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RSI SmartCap Review After 16 Months - Was It Worth It?

Rim Country Overland

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🎬 This Episode: After 16 months with the RSI SmartCap, it’s time for a real-world review.

In this video, I break down my honest thoughts after living with the SmartCap through overland trips, desert trails, rain, dust, rooftop tent use, and daily life with a fully built rig.

We cover:
• Build quality & durability
• Gullwing access & real-world functionality
• Mounting limitations & modularity
• Water leaks, dust intrusion & RTV sealing
• Weight & impact on a fully built rig
• The different SmartCap models
• What I like, what I don’t, and whether I think it’s actually worth it

This video is not about rehashing every issue I’ve had with the cap in the past. I’ve covered those separately in previous videos and I’ll link the SmartCap playlist below if you want the full story.

Overall, the SmartCap does a lot really well — but after 16 months, there are also some tradeoffs that become much more noticeable over time.

👇 Let me know in the comments:
If you’re running a SmartCap, what’s been your experience so far? Would you buy it again?

🔧 Featured in this video:
• RSI SmartCap Evo Adventure
• FSR Evolution V2 XL Rooftop Tent
• Front Runner Load Bars
• WolfBox Rear View Mirror Camera

🎥 SmartCap Playlist:
The SmartCap Story – Builds, Mods & Fails.

🔥 Subscribe for more overland adventures, honest gear reviews, and full rig build content from Rim Country Overland.

#RSISmartCap #SmartCap #Overlanding #TruckCamping #OverlandBuild #RimCountryOverland

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CHECK OUT THESE LINKS!
🛍️ RCO Store (Apparel, Decals & More): 👉 https://www.etsy.com/shop/OverlandCra...
🛠️ My Full Gear & Mod List (Trail-Tested): 👉 https://bit.ly/4dxrkQp
🛒 Get $35 Off at Free Spirit Recreation: 👉 https://prz.io/eByjg1nU2

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

WAYS TO CONNECT & STAY UPDATED:
🌎 View All My Trail Tested Links: 👉 https://www.rimcountryoverland.com/
📷 Follow Me on Instagram: 👉 Instagram: rimcountryoverland

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🔥 CURRENT BUILD🔥
2023 GMC Sierra AT4X (The Blue Beast)
Peak Suspension Full Summit Kit 2.5" Coilovers
Deaver M27 Leaf Springs
Method 701 Bronze Wheels 17x8.5 Bead Grip
Toyo R/T Trail 35x12.5x17
N-fab Rock Sliders
FSR Evo V2 XL RTT
RSI SmartCap EVOa
Decked Drawer System
Wolfbox G900 Pro
Flowmaster Super 10 Muffler
Front Runner Load Bars
Loadlifter 5000 Airbags

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✅ ABOUT THIS CHANNEL
Welcome to Rim Country Overland—a channel built around one guy, one rig, and wherever the dirt leads.
I explore backcountry trails and remote campsites in my 2023 GMC Sierra AT4X—The Blue Beast—sharing the real-world side of overlanding: gear that earns its keep, mods that make sense, and the occasional trail fail that keeps it honest.
This channel is about more than just installs or gear reviews—it’s about what works when you're out there, and what doesn’t. Whether I’m wrenching in the garage, hitting the Arizona high country, or figuring it out on the trail, I’m here to bring you along for the ride.
If you’re into dialed-in rigs, solo exploration, remote camps, and rugged gear that gets used—not just unboxed—you’re in the right place.
Thanks for riding along - I'll catch you on the next adventure.

10 Comments

@RimCountryOverland Creator 4 months ago (edited) Pinned

Appreciate you watching! 👊

After 16 months with the SmartCap, I wanted this one to be a real-world review — not just a first impression video.

If you’re running a SmartCap already, I’d love to hear your experience:
👉 Would you buy it again?
👉 What’s been your biggest pro or con?

If this video helped you out, a 👍 and subscription really helps support the channel and future content.

🌐 Website is now live:
www.rimcountryoverland.com

🎥 Full SmartCap Playlist:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAV4AR4h2u0ZcVCtvgNYqQGOW2bd3la6d

More big changes to the rig are coming soon… 😏

@MonahanOutdoors 10 days ago

Very excited about this and I pray it's much better than the previous one!

@christyhight9860 12 days ago (edited)

This is a really good review. I did love the smart cap, but I am anxious to see what is next 👀

@kdboyle7673 3 weeks ago

Thanks for the review. Thinking about the Smartcap for my Gladiator, which is my every day driver. The cap will be on and stay on, so I want it to be useful and good looking. I am not an over lander; more for going over sand on day trips and easy car camping. I love the idea of the glass gull wing doors to open up for ocean breezes and close for sleeping. I can add removable panels for privacy while still having a way to see out from inside. I also like the idea that I could add an eventually add a rooftop tent if I change the way I use the truck. Thank you for your insights!

@ccapp68 2 months ago

Great video, thanks for putting it out!

@Nate-zy5ce 3 months ago (edited)

I just copied and pasted my comment below, and emailed it to RSI customer support to be sure they see it. God I really want them to change the top back to a single piece, I hope they do. One thing you do not have in yours that I really like is the table that can be mounted up under the top inside.

And one thing I wish they would find a way to do, is provide fine mesh screens for those two small side windows, to keep bugs out when open, either a fixed fixture that perhaps can be slid also, or a well designed option, that can be somehow fixed in place or added and removed as needed after the fact, maybe by magnets, maybe velcro, but however they do it, bug screens on those little windows would be great, not a do or die for the purchase, but very nice to have and would contribute to the impression potential customers have that leads to purchases.

@MasterDebater2009 1 month ago

If you wouldn't recommend SmartCap, what's your recommendation?

@HunterHershey 2 months ago

How about a molle panel on the gold wings using the sea suckers? Just a thought and an idea to have a panel that can go on and off.

@Nate-zy5ce 3 months ago (edited)

Nice. And I hope RSI watches this and makes changes as you suggest, to the molly panels especially. A question. This Evo Adventure has no windows on the sides, which adds security, which is great, but the Evo Sport with the windows on the side, also now has small opening windows within the larger windows on each side. And those can be opened to let fresh air in, while parked or driving, and help cool it off inside. My question. How hot does it get inside the bed cap when closed in the heat of the summer? It concerns me for multiple reasons, but one, would that heat make storing a fire extinguisher and/or compressed air tank or even an extra gas container inside the bed cap a concern for those overheating?

Towards the end, you reference the change to a 3 piece top, and your issues with water leakage. I agree with your concern, and if that is still the case in 2027 when I plan to purchase, I will likely NOT get this, specifically for that reason. RSI should not have compromised so basic a feature as weather tightness, so important to the customer, to simply facilitate packaging and shipping. You make the best product possible, and deal with the packaging and shipping after that. Product quality should lead, period. every time. What a shame

@Amos_Moz 1 month ago

Do you favor the XO.SKLTN over the newer EDGE from SC? I know you haven’t ran the RCI EDGE, obviously, so hard to tell. I am torn between waiting on the new edge or running the XO on a raptor.