Alu-Cab Canopy Camper Roll Call

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Awesome!!

Thanks!

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[cug]

Mounted a Trailrax roof rack, specific for the Gladiator with AluCab Canopy Camper.

Test fit:

Fully mounted:

Top view:

Thoughts:

The rack is pretty good quality, I just wish they used metric hardware. The whole truck is metric, so I find stuff like this annoying. Some 4mm hex keys work, if they are machined a little small (Wera works) but if they are very precise 4mm they won't (Hazet). An 11mm wrench or socket will fit the nylock nuts, but can be a little hard to get on/off. The most annoying part is that the bolts are different sizes/threads from our normal M6, which means I need extra spares just for this.

Other than that, it fits well, feels solid, the wind deflector sits on tight, although we haven't tried it yet, just installed it today. First driving test tomorrow. Longer driving test on Monday.

The Maxtrax are mounted with a self made bracket:

Works great, is lightweight, and ended up under half price compared to Trailrax' solution.

 

[Steven_B]

Mounted a Trailrax roof rack, specific for the Gladiator with AluCab Canopy Camper.

Test fit:

Fully mounted:

Top view:

Thoughts:

The rack is pretty good quality, I just wish they used metric hardware. The whole truck is metric, so I find stuff like this annoying. Some 4mm hex keys work, if they are machined a little small (Wera works) but if they are very precise 4mm they won't (Hazet). An 11mm wrench or socket will fit the nylock nuts, but can be a little hard to get on/off. The most annoying part is that the bolts are different sizes/threads from our normal M6, which means I need extra spares just for this.

Other than that, it fits well, feels solid, the wind deflector sits on tight, although we haven't tried it yet, just installed it today. First driving test tomorrow. Longer driving test on Monday.

The Maxtrax are mounted with a self made bracket:

Works great, is lightweight, and ended up under half price compared to Trailrax' solution.

I just did a 2,526 mile round trip test with mine, no noticeable wind noise that I noticed. And that was driving through a portion of the storm that just slammed California.

 

[caryt]

Question is the Trailrax getting rid of the wind noise from the addition of the Alu-Cab ?

 

[Steven_B]

Question is the Trailrax getting rid of the wind noise from the addition of the Alu-Cab ?

Honestly, I never noticed any wind noise from the camper. The camper sits very tight to the top compared to when it is mounted to other vehicles such as the Tacoma.

 

[caryt]

Interesting..I'm overly sensitive to noise because of Tinnitus so will do whatever it takes to make the Gladiator quite..except for the tires will not give up Trail Grapplers.

 

[Steven_B]

Out of curiosity, what are the most consecutive nights in a row that you have camped in your Alu-Cab Canopy Camper? Last week I completed a trip in which I slept in mine 8 nights in a row, the longest trip I have completed to date.

It was a challenge planning for such a long trip without any planned trips to town (only went to town once, mostly for internet access) and I came away with some new organization ideas for longer trips that I will eventually implement into my existing custom cabinets.

 

[Redruby]

I’ve spent 90 consecutive nights in my ACCC had no issues, I also built a custom wind deflector that eliminated 90-95% of wind turbulence my mpg average is 15.6 with 35” tires and my weight is 7,000 lbs, for organizing I have custom aluminum drawer system

 

[Steven_B]

I’ve spent 90 consecutive nights in my ACCC had no issues, I also built a custom wind deflector that eliminated 90-95% of wind turbulence my mpg average is 15.6 with 35” tires and my weight is 7,000 lbs, for organizing I have custom aluminum drawer system

90? That's going to be hard to beat.

 

[cug]

Interesting..I'm overly sensitive to noise because of Tinnitus so will do whatever it takes to make the Gladiator quite..except for the tires will not give up Trail Grapplers.

Coming back to this - we are on a trip right now and it SEEMS to be a tiny bit less wind noise. I haven’t done measurements, this is just an impression. When we get back I might also have some ideas regarding impact on fuel consumption.

