Bed Topper (OVS, RSI, etc) and Cargo Management (Decked, Slide out, other)

[MAG00]

Was curious to get feedback on the the OVS bed cap. How would you rate it in relation to the other similar caps (RSI, Alu-Cab, etc.)? From a security standpoint, I noticed the hinges on the OVS appear to be mounted on the outside. Are they simple bolts that could be backed out and gain access? Just curious.

Also, what's your thoughts on going with a bed cap and the DECKED drawer system vs a cargo slide out vs just using containers. I've also seen a bed system by TMat that uses a bed mat with various inserts (link: https://www.tmat.com/products/tmat-midsize-truck-kit).

Just for a point of reference, I carry various types of gear (work, kids gear, and travel) from time to time so I definitely need a bed cover. I currently have the metal rolling bed cover from Truck Covers USA and it's been good, just limits you from securing anything that may be a little taller than the bed rail attachments. For example, a full size cooler won't go under it.

Just curious to get feedback. Thanks

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[RenegadeBI]

I opted for the Westin cap & am very happy with it, built my own pullout to suit my needs.

 

[PNW Pinoy]

Hi. I went with RLD Canopy Design for the one piece construction and dead load/dynamic load capabilities. I've had it for 3 years now, with an Ikamper 2.0 and Awning on it. Use case is camping, and peace of mind of our gear being secure and out of sight. I don't have a slide out system and looking at the Tmat solution you mentioned. Also, just had my 2020 sport lifted 2 weeks ago. Sharing here in case anyone is interested of details. Added a 2.5" Clayton ride right lift kit with 35" Baja boss AT tires, Method wheels with +25mm offset.

 

[MAG00]

Thanks for the replies thus far. Please keep them coming. Looking for comments, suggestions, recommendations, and pics are even better.

 

[MAG00]

Would love to get some more feedback, suggestions, or recommendations. Thanks.

 

[MoparToYou]

I'm happy with our combo of a Smart Cap and a Decked system. Both are super high-quality products and are very sturdy. The way the side gull-wings and the rear lift gate seal up on the Smart Cap is fantastic. It stays clean and dust free inside. If choosing a cap and drawer system again I would choose the same products. Assembly of both was simple. The only challenge was recruiting 4 men to help lift the Smart Cap into place on the truck. My wife came through with that one, with four men from where she works. Not sure how I should feel about that.

 

[MAG00]

I'm happy with our combo of a Smart Cap and a Decked system. Both are super high-quality products and are very sturdy. The way the side gull-wings and the rear lift gate seal up on the Smart Cap is fantastic. It stays clean and dust free inside. If choosing a cap and drawer system again I would choose the same products. Assembly of both was simple. The only challenge was recruiting 4 men to help lift the Smart Cap into place on the truck. My wife came through with that one, with four men from where she works. Not sure how I should feel about that.

Thank you for the feedback and pics. I like the organization of the decked system. My only hang up is how much of the depth/ht. of the bed that is taken up and how it would be having to lift something heavy further up to get into the bed. I thought about a cargo slide just to make it easy to get to things and not take up quite so much bed space. However, with the gull-wings, I am not sure it is necessarily needed.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I have the legacy Decked two drawer and I'm wanting to sell it and get a cargo slide. I know the single drawer Decked is supposed to provide more space, but the two drawer system I found to be a huge waste of space and I couldn't fit half the stuff I wanted in it. I was hoping I could fit my stove and cookware in the large drawer, and misc items like my first aid, lights, random things, etc in the small drawer, but no. Nothing would fit right. It was either not deep enough to stack things, or not long enough, or wouldn't fit width wise because of the stupid tapered design of the walls. It also didn't pull out far enough so putting anything in the last foot of the drawer meant it had to fit through a 4" gap or you had to empty the entire drawer to get it out. It's also just tall enough that you can't fit anything on top of it with a tonneau cover. I'm sure it works great for small items like tools and parts (if you keep them loose), but I found it a big waste of space and money. So now I'm going with a cargo slide so I can stack totes on it.

Edit: bad photo, but this is what I'm going for. Packout setup mounted to the front side for my battery system, air comp, and water. Kitchen and tote storage on the rear most part. Still have room on the sides for things, and it all pulls out for ease of access.

