Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

Next conversation is insulation/padding.

I figure I need two types of insulation. One for the top and one for the floor.

Here's my choice for the floor.

HVAV Duct Liner - It is elastomeric foam insulation used in HVAC equipment and other industries. It is designed for wet environments, is a great insulator, is anti microbial, and is flame and smoke retardant. Best of all, it's free since it was in the scrap bin at a HVAC company. It is very soft and nice to walk/crawl on. It comes in different thicknesses. I have a bunch of 1/2" and 1" thick. I also have some extra carpet left, so I will eventually glue the carpet to these pieces to make them last longer.

This pad on the tail gate is a life saver. The truck's spray on bed liner is brutal on my knees, and this padding feels incredible.

You could also use a Bed Rug, but I'm cheap and like DIY projects.

And here's a trick. Skip the razor knife and use your electric fillet knife. Cuts like butter.

Sponsored

 

[Mules]

Alright, big decisions coming up. Do I go electric, diesel or propane?

The big power hog is heat, not cooking.

Here's my view. Austrailians, Africans, and Southwest Americans have plenty of sun and tolerable nights. A good choice is solar and electric. The technology is now affordable, as long as the nights don't get too cold (heating is too much power).

Northern Americans and Canadians have cold nights, and hydrocarbons (propane, diesel, gas, wood) are the clear choice.

I'm stuck in the middle with 100 degree summers, and 0 degree winters. I'm compromising. Electric inside the vehicle, with gas generator outside. In the summer, when I don't need the heat, a 1000WH power supply will suffice, instead of bringing the gas generator. If I do go solar later on, my interior electric systems will still work. Just replace my generator, with a solar generator.

Let's see what you folks have done.

 

[Mules]

Beautiful weekend for the woods. Didn’t get cold enough for heat last night.

 

[Free2roam]

Going diesel heater and solar panels with 200AH Renogy batteries. 2@ 100 watts on the roof and 2@ 100watts to plug into when I get to camp spot. Two are moveable and two are stationary. Hopefully charging as I drive with 2on roof of camper. Plus Iceco fridge freezer Vl60D and whatever else electrical I may think I need. All going to be 12vdc. Not tapping into my Jeep Gladiator charging system. I do have the in bed plug as a backup.

 

[Rusty PW]

Next conversation is insulation/padding.

I figure I need two types of insulation. One for the top and one for the floor.

Here's my choice for the floor.

HVAV Duct Liner - It is elastomeric foam insulation used in HVAC equipment and other industries. It is designed for wet environments, is a great insulator, is anti microbial, and is flame and smoke retardant. Best of all, it's free since it was in the scrap bin at a HVAC company. It is very soft and nice to walk/crawl on. It comes in different thicknesses. I have a bunch of 1/2" and 1" thick. I also have some extra carpet left, so I will eventually glue the carpet to these pieces to make them last longer.

This pad on the tail gate is a life saver. The truck's spray on bed liner is brutal on my knees, and this padding feels incredible.

You could also use a Bed Rug, but I'm cheap and like DIY projects.

And here's a trick. Skip the razor knife and use your electric fillet knife. Cuts like butter.

The black foam insulation. We use it at the power plant to insulate pipe. The insulators use electric knifes to cut it. Good stuff. I got some of it at home that I use as a knee cushion.

 

[Mules]

Beautiful weekend for the woods. Didn’t get cold enough for heat last night.

I call this camp site "Sugar Bush". Here's a video of my son and friend boiling maple syrup here a few years back.

 

[OutdoorGeek]

Thanks!

Always loved the size, low profile hard shell, ability to leave bed made with pillows, ladder also fits under the mattress, ease of the open and close a hard shell offers (under 1 min. Open and 2 min close) and the straight room up vs the triangle open style most hard shells offer, open 360* view. Lots of room in this tent (The EVO XXL). My girlfriend appreciates the cassette potty in the RTT as well ?.

I am moving it forward on the bed rack to match rear closed tailgate. Unlike most on here, I do wish the bed was 24”es longer.

We have camped in the James barroud during 25-30 nights with and without a heat pad. The memor foam mattress did fine but the days were in the 40s

agree about the quick up/down with everything inside already. That is key with any weather

 

[Mules]

I glued some leftover carpet to the foam for floor mats. This should make the sponge rubber last longer.

 

[montechie]

Having 3000 watts of continuous power opens up new possibilities. Maybe I'll find a small air fryer. My home air fryer is a Ninja which does everything, air frying, backing, pressure cooking, slow cooking, searing, etc.

Foresty Forest, a YT'er in a mini-van and then a Quiggly full-time in Canada does some great recipes with his Ninja, and a crockpot before that. Sometimes puts my cooking to shame and he's doing it after 15 hour days in the mountains.

 

[Zybane]

Alright, big decisions coming up. Do I go electric, diesel or propane?

The big power hog is heat, not cooking.

Here's my view. Austrailians, Africans, and Southwest Americans have plenty of sun and tolerable nights. A good choice is solar and electric. The technology is now affordable, as long as the nights don't get too cold (heating is too much power).

Northern Americans and Canadians have cold nights, and hydrocarbons (propane, diesel, gas, wood) are the clear choice.

I'm stuck in the middle with 100 degree summers, and 0 degree winters. I'm compromising. Electric inside the vehicle, with gas generator outside. In the summer, when I don't need the heat, a 1000WH power supply will suffice, instead of bringing the gas generator. If I do go solar later on, my interior electric systems will still work. Just replace my generator, with a solar generator.

Let's see what you folks have done.

I'm going both diesel hard-mounted interior heater and electric heater. The diesel heater will be for when it's really cold (my JT is a diesel) and the small electric heater (maybe blanket) for the not-so cold nights running off my lithium bank.

 

[Mules]

I like the look of a butcher block counter for the camper's kitchen, but It's hard to find the right size, and getting a large piece is pretty expensive. I decided to try building the counter out of some left over oak flooring I had. I'm glueing together some pieces and will cut to size later.

 

[Free2roam]

Just ordered my Hest dually wide mattress. 15% off

 

[Mules]

Turning my oak flooring into a camper counter top. I’m using sawdust mixed with glue to fill the holes.

 

[TexasOverlander]

Good move. The two heater options should provide plenty of warmth !

My smaller RLD canopy with a tent extension on back has been working good. Lined the ceiling and driver side with Reflectix. I have a 375w heater that I plug into my Jackery 1500. Gives that touch of warmth at night and first thing in AM. have a Little Buddy Propane if needed, but make sure I vent the tent if I use it.

For meal prep, a simple and easy cleanup option I have found are the Road Pro items that truckers have used for years. (find at truck stops or Amazon) I have two 12v items that do a lot:. I can plug them into my vehicle power or my Jackery.

12v Mini Oven. I use the aluminum liner pans, so no clean up needed. Can heat a single canned or frozen meal in 30 min to 75 minutes. I also use a 2 qt 12 v sauce pan. Works great for beans, soups, stews, etc. Does require a washup, but is non-stick and easy to clean.

It is all an evolving process. I think we would all get bored if we were not constantly changing, tweeking, upgrading ???

 

[Redruby]

Tex I agree 100% with your last paragraph I’m constantly revamping my Jeep and the ACCC

Sponsored