LEER vs RSI Smartcap

Hello all,

I rarely post but often use the forum for information. I own a 2012 Tundra double cab with a 6.5’ bed. I live in Southern California, and am looking for a camper shell to sleep in. I’m trting to decide between the Smartcap Evo sport or the Leer 100XR, both have there pros n cons. I viewed the Smartcap Evo sport in person multiple times, love the build but the fact that I can be locked INSIDE while sleeping, is pretty disturbing. Please give your input on which you like better and why guys! Does the LEER open from the inside? I heard fiberglass toppers like LEER tend to have paint fade etc. I DO plan to keep the truck long term.

Thank you!

 

Post is a little over 1 month old, so I don't think this counts as digging it up from the grave

I am in a similar situation. I currently have a Lone Peak Overland camper reserved, but I am not sure if that will be practical for my daily driver. The LPO will likely be top heavy, won't be able to fit it in the garage, and will decrease the MPGs. So, I am looking at the SmartCap Evo as a possible alternative. I can say that they are coming out with a solution for being able to open the topper from the inside. That solution can supposedly be retrofitted to previous SmartCap toppers.

There is alot of good information on the SmartCap in this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/rsi-smart-cap.78476/

 

Wow that's pricey. That's a third of what I paid for my 2008 Tundra. It took me several months to locate a matching white topper but found one that I traded my aluminum tri-fold (estimated worth of $500) and gave him another $400 in cash for the topper. You may to search daily but if you look, toppers are on the used market all the time.

 

I have had LEER 100XR for 2 years, I loved it, the only problem I have with it is being 200lbs+, its heavy.
I do think RSI is in the similar weight class.

With RSI, it is not one part design and I have seen people having problem with the seams/seals failing.

If I were to pick again, I'd still get the fiber glass one because it's one piece, less points of failure.
However, I was semi waiting for alucab to come out with a canopy that fits full size tundra, but it doesn't seem to be available anytime soon. So I switched to softopper with a rack around it.

 

Great points on the 1 piece vs. multi piece design. Are you seeing any leaks or dust intrusion in the cap? I off-road my fair share (once or twice a month, weekend-warrior type), and would hate to sleep on a dusty, soggy mattress lol.

I personally will be putting a rooftop tent on the topper (in the future, when a decent ultralight one is available), which is why I am interested in the Aluminum/Stainless Steel models. Another contender would be the new GoFastCamper platform topper (https://gofastcampers.com/products/platform-truck-topper). Not out for out trucks yet, but probably will be soon.

I tell ya, if a company made one of those pop-up toppers, that had a removable/sealable RTT with inside access, they would have my $ in a heartbeat lol.

 

My LEER cap was 99% weather resistant, when wind blows just right it would leak a tiny bit but that is the nature of our truck bed, there is huge gaps between sides and tailgate. Also, I got mine professionally installed at LEER factory, so they did a great job insulating/weather sealing on the front and front corners.

I almost ordered GFC's new topper, but, the price is 4k plus 1k shipping that is just absurd for me to paying that much for a cap. Also, I personally wouldn't put anything more than 100lbs on the fiberglass top and offroad, but that is just for me, I am sure they would be okay mostly. If you are planning to mount heavy stuff on top, ARE has a model that has internal frame, I'd get that instead.

I know one Korean company just came out with exactly what you want, GAIA Camper, they have the camper and topper version with topper being able to convert to a camper by switching out the top. My only gripe with that is it looks kinda ugly to me, not as integrated as others, but I guess that is what comes with being able to switch tops as needed. It is also very heavy, I think around 400lbs?

This is what I have now, I like it because I have a enclosed cabin height bed and a rack that can handle weights on top if needed. and I think it looks bad ass haha

 

Between myself and my brothers we have had a bunch of caps over the years. If you’re looking at Leers I’d also take an equal look at ARE if there is a nearby dealer. They seem to be better from fitment, to color match, to overall quality in our experience. I really like my ARE CX.

 

I agree 100% that your rig looks badass.

Well, you just introduced me to GAIA Campers, so now I'm about to go down a rabbit hole of research on the product. I see they don't have one for the tundra yet, so I have plenty of time to talk about it with them. Thanks for the insight on the caps, and thanks for mentioning GAIA. This may be the way that I go.

 

Yea, if weight saving isn't your top priority their camper/topper is great, if you see their topper for gladiator, that truck is actually my friend's, he loves the topper, being able to have the roof flip up even for the topper is a great idea, and according to him, the quality is great.

 

Yea, weight saving is important to me, but I don't mind being a little heavy to meet the criteria I want. I see the Youtube video with your buddy's gladiator and it looks awesome! I wish GAIA display more information on the conversion from topper to camper. I haven't been able to find any info on that on their website.