Alu-Cab Canopy Camper Roll Call

[cug]

Check out Tnutz aluminum extrusion.

Independent of the actual extrusion, but related:

Are you using the Mopar bedrails and if yes, what type of fastening did you use to attach your extrusions to it? I'm looking for a good way to secure "furniture" (whatever that ends up being) to the sids of the truckbed and would prefer to use the Mopar rails as the anchor points, not the camper extrusions.

And question to all Canopy Camper owners:

What have you found is a good fastener to use in the t-slots of the ACCC? I'm going to use the t-slot extensively and not looking to grinding down any bolts or so, rather a solution that fits out of the box.

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[cug]

Oh, and the picture, I'm finally able (again) to do my own measurements and planning for the build:

 

[Free2roam]

Independent of the actual extrusion, but related:

Are you using the Mopar bedrails and if yes, what type of fastening did you use to attach your extrusions to it? I'm looking for a good way to secure "furniture" (whatever that ends up being) to the sids of the truckbed and would prefer to use the Mopar rails as the anchor points, not the camper extrusions.

And question to all Canopy Camper owners:

What have you found is a good fastener to use in the t-slots of the ACCC? I'm going to use the t-slot extensively and not looking to grinding down any bolts or so, rather a solution that fits out of the box.

Using 1/4-20 electrical spring nuts. Piece of all thread to hold them on. Might have to space them to a more vertical position. I've found that there isn't a damn thing that seems to be square on the bed.

 

[cug]

I've found that there isn't a damn thing that seems to be square on the bed.

LOL ... I'm not surprised. Probably best to build from the bottom up to get it square and then attach to the side frame.

 

[cug]

What have you found is a good fastener to use in the t-slots of the ACCC? I'm going to use the t-slot extensively and not looking to grinding down any bolts or so, rather a solution that fits out of the box.

For the record and to answer my own question: a standard M8 hex bolt works.

 

[fourfa]

For the record and to answer my own question: a standard M8 hex bolt works.

Whoops, I've been meaning to answer this all week. +1 to that. The other handy thing to have is some M8 thin nuts to fit inside the M8 rails:

https://www.mcmaster.com/90710A120/

This is a 4mm tall stainless and I can confirm it works (I use them all over my ACCC). Looks like there are also 5mm tall thin nuts out there, not sure but those probably work too

 

[cug]

This is a 4mm tall stainless and I can confirm it works

Nice one, that's going to be helpful when I get to other areas, since having a wide flange button head visible on a panel is nicer than a crown nut and washer. I will definitely use this when I put a panel on the rear door to mount a table (probably the Frontrunner tailgate table).

One more comment on this: I've found that using a small piece of weak double sided tape on the back of a t-slot nut (or in this case an M8) helps tremendously when mounting to vertical channels ... ;-)

 

[fourfa]

Might take some trial and error to get the exact right length button heads to work with the thin nuts. 16mm shanks work if the the thing you’re clamping is thin. 20mm if it’s thick. (Asssuming a normal washer and lock washer, less if not)

 

[Steven_B]

Since we Gladiator guys can't use the spare tire mount, has anyone installed or thought about installing a lightweight aluminum box or Pelican-style case on the back door? Some of the high-end overland vehicle builders and van outfitters do it for light gear storage.

Examples:

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Since we Gladiator guys can't use the spare tire mount, has anyone installed or thought about installing a lightweight aluminum box or Pelican-style case on the back door? Some of the high-end overland vehicle builders and van outfitters do it for light gear storage.

Examples:

I think it would work pretty well using the Rhino Rack Pioneer bars like I have on my door. I have been planning some ideas for this.

 

[cug]

I think it would work pretty well using the Rhino Rack Pioneer bars like I have on my door. I have been planning some ideas for this.

That's a nice idea, you bolted them through the interior struts? So far, we haven't utilized the rear door in any way, so collecting ideas. I like the idea of putting some low profile load bars there.

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

That's a nice idea, you bolted them through the interior struts? So far, we haven't utilized the rear door in any way, so collecting ideas. I like the idea of putting some low profile load bars there.

Yes, I am thinking of making some small stainless rectangle washers for the inside of the door also to give a little more strength and to distribute the forces. If you tighten the screws too tight through the door and frame you can see the frame crushes in a little.

 

[cug]

If you tighten the screws too tight through the door and frame you can see the frame crushes in a little.

Makes sense, it's aluminum after all. Really not sure what I do there since I also want to use the interior door space for a drop down table and cover the rest nicely. Don't want to have bolt heads sticking out everywhere ... ;-)

 

[813 Fabrication & Design]

Makes sense, it's aluminum after all. Really not sure what I do there since I also want to use the interior door space for a drop down table and cover the rest nicely. Don't want to have bolt heads sticking out everywhere ... ;-)

Here are a few photos to help with that. It’s really not bad if you choose the right size bolts and even put plastic covers on the ends of them you don’t even really notice them there much. It works well with all the stuff I have on the inside of the door

 

[cug]

It works well with all the stuff I have on the inside of the door

It really works well in your setup. Might not work as well for us, just the way we are planning our interior to look and feel.

The plan is to cover the interior of the door more or less completely with 6mm plywood, put insulation behind that, mount a Frontrunner table to the lower half, and put maybe some pouches on the upper for cooking utensils and things I need/want to get to quickly. I might be able to hide a few bolt heads and some aluminium strenghening strips somewhere. Will have to see when I get to that part of the project, still busy with the basics right now.

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