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

[msujedi]

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

Ditto on this. Except, #2. I like the rack height to match the cab so that kayaks could extend above the cab. A few manufacturers make bed racks two different heights ... cab height, and one ideal for RTT.

But, it'd be cooler if they made a single rack with an adjustable height. Rather than manufacturing 2 different racks, or guessing which rack height would be the better seller, they could sell to a broader market. And a buyer, me, who later decides to add a RTT could adjust the rack to the lower setting for less drag and a sleek look.

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[steffen707]

Ditto on this. Except, #2. I like the rack height to match the cab so that kayaks could extend above the cab. A few manufacturers make bed racks two different heights ... cab height, and one ideal for RTT.

But, it'd be cooler if they made a single rack with an adjustable height. Rather than manufacturing 2 different racks, or guessing which rack height would be the better seller, they could sell to a broader market. And a buyer, me, who later decides to add a RTT could adjust the rack to the lower setting for less drag and a sleek look.

 

[Ian cj10]

yes ive wondered for a while now when someone will bring out an adjustable rack

 

[drogers]

yes ive wondered for a while now when someone will bring out an adjustable rack

Thule has been making them for years - their XSporter line is height adjustable, but it may not hold as much weight as one might need for an RTT.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

Evo Mfg has their rack done. Not what Im looking for but cool none the less:

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

Ditto on this. Except, #2. I like the rack height to match the cab so that kayaks could extend above the cab. A few manufacturers make bed racks two different heights ... cab height, and one ideal for RTT.

But, it'd be cooler if they made a single rack with an adjustable height. Rather than manufacturing 2 different racks, or guessing which rack height would be the better seller, they could sell to a broader market. And a buyer, me, who later decides to add a RTT could adjust the rack to the lower setting for less drag and a sleek look.

Height adjustment is something I thought about but would be hard with racks that have accessory mounts on the side. Maybe they could make the cross bars that are removeable have two mounting positions hight (all the way at the top and level with the cab) and low so with the roof top tent it would be level with the cab.
View attachment 11483 View attachment 11484

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

Height adjustment would be awesome... but I think not very practical - for this style of rack.

Consider just some of the questions:

• How do you adjust the height?
• Is that assisted with hydraulics or motors?
• What holds the weight during adjustment?
• Can there be any extra weight during adjustment?
• If it's manual, how do you move the posts?

That said, there are height-adjustable racks on the market, just much simpler:

But to me, this won't work for a roof top tent, or overlanding in general...

 

[Tortooga Custom Works]

this was posted somewhere else... but talking about height adjustment made me think about this product, again not a direct fit for what you are all thinking, but interesting:

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

Height adjustment would be awesome... but I think not very practical - for this style of rack.

Consider just some of the questions:

• How do you adjust the height?
• Is that assisted with hydraulics or motors?
• What holds the weight during adjustment?
• Can there be any extra weight during adjustment?
• If it's manual, how do you move the posts?

That said, there are height-adjustable racks on the market, just much simpler:

But to me, this won't work for a roof top tent, or overlanding in general...

The rack would be a frame. And on the frame it would have multiple mounting points for the cross bars like my photoshop drawings above.

Roof Height:

Tent Height:

Just not sure there really is enough height on a mid-size as if you are able to lower it then you probably wouldnt have room for accessory mounts like Jerry Cans and such. For example check out the rack AEV did for their ZR2 concept:

If you lowered it to tent height no way to fit any accessories on the side.

 

[steffen707]

The rack would be a frame. And on the frame it would have multiple mounting points for the cross bars like my photoshop drawings above.

Roof Height:

Tent Height:

Just not sure there really is enough height on a mid-size as if you are able to lower it then you probably wouldnt have room for accessory mounts like Jerry Cans and such. For example check out the rack AEV did for their ZR2 concept:

If you lowered it to tent height no way to fit any accessories on the side.

It would basically be 3" above the bed rails then, lol.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

It would basically be 3" above the bed rails then, lol.

Yea lol. I think they would just be better off have two rack options then. Although the Gladiator has a lot taller of a cab then the ZR2 so there is more room there but its probably not enough to make a difference.

 

[furrymurray]

I like the height that EVO has theirs set at. Its tall enough to store things on the side of the rack but not too tall over the roof line. Seems to be a good balance of both to me.

 

[Bobs85Reny]

I Like the idea of having open sides. I still want the extra height. This is why I still like this top the best. If this was made of an aluminum frame you could have it with removable panels. Then if you wanted you could configure it with a replaceable hard side storage panel. The rack on top has a wind deflector in front plus the metal sides would protect the camper top and still not give up cargo space.

 

[Vegas_Sirk]

I Like the idea of having open sides. I still want the extra height. This is why I still like this top the best. If this was made of an aluminum frame you could have it with removable panels. Then if you wanted you could configure it with a replaceable hard side storage panel. The rack on top has a wind deflector in front plus the metal sides would protect the camper top and still not give up cargo space.

Only downside is then you lose the convertible top.

 

[Bobs85Reny]

Only downside is then you lose the convertible top.

True with the rack on you would lose the convertible top. A sun roof could be an option on the front cab. However you would gain side compartment storage.

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