Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[TexasOverlander]

When I camped in my JKUR, I had a platform stretching from back of front passenger seat to rear. The fridge was next to it and did provide just a little bit of heat. But my remote start coupled with setting heat to high before turning in when really cold gave me the opportunity to crank up the heat and get jeep warm before crawling out of sleeping bag enough to turn off engine in the warmth.

Also, I used to have a small aluminum box that I added a screen ( light aluminum gutter guard to sides and top. With a carabiner, I could put frozen items in, clip to a wire next to engine and have a piping hot lunch in an hour or so. Have not done that with the JTM since I bought the 12v oven.

I like the 500 watt hot plate you found. Think I will try that with my Stanley Steel Coffee Press that I have not used in some time.
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Adve...9Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

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[Mules]

It's snowing and I'm getting stir crazy and bored, so it's time for the Low Wattage Camp Cooking Olympics

Dash Mini vs. Road Pro


I ordered a Dash Mini Griddle (350w 120v) which will run off my Gladiator's 400w inverter.

I also ordered a Road Pro Skillet (180w 12v) which will run from my 12v cigarette lighter.

First up to bat: Dash Mini Griddle - $12

The Dash Mini is a tough competitor. It's only about 4" wide, but what it lacks in size, it makes up in power. This Ham, Egg & Cheese Bagel only took 5 minutes to make. It won't heat up a can of chili, or boil a cup of water though.

2 minutes for an easy over egg
1 minute for each side of the bagel
About 30 seconds for the ham

Next up the Road Pro Skillet (waiting for it to be delivered)

 

[FitfulGoat]

Love the review comparison! Can’t wait to hear the final verdict.

 

[Mules]

When I camped in my JKUR, I had a platform stretching from back of front passenger seat to rear. The fridge was next to it and did provide just a little bit of heat. But my remote start coupled with setting heat to high before turning in when really cold gave me the opportunity to crank up the heat and get jeep warm before crawling out of sleeping bag enough to turn off engine in the warmth.

Also, I used to have a small aluminum box that I added a screen ( light aluminum gutter guard to sides and top. With a carabiner, I could put frozen items in, clip to a wire next to engine and have a piping hot lunch in an hour or so. Have not done that with the JTM since I bought the 12v oven.

I like the 500 watt hot plate you found. Think I will try that with my Stanley Steel Coffee Press that I have not used in some time.
https://www.amazon.com/Stanley-Adventure-All-French-Press/dp/B07L6MLC6J/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=86F612QVW1G8&keywords=stanley+coffee+press&qid=1674535386&s=home-garden&sprefix=stanley+coffee,garden,186&sr=1-2-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUEzT1A4TVQ4V0k1VktSJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNzEyMDkzMjk2OEEzNE8wVjVQWSZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjA3NTU4MTcxSzk0MUY1UURCMiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=

I wish I would have ordered the remote start with my Gladiator! Now I have to climb out of the camper bed to turn on the truck's heater. Also since my Gladiator won't fit in my garage, it would be nice to remote start it, to thaw off the snow.

 

[RudeJeepin]

I wish I would have ordered the remote start with my Gladiator! Now I have to climb out of the camper bed to turn on the truck's heater. Also since my Gladiator won't fit in my garage, it would be nice to remote start it, to thaw off the snow.

I added remote start to mine. Got this one from Amazon, Start-X Remote Starter Kit https://a.co/d/8iiNIOW
Super easy install, maybe 30 minutes tops, probably more like 20. Several good YouTube videos on the install if your interested.

 

[Mules]

Awesome!! A Gladiator remote start for only $139!




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SYBJTV...olid=25YKYWA9LUWYP&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

 

[RudeJeepin]

Awesome!! A Gladiator remote start for only $139!




https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SYBJTV...olid=25YKYWA9LUWYP&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Do it, you'll love it. I changed it so it's...lock unlock lock...instead of the usual...lock lock lock. But it's great, use it all the time.
Now I just need the heated seats and steering wheel, like my wife's Jeep. We'll, atleast the heated seats.

