Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[smlobx]

My awning is self supporting so I don’t need any but a quick search came up with several reasonable options from Cabelas…

https://www.cabelas.com/shop/en/cab...D4PGkl2E2GHeBdrubEhoCOToQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

Sponsored

 

[antwon412]

I have a wedge camper on order and will eventually get a 270 awning. But they’re $50p to $1500.

So until then, woot.com has a Coleman 10x10 pop up canopy for $60. Ordered it this morning.

 

[Free2roam]

I have a wedge camper on order and will eventually get a 270 awning. But they’re $50p to $1500.

So until then, woot.com has a Coleman 10x10 pop up canopy for $60. Ordered it this morning.

Ask Northridge 4X4 about any discounts. I got a OVS 270lt for a pretty good price. @Northridge4x4

 

[smlobx]

If your interested in a great, compact chair check these out from Frontrunner…

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/front-runner-expander-chair.html

 

[Tech Tim]

If your interested in a great, compact chair check these out from Frontrunner…

https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/front-runner-expander-chair.html

I've got two of those, we absolutely love them! Got 'em because they fold up fairly small for how comfortable they are.
https://www.northridge4x4.com/part/chairs/chai007-front-runner-outfitters-expander-camping-chair

 

[Mules]

I'm glad I got the Front Runner Chairs and the bag. They pack away small, are comfortable, and look like they'll last a very long time.

 

[Mules]

Ask Northridge 4X4 about any discounts. I got a OVS 270lt for a pretty good price. @Northridge4x4

You know I can't just go out a buy a 270 awning, I'll have to DIY one eventually! I bet 8020 aluminum stock would be great material to build one from. Also, instead on a second awning on the other side for a toilet/shower, why not build it into the main 270 awning.

Might be a good project for next winter.

 

[Mules]

Very nice DIY awning!

 

[antwon412]

I'm glad I got the Front Runner Chairs and the bag. They pack away small, are comfortable, and look like they'll last a very long time.

I am looking at those Frontrunner chairs as well. I’d love something that had adjustable legs. Normal chair height when using out doors, but the ability to have it low to the ground when I want to use it inside the bed camper. Thinking that would be nice for uncle weather - open up a chair, pop the wedge up and enjoy a book as I listen to the wind and rain.

 

[Mules]

For those of you who don't know Dan Grec, he is the author of The Road Chose Me series of books. He's been watching this forum and I think we almost convinced him to do a Gladiator Expedition build this year, but sadly, he went the Wrangler route.

Great video from Dan, but I obviously have a bone to pick with him about not choosing a Gladiator this time





And he forgot to compare to mine!

 

[smlobx]

Yeah, I am Patreon of his and in our comments there are a few people who don’t understand why he went this route. He kept harping on the fact that the bed of a Gladiator is designed to flex compared to the cab which is the case in all pick up trucks but I suggested cutting about a foot off the back, reinforcing the frame and then attaching the box to the cab like he’s doing will result in a more roomy interior. I think when he builds out the interior he’s going to find that he doesn’t have much room in there. …

 

[Mules]

Yeah, I am Patreon of his and in our comments there are a few people who don’t understand why he went this route. He kept harping on the fact that the bed of a Gladiator is designed to flex compared to the cab which is the case in all pick up trucks but I suggested cutting about a foot off the back, reinforcing the frame and then attaching the box to the cab like he’s doing will result in a more roomy interior. I think when he builds out the interior he’s going to find that he doesn’t have much room in there. …

Go Gladiator!! And I have about 9ft of interior length from the back of the front seats to the tailgate and upstairs I have 8ft.

I can also slide out the furniture in 10 minutes and have my truck bed for hauling.

 

[Mules]

I found a perfect spot for my solar generator, in the sink cabinet. It currently charges off the 400 watt Gladiator inverter. This way, whenever the truck is running, it charges the battery. As long as I drive about an hour a day, this is enough to keep the battery charged and keep my ICECO JP42 fridge running, as well as making coffee and meals on my electric appliances.

If my power supply runs a little low, I just idle the truck when I'm cooking.

On my list is to add a 100 to 200 watt solar panel to the top.

One other note is to not throw away the foam packing material when you get your power supply. It makes a nice trimmable cradle for the power supply, so it doesn't bang around in the cabinet.

 

[smlobx]

You might want to consider strapping it down too.

 

[antwon412]

I found a perfect spot for my solar generator, in the sink cabinet. It currently charges off the 400 watt Gladiator inverter. This way, whenever the truck is running, it charges the battery. As long as I drive about an hour a day, this is enough to keep the battery charged and keep my ICECO JP42 fridge running, as well as making coffee and meals on my electric appliances.

If my power supply runs a little low, I just idle the truck when I'm cooking.


On my list is to add a 100 to 200 watt solar panel to the top.

One other note is to not throw away the foam packing material when you get your power supply. It makes a nice trimmable cradle for the power supply, so it doesn't bang around in the cabinet.

That’s a nice little set up. I’m still trying to figure out how I’m going to mount my solar generator. At the moment I’m just using a strap around it connected to the bed tiedown point

I don’t know if I’m going to have a real bed build out yet, I will have to decide on that one to my camper comes in. I was thinking about finding some sort of medium strength, plastic toolbox. I could mount the generator inside. I could also mount a small fuse, panel in there and run the single wire out to my auxpro switch setup when I get it.

That way, it’s pretty easy to pull out of the truck along with the refrigerator. I currently have it set up real similar to yours where the generator is plugged into the truck to charge, and in the fridge is going into the solar generator.

I probably should just go grab some half inch ply and make some sort of little small storage unit behind the fridge up against the bed bulkhead. Something that can help with the solar generator securely, and I can slide in one of my storage bins underneath it.

Sponsored