 

[cug]

It was a challenge planning for such a long trip without any planned trips to town (only went to town once, mostly for internet access) and I came away with some new organization ideas for longer trips that I will eventually implement into my existing custom cabinets.

For me the biggest challenge for trips like this is planning food and water. We generally try to be independent for three to four days, but that’s also due to the need to refuel. And refueling often means opportunity to buy other needed items. We can stretch it to a week, depending on distance traveled per day, but more is hard.

Would be interesting to hear what your thoughts on organization and furniture changes are.

We came away with the following on longer trips:

• Not having to move something to get to something else
• Quick and effortless camp setup- including chairs and table
• Interior livable space is super important unless we only travel in good weather
• Every action that happens daily has to be as simple as possible
• We like table space or other usable flat surfaces inside
• A working toilet solution makes for great comfort

We’ve build ours like a teeny tiny RV, much less like the typical truck canopy setup. And while it’s certainly not necessary to do an elaborate build, the concepts are good to keep in mind when you plan for longer travel.

 

[cug]

Has anybody here mounted Rotopax with their mount to the rear Molle panel?

If yes, what hardware did you use? The included hardware for the square cutouts doesn’t fit the mount slots … just asking before I start playing around with hardware I have …

Update: I’m definitely not using their hardware, it’s non-metric. So, M6 it is, which is good since I have about a gazillion options flying around here from the interior build.

 

[caryt]

Update , Owner came by last weekend and both of us working non stop took 4.5 hrs to remove all. Now to sell the Goose gear items as they really don't fit. If anyone knows someone with a '05 up Tacoma that is thinking about doing a Alu-Cab Canopy Camper send them my way.
TOYOTA TACOMA 2005-PRESENT 2ND AND 3RD GEN. - BED PLATE DRAWER SYSTEM
1071-GGR-WC with With Drawer Module Insert Points.
Fit kit for Alu-Cab Canopy Camper
Drivers Front Utility Module
Passangers Front Utility Module
Rear Drivewrs 2 Drawer Module
Rear Passanger 2 Drawer Module
Rear Electrical Panel 1 with Fire Extinguisher mounted
Rear Electrical Panel 1 with 6 circuit Blue Sea fuse block and 2ea lighted switches with relay.
I removed the table and shower bracket's..that was fun.

I have a Fit Kit to do the JT install and just ordered some Blind Rivets to replace the ones that we had to drill out.

I'm getting overloaded with possibilities..driving myself nuts reading and looking at pictures to do the build out. Think its best to start with the basic's, Solor and electrical. Will likely just use Redarc to simplify the design process besides its a proven system. I'd like to get 400w 1/2 cell's and about a 230-260amp LiFePo4 battery.

Outside lighting ..I like the RIGIDs 1x2 65 degree DC LED Scene Light's but also want Amber ones so more searching.

May go with just my 5 liter Specter water tank for now..

Fuel tank will pose a issue if I do a Dickerson heater..plus I have 3ea Spector 5 liter tanks..the Military ones.

I may change out the Propane tank holder for a PQBM from Expedtion Essentials.

Pictures of what all I have .

 

[cug]

It's a pretty nice setup as it is. Bummer that you can't use the furniture. That is some serious value sitting right there (and a sh*t ton of work saved if you could use it).

And nicely sorted interior as well. Looking forward to seeing what you do with it.

 

[caryt]

Still looking at how I can mod the Goose Gear cabinets to work..but first I need to get the camper on..maybe this weekend then have a plan for all the part below as cabinets will need to work with this.

Question for all, Anyone done a similar system that has a build posting anywhere on how/where and what all you used in mounting up your Redarc system. I have coming a manager 30 rogue system, 2ea 200w panels, a 3000w inverter and a LiTime 230ah battery.. As stated thinking about getting a GP Factor panel kit for ease of install. Not real handy with wood but have some ability plus all the tools. Metal is more my comfort zone so maybe Molle panels? Open to all ideas and parts needed.

Thanks

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