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

[Troybilt]

It looks "off," at least in part, because it has ridiculously-small tires, huge ghetto wheels, and it's lifted far beyond normal for that tire size. It's the worst marketing photo in the history of Western Civilization. If A.R.E. put it on a real Gladiator, it might look decent-to-good.

So you are going to give Quaka a pass

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[steffen707]

So you are going to give Quaka a pass

that thing has a rear wing, but also 2 kegs, still ugly.

 

[MarineHawk]

So you are going to give Quaka a pass

That's the opposing, but equally-ridiculous, equivalent to lifting and putting giant mud tires on a Corvette.

 

[jurfie]

that thing has a rear wing, but also 2 kegs, still ugly.

That's the opposing, but equally-ridiculous, equivalent to lifting and putting giant mud tires on a Corvette.

But it caught people’s attention at SEMA, so...mission accomplished?

 

[Markpod7]

Custom crossbar set up complete

 

[madduck]

man, i saw an ARE topper on a taco this week in flagstaff, it looked sharp.
it looked like an overland style top but when i went to the ARE website i wasn't able to locate it. i'm not so sure it wasnt a commercial/fleet topper that they were using for rec purposes. the leading edge of the topper was vertical with a gap between the cab and the top but i thought it looked ok.

i'm really hoping that a few more topper options come availalbe this spring. i placed my custom order this week, with the holidays expecting up to 12 weeks. when i arrives i want to build it ASAP but i only want to buy once. i dont want to buy a tonneau or rack to get me through this summer/fall only to have more toppers come avail in the fall/winter.

all first world problems though. i'm blessed to have this 'issue'.

 

[steffen707]

dang, i missed it.

This thread just ticked over 200,000 views. neat!

I got an email from alu-cab africa, they don't have a photo of a cap on the gladiator and told me to watch social media for when they do have a photo.

 

[bhbdvm]

Well, heck! I've read this entire thread! I have a deposit on a Alu-Cab with front glass, regular side doors, including shipping, and installed for $3,300 that I placed two weeks ago. Today I spoke with a rep at RLD DesignsUSA about the RLD stainless steel and he said a 2nd Generation Gladiator edition is coming out in late February or early March. This new model will be different than the current Gladiator model as far as fitment for sure. He will not have pictures until next week. Now i'm all messed up. Some pros and cons as I see them:

• Seems like the RLD is stronger and can handle more dynamic weight (700 pounds).
• Was told only two seams welded on the RLD and that welded seams with stainless steel are stronger as opposed to multiple welded seams on the Alu-Cab and aluminum has a weaker strength at the weld.
• RLD is slightly heavier (maybe 20 pounds).
• Looks like the Alu-Cab has more accessories and better support within the USA,
• RLD has no brand history in USA
• Alu-Cab has T tracks making it easier to install roof tents, awnings, etc.,

• Alu-Cab has rain guards for the hinges and therefore decreasing chance of water leakage,
• Alu-Cab has a 3 year warranty on structure and 1 year on parts while RLD has a 2 year warranty (having said this, both companies claim less than 1% warranty claim).
• RLD has standard front sliding front glass and positive pressure vent.
• The standard RLD costs $3,199 on their website plus another $300 shipped to western NC and not dealer. Install of the RLD is all on me (not that they are to difficult to install/mount).

Not sure if I like the way either one of them fits based on limited pictures thus far. Most recent photo of Gladiator with RLD shows a funky fitment at the cab while the Alu-Cab is a tighter fit and more in line with the dimensions of the cab. Perhaps the 2nd generation of the RLD will address this?

 

[Mopar King]

My 2020 Sting Gray came with the Mopar soft bed cover. I pulled it off and went a different route. Anyone interested, its in new condition.

Mopar part #82215615

PM with any questions.

 

[Oilburner]

I guess I am the odd man out, all I really need is this - super lightweight, easy to remove but can carry a canoe:

 

[steffen707]

I guess I am the odd man out, all I really need is this - super lightweight, easy to remove but can carry a canoe:

Lightweight CHECK
Easy to remove (top) CHECK
can carry a canoe CHECK

i'll take one

 

[smlobx]

Well, heck! I've read this entire thread! I have a deposit on a Alu-Cab with front glass, regular side doors, including shipping, and installed for $3,300 that I placed two weeks ago. Today I spoke with a rep at RLD DesignsUSA about the RLD stainless steel and he said a 2nd Generation Gladiator edition is coming out in late February or early March. This new model will be different than the current Gladiator model as far as fitment for sure. He will not have pictures until next week. Now i'm all messed up. Some pros and cons as I see them:

• Seems like the RLD is stronger and can handle more dynamic weight (700 pounds).
• Was told only two seams welded on the RLD and that welded seams with stainless steel are stronger as opposed to multiple welded seams on the Alu-Cab and aluminum has a weaker strength at the weld.
• RLD is slightly heavier (maybe 20 pounds).
• Looks like the Alu-Cab has more accessories and better support within the USA,
• RLD has no brand history in USA
• Alu-Cab has T tracks making it easier to install roof tents, awnings, etc.,

• Alu-Cab has rain guards for the hinges and therefore decreasing chance of water leakage,
• Alu-Cab has a 3 year warranty on structure and 1 year on parts while RLD has a 2 year warranty (having said this, both companies claim less than 1% warranty claim).
• RLD has standard front sliding front glass and positive pressure vent.
• The standard RLD costs $3,199 on their website plus another $300 shipped to western NC and not dealer. Install of the RLD is all on me (not that they are to difficult to install/mount).

Not sure if I like the way either one of them fits based on limited pictures thus far. Most recent photo of Gladiator with RLD shows a funky fitment at the cab while the Alu-Cab is a tighter fit and more in line with the dimensions of the cab. Perhaps the 2nd generation of the RLD will address this?

Just. Couple of comments about your points from someone who has used the Alu-Cab canopy extensively in some of the remotest places in Africa and who has one ordered and will hopefully be getting it next month...

The Alu-Cab is more than strong enough for nothing you could possibly want to put on top of it and still drive it anywhere. I know because I have done it .

We have never had any seams break or give way.

I would suspect the RLD is quite a bit heavier than the Alu-Cab.

Here’s a few pictures of us using them on a recent adventure...

 

[steffen707]

Most recent photo of Gladiator with RLD shows a funky fitment at the cab while the Alu-Cab is a tighter fit and more in line with the dimensions of the cab.

So far nobody has any photos of a made for gladiator alu cab on a Gladiator, only Tacoma alu cab on a Gladiator.

 

[bhbdvm]

So far nobody has any photos of a made for gladiator alu cab on a Gladiator, only Tacoma alu cab on a Gladiator.

True. I should have stated that even with the Tacoma canopy it is a fit that better aligns with the Gladiator cab (imo). According to RLD USA the 3rd generation RLD should address this. I have been promised pictures of the Gladiator Alu-Cab in the next 7-10 days. If I do get them, I will share. Apparently they are doing some fitment testing on a Gladiator in New Jersey.

 

[steffen707]

True. I should have stated that even with the Tacoma canopy it is a fit that better aligns with the Gladiator cab (imo). According to RLD USA the 3rd generation RLD should address this. I have been promised pictures of the Gladiator Alu-Cab in the next 7-10 days. If I do get them, I will share. Apparently they are doing some fitment testing on a Gladiator in New Jersey.

Who's in New Jersey that might spill the beans? Turn on your "glad-dar"!

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