Alu-Cab Gladiator Bed Cap

[smlobx]

Side cabinet..

I elected to get the smaller (750 mm) side cubbard and plan to outfit it for our kitchen ware. I will do something like what they sell but it will be tailored to the way my wife cooks. These can be installed on either side and anywhere along the opening. We elected to install it as far forward as possible so that we can access our fridge from the side if everything goes as planned...

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[smlobx]

i'm so glad they did this instead of making it flat accross and used another gasket on the front. Did this also help to figure out where laterally "centered" was?

Yes to some degree. They also used the top rail of the bed to verify they were the same on both sides.

 

[smlobx]

I will also mention that if you are considering ordering one of these you should seriously consider the table and the rack to hold it. It is incredibly convenient to be able to pull it out without having to dig around to find it.

 

[steffen707]

Since you had a pro install this, did they happen to mention why they put the brackets where they did? Not saying they're wrong, bug just wondering if I should put mine 6" from the end and one right in the middle of the two. I'll have to re-read the instructions. Makes sense to leave some rail on each end for mounting stuff.

‘Here are some dimensions that might help you if you want to throw something in there...

When you took these dimensions were they on the top of the tailgate or bed "ribs"? I imagine you had, as if you measured from the lowest point, that's useless info, unless you're carrying a box that'll fit inbetween that rib.

The load bars are normally attached directly on top of the canopy via a “L” bracket to the channels on the canopy. I needed a minimum of 2” from the top of the bars to the top of the canopy so that I can use the bolts that are on my Roofnest hard shell pop up tent and AVO supplied these Alu-Cab risers which ga;be me just what I need...

Just so others are aware, AVO is the dealer that sold @smlobx and my canopies to us. for Zero to a minimal fee (can't remember) I ordered the low profile bars (that come with the "L" bracket) and AVO ALSO sent me the little riser that @smlobx showed in his photos. That way i'm prepared for whatever mounting option works best for me.

 

[smlobx]

and they can stay on the rail unlike the clamps some OTHER canopies use. This should make uninstalling/reinstalling easy peasy.

Yes and if you get the roof racks it would be really easy to build some sort of pull system to hang off your ceiling. They installed the racks first and we picked up the canopy with them when we put it on the bed. Made it very easy.

 

[smlobx]

Since you had a pro install this, did they happen to mention why they put the brackets where they did? Not saying they're wrong, bug just wondering if I should put mine 6" from the end and one right in the middle of the two. I'll have to re-read the instructions. Makes sense to leave some rail on each end for mounting stuff.

When you took these dimensions were they on the top of the tailgate or bed "ribs"? I imagine you had, as if you measured from the lowest point, that's useless info, unless you're carrying a box that'll fit inbetween that rib.

Just so others are aware, AVO is the dealer that sold @smlobx and my canopies to us. for Zero to a minimal fee (can't remember) I ordered the low profile bars (that come with the "L" bracket) and AVO ALSO sent me the little riser that @smlobx showed in his photos. That way i'm prepared for whatever mounting option works best for me.

Bro your typing faster than I can reply ;-)

As far as the bracket locations they did not mention or ask me about where to put them. I don’t think it matters all that much but I can see where not installing them on the very ends might be better.

The dimensions were from the top of the ribs, I.e. the shortest dimensions possible.

That’s great that you got both brackets. I also wanted to add that I didn’t notice any whistling or noise from the bars at 70 mph...

 

[Rokon]

I had to use a little RTV sealer at the front inside corners of the cap. Couldn't compress the rubber seal enough to seal and could see daylight. Lifted the gasket slightly with a putty knife to get better RTV coverage.

 

[radioinstl]

Side cabinet..

I elected to get the smaller (750 mm) side cubbard and plan to outfit it for our kitchen ware. I will do something like what they sell but it will be tailored to the way my wife cooks. These can be installed on either side and anywhere along the opening. We elected to install it as far forward as possible so that we can access our fridge from the side if everything goes as planned...

Can you please post some pictures of how the cubbard attaches. Also a measurement of of far past the wheel well the cubbard sticks out. Also an over measurement of the side opening. I am trying to decide on 1 - 750, 2 -750 or 1- 1250 cubbard. Thanks

 

[steffen707]

That’s great that you got both brackets. I also wanted to add that I didn’t notice any whistling or noise from the bars at 70 mph...

whew, i heard people complain of that with other roof rack, bars.

 

[steffen707]

while you're taking all of our questions @smlobx , can you measure the same side to side measurement that another RLD owner took. RLD was 60.5", wonder what alu-cab is.

 

[steffen707]

Great news guys! The truck came a day earlier than the 2nd estimate!, 3 days AFTER the first estimate!

Bad news, the truck didn't have my pallet on it!

The driver looked for my box for 5 minutes, said sorry its not here, and left.

 

[radioinstl]

I would be interested in seeing a pic like for the Alu-Cab and the measurements to go with it. If it is too small on the Alu-Cab to be usefull, then I will order it with solid glass.

 

[steffen707]

I had to use a little RTV sealer at the front inside corners of the cap. Couldn't compress the rubber seal enough to seal and could see daylight. Lifted the gasket slightly with a putty knife to get better RTV coverage.

do you think it would work if I laid down a bead of silicone there, smoothed it out, let it dry, THEN put the cap on?

I just don't want the silicone to stick to the cap's weather stripping for when i take it off.

Check out that fridge cubby-hole! NICE!

 

[smlobx]

while you're taking all of our questions @smlobx , can you measure the same side to side measurement that another RLD owner took. RLD was 60.5", wonder what alu-cab is.

Ok the width between my factory rails is 56.25”
The width to the inside of the canopy rails is 57.50”
The width between the base of the swing out doors is 56”

If you look at my pictures above it will make sense.

 

[smlobx]

I would be interested in seeing a pic like for the Alu-Cab and the measurements to go with it. If it is too small on the Alu-Cab to be usefull, then I will order it with solid glass.

Given how small the Gladiator window is I didn’t order the sliding glass option for the canopy.

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