Alibaba Caps near me or order it custom?

[BourbonRunner]

I really want a SmartCap but I can't justify new at almost $5700 and used prices near me are higher than I'd want. We're going on vacation for a week in September with the dog and could use the extra space.

A couple FB marketplace users within 20 minutes of me have imported aluminum Ali Baba Gladiator caps. I've see a couple videos on YouTube and seems they're pretty decent stuff.

--$1400 gets me the one with the weird accessory panels on the outside that look like a circuit board diagram.

--$1500 gets me one with side windows.

Both come with all the hardware. RTV and a caulk gun not that I need one. Both have the unistrut looking rack mount. I can't figure out if I could replace it with T-track or not. Not a deal breaker but better if I can.

I prefer no windows and want internal Molle, the solid door has it, windows doesn't. Supposedly I can pop the rivets on the external molle out but I'd need to see it first. I don't love the fold down pseudo step but it's a good attachment point for a hammock. Maybe. Definitely string lights. I'm leaning that way but only if the external can come off. I don't need to hang rotopax and boards off it to look cool showing houses.

Or I can custom order my own and have it shipped direct from China in 4 months for about $2100 with no middle man.

I have my misgivings but the quotes are pretty solid: Cap, security mesh on the rear window, Sliding front window, load bars, single side full length storage box with internal molle, solid doors with internal molle, and t-track rails for the roof rack. The company seems reputable, good reviews, at least a few years in this, and their brand is sold on Aliexpress by others.

I've found somewhat similar on Aliexpress that are more than direct from Alibaba but given the complexity of options in these and contact issues over WhatsApp etc, unrated sellers that say they can deliver within 2 weeks, I'm not sure it would work. If I get just the cap now and order the other crap later it will cost me more than $2100 landed.

OVS would be around $3K and looks like they're phasing out production because a lot of the accessories are gone.

Any thoughts? Anyone have these? Does anyone have any issues mounting load bars or awnings to the unistrut style?

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[ChrisNLA]

I'd buy a Chinesium cap with a quickness.

Also, I like the unistrut for adaptability (if its true unistrut style). My cargo rails are DIY unistrut and has made little projects easy. Go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy nuts, attach stuff. Lol.

Worst case I have used Send Cut Send to design small brackets and they fab and send them to me so I can mount stuff as desired.

 

[BourbonRunner]

I'd buy a Chinesium cap with a quickness.

Also, I like the unistrut for adaptability (if its true unistrut style). My cargo rails are DIY unistrut and has made little projects easy. Go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy nuts, attach stuff. Lol.

Worst case I have used Send Cut Send to design small brackets and they fab and send them to me so I can mount stuff as desired.

That's a vey good point. I could always fab up an 80/20 storage box down the road with some L-track for either.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

I’d say go with the one with the external
Molle attachment stuff (circuit board). Windows are cool but are you really ever going to be inside it to need them and how many people do you want “window shopping” when you step away from the truck. Plus it’s one less thing to worry about on the trail. No glass=no broken glass. Try to get some j Bernal pics and see what kind of attachment point are inside or ask if you can swing by and take a gander at one. That’ll tell you a lot more than looking at pictures. You can also feel the seller out a bit. I’m always leery of Craigslist or FB sellers. Spidey senses go high looking for nogoodniks.

 

[BourbonRunner]

The circuit board side guy has been very communicative with extra pics so +5 points.

He also said he can get me just about any accessories in about a month. Either internal box in is $150. He also has cross bars available but again, month out. I can probably fab something else up in the meantime, maybe have Send Cut make me a piece or source a pre-made panel that can work. I don't think I could see out the one below. He said the Unistrut-looking rack is not detachable

What I like is the top is keyed so I can mount a fishing rod holder in it with T-nuts or something similar.

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