 

[Greg_L]

@SmartCap on mine. I like it a lot. Through no fault of the SmartCap people, my one regret is the glass windows. I wish I'd known about the Defender model which has black steel side panels. I don't need the windows. But besides that I like it. It's solid and secure and most importantly keeps everything inside of it dry and clean.

I use my Gladiator as an actual truck. I need the bed space so decks and/or storage are a no-go. As a musician I have to chuck things like guitar speaker cabinets and drums up into the bed and with the current lift I'm about as tall as I wanna go. A deck would be super impractical.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

@SmartCap on mine. I like it a lot. Through no fault of the SmartCap people, my one regret is the glass windows. I wish I'd known about the Defender model which has black steel side panels. I don't need the windows. But besides that I like it. It's solid and secure and most importantly keeps everything inside of it dry and clean.

I use my Gladiator as an actual truck. I need the bed space so decks and/or storage are a no-go. As a musician I have to chuck things like guitar speaker cabinets and drums up into the bed and with the current lift I'm about as tall as I wanna go. A deck would be super impractical.

Thought about a cargo slide? You would only lose a couple inches of height, but might make loading your gear a lot easier.

 

[Greg_L]

Thought about a cargo slide? You would only lose a couple inches of height, but might make loading your gear a lot easier.

Honestly I didn't even know that was a thing. I'll look into it more. Thanks.

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Honestly I didn't even know that was a thing. I'll look into it more. Thanks.

Theres quite a few brands out there now. Decked, Cargo Glide, Bed Slide. Or if you're handy enough you can make one for a fraction of the cost of a new one with some cargo rollers or 56 or 58 inch heavy duty drawer slides and some plywood.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/my-rear-cargo-slide-diy-version-2-0.91122/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/diy-bed-slide-using-conveyer-rollers.32553/

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/2010-tundra/toyota-tundra-building-budget-bed-slide/

 

[Greg_L]

Theres quite a few brands out there now. Decked, Cargo Glide, Bed Slide. Or if you're handy enough you can make one for a fraction of the cost of a new one with some cargo rollers or 56 or 58 inch heavy duty drawer slides and some plywood.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/my-rear-cargo-slide-diy-version-2-0.91122/

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/forum/threads/diy-bed-slide-using-conveyer-rollers.32553/

https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/project-cars/2010-tundra/toyota-tundra-building-budget-bed-slide/

Those are fantastic, thank you.

 

[MoparToYou]

Thank you for the feedback and pics. I like the organization of the decked system. My only hang up is how much of the depth/ht. of the bed that is taken up and how it would be having to lift something heavy further up to get into the bed. I thought about a cargo slide just to make it easy to get to things and not take up quite so much bed space. However, with the gull-wings, I am not sure it is necessarily needed.

Agree with the depth/ht of the Decked system being a concern. After installing a Decked system you need a Smart Cap or some other kind of shell on your Gladiator, because the Decked system pretty much changes it into a flat bed truck. I was afraid things would fall out when driving the truck, so solved that issue with a Smart Cap. I'm happy with the results now though. Both the Decked system and the Smart Cap are super high quality items, and they work well together for us.

Our Gladiator is my wife's daily driver, and a vehicle we use for back country exploring. It isn't for hard core rock crawling, my JLUR on 40s does that. My wife calls the Gladiator her "Outlanding Vehicle". It really is a good bug-out vehicle and a reasonable overlanding vehicle. But my wife is a fan of the Outlander TV movies and doesn't realize that it is called overlanding instead of outlanding. The name Outlanding Vehicle has stuck. The Decked system is always loaded with all the tools, recovery gear, fluids for the Jeep, and survival gear that would be needed to live for a few weeks. If the shit hits the fan, hop in the Gladiator and we are ready to go.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I have a RSI Smartcap. I use a couple large Dewalt boxes, and various other containers, to hold everything. It's not lifted, so with the doors on it, I can reach anywhere in the bed and get what I want. I don't really have the need for a cargo slide or anything like that. I do have a portable table and one of the RSI ceiling mounts to carry it up out of the way. I also put a roof rack on top of the Smartcap.

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