Quick Facts:
- Product: OPENROAD truck cap, aluminum, for the 2023-2026 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon 5 ft bed.
- Test truck: My 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2.
- Weight: 112 lb.
- Dimensions: 60.9 x 60.5 x 19.6 inches.
- Roof load: 440 lb dynamic, 1,100 lb static.
- Mounting: 4 compression clamps per side, behind the bed lip.
- Warranty: 3-year limited, plus 100-day returns.
- Availability: Pre-sale, with a November 15 ETA as of October 22, 2026.
- Price: $2,899.99 at OPENROAD on October 22, 2026, before the 10% code 4wdTALK.
- Best for: Midsize truck owners who want a lockable metal cap and will assemble it at home.
 9 min read
Disclosure: OPENROAD supplied this cap and paid for this review. The opinions and the flaws I list are my own.
In This Review
OPENROAD Truck Cap Overview
After two weeks on my 2025 Chevy Colorado ZR2, the OPENROAD truck cap earns my enthusiastic thumbs up. It has flaws, and I list every one I found. This review covers my first impressions, from the pallet to camp. A long-term update follows in roughly 45 to 60 days, once cold-weather camping season arrives, hopefully with rain and snow.
The cap fits the 2023-2026 Colorado and Canyon 5 ft bed. So it also works as a GMC Canyon camper shell, with the same parts. OPENROAD also builds caps for the Tacoma, Gladiator, Ranger, Tundra, F-150 and other trucks. If you drive one of those, check the OPENROAD cap lineup by truck model for your fitment.
Price is the headline. The Colorado version lists at $2,899.99, while the RSI SmartCap EVOa for the same truck runs about $4,395. Owners in reviews and forums praise the OPENROAD as a lockable metal cap for far less than premium brands.
If you want the backstory on the truck itself, read our 2025 Colorado ZR2 review. Watch my full video review below.
OPENROAD Truck Cap Specs
These numbers come from OPENROAD’s Colorado and Canyon product page. Notably, the 2024-2026 Tacoma 5 ft cap lists 123 lb, so check the page for your exact truck.
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Fitment | 2023-2026 Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon, 5 ft bed |
| Frame material | Aluminum alloy, electrostatic coating |
| Weight | 112 lb |
| Dimensions | 60.9 x 60.5 x 19.6 in |
| Dynamic roof load | 440 lb |
| Static roof load | 1,100 lb |
| Lighting | Rear brake light, 3-color interior light (white, red, amber) |
| Roof | Stainless steel rails, crossbars optional |
| Warranty and returns | 3-year limited warranty, 100-day returns |
The weight amazed me. At 112 lb, this aluminum truck cap leaves more of your payload for gear. Also, with fuel prices where they are, less weight leaves room for more gear or saves money at the pump. For the math on what your truck carries, see our guide to payload capacity and GVWR.
Since the cap weighs only 112 lb, more payload goes to gear. NRS cam straps tie loads to the interior anchor points. Then a Keeper ratcheting cargo bar braces bins across the bed, and a TripleAliners bed mat protects the floor.
Gear for loading the cap interior
NRS 1" Long Heavy Duty Tie Down Boating and Kayaking Strap
TripleAliners 5FT Truck Bed Mat for 2023-2026 Chevy Colorado/GMC Ca…
Building the OPENROAD Truck Cap Solo
The cap arrived flat-packed on a pallet about 6 inches tall. OPENROAD’s manual calls for at least three people. However, most install videos I watched showed two people. I wanted to see whether one person handles it, since recruiting help is tough for many of you.
The answer is yes. I built the shell alone in 15 to 20 minutes, even while stopping to move cameras. Still, lifting it onto the truck took a second set of hands, so my girlfriend Kathy helped. Mounting it to the bed took me under an hour in total.
Overall, OPENROAD’s instructions are clear, and you do not need to be handy to follow them.
