Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Zybane]

I have some scratches from the last time in the woods. This time I brought an extension for my limb saw. This rig is tall!

Ya I just know going in that any true off-road vehicle is going to get scratched to hell and back. I just let it happen lol. One reason the Cybertruck interested me... paintless stainless-steel would be amazing in that regard. But then again it's a "full size" pickup type vehicle that wouldn't even fit down a lot of trails.

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[trust]

A guy with your talents and attention to detail could build a swing out hitch mounted tire rack with out even raising a sweat. I've built a couple that actually worked and I'm a ham fisted fabrication novice by comparison

 

[Mules]

A guy with your talents and attention to detail could build a swing out hitch mounted tire rack with out even raising a sweat. I've built a couple that actually worked and I'm a ham fisted fabrication novice by comparison

Thanks! Looks like Santa needs to get me a welder and band saw for my next project, and I'm in!

 

[Jaxmax]

Keeping the spare under the bed, would make for a better swing out fuel storage without too much weight, perhaps two Jerry cans …Jack

 

[Mules]

I can't believe I've been driving around with this camper for 5 months! This is my daily driver as well as my camper and toy. Here's my good, bad, and ugly report.

The Good:

• The truck's HVAC works fine to heat and cool the truck in 100 degrees F to -10 degree F, driving or parked.
• The fiberglass shell and paint job is holding up very well (so far).
• The lift cylinders and external hardware is holding up nicely to the weather.
• The lexan back window is working out well (I broke the acrylic one and had to make a tougher one).
• The shell is very weather resistant driving in the rain. Only a small leak around the back hatch that doesn't affect anything.
• The tent material I used is very heavy duty and probably overkill, but holding up great.
• Love the layout when set up, with plenty of seating and room to stand and move around.

The Bad:

• It's 6 inches too tall! I wish I would have shortened the top by 6 inches, so I could drive into my 8ft. tall garage. It still would have been tall enough up top to keep the mattress and bedding. Opps.
• I love the simplicity of my push up/pull down bed and that I can leave the bedding made all the time, but it really restricts head room when the bed is down.
• I have to put up the pop-up from the outside the truck, since the bed is in the way of pushing it up/down from inside. it would be nicer to pop it up from the inside.
• Since the back is open to the front of the cab, you can hear anything in the back squeaking or banging around when you drive. It helps to keep stuff in bags, to reduce the noise.
• I didn't make zip down windows, so it gets too hot inside to camp in the summer. I have a large velcro panel I can take out, but it's not easy to use. These campers must have large windows that ventilate. Back to the sewing machine!

The Ugly:

• I missed two short seams on the top with fiberglass mesh. These seams were only filled with bondo and paint. Now I have two short cracks on top of the top fiberglass section because of this. You can't see them from the ground and they don't leak but I'll always know they are there. Darn..
• The truck is too tall to go through a drive through car wash. I hand washed it yesterday in 37 Degree F weather. I hate having road salt sit on my cars for very long. Burrr.

All in all, I'm very happy with the build. I'm not much into cold weather camping now, but I'm already looking forward to spring camping.

 

[Zybane]

Once you resolve all the issues I'll buy one from you.

 

[Mules]

Here's a couple shots of the pass through to the cab that I posted on a couple other threads. I can fold the camper seat backrest up or down. When it's down, you can easily pass through to the back seats of the Jeep cab.

 

[Mules]

It's freezing rain here in Missouri, and I'm sitting at home dreaming about camping.

One subject that I haven't made a decision on is a cooking stove for inside my camper. I've got a spot next to the sink for it. We've talked before about this, but I'd like to hear about options from this forum. I don't think I want to fry burgers in my tight space, but heating up coffee, soup, or a grill cheese sandwich sounds great on a rainy day.

Tell us or show us what you cook on indoors.

 

[Mules]

Here's a great article on using induction cooking in RVs. Stoves are cheap, but electric power supplies aren't. Bottom line is I need 2000 to 3000w power supply. Bit of a pain to lug my gas generator around, but electric power isn't much smaller and definitely not cheaper. Lots of choices out there.


https://www.4wdingaustralia.com/camping/induction-cooktop-12v/

 

[TexasOverlander]

Here's a great article on using induction cooking in RVs. Stoves are cheap, but electric power supplies aren't. Bottom line is I need 2000 to 3000w power supply. Bit of a pain to lug my gas generator around, but electric power isn't much smaller and definitely not cheaper. Lots of choices out there.


https://www.4wdingaustralia.com/camping/induction-cooktop-12v/

I use a butane stove to heat water for coffe and the occasional fried foods. But I now stick mostly to using my 12v cooking items from Roadpro. No concern for wind, easy to use and fast cleanup.. No worries of fire, grease or steam.

Fot most meals I warm soups, or frozen items from home like stews, chilli, spaghetti, etc. I bougt these two Roadpro 12v items a couple of years ago and they have held up well. Price is double what they used to be, but I noticed the sauce pan is 50% off right now at Amazon. You can also find them at some truckstops.

The oven is graet for heating frozen hand held items (bisquits, burritos, sandwiches, meats, etc) and for warming breads. It can be plugged in to 12v for about 45 to 60 minutes before stopping to eat lunch or getting to camp and the frozen food is usually ready. I buy the disposable aluminum trays that fit in oven and cleanup is done when removed.


https://www.amazon.com/Roadpro-Port...mzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc


The saucepan is great for soups, stews, chilli, etc. I wait till camp to use it to avoid spills on trails. It is non-stick and washes out easily with minimal soap and water ( heated in pan before washing.)


https://www.amazon.com/Roadpro-RPSP...673754328&sprefix=roadpro,aps,222&sr=8-6&th=1

 

[Mules]

I use a butane stove to heat water for coffe and the occasional fried foods. But I now stick mostly to using my 12v cooking items from Roadpro. No concern for wind, easy to use and fast cleanup.. No worries of fire, grease or steam.

