Camper shell suggestions.

[Ssober]

I am looking at camper shells
Westin exp, ovs rough country, rsi smartcap, alucab, openroad or whatever variant. Anyone have experience with these. I dont want a fiberglass. The slip fit of the westin i like, the roughcountry has a lot of features for the money but weird molle shape. Comments, suggestions. Real world experience

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[Ssober]

To be clear, I am not adding a rtt, im a ground tent person. Wife and I pee too many times in the night.

 

[Free2roam]

Ovrlnd camper? If you have an idea Jay and Maggie can build it. All made in Flagstaff AZ

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/ovrlnd-camper-roll-call.66940/

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

For a bed cap I love my OVS unit. Marine grade stainless which is a Mutha to drill through but it’s solid.

 

[White Eagle]

To be clear, I am not adding a rtt, im a ground tent person. Wife and I pee too many times in the night.

Amen Brother

And I sleep on a 4’ roll up futon with a Cabela’s Outfitter XL bag. We are well rested by the time morning coffee is brewed with my K-Cup and Ecoflow

 

[caryt]

You can find a Alucab Canopy Campers used many are completely outfitted way cheaper than you can DIY or outfit a bare bones one. Cannot match their build quality.

 

[CKayaks]

I have a RSI SmartCap. Came as a kit that I assembled and installed but there is a installer network if you want someone to do it for you. I have the Defender model. No windows. Other models have different combos of windows, etc. I live on dirt roads in western Montana. Been offroading with it a couple times. The camper shell has been solid.

You will read a lot about leaking and quality issues on SmartCaps if you cruise the forums. Peeling paint. Bad leaks. Fit issues. But that is typically North American made versions and/or on the larger trucks. The South African (SA in part number) built caps do not seem to have the issues. I think all the Gladiator caps are SA. Follow the torque specs and install instructions. Maybe add some additional sealant at the seams. I Lexal'd mine on the outside seams. RV sealant would be better. I am not a big fan of the vent, but can see the benefits.

Oh, with ANY cap you get, spend time on sealing the tailgate! Our Glads leak dirt and water badly there. Search the forums here. There are a couple threads on that. I also went through and taped up the various openings in the bed. Tie downs, drain holes, some bolt holes. Dust and water creeps in otherwise.

 

[Josh Sweeney]

I am really happy with my Go Fast Camper Topper (not a RTT) I spent a lot of time trying to figure out what I wanted and every option seemed overpriced. The GFC wasn't cheap either but I have zero complaints.

 

[Batterycap]

Alu-Cab. I found a used one for my Gladiator. Asheville Vehicle Outfitters can make it happen. They dialed mine in for me. I now have 4 brake lights.

They are one piece - made in SA. No pieces to fit together and hope they don't leak.

Asheville Vehicle Outfitters

 

[dirty red label]

If a person was looking to purchase a used camper shell, is there any other Truck Manufacture, that would fit a gladiator bed size? Or at least close?

 

[Lost1wing]

I have a RSI SmartCap. Came as a kit that I assembled and installed but there is a installer network if you want someone to do it for you. I have the Defender model. No windows. Other models have different combos of windows, etc. I live on dirt roads in western Montana. Been offroading with it a couple times. The camper shell has been solid.

You will read a lot about leaking and quality issues on SmartCaps if you cruise the forums. Peeling paint. Bad leaks. Fit issues. But that is typically North American made versions and/or on the larger trucks. The South African (SA in part number) built caps do not seem to have the issues. I think all the Gladiator caps are SA. Follow the torque specs and install instructions. Maybe add some additional sealant at the seams. I Lexal'd mine on the outside seams. RV sealant would be better. I am not a big fan of the vent, but can see the benefits.

Oh, with ANY cap you get, spend time on sealing the tailgate! Our Glads leak dirt and water badly there. Search the forums here. There are a couple threads on that. I also went through and taped up the various openings in the bed. Tie downs, drain holes, some bolt holes. Dust and water creeps in otherwise.

I am happy with my SmartCap. No leaks, as I followed the instruction during assembly.

 

[Thunderspud]

The South African (SA in part number) built caps do not seem to have the issues. I think all the Gladiator caps are SA. Follow the torque specs and install instructions.

I am happy with my SmartCap. No leaks, as I followed the instruction during assembly.

I also have an SA-made Defender model, and it's been absolutely great. The only oddity I can attest to is that mine apparently came with incorrect (aka lower-rated) gas struts on all the doors. I was not even aware of this until the SmartCap support folks pro-actively decided to ship me stronger versions when they noticed during a completely different discussion we were having. Not a lot of companies would have done that.

The install process is important though. After having installed ours, I can understand where someone could potentially end up with leaks or other issues if they didn't take a few minutes to read/watch the (extremely well done instructions and videos) and just tried to slap it together.

 

[steven1955]

We bought an Alu-Cab and are very happy. Chose it over the RSI because it was lighter and came fully assembled. Fewer points of possible leakage.

Note that if you have a Gladiator with a soft top many caps will not fit on your truck. Both the RSI and the Alu-Cab will fit.

 

[Lost1wing]

I also have an SA-made Defender model, and it's been absolutely great. The only oddity I can attest to is that mine apparently came with incorrect (aka lower-rated) gas struts on all the doors. I was not even aware of this until the SmartCap support folks pro-actively decided to ship me stronger versions when they noticed during a completely different discussion we were having. Not a lot of companies would have done that.

The install process is important though. After having installed ours, I can understand where someone could potentially end up with leaks or other issues if they didn't take a few minutes to read/watch the (extremely well done instructions and videos) and just tried to slap it together.

The only complaint is that it is just a bit narrow. I think it would look like a better fit if it was the same width of the cab.

 

[JTGuy]

For good looks I chose the ARE Classic with overland side windows.

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