Check the Front and Back Panels
Mark the front and back of every panel before you bolt anything. Per the manual, the wider end of the roof panel is the front. I installed one side panel facing the wrong way, and it sat slightly recessed from the front edge. Unfortunately, I missed it until the cap was on the truck.
Bolts drop down through the top deck and hold the sides together. As a result, a reversed panel stays hidden until the roof is on. Dry-fit each side first, then tighten once the edges sit flush.
Sort the Kit A and Kit B Bolts
My instructions mislabeled the Kit A and Kit B bolt bags. Instead of trusting the labels, I counted each bag and matched it to the step. In addition, one bolt on the luggage rack frame arrived bent. I bent it back easily, but inspect yours before you start.
Mounting Clamps and Fit
The mounting hardware feels sturdy on this cap. You get 4 clamps per side, and each one compresses behind the bed lip. Once tightened, the cap feels locked to the truck.
Over the years, I tested a number of caps on my old Jeep Gladiator. None of them fit as well or held as firmly as this one. As a Chevy Colorado camper shell, it sits with a factory-style fit.
OPENROAD includes a 3M seal strip for the base of the cap. Per the manual, it runs along the front and both sides, not the rear edge. Owners of other trucks report mixed results with the mounting hardware on aftermarket rail systems. So the clamp fit I describe applies to the Colorado.
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Truck Cap Seal Tips From My Build
Here is how to seal it, per OPENROAD’s manual and my silicone tips. The 3M strip is the first truck cap seal you install. It goes on the bottom flange before the cap meets the bed. Clean the flange, cut the strip to length, and keep the rounded rubber side facing the bed. Cover the front and both sides, leave the rear edge bare, and do not stretch the strip.
Next, use the black silicone OPENROAD ships in the box. Before you apply it, wipe each joint with alcohol so the bead bonds to clean metal. Then run a bead along the edge where the roof meets the side panels.
Underneath the roof, I think five or six bolts hold it down. I ran a ring of silicone around the spot where those parts meet. In short, the goal is to keep moisture out when the rain hits.
Owner reviews report no leaks once the cap is sealed. One long-term owner added caulk at the seams, which matches my advice. For dust, see our guide to sealing the bed under a topper. Because I have not camped in a storm yet, the long-term update will report on this truck cap seal.
Design, Security and Roof Access
On the ZR2, this cap looks fantastic. The flat black finish pairs with a stainless steel OPENROAD logo.
Side Doors, Locks and Tie Points
Each side door opens with a press latch and lifts on hydraulic struts. Inside, anchor points let you hang gear, tie it down or hook a bungee. Outside, the side panels accept mounts for Rotopax containers, shovels and axes. One Tacoma owner reports Rotopax-style hardware did not fit his side doors, so check your mounts first.
The doors lock, and I consider locks essential. A couple of months ago, a buddy and I stopped at a Walmart on the way to camp. We were inside under 15 minutes, and someone stole a battery out of the back of his vehicle. For more ideas on protecting your load, read how to keep gear dry and secure.
Rear Glass, Step and Roof Rails
At the back, a tinted glass window keeps your gear out of sight. The rear also carries a brake light. Meanwhile, the passenger side has a step to help you reach a rooftop tent or kayak. OPENROAD sells its Truck Cap Step as a separate $59 accessory.
The roof rails accept crossbars. I own the crossbars but have not installed them yet. OPENROAD sells crossbars for this cap, and it requires them for rooftop tents. With them, the 440 lb dynamic rating covers most hard-shell tents. Our guide to a rooftop tent on a truck cap walks through the weight math.
Buy Direct From OPENROAD
Colorado, Canyon, Tacoma and More
Free continental U.S. shipping, a 3-year limited warranty and 100-day returns. Code 4wdTALK takes 10% off.
OPENROAD vs. RSI SmartCap EVOa
The RSI SmartCap EVOa is the cap most owners compare against. For the 2023-and-newer Colorado, Rhino Adventure Gear lists it at about $4,395. At $2,899.99, the OPENROAD costs roughly $1,500 less before the 4wdTALK code.
