Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

Just received my Wolf Pack storage boxes. They fit nicely in a couple spots.

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[Mbryson]

That's an excellent height. I just snagged a couple

Just received my Wolf Pack storage boxes. They fit nicely in a couple spots.

 

[Mules]

Here's a 300 watt coffee maker I can plug in my truck's 120v outlet.

https://www.amazon.com/Salton-Compa...argid=pla-351708451177&psc=1&region_id=674469

 

[Mules]

No camping, but took a road trip to Peak 6 in Breckenridge and China Bowl in Vail. Hope to be driving this summer at this altitude!

 

[Mbryson]

That's an excellent height. I just snagged a couple

@Mules , how are you tieing those boxes down in your bed? After receiving these last week, I'm struggling to find a use for these in my JT. These are just a little tall stacked 2 high to use my stock tonneau cover. I'm not sure if these are the right solution for me but I'm not ruling them out as of yet.

These are the "hold down" brackets but I'm not super keen on bolting things through my bed floor.
https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/wolf-pack-rack-brackets.html ---maybe I end up using these on my roof top tent rack or who knows where.

 

[Mules]

@Mules , how are you tieing those boxes down in your bed? These are just a little tall stacked 2 high to use my stock tonneau cover. I'm not sure if these are the right solution for me but I'm not ruling them out as of yet.

There are two tie downs for a ratchet strap at the back of the Gladiator bed that I use to occasionally hold down water, gas, frig., cooler or these boxes. Honestly I usually don’t strap anything down since these items fit pretty snug behind and under the camper seats. I also have a 2x6 that holds these items in the back pretty tightly.

 

[Mules]

I found another coffee maker that will run on my stock Gladiator 400 watt inverter. I lived in Italy for a while and love this stye espresso (coffee) maker. It is exactly 400 watts, so perfect for my camper.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P67RSJ...olid=25YKYWA9LUWYP&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Here's a 12 volt 190 watt Road Pro Coffee maker.

https://www.amazon.com/RoadPro-12-Volt-Coffee-Maker-Carafe/dp/B081LDRRDF/ref=sr_1_4?crid=1AXMZI040WAG7&keywords=12+volt+coffee+maker&qid=1677177060&s=home-garden&sprefix=12+volt+coffee+maker,garden,125&sr=1-4

 

[Mules]

Lined my mess kit with some foam rubber so the stuff won’t bang around while driving.

 

[TexasOverlander]

Here's my review of the Dash Mini Griddle vs. Road Pro Skillet for solo truck camping.

The Dash Mini (120v 350 watt) took about 10 minutes (including 5 minute heat up) to cook the Ham, Egg & Cheese Bagel and the Road Pro (12v 180 watt) took 25 minutes (including 10 minute heat up).

If I only took one of these camping, it would have to be the Road Pro. It's slower, but it can also heat up soup and boil water, and the Dash Mini can't. The Road Pro will also work in any vehicle with a 12v cigarette outlet.

That being said, the Dash Mini is only $12 where the Road Pro is $41. I'm keeping both of them.
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I happened to be in a store yesterday called Homegoods. They had a couple of the Dash Mini for only $6.99, the waffle Iron for about that?, and two of an Item called the Dash Egg Bite Maker for $9.99. Was surprised they were that much cheaper than Amazon.

It is slightly bigger than the Dsh Mini ( and smaller than the Dash 8" ) at 5" square. Has depth of a little over 3/8" on both the top and bottom sections. The egg cups come out and it has surfaces like the grills. I filled bottom with water (3/8" deep), closed lid and it was boiling in about 3 minutes or so! With the deeper surfaces, it will be easier to use. Wattage is rated at 420. I will try it sometime soon on cooking. if it cooks as well. as the mini, it will replace the Mini in my camp kitchen.

 

[jeepstertim]

I have been putting my JTR together for the drive home to the UK from Qatar, where I'm currently working. Simplicity and budget are key.

I'm running a small spacer lift and BFG 35x12.5, I have had a bespoke aluminium half height canopy made to keep the bed secure and the RTT at roof height. The RTT is an ARB Esperance 2 which replaces a cheap Chinese tent I bought initially (buy cheap, buy twice). The ARB shell is also near as damn it Sting Grey!

I'm currently using the green camping bag (on the table in the pic) as kitchen but suspect I'll end up going with a homemade pull out drawer for convenience.

Playing with shade options at the weekend and trying to justify why a $25 tarp will work better than a 1.4m awning!

 

[TexasOverlander]

Cooked with the new Dash today. Bacon about 13 minutes and used 3% of Jackery reserve. Egg Bites in the cups less than 10 minutes and used 2%, maybe close to 3%.

The one thing I am finding consistent with these cheaper products is that either they do not use the wattage they specify, or my Jackery is off on the output. I think the Jackery is likely more accurate.

Mules, that may mean you can use more products with the factory inverter. This Dash 5" is rated for 420 watts, but for 3 cooking sessions, it never exceeded 349 watts, and stayed mostly at about 343.

 

[RudeJeepin]

Cooked with the new Dash today. Bacon about 13 minutes and used 3% of Jackery reserve. Egg Bites in the cups less than 10 minutes and used 2%, maybe close to 3%.

The one thing I am finding consistent with these cheaper products is that either they do not use the wattage they specify, or my Jackery is off on the output. I think the Jackery is likely more accurate.

Mules, that may mean you can use more products with the factory inverter. This Dash 5" is rated for 420 watts, but for 3 cooking sessions, it never exceeded 349 watts, and stayed mostly at about 343.

Those units could be adding a little cushion to their ratings, maybe an extra 10% just for safety.
Plus their rating would be max draw and maybe that is only seen for a few seconds when first turned on high.
No real knowledge on my side, just making a guess.
Either way, keep up the informative work.

 

[Mules]

Cooked with the new Dash today. Bacon about 13 minutes and used 3% of Jackery reserve. Egg Bites in the cups less than 10 minutes and used 2%, maybe close to 3%.

The one thing I am finding consistent with these cheaper products is that either they do not use the wattage they specify, or my Jackery is off on the output. I think the Jackery is likely more accurate.

Mules, that may mean you can use more products with the factory inverter. This Dash 5" is rated for 420 watts, but for 3 cooking sessions, it never exceeded 349 watts, and stayed mostly at about 343.

Also fuses are usually oversized by 20%, so I'm betting it would work on my 400 watt inverter.

 

[jeepstertim]

Are you going to document your trip? I’d love to see what route you take and how it goes. Keep us posted.

I will be recording/ reporting it somehow, not yet sure of the best medium. In outline it'll be SW across Saudi and then up the W coast, Jordan, Israel, ferry to Turkey, Turkey, Greece, Albania, Montenegro, Serbia, Croatia, Austria and then undecided, If I have run out of time it'll be a straight line for the UK. There seems to be some 'mystery' around the Israel ferry so alternatives will be Syria, Lebanon then ferry to Turkey or Iraq (no real wish to back there) into Turkey.

 

[Mules]

As you know, I'm running my camper from the truck's stock battery and stock 400 watt inverter. Currently I have a heavy gage 12v extension cord that runs from my cab to the kitchen/fridge. I was looking for a 12v & 120v panel to mount in the kitchen, which is very hard to find.

Success, below is a dual voltage panel.

I'm still considering replacing my stock Gladiator battery with an 80 to 120AH Lithium Antigravity Battery. Lithium starter batteries are gaining popularity in Exotic cars to save weight, but there is still concern in the Overlanding world about operating at very low temperatures. The batteries are getting better every year, though.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07KHLGL6...olid=25YKYWA9LUWYP&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

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