I paid full price, $169, dang it. Oh well, I'd pay full price again, love it that much.

 

[Mules]

Oh baby, it's on! Battle of the the Low Wattage Camp Cookers coming soon. Either one will run in my Gladiator without any additional power supplies or generators. I just turn on my truck when cooking.

 

[TexasOverlander]

Cannot wait to see the results. Have to dig out my sauce pan this weekend and try it for more advanced cooking than just soups and reheats.

Ordered the IYQ 4" hotplate and Dash 4" griddle.... those will come in handy for sure. Will see what they look like this weekend.

Getting excited for upcoming trips to thry these in the field.

 

[Mules]

I stopped by a friend's fiberglass shop to get quotes on fiberglass molds to build version 2 of my camper. I'll keep everyone informed if I decide to move forward with production.

I still have a lot to do in order to put together a business plan, but I was wondering what this forum thought about a $14,000 retail price for the camper with pop up and upper bed in Jeep Hardtop Black. Color matched, furniture, and shipping would be extra.

I would need to make a reasonable volume to get the price this low.

 

[Redruby]

I believe that the Alucab Canopy Camper is about $12K without any interior build out

 

[Mules]

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.

 

[chorky]

I stopped by a friend's fiberglass shop to get quotes on fiberglass molds to build version 2 of my camper. I'll keep everyone informed if I decide to move forward with production.

I still have a lot to do in order to put together a business plan, but I was wondering what this forum thought about a $14,000 retail price for the camper with pop up and upper bed in Jeep Hardtop Black. Color matched, furniture, and shipping would be extra.

I would need to make a reasonable volume to get the price this low.

I bet you would have a fair bit of interest. The Alucab is neat but it is SUPER heavy. Yours looks a lot lighter and allows for a cab passthrough - although in the long run not sure how that will hold up as I think these still have some frame twist?

IMO though, it would probably gain more attention if the roof top portion wasn't so high. I know its to provide more headroom but thats a lot of extra height.

I believe that the Alucab Canopy Camper is about $12K without any interior build out

The last time I check it was closer to 18K just for the base unit.

 

[fourfa]

Before this turns into a grim game of overlanding telephone, let's just refer to actual prices:

https://tinyrigco.com/collections/canopy-camper/products/alu-cab-canopy-camper

Base unit no options is about $10k. Truck-specific install kit ~$500. Sea freight ~$1250 when I got mine (this might be variable with global conditions). Labor is going to depend on location but I was charged for 13 hours total on my bare-bones install. I paid $14k OTD.

It's certainly heavy. (Also luxurious, roomy, and well-engineered IMHO; that's what you're paying for over a GFC or one of the newer cottage builds)

@Mules did you ever do a weigh-in on your build? It certainly has a lot going for it; no need for the redundant hard top, flexibility of movement, more efficient use of space. I don't think $14k is out of the question given those features. But net weight gain will probably be most buyers' first question (I understand, a more-manufacturable v2 could be quite different too).

 

[Mules]

Before this turns into a grim game of overlanding telephone, let's just refer to actual prices:

https://tinyrigco.com/collections/canopy-camper/products/alu-cab-canopy-camper

Base unit no options is about $10k. Truck-specific install kit ~$500. Sea freight ~$1250 when I got mine (this might be variable with global conditions). Labor is going to depend on location but I was charged for 13 hours total on my bare-bones install. I paid $14k OTD.

It's certainly heavy. (Also luxurious, roomy, and well-engineered IMHO; that's what you're paying for over a GFC or one of the newer cottage builds)

@Mules did you ever do a weigh-in on your build? It certainly has a lot going for it; no need for the redundant hard top, flexibility of movement, more efficient use of space. I don't think $14k is out of the question given those features. But net weight gain will probably be most buyers' first question (I understand, a more-manufacturable v2 could be quite different too).

Final weight of my camper's bottom shell, top shell, tent, and upper bed is 210lbs.

Keep in mind this camper replaces the original hard top and back glass, so the net gain is only about 150 lbs. I believe net gain for the Alucab is 460lb.

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