The OPENROAD also ships free on a pallet. However, you trade dealer installation for the work of building it in your garage. Also, it includes a brake light and a 3-color interior light in the box.
Choose the RSI if you want an established dealer network and plan to use its accessory system. Pick the OPENROAD if you want a lockable aluminum truck cap at the lowest cost and will build it yourself. On a 2024 or newer Ranger, also compare the ARB Ascent camper shell.
Since the box already holds the silicone and 3M strip, these three cover prep and upkeep. Amazon Basics 99% isopropyl alcohol cleans the joints before sealing. Also, an ESI tailgate seal closes the dust gap, and 303 Aerospace Protectant keeps rubber seals supple.
Sealing prep and upkeep
ESI Ultimate Tailgate Seal with Taper Seal Compatible with Colorado…
OPENROAD Truck Cap Pros and Cons
Here is my list after two weeks, checked against what owners report online.
Pros
- About $1,500 less than an RSI SmartCap EVOa for the same truck.
- Light at 112 lb, with a 440 lb dynamic roof rating.
- 4 behind-the-lip clamps per side give a solid, factory-style fit.
- I built the shell solo in about 20 minutes.
- Locking side doors, tinted rear glass and an optional passenger-side step.
- Brake light, interior light and black silicone come in the box.
Cons
- The driver-side latch sticks now and then and needs a tap.
- The rubber flaps over the locks pop loose and flutter in the wind.
Once I reach camp, a loose lock flap flops in the wind. I wonder if years of use leave them brittle. Still, my last Gladiator cap had no lock covers at all, so I credit OPENROAD for adding them.
One more theme shows up in owner reports. Several say customer support responds slowly, and a few received dented panels or missing hardware. Therefore, inspect every part on delivery and photograph any damage before you start the build.
Final Thoughts
Do you drive a 2023-2026 Colorado or Canyon? If you want a metal cap without the premium price, give this one a hard look. The fit, the clamps and the 112 lb weight won me over. After two weeks on my ZR2, OPENROAD did a great job on this cap.
It is not perfect, and I would rather tell you now. The sticky latch, the loose lock flaps and the bolt-kit labels are small annoyances. On the other hand, none of them is a big deal to me.
The OPENROAD truck cap fits buyers who will trade an hour or so of assembly for about $1,500 in savings. If you want an established dealer network, the RSI SmartCap EVOa is the better path. Either way, seal the roof joints before your first rainy trip. I plan to camp with it through cold-weather season, and my long-term update will cover rain and snow.
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FAQ
How much does the OPENROAD truck cap weigh?
For a Chevy Colorado camper shell or GMC Canyon camper shell, the 5 ft version weighs 112 lb. Caps for other trucks differ. For example, the 2024-2026 Tacoma 5 ft cap lists 123 lb.
How many people does it take to install the OPENROAD truck cap?
OPENROAD’s manual calls for at least three people. Still, I assembled the shell alone in 15 to 20 minutes. However, I needed a second person to lift the finished cap onto the truck.
How do you tell the front and back panels apart?
Check the roof panel first. Per the manual, the wider end is the front and the narrower end is the rear. Dry-fit each side panel before you tighten the bolts. A reversed panel sits slightly recessed from the front edge. Fix it before the cap goes on the truck.
Does the OPENROAD truck cap leak?
Owners report a dry bed once the cap is sealed. Apply the included 3M strip along the front and sides of the base. Then run black silicone along the roof joints after cleaning them with alcohol. My long-term update will cover rain and snow.
Will an aluminum truck cap hold a rooftop tent?
OPENROAD rates this cap for 440 lb while driving and 1,100 lb while parked. You need crossbars to mount a tent. Most hard-shell rooftop tents fall well under the dynamic rating. Add the weight of anything else on the roof before you load it.