Tops! Canopy / covers / toppers / racks possibilities for Gladiator - Show me!

[USAFRecon]

But then you lose interior storage. Also if you wanted you couldn't put a water proof hard cover on the bed to keep things like fridge in the bed.

Good points all around. I did not even think about needing to be watertight. It's usually just gonna be me by myself so most stuff I'd throw in the cab, but I guess if I really wanted weather tight storage I think what I'd do is maybe get a soft camper shell that was shown a few posts back and have the rack sit above that. Good thinking my man

Sponsored

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

Good points all around. I did not even think about needing to be watertight. It's usually just gonna be me by myself so most stuff I'd throw in the cab, but I guess if I really wanted weather tight storage I think what I'd do is maybe get a soft camper shell that was shown a few posts back and have the rack sit above that. Good thinking my man

Yea I have been debating the perfect rack for a while in my head. IMO it would need the following features:

1) Bed Rail Mounted or External Skeleton (like on the JK, JL and that Brute post) - to allow a roll top hard water tight tonneau cover
2) I would like it to sit at a height that the roof top tent sits level with the cab to reduce drag
3) The cross bars (one that the tent sits on and go the same direction of the tailgate) are removable for days when you want to use the bed to haul large or tall items and when the tent is off the rack
4) Accessory storage on the side of the rack for fuel cans, shovel, etc

 

[USAFRecon]

Yea I have been debating the perfect rack for a while in my head. IMO it would need the following features:

1) Bed Rail Mounted or External Skeleton (like on the JK, JL and that Brute post) - to allow a roll top hard water tight tonneau cover
2) I would like it to sit at a height that the roof top tent sits level with the cab to reduce drag
3) The cross bars (one that the tent sits on and go the same direction of the tailgate) are removable for days when you want to use the bed to haul large or tall items and when the tent is off the rack
4) Accessory storage on the side of the rack for fuel cans, shovel, etc

About the same plans I have.

Pondering on it more.... I kinda think I want my rack to extend the entire length of the top of the truck from the tailgate to the windshield. Extended over the roof of the hard top of the Jeep and probably have support bars come down the a pillars for more strength. Since the RTT has a sloped roof I ain't too worried about it sticking out in the wind Once I am setup and the tent is popped up just unzip the front of the tent and walk out on the roof rack of the truck and have a porch. Perfect for a nice vantage point for those infield camping days at the NASCAR track, some chairs on the roof of my Jeep and be up above everyone else. I'd have a 2 story campsite!

As for as overlanding/expeditionary traveling I don't think I'd have a fridge or anything that will need power, I know you can get propane powered fridges but it's an added cost and added item i'd need to worry about carrying. At most some flood lights for setup would be wired in and maybe have a small solar panel somewhere for awning lighting, or other small things like a radio etc. A hard sided cooler like RTIC or Yeti or the such that can hold ice for a good period of time would be best for my purposes. Most I'd be out there is a good long weekend, 3 or 4 days tops.

The more I think on this the more I like it. Someone make a roof rack that goes from windsheild to tailgate!!

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

The leitner may be a good fit:
https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/leitner-designs-bed-rack.15209/

I think there’s a video in that thread of how you can push the bars on the top all the way forward.

 

[MadManMoheenid]

Here's the direction I'm going in, based on the Gladiator Wayout concept....

 

[Otter]

What no one asked for this yet?

A "Deuce and a Half" inspired bed top would be awesome!

 

[Jake]

Here's the direction I'm going in, based on the Gladiator Wayout concept....

One possible problem I see with this when you have a tent top is that it would be easy to kick out a bed side window when climbing up the ladder. Suggest you don’t climb up barefooted and break the glass with your bare feet.

 

[MadManMoheenid]

One possible problem I see with this when you have a tent top is that it would be easy to kick out a bed side window when climbing up the ladder. Suggest you don’t climb up barefooted and break the glass with your bare feet.

True. That ladder is not really practical in that spot, anyway. I think the ladder would be in the more traditional spot off the back and a little further from the glass, so you could climb it without touching the glass.

 

[Rubifender]

I'm dreaming about a JT Ursa Minor pop top on a Gladiator. That would be the bees knees.

 

[steffen707]

Wow! This thread has 30,000 views? Are the russians interested in tops for their old military vehicles?

 

[Matstock4]

Wow! This thread has 30,000 views? Are the russians interested in tops for their old military vehicles?

This is the only thread I subscribe to. It really is one of the top (pun intended) reason for me to get the Gladiator. That and its GVWR is +6000lbs. So much good stuff in here.

I bet the Google bots have found it and when folks search Jeep + topper, cap, or shell this beautiful thread is waiting for them! My 2 cents....

 

[Bobs85Reny]

What no one asked for this yet?

A "Deuce and a Half" inspired bed top would be awesome!

This one was inspired by that.

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

@Bobs85Reny You're still here! I was starting to worry, not seeing any posts from you. You're renders are causing quite a stir!

 

[Bobs85Reny]

Been away skiing the last couple of weeks. looks like this thread has had a lot going on. sure has seen a lot of visits.
I really like the new wayout concept. Gives me some ideas.

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Been away skiing the last couple of weeks. looks like this thread has had a lot going on. sure has seen a lot of visits.
I really like the new wayout concept. Gives me some ideas.

Sounds fun!

Yea, the wayout is definitely my favorite.

Sponsored