Alu-Cab Contour Canopy Roll Call - not Camper

[darkhorse13]

Hey everyone,
I know that the Alu-Cab Expedition Canopy has been around for awhile but the Contour Canopy "cap" is new and thought I'd share my set up and hopefully others have some great ideas on organization too I think the new look of this canopy matches really well to the new 3R RTT and provides a pretty sleek appearance on the JT. The sliding windows are a nice touch but I kind of rendered them useless with the extra cupboards I installed.

Just to note: the kitchen side cupboard w/ stove pictured here was a prototype that never made it to market. Alu-Cab has since released a new kitchen cupboard option as of Fall 2023.

** Competitor comparisons to other toppers start in Post #13

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[Jglad15]

Looks great! Do you have any pics of it with out the roof top tent from diff angles? I emailed alu cab and they actually sent me a pic of yours but only from the side.

Thanks!

 

[darkhorse13]

Looks great! Do you have any pics of it with out the roof top tent from diff angles? I emailed alu cab and they actually sent me a pic of yours but only from the side.

Thanks!

*edit* added pics to opening post

Luckily I took these before the RTT Please note that the fitment wasn't finished yet as the shop was closing for the evening and it was going to roll back into the bay for the night to be completed for Expo the next morning.

 

[Jglad15]

*edit* added pics to opening post

Luckily I took these before the RTT Please note that the fitment wasn't finished yet as the shop was closing for the evening and it was going to roll back into the bay for the night to be completed for Expo the next morning.

Awesome thanks! At first I was dead set on the rsi smart cap. I really wanted the evo a, b/c I preferred the look of no windows on it. But I have two dogs so windows are a necessity for me. However, I don’t like the look of the evo with the sides being all window. I like how with the contour canopy and rld designs generation 3, you can get more for that hybrid design and still have solid panels but have smaller windows on them. How are the seals holding up? I saw on alu cabs video they are now double sealed I think? Seems like alu cabs locks and seals are better than rsi’s from what I have read. Any complaints at all?

 

[darkhorse13]

Awesome thanks! At first I was dead set on the rsi smart cap. I really wanted the evo a, b/c I preferred the look of no windows on it. But I have two dogs so windows are a necessity for me. However, I don’t like the look of the evo with the sides being all window. I like how with the contour canopy and rld designs generation 3, you can get more for that hybrid design and still have solid panels but have smaller windows on them. How are the seals holding up? I saw on alu cabs video they are now double sealed I think? Seems like alu cabs locks and seals are better than rsi’s from what I have read. Any complaints at all?

Yes, double seals and they seem to be fine after only 2 months of ownership I like the Alu-Cab's one piece all aluminum design over RSI as well as the significant weight savings (~137lb for Alu-Cab w/ windows). No complaints so far and I'm happy with the cupboards in terms of organization. The Alu-Table also fits perfectly up top!

 

[Jglad15]

Yes, double seals and they seem to be fine after only 2 months of ownership I like the Alu-Cab's one piece all aluminum design over RSI as well as the significant weight savings (~137lb for Alu-Cab w/ windows). No complaints so far and I'm happy with the cupboards in terms of organization. The Alu-Table also fits perfectly up top!

Awesome thanks!!! When you say the fitment is off where did you mean? Cuz I think it looks pretty good.

Edit: I guess looking more closely with the pic of the roof top tent on it, the canopy looks more in line with the cab and not as elevated.

 

[darkhorse13]

Awesome thanks!!! When you say the fitment is off where did you mean? Cuz I think it looks pretty good.

Edit: I guess looking more closely with the pic of the roof top tent on it, the canopy looks more in line with the cab and not as elevated.

The canopy was set on the bed too far forward towards the cab on initial placement. You can see that the rear hatch won't close and the body of the canopy simply needs to be scooted back. Again, this is non-issue and was taken care of the next day on final install. These pics were taken in haste after they literally set it in place for the night and I got excited to snap off a few photos. I just wanted to call it out as there are some eagle-eyed forum users that might have noticed it and I wanted to ensure people this is not indicative of final fitment.

 

[Jglad15]

The canopy was set on the bed too far forward towards the cab on initial placement. You can see that the rear hatch won't close and the body of the canopy simply needs to be scooted back. Again, this is non-issue and was taken care of the next day on final install. These pics were taken in hast moments after they literally set it in place for the night and I got excited to snap off a few photos. I just wanted to call it out as there are some eagle-eyed forum users that might have noticed it and I wanted to ensure people this is not indicative of final fitment.

I think it looks great I just wanna save up a bit more before I order. Do you have to have the trail rail for this one?

 

[AlexWV]

I want one....

 

[Steelglad]

What kind of price tag we talking?

 

[darkhorse13]

Yes you have to have some brand of trail rails in the bed to mount it... I have Rebel Off Road for what it's worth.

Online pricing that I see... Juniper Overland is a dealer too so prices are the same

 

[InvertedLogic]

That price is compelling...

 

[darkhorse13]

In my opinion, I think the competitors fall short on construction, weight and price... plus I thought there's a thread floating around where RSi's lead-times are pretty long right now (happy to delete this comment if false). Looks like RLD Design is unobtainium in 2022 as well.

** Comparison Chart ** - click to expand

RSi SmartCap EVO:
1) Stainless Steel is heavier at 198lb
2) 5 piece design = lots of bolts and seams to assemble/fail
3) Depending on the dealer, the msrp is a hair higher than Alu-Cab

RLD Design:
1) Stainless Steel is heavier at 175lb
2) Quite a bit more money at msrp $4238
3) Not available unless in-stock at a dealer for the rest of 2022

GoFastCampers Topper:
1) Billet aluminum and weld free design weighing in at 135lb
2) "Space frame" bars impede full side access and doesn't allow for "accessory" cupboards like competition
3) Most expensive offering on the market at $4400 (including non-sliding front window and fixed rear hatch glass) Base price is $4000 with all (4) solid panel construction
4) Available starting Dec 2022

 

[InvertedLogic]

Closest competor at the moment seems to be the recently announced GFC Platform Topper. Light aluminum, strong enough to jump, side opening doors, and right at the $4k mark.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gfc-platform-topper.62850/

https://gofastcampers.com/pages/topper

 

[darkhorse13]

Closest competor at the moment seems to be the recently announced GFC Platform Topper. Light aluminum, strong enough to jump, side opening doors, and right at the $4k mark.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/gfc-platform-topper.62850/

https://gofastcampers.com/pages/topper

Worthy competitor... I'll add the spec sheet to the competitor post above.

GFC still falls short IMO on price ($4K + $400 for non-sliding front / rear windows and no side windows) At $4400 this version is $800 more than the equivalent Contour Canopy with solid side doors.

Bringing this back to the overland perspective, GFC doesn't seem to offer any modularity either. There's no table option, side cupboard options for kitchen or recovery and no interior lighting. I view the GFC topper more for quick camping (i.e. Go Fast) than multiple sustained nights where you really need to pack equipment. Again, one man's opinion.

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