Gladiator Expedition Rigs

[Mules]

I’ve put a bit of thought into it and have a few ideas on how one could be added. I don’t love the idea of a shower curtain that has to be put away wet, but haven’t come up with a better idea yet. Want to install a removable bench/counter solution and a small shower pan could be installed between them in the aisle. Otherwise I know there’s cheap portable pop up shower bases that just collect the water and then need to be dumped afterwards.

Check out Geyser Systems for a pretty water efficient shower system. I found a used one at REI I’m going to try out.

Here's a few ideas for an interior shower. Put the drain pan close to the tailgate, and route a small flexible hose through the tailgate gap.

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[lkosh]

Here's a few ideas, below.

A bit off topic from showers, but do you happen to know (or could you measure) the dimension from the front of the freedom panels to the rear of your extended camper roof?

I’m curious what the overall length/standing room would be if I put the bed all of the way to the front of the Gladiator roof instead of keeping the use of the freedom panels like you are.
Thanks!

 

[Mules]

A bit off topic from showers, but do you happen to know (or could you measure) the dimension from the front of the freedom panels to the rear of your extended camper roof?

I’m curious what the overall length/standing room would be if I put the bed all of the way to the front of the Gladiator roof instead of keeping the use of the freedom panels like you are.
Thanks!

Looks like 11ft. 2 in. from front of freedom panels to back of tailgate. You'll gain about 2-3 ft. more walking room in the back than my design.

 

[Mules]

Touring Iceland in an expedition rig looks like fun. First comes Alaska though...

 

[Mules]

The shell is now fastened together with the structural members. It is currently in one piece, and I plan to cut the flex joint location between the front two ribs, after it's all fiberglassed. Hope to start the outer shell this weekend. It's impressive how large the inside is with it open to the drivers cab. The pop up roof will be the biggest challenge to fabricate, if I decide to build it instead of purchase one. The challenge will be to make it look OEM, like the rest of the build, and not an afterthought.

 

[Mules]

Something new from Hatchetoverland.com. $8000 for the JLU conversion.

 

[Mules]

It's been a busy morning and did I say I don't like fiberglass! You might think ahh forget about the mask, suit, and glasses, it's hot out and I only have a few cuts to make. Well I said that the last time I cut and sanded fiberglass and my face and arms were itching for days. This time around, I did it right.

First cut the side panels.

Then sand the edges to fit well.

Next clamp the fiberglass panels, heat along the bend lines very slowly, and bend. I worked on the bend for about an hour, slowly heating and bending, until it was pretty close.

Finally I temporarily screwed the sheet to the structure and heated it one more time to stress relieve the fiberglass panel. I'll get the other side done, and it will be time to start mixing resin.

 

[lkosh]

First cut the side panels.

Then sand the edges to fit well.

Next clamp the fiberglass panels, heat along the bend lines very slowly, and bend. I worked on the bend for about an hour, slowly heating and bending, until it was pretty close.

What kind of panels are you using? And did you just buy them from somewhere local?

 

[Mules]

Side two is done and it’s Miller Time! I special ordered fiberglass panels from Menards.

 

[lkosh]

Side two is done and it’s Miller Time! I special ordered fiberglass panels from Menards which is a hardware store.

Are they just their smooth FRP wall panels that you ordered?

 

[Mules]

Are they just their smooth FRP wall panels that you ordered?

Yes smooth FRP panels. Be careful on the bend and try to stay a bit on the larger radius side. My bends are pushing the limit of the material.

 

[FitfulGoat]

So Is the plan to leave the top open and reinforce the seams on the sides and build a cut in style pop top? Only here you’re just not building out the roof.

 

[Mules]

So Is the plan to leave the top open and reinforce the seams on the sides and build a cut in style pop top? Only here you’re just not building out the roof.

Yes, that's the plan.The bottom frame stays open on top. I'll try to to get the bottom shell mostly done before I build the Roof Top Tent. I don't think I will be able to buy a RTT that will function the way I want. The bottom frame of the Roof Top Tent will be attached to the bottom shell, so I need to start making it soon. I'm going back and forth on what to make it out of. Either rectangular aluminum tubing (It will be covered and not seen), or wood/fiberglass (fiberglass it to the bottom shell). Probably wood/fiberglass, since most of the build is this anyway and the joints will be waterproof. I can later use my prototype to make molds, if I want to duplicate this.

The RTT hard cover will be the biggest challenge. It needs to be aesthetic, light, and strong. I might have to build a buck, then a mold to get what I want. This is going to take a while.

 

[FitfulGoat]

Yes, that's the plan.The bottom frame stays open on top. I'll try to to get the bottom shell mostly done before I build the Roof Top Tent. I don't think I will be able to buy a RTT that will function the way I want. The bottom frame of the Roof Top Tent will be attached to the bottom shell, so I need to start making it soon. I'm going back and forth on what to make it out of. Either rectangular aluminum tubing (It will be covered and not seen), or wood/fiberglass (fiberglass it to the bottom shell). Probably wood/fiberglass, since most of the build is this anyway and the joints will be waterproof. I can later use my prototype to make molds, if I want to duplicate this.

The RTT hard cover will be the biggest challenge. It needs to be aesthetic, light, and strong. I might have to build a buck, then a mold to get what I want. This is going to take a while.

yeah the upper portion sounds/looks to be the most difficult. Have you considered some of the boat building techniques? I had a buddy fiberglass his own double wide canoe and the concept’s seem very similar. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that the sanding and finishing work will take the most amount of time.
Keep it up! I hope to build a similar overland rig minus the cut in/fabricated pop top camper. Will you be documenting other additions to this build here? (On board air/water etc.)

 

[Mules]

yeah the upper portion sounds/looks to be the most difficult. Have you considered some of the boat building techniques? I had a buddy fiberglass his own double wide canoe and the concept’s seem very similar. I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that the sanding and finishing work will take the most amount of time.
Keep it up! I hope to build a similar overland rig minus the cut in/fabricated pop top camper. Will you be documenting other additions to this build here? (On board air/water etc.)

I hope to keep posting, as I build out the rest of the rig. This forum is great to bounce ideas off of and to get advice from it's members. It seems like whenever I have questions, someone on this forum has an answer.

You've got a nice rig! I like the color matched cap on back.

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