Camper shell suggestions.

[smlobx]

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

I had the very first Alu-Cab camper installed by AVO. It is still working great and I have zero issues with it.

Sponsored

 

[Swamp Donkey]

I’m thrifty so I went Alibaba aluminum Modular with glass on all four sides. Also got the roof rack with it. Packaging was impressive, quality is impressive, no leaks or problems (I put it together and installed). Fit and finish are great. Took three months to get it at my house.
Price is a game changer…

 

[chad468]

Rough Country looks nice but 335lbs!!! Yikes. OVS is 225-235lbs, RSI is 212 and then there's Alucab at 137 with windows. My only concern with ALU cab is how much the doors flex not wanting them to warp or crack in the future. I may want to add molle paneling to the outside of it in the future. Someone else did that and it looks great but they had to reinforce the strut mounting points. I also really like steel ones being magnetic. Gives you a ton of options for mounting things. I'm completely stuck between the modular but steel smart cap and the one piece but flimsier aluminum doors and boxier shape of the Alucab.

 

[Oil_Burner]

I also have a SA made RSI cap. I followed the instructions and torqued as required. No leaks. I can’t believe how strong it is. You can stand on the top and not be worried about damaging it. I also love the way they take in fresh air and keep dust from entering the interior. I put 2 kayaks on the top and love it.

 

[steven1955]

.....and then there's Alucab at 137 with windows. My only concern with ALU cab is how much the doors flex not wanting them to warp or crack in the future. I may want to add molle paneling to the outside of it in the future. Someone else did that and it looks great but they had to reinforce the strut mounting points....
........ I'm completely stuck between the modular but steel smart cap and the one piece but flimsier aluminum doors and boxier shape of the Alucab.

All I can add here is that I have 35,000+ miles drive with our Alu-Cab installed without any issues. I have not carried any significant weight on the roof, but would not hesitate to do so.

One nice feature that is often overlooked is that there are I believe 5 uni-strut like aluminum channels running left to right on the interior roof. These both reinforce the roof and act as places to mount things. (I have eyebolts to hang bag chairs out of the way.)

If you did add molle panels to the side door I would reinforce the gas strut mounting points because if they bent you might loose the water tight seal around the side doors.

 

[smlobx]

Rough Country looks nice but 335lbs!!! Yikes. OVS is 225-235lbs, RSI is 212 and then there's Alucab at 137 with windows. My only concern with ALU cab is how much the doors flex not wanting them to warp or crack in the future. I may want to add molle paneling to the outside of it in the future. Someone else did that and it looks great but they had to reinforce the strut mounting points. I also really like steel ones being magnetic. Gives you a ton of options for mounting things. I'm completely stuck between the modular but steel smart cap and the one piece but flimsier aluminum doors and boxier shape of the Alucab.

My first experience with the Alu-Cab canopies was on our first overlanding trip to Africa where we rented an outfitted 79 Series 4x4 with an Alu-Cab canopy with a RTT (https://bushlore.com/). The fact that these canopies are in a rental fleet said a lot and that’s why I picked one up when it first became available.
in other words don’t worry about it.

 

[Darth Rubicon]

I got the OVS cap and no complaints. Main reason was how much cheaper it is compared to the competition.

 

[JTGuy]

The factory ARE told me that my camper is good for about 500 pounds on the roof and it weighs about 165 pounds. I have no plans or desire to put a RTT and myself on the roof.

 

[AustinKalb]

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.

Just buy mine I think you could save some $$ vs an identical build but still pretty expensive!

 

[RubiNewbCB]

OVS, price was right with a discount code on top of a sale, and zero complaints.

 

[LiftedEngineer]

Personally I’d start with Alu‑Cab/OVS if you want durability, then look at SmartCap as a budget‑friendly runner‑up.

 

[chad468]

Personally I’d start with Alu‑Cab/OVS if you want durability, then look at SmartCap as a budget‑friendly runner‑up.

OVS is cheaper here near Portland Oregon. Just to found out that ok4wd is the exclusive importer of alucab and they are keeping it that way. A large local retailer tried to sign up and they were refused. OK4WD is going to keep only mule Expedition outfitters as an exclusive dealer in my region which limits customers access. FBS!

Sponsored