nope. No crawling.

lol I meant usable access FROM the side doors. Getting gear in and out from the sides vs crawling in from the tailgate to gear that’s up by the cab.

 

[grizzlyoutlaw]

I’m with you on not crawling in the back for sleeping. I had a soft topper on my other truck and hated getting into the back for stuff that rolled up towards the cab.

 

[Sagebrush]

lol I meant usable access FROM the side doors.

The side doors work great. They are larger than the windoors on my old Leer. And by the way, I keep a 4-1/2" long hook to pull stuff out.

 

[soupy1234]

Are you guys finding usable access fror the sides?

The side windows are great for loading and unloading. Took my grandsons camping last month and packed it to the ceiling. Only had to crawl inside once to strap in a propane tank that I didn't want to slide around. I have a long-bed so the front corners can be a stretch but it's way easier than my last topper that didn't have gull-wing windows.

 

[grizzlyoutlaw]

The side windows are great for loading and unloading. Took my grandsons camping last month and packed it to the ceiling. Only had to crawl inside once to strap in a propane tank that I didn't want to slide around. I have a long-bed so the front corners can be a stretch but it's way easier than my last topper that didn't have gull-wing windows.

Thank you. This seems like the right way to go. Will be putting the Diamondback up for sale soon. Local shop quoted me $550 for install. From what I’ve seen it seems to require a bit of assembly and electrical tapping.

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