Thinking about getting a Alu-Cab Canopy

[caryt]

Sooo..I have a diesel with 38" Trail Grapplers and stock gears. Clayton 3.5" springs, RK 8 arms, RCV's, ADS 3 tube Bypasses, ADS bump stops, Heavy DIY Currie rear sway bar, Icon Beadlocks etc.

Runs great get 21-22 all the time and live at 5' so hills and mountains.

Seeing that I may be adding 500lbs + the full Goose Gear build out, redarc, solar, 2 batterys, Water etc I'm guessing total of 1000 lbs added?

Its my DD, RV Todd and trail rig..nothing like the Rubicon more over-landing but will play on easier rock trails.

Some questions:

MPG hit? Ya I know pay to play but curious .
Additional wind noise?..its already loud to me about 72db at 70mph, mainly wind noise.
Assume I'll be needing gears so torn between 4:10 and 4:56?

Its not something that I'll be removing like I could if it wasn't built out like this so those that have done this level of a build any regrets?

Anything I should be aware of?

Thanks

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[Steven_B]

Are looking at the Canopy or the Canopy Camper? Guessing since you also mentioned Goose Gear.

I am sitting on 37" Nitto Recons and installed 4.10s when I did my ARB Air Lockers and happy with the setup. Nitro had done one run of 4.30s and I may have gone with them, but at the time they weren't going to do another run. In my opinion, 4.56 and higher are a little too steep if not planning on running larger than 37s or if never running on highways. I attached a few photos of my RPM range at 60, 65 & 70MPG with 37" tires and 4.10 gears.

Fuel Mileage with the campers is still around 19-20 overall and if I try, I can keep it at about 23MPG on the highway (computer numbers).

No real noticeable road noise to me, I can still talk to my wife about any problems. I did have headliners before the camper, so not sure if that makes a difference or not.

Let me know if you have any questions. I did finally post a walkaround video if you want to see what I have done. Cheers!

 

[fourfa]

Canopy or Canopy Camper? Canopy (like the thread title) is just the shell, but you mention Goose Gear which makes me think Canopy Camper...

We have a long thread here: https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/alu-cab-canopy-camper-roll-call.52174/

 

[fourfa]

oops, ninja'ed

BTW I've very happy on stock 3.73s on my diesel with 37s, including on hard trails. No Goose Gear, more of a minimal furniture build, but still plenty of weight with usually two adults, two large dogs, camping gear and fuel and water and supplies for 10+ day trips. I'm on Clayton 3.5 HD in back, diesel springs in front. Very happy with the suspension handling this load

 

[smlobx]

Can’t comment on the tire and gearing choice as I’m running 35’s on the stock gearing gas Rubicon.

I was one of the first to get the Alu-Cab canopy in the US as I’ve used them in Africa with great success. IMHO there is nothing else on the market that is as strong and as light as an Alu-Cab canopy.

No additional wind noise and no hit to mileage with just the canopy. Once loaded up there will be a decrease in Mileage.

 

[caryt]

Yes a full camper with about every option available..
I'll check out the threads.

This is my JT..haven't installed the ADS stuff yet. It sits about 2" higher in the rear measuring at the Rock Slide steps

I've done a rear Goose gear delete plus 2 layers of sound control in the back, haven't done the front yet. It came with Hot head headliner kit..IMO petty worthless but its there.

 

[caryt]

Before you install everything including the Goose Gear bed plate do you caulk up the drains?
Linex the bed?

Dumb questions I know...

 

[Free2roam]

So many more options out there than just the ACCC. It's weight you're concerned about check out the OVRLND camper. There's three on here that have them. I'm up in Reno. If ya ever want to stop by before making a decision.
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/ovrlnd-camper-roll-call.66940/

 

[fourfa]

Or gofastcampers. That was my second choice; lighter, simpler, cheaper, but arguably less luxurious and polished than ACCC.

 

[caryt]

I'm looking at getting a used one so major savings over buying new and having to build it out.
What I like about the Alu-cab is no dust..unlike many others that I have looked at.
I do like the Skinny Guy camper Kit ‘N Kaboodle version but unless I find one used I'm looking at at least $10k more. I especially like the additional room and being able to use there jacks to remove, weigh down low. and much better aerodynamics. Something to learn more about.

 

[Steven_B]

Before you install everything including the Goose Gear bed plate do you caulk up the drains?
Linex the bed?

Dumb questions I know...

Not a dumb question.

Yes, you'll want to seal up the bed completely. I had the factory bed liner and was surprised all the areas of the bed liner didn't penetrate and seal.

If not already, you become very friendly with Sika Flex. Just make sure you have a box of gloves and a dedication pair of clothes, you'll thank me later

Sika Flex - https://amzn.to/3vJMVTV

 

[caryt]

Thanks, yes I use Sika Flex 715 all the time. have 2 tubes left over from sealing things on my MH..

One additional question I see that the bed caps are left on rather than removed , I would think that sealing to the bed rails would be better than the plastic caps? So if I LineEx the bed leave the caps/ remove then and leave bare or cover the bed rail top with LineEx?

 

[Steven_B]

Thanks, yes I use Sika Flex 715 all the time. have 2 tubes left over from sealing things on my MH..

One additional question I see that the bed caps are left on rather than removed , I would think that sealing to the bed rails would be better than the plastic caps? So if I LineEx the bed leave the caps/ remove then and leave bare or cover the bed rail top with LineEx?

I personally haven't had any issues. The thick foam that goes between the camper and the plastic bed rails seems to have sealed perfectly. I know the Tacoma guys have issues and need to seal with Sika, but I think Tacoma bed rails are completely flat like a Gladiator.

 

[Chaos Theory]

I've spent the last several months going back and forth over camping options... Cab vs off-road trailer vs RV that can just pull the Jeep. I've ultimately settled on an off-road trailer. My Jeep is a daily driver that already gets shitty gas mileage. Even a few hundred more lbs up top will make a difference. I also use the bed enough to not want something permanently mounted that restricts the space.

Still always curious about Alu-cab, tho. If my Jeep were a secondary vehicle, I'd probably go that route.

 

[Thebigboowah]

Sooo..I have a diesel with 38" Trail Grapplers and stock gears. Clayton 3.5" springs, RK 8 arms, RCV's, ADS 3 tube Bypasses, ADS bump stops, Heavy DIY Currie rear sway bar, Icon Beadlocks etc.

Runs great get 21-22 all the time and live at 5' so hills and mountains.

Seeing that I may be adding 500lbs + the full Goose Gear build out, redarc, solar, 2 batterys, Water etc I'm guessing total of 1000 lbs added?

Its my DD, RV Todd and trail rig..nothing like the Rubicon more over-landing but will play on easier rock trails.

Some questions:

MPG hit? Ya I know pay to play but curious .
Additional wind noise?..its already loud to me about 72db at 70mph, mainly wind noise.
Assume I'll be needing gears so torn between 4:10 and 4:56?

Its not something that I'll be removing like I could if it wasn't built out like this so those that have done this level of a build any regrets?

We did a full build and lived out of ours for over a year. No regrets. https://findpenguins.com/geauxgurus Just do it. You will love it. MPG sucks…like 12. Wind…really no difference. Back seat delete was a must for us. Built it yourself. Extruded aluminum is your friend. EZPZ.

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