Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

Could not find one that fit what I wanted, so I used some of my old camp gear and modified to fit my cargoslide when extended. Gives me options up to about an 8' long inside area.
I modified an old tent I(Cabela's I-Pod unit) by removing small end, then taped open edges and seams to make it fit. Used 3 poles from a Cabela's Cot Tree and made mounts on slide to stand them in when it is extended. My canopy is the RLD stainless steel unit, so I form a seal of the tent edges with magnets. Easy set-up and works for my purposes.
Since the below photos, I bought longer gas struts for the rear hatch to stand it at a higher angle> Then modified tent to go over the hatch to add higher inside clearance for a 32"x42" area. I can now sit inside in a low camp chair to be out of wind and weather (I do a lot of trips to mountains and desert areas.) I also insulated roof and part of sides and end with Reflectix.
I have removed the bed platform and just started working on version 3.1 to raise sleeping area and improve cargo storage. But, I will not be able to work on it again for several weeks. Hope to finish it in March for my trip to NM and AZ in April.
If I ever build a "perfect" mock-up with easy materials, I may have a duplicate professionally built from aluminum? We will see, as I had several versions in my JKUR over 5 years before trading it in for the Mojave. First formed tent from old sheets and was planning on having a tent made from my pattern, but then realized I could modify this heavy duty tent from the pattern, and it works when I want to close off the back.

I love this! DIY tent mod to a Gladiator, with a slide. Very innovative.

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[TexasOverlander]

Talking about traveling light and easy, Front runner dropped the price of their old style Wolf Packs. Mine are on order. I've got the perfect place to put them in my rig.

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/front-runner-wolf-pack.html

That is a good deal. I used to use an assortment of tool boxes and bags, and had them placed by height to lay my foam or air mattress in in back of my JKUR. They were limited to smaller items.
I found the below Bauer boxes at Harbor Freight, bought two plus one of the open crates. They lock together, store a lot and can be used as a table base with a piece of thin plywood top that lays flat on bed floor under them when not in use.. I have cookware and eating utensils in one. Other is misc items depending on trip. Then the ope crate is used for camp tools, etc ( hatchet, folding saw, entrenching tool, stakes, rope, etc.

The wolfpack looks great, may be stronger and is definitely cheaper,!! Too late for me, as I have the others already, but great recommendation for others.

I am building my new bed frame where they will be at the same height beside bed or slide just under it. Want to test it both ways before I decide..

https://www.harborfreight.com/large-modular-toolbox-58511.html?_br_psugg_q=bauer

 

[TexasOverlander]

Nice looking setup. I've thought about the canopy and then a ground tent that attaches to the back.

something like this, but to a canopy. We already have the truck tent and it's ok, but I'd like something a bit more secure.


Not that it helps, but I've seen online a canopy that the top flips over 180 degrees to open into a tent. It would be 10 feet when open. Don't remember the make, if I come acrossed it again, I'll post.

If you run across that again, please send a link! I thought about getting one of the ground tents that would attach to the rear, but I wanted a locking hard canopy and then needed to modify from there.

Right now, I also have a lightweight nylon tarp 10x13 that I drape over the top and tie off when it is raining. It provides outside standing or sitting room at the tent entrance, and I can drop the sides to shield when I am bathing or changing clothes. On my JKUR, I had an ARB fold out awning and it was a PIA to deploy and then to store. Stored in my garage and will probably never use again as is, but may find need for the tarp or poles in afuture DIY project..

 

[Teqsand]

Here's my review of the Dash Mini Griddle vs. Road Pro Skillet for solo truck camping.

The Dash Mini (120v 350 watt) took about 10 minutes (including 5 minute heat up) to cook the Ham, Egg & Cheese Bagel and the Road Pro (12v 180 watt) took 25 minutes (including 10 minute heat up).

If I only took one of these camping, it would have to be the Road Pro. It's slower, but it can also heat up soup and boil water, and the Dash Mini can't. The Road Pro will also work in any vehicle with a 12v cigarette outlet.

That being said, the Dash Mini is only $12 where the Road Pro is $41. I'm keeping both of them.

Oh look, the rich guy showing off his eggs.....

 

[Mules]

It might not be fancy but it’s pretty nice on a cold night not to go outside. Especially for an old fart like me.

 

[TexasOverlander]

It might not be fancy but it’s pretty nice on a cold night not to go outside. Especially for an old fart like me.

Agree 100%. That was one of reasons I worked to raise the interior height of part of my tent, to allow sitting inside. Days of a shovel and 50 ' trek into the woods at 4 AM in cold or rain is not something I want to repeat at this age.

 

[Mules]

Agree 100%. That was one of reasons I worked to raise the interior height of part of my tent, to allow sitting inside. Days of a shovel and 50 ' trek into the woods at 4 AM in cold or rain is not something I want to repeat at this age.

It's nice to have some standing room in the back of the truck, when the upstairs bed is pulled down, for those 4am breaks. I haven't updated the drawing, but you get the idea.

 

[Mules]

Oh look, the rich guy showing off his eggs.....

Do you want a look at my bacon?

 

[Mules]

Nice day for chili by the river.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Anybody have any idea who makes this?

Seen it at the local ski resort. Blastered with stickers on the back, but couldn't make out a brand or model.

 

[Redruby]

I believe it’s a Nimbl

 

[trust]

I still engine cook with my scrambler, the flat top valve cover with threaded bosses is perfect for a burrito. Muffin, sandwich warmer. I built one that keeps the food in dirt out driving or not. It works great trail speed, less so in the highway.

There is also an engine cooking cookbook that is way more sophisticated than I care to be, but I have one just in case

 

[RudeJeepin]

I believe it’s a Nimbl

I'd say your probably right, there was a NIMBL sticker on the back, along with 50 others. Lower left.

Don't see anything like it on their website though. I only see stuff for 1 ton and larger.

 

[-miko-]

I stopped by a friend's fiberglass shop to get quotes on fiberglass molds to build version 2 of my camper. I'll keep everyone informed if I decide to move forward with production.

I still have a lot to do in order to put together a business plan, but I was wondering what this forum thought about a $14,000 retail price for the camper with pop up and upper bed in Jeep Hardtop Black. Color matched, furniture, and shipping would be extra.

I would need to make a reasonable volume to get the price this low.

One thought that could expand the appeal and volume - what about offering the bed cap alone (no pop top)? I would love a bed cap that allowed full access/pass-through to the main cab that looked as OEM and integrated with the vehicle as you've done. That would essentially be creating an extended Wrangler but with a much more useful cargo area. And one that you can stealth camp in.

EDIT:
Something like this (with advanced apologies for photoshopping your pic)...

 

[Mules]

One thought that could expand the appeal and volume - what about offering the bed cap alone (no pop top)? I would love a bed cap that allowed full access/pass-through to the main cab that looked as OEM and integrated with the vehicle as you've done. That would essentially be creating an extended Wrangler but with a much more useful cargo area. And one that you can stealth camp in.

EDIT:
Something like this (with advanced apologies for photoshopping your pic)...

Nice idea. I could offer a high top and a low top!

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