PreOwned RSI Evo Defender

[Bennett]

Picking up what appears to be a very gently used @SmartCap Evo Defender. Anything in particular I should look out for or known issues? Anything different about installing one that has already been installed? Do I need to replace any seals, etc?

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[BourbonRunner]

Following. I'm looking at used SmartCaps as well.

 

[Lost1wing]

I think the seal underneath, where it sits should be replaced. I'm sure that it won't seal like when it was new. I pulled my smart cap off to have my rear window leak repaired. I put it back on but I noticed the seal remained compressed. I reinstalled it in the same exact location. I didn't have any leak issues . Who knows how yours will seal. Just plan on replacing it to avoid the trouble of replacing it later.

 

[Bennett]

Was it pretty easy to get a replacement?

 

[Lost1wing]

Picking up what appears to be a very gently used @SmartCap Evo Defender. Anything in particular I should look out for or known issues? Anything different about installing one that has already been installed? Do I need to replace any seals, etc?

The latches hold up good, but the locks get a little dry/corroded. I keep mine lubed with chain lube. They are also making a new latch that opens from the inside and the outside. That would be the only upgrade I would do.

 

[Lost1wing]

I did not replace mine. I would just use a neoprene seal from the autoparts store or Amazon. I couldn't say what width you would need. Sorry.

 

[Bennett]

Gotcha, I misunderstood! Thanks for the insight

 

[Lost1wing]

I was just on the RSI site and remembered a couple of things. You can mount the Smart cap a couple of ways, with or without bed rails. It would be best if you would look up the instructions for the install you need to do. It might be helpful to ask the seller if they still have the installation parts that they didn’t use. Maybe RSI can help with a new install kit.

The other thing I remembered is the assembly bolts for the front and rear section required to be evenly torqued and occasionally checked. I checked mine a few times when new and found two loose bolts. They never gave me a problem after being re-torqued.

 

[CKayaks]

Picking up what appears to be a very gently used @SmartCap Evo Defender. Anything in particular I should look out for or known issues? Anything different about installing one that has already been installed? Do I need to replace any seals, etc?

The Defenders for the Glad are made in SA, so do not typically have all the horror stories you hear on the internet about leaks, paint peeling, etc. Mine has been great this last 6-9 months of fall and winter local use, a couple offroad trips in the desert, including one night with 1" of rainfall.

Pre purchase:
Look at all the joints from the inside. Does it look like the original assembly did it right or are there any fasteners that looked tweaked?
Look at the seals around the doors. Any tears, signs of leaking?
Check the lift rods. Still holding the door up well?
Does it have the covers for the latches? Those are a must have to keep out grime, prevent frozen locks. SmartCap can get those to you.
Work each of the locks. Do they hold the door shut and sealed? There's an adjustment nut on the latch, but take a look that all looks well on those.
The roof vent is a mixed review. I am considering removing mine and sealing the gap. Any signs of water leakage there?
Check the tracks on the roof. Any signs of wear, damage? (i.e. did someone goofed up a RTT install kind of thing)

Install:
As mentioned, check the torque on all the joints before you install it. Recheck them after a few months/thousand miles. Ditto on the mounts that hold it to the bed.
Get a new seal for around the truck bed. Can be had on Amazon or local auto parts. In the front of the bed, you will want to put an extra flat piece of rubber molding to account for the dip across the bed top there. (Instructions talk about this.)
As a preventative measure, I used RV sealant on all the exterior joints.
The beds of our Glads leak dust like you would not believe, roof vent or not on the SmartCap. First trip through Sierra Nevada trail dust on a weekend trip and the stuff in the bed looked like a Sahara desert diorama. I went through the bed with a roll of Gorilla tape and sealed all the open gaps, open bolt holes, etc. You will be surprised how many places.
Along those lines, get the tailgate sealed well. There are a couple good threads on the forums here that talk about what product to use. I also got the seal the goes in the tailgate gap. RockStopper or something like that. Again, there are forum posts about it. Has been a nice add to keep things from falling into the gap when the tailgate is down.

 

[Bennett]

Great info.

I picked it up yesterday and have it bolted in place, but without the extra seal at the front. It appears to be basically brand new with almost no use. It does have a weird spot in the corner where it almost looks like something was banging against the corner from the inside, but no structural damage or anything.

I’m going to pick up a seal for the front bulkhead and then reinstall everything. I also noticed it doesn’t have a 3rd brake light or the provision for one, so I may look into that.

What do you use for Molle attachments?

 

[CKayaks]

No third brake light on the SmartCaps for the Glads because ours is in the tailgate.

I have the Decked drawer system in the bed, no molle there for me. I am a big 813 Fab fan, so would recommend taking a look at what he has to offer for molle panels for the bed. Likely who I would go with if I take the Decked out. JCR Offroad also has good quality gear.

(I like the Decked system, but I do loose quite a bit of storage because of it. On the fence about whether I am going to keep that. For camping, a slight nuisance because of the lost space offset by the drawer being nice storage for stove, other flatish stuff.)

I did get the full size bin for the passenger side to store recovery gear, tools. That has molle panels on the back wall. I also mounted a small panel on the end of the storage bin. Handy place just inside the back door to put a fire extinguisher, knife, flashlight. DV8 makes panels of various sizes to mount on blank spaces like that.

Speaking of lights, the Kingpin lights are great! I have a 12" mounted driver side just inside the door panel. A 40" across the back, mounted on the door panel. That back one is really nice for prep work at camp.

 

[CKayaks]

Ah, just realized you said 'molle attachments', not just molle. The molle on the Smartcap is a bit of a PITA. Not standard size. And if you get the bins, the molle size is different there than on the doors! If I get time today I will rummage through my parts to get the brand that I found that works OK. I went through 3 or 4 brands. (Work is busy and I leave for a week in Death Valley at 8am tomorrow)

 

[Bennett]

Sounds good. I was considering the decked system as well, so I appreciate the insight.

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