Fot most meals I warm soups, or frozen items from home like stews, chilli, spaghetti, etc. I bougt these two Roadpro 12v items a couple of years ago and they have held up well. Price is double what they used to be, but I noticed the sauce pan is 50% off right now at Amazon. You can also find them at some truckstops.

The oven is graet for heating frozen hand held items (bisquits, burritos, sandwiches, meats, etc) and for warming breads. It can be plugged in to 12v for about 45 to 60 minutes before stopping to eat lunch or getting to camp and the frozen food is usually ready. I buy the disposable aluminum trays that fit in oven and cleanup is done when removed.


https://www.amazon.com/Roadpro-Portable-Cooking-Warming-Aluminum/dp/B09M48L71C/ref=sr_1_5?crid=2XX7VGX4IU2HC&keywords=roadpro&qid=1673754781&sprefix=roadpro,aps,222&sr=8-5&ufe=app_do:amzn1.fos.006c50ae-5d4c-4777-9bc0-4513d670b6bc


The saucepan is great for soups, stews, chilli, etc. I wait till camp to use it to avoid spills on trails. It is non-stick and washes out easily with minimal soap and water ( heated in pan before washing.)


https://www.amazon.com/Roadpro-RPSP225NS-Portable-Saucepan-Non-Stick/dp/B000668S9I/ref=sr_1_6?crid=2XX7VGX4IU2HC&keywords=roadpro&qid=1673754328&sprefix=roadpro,aps,222&sr=8-6&th=1

I've seen heated lunchboxes that truckers use before, but I've never seen the heated saucepan. Awesome! I would have to be careful using these, as I wired my 12v cigarette lighter outlet for continuous power and could run my truck battery down if my engine isn't running.

I also have the truck's stock 400w 120v power supply. I'll have to look to see if there are any other less than 400w cooking items. Slow cooking but simple.

Thanks, but now you have to find a 12v coffee maker!

 

[Mules]

I didn't know there was a 12 volt frying pan out there. Roadpro has one! Thanks TexasOverlander.

 

[TexasOverlander]

Awesome on the frying pan !!. That may be my next acquistion.

I have seen 12v coffee makers, but most had weak reviews. I do have a little one cup drip brewer that runs on 110... with inverter and engine running, it takes maybe 4 to 5 minutes. But I am an early riser, and do not want to make noise by cranking engine too early in camp, and I like to make my coffee outside on a table.

I do use the brewer occasionally ( especially when very windy) with my Jackery 1500, but I have that in rear seat area with my two Dometics (15L fridge and a 35L Freezer.) I charge the Jackery while driving with the inverter.

I have a 12v extension cord/splitter ( @ 3 ft run from a 12v constant-on plug I mounted in truck bed) that has 3 plugs, each with an individual switch and individual indicator lights to let me know when one is left on. Velcroed on side of hatch so it is readily visible. I tested these cookers a couple years ago on Jackery and they did not drain it too quickly, but I cannot remember numbers. If cooking a lot, I will run a cord to the Jackery to prevent too much primary battery drain.

I may try to fry a burger in my saucepan when I take my next trip in March, It may work?

 

[Mules]

Awesome on the frying pan !!. That may be my next acquistion.

I have seen 12v coffee makers, but most had weak reviews. I do have a little one cup drip brewer that runs on 110... with inverter and engine running, it takes maybe 4 to 5 minutes. But I am an early riser, and do not want to make noise by cranking engine too early in camp, and I like to make my coffee outside on a table.

I do use the brewer occasionally ( especially when very windy) with my Jackery 1500, but I have that in rear seat area with my two Dometics (15L fridge and a 35L Freezer.) I charge the Jackery while driving with the inverter.

I have a 12v extension cord/splitter ( @ 3 ft run from a 12v constant-on plug I mounted in truck bed) that has 3 plugs, each with an individual switch and individual indicator lights to let me know when one is left on. Velcroed on side of hatch so it is readily visible. I tested these cookers a couple years ago on Jackery and they did not drain it too quickly, but I cannot remember numbers. If cooking a lot, I will run a cord to the Jackery to prevent too much primary battery drain.

I may try to fry a burger in my saucepan when I take my next trip in March, It may work?

I think frying a burger in your saucepan is a great test! Let us know if it works.

 

[mx5red]

Awesome on the frying pan !!. That may be my next acquistion.

I have seen 12v coffee makers, but most had weak reviews. I do have a little one cup drip brewer that runs on 110... with inverter and engine running, it takes maybe 4 to 5 minutes. But I am an early riser, and do not want to make noise by cranking engine too early in camp, and I like to make my coffee outside on a table.

I do use the brewer occasionally ( especially when very windy) with my Jackery 1500, but I have that in rear seat area with my two Dometics (15L fridge and a 35L Freezer.) I charge the Jackery while driving with the inverter.

I have a 12v extension cord/splitter ( @ 3 ft run from a 12v constant-on plug I mounted in truck bed) that has 3 plugs, each with an individual switch and individual indicator lights to let me know when one is left on. Velcroed on side of hatch so it is readily visible. I tested these cookers a couple years ago on Jackery and they did not drain it too quickly, but I cannot remember numbers. If cooking a lot, I will run a cord to the Jackery to prevent too much primary battery drain.

I may try to fry a burger in my saucepan when I take my next trip in March, It may work?

I was looking at this for heating one mug of water/coffee:

I have a big solar generator so I went with this instead:

seemed like boiling a small pot/percolator was inefficient and used a lot of propane, took too long.

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