Gladiator, fridge, bed rack and bears

[Odubi]

I just factory ordered my 2021 Gladiator diesel and have been planning my build but have come to a road block that I’m hoping someone has already figured out. I want a fridge freezer on a slide out in the bed but will have a bed rack and a RTT. My dilemma is how do I seal off the fridge (lots of bears where I camp)?Hard folding Tonneau cover wouldn’t allow height wise a fridge on a slide out, not to mention doesn’t the tonneau cover sit over the bed rails so you can’t mount a bed rack? Any help would be greatly appreciated!

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[HooliganActual]

I have agonized on the same problem. Less about the fridge height vs tonneau cover and more about security of my gear in the bed. I personally decided to go with an AluCab Expedition Canopy (Topper) that I can mount my RTT on top of and then I have installed a Cargo Glide in the bed that I will mount my trail kitchen, fridge, etc. on.

However, in my research I found something that might work for your scenario if you aren’t interested in a full topper. Check out Nuthouse Industries. They make a rack/bed cover setup where the cover is about 4 inches taller than the bed rails specifically to accommodate a fridge.

https://nuthouseindustries.com/shop...ladiator-hard-deck-expedition-truck-bed-rack/

 

[Odubi]

I have agonized on the same problem. Less about the fridge height vs tonneau cover and more about security of my gear in the bed. I personally decided to go with an AluCab Expedition Canopy (Topper) that I can mount my RTT on top of and then I have installed a Cargo Glide in the bed that I will mount my trail kitchen, fridge, etc. on.

However, in my research I found something that might work for your scenario if you aren’t interested in a full topper. Check out Nuthouse Industries. They make a rack/bed cover setup where the cover is about 4 inches taller than the bed rails specifically to accommodate a fridge.

https://nuthouseindustries.com/shop...ladiator-hard-deck-expedition-truck-bed-rack/

Ok that rack is perfect except for one thing, $5300 oouch.

 

[HooliganActual]

Ok that rack is perfect except for one thing, $5300 oouch.

So that's why I decided to go with a topper, which isn't an inexpensive option either; about $1500 less for the AluCab. As soon as you want to go with a tonneau (or similar style) cover AND a bed rack your options get limited real quick as the specs for most racks say the aren't compatible with bed covers. Once you do find a rack that works with bed covers, then you deal with the fact that fridge height prevents the use of the covers.

Have you considered a fridge that isn't as tall as the bed rails? The
ARB Classic Series II 37 Qt Fridge claimsto be 16.9" tall and the Gladiator's bed rails are 17.5".

As mentioned previously, I had a similar dilemma but instead of it being about a fridge it was about my trail kitchen which is 20" high. I have this mounted in the back of my JKU:
https://overlandkitchen.com/product/stainless-steel/
and intended to move it to the bed of the Gladiator. Unfortunately, I didn't have the option of finding a smaller or shorter unit since I already have $3K invested in this unit.

While a topper means I don't have to agonize over the height of my kitchen, the real benefit is that I now have the entire volume of space that would have been framed out by the bed rack as being usable covered and secure storage for any other gear that I am taking with me; chairs, backpacks, tools, etc.

 

[Odubi]

So that's why I decided to go with a topper, which isn't an inexpensive option either; about $1500 less for the AluCab. As soon as you want to go with a tonneau (or similar style) cover AND a bed rack your options get limited real quick as the specs for most racks say the aren't compatible with bed covers. Once you do find a rack that works with bed covers, then you deal with the fact that fridge height prevents the use of the covers.

Have you considered a fridge that isn't as tall as the bed rails? The
ARB Classic Series II 37 Qt Fridge claimsto be 16.9" tall and the Gladiator's bed rails are 17.5".

As mentioned previously, I had a similar dilemma but instead of it being about a fridge it was about my trail kitchen which is 20" high. I have this mounted in the back of my JKU:
https://overlandkitchen.com/product/stainless-steel/
and intended to move it to the bed of the Gladiator. Unfortunately, I didn't have the option of finding a smaller or shorter unit since I already have $3K invested in this unit.

While a topper means I don't have to agonize over the height of my kitchen, the real benefit is that I now have the entire volume of space that would have been framed out by the bed rack as being usable covered and secure storage for any other gear that I am taking with me; chairs, backpacks, tools, etc.

Yah quickly finding that if I want a protected fridge then there will be a point where I need to settle. Was hoping for a bit larger fridge but may need to cut back as I also don’t want to worry about wildlife. I really appreciate all the ideas.

 

[XJADDICTION]

So far this works for me and was very inexpensive. I want the leitner rack but back order prevented me from getting it. So made my own. Still working out the drawers. Right drawer will have fridge in slide out with drawer behind it (right side, passenger side, has the hole and mount for plug. I am putting a large inverter in the cab behind the seats with extension to bed for fridge etc. Left side will be drawer slide. Roof top tent goes forward on cab of truck with bike rack on my hard bed cover. I will completely redesign this over the winter. I also want to be able to have a soft top in the summer that works with the rack.

The big rack (the 6th pic) will be modified(heavily) to reach a front hoop with rubber isolators that attach rack to that windshield hoop. This will allow the minimal flex of bed vs cab. I will purchase a hard trifold cover that mounts inboard of the bedsides. Right now I’m using plywood covered with textured deck paint.

What I have now is sealed and with the Yakima bar and bed mounted bed rack I can do all sorts of stuff. I have $300 in current set up ( I had all of the Yakima mounts and the bed rack someone gave to me)

 

[Odubi]

So far this works for me and was very inexpensive. I want the leitner rack but back order prevented me from getting it. So made my own. Still working out the drawers. Right drawer will have fridge in slide out with drawer behind it (right side, passenger side, has the hole and mount for plug. I am putting a large inverter in the cab behind the seats with extension to bed for fridge etc. Left side will be drawer slide. Roof top tent goes forward on cab of truck with bike rack on my hard bed cover. I will completely redesign this over the winter. I also want to be able to have a soft top in the summer that works with the rack.

The big rack (the 6th pic) will be modified(heavily) to reach a front hoop with rubber isolators that attach rack to that windshield hoop. This will allow the minimal flex of bed vs cab. I will purchase a hard trifold cover that mounts inboard of the bedsides. Right now I’m using plywood covered with textured deck paint.

What I have now is sealed and with the Yakima bar and bed mounted bed rack I can do all sorts of stuff. I have $300 in current set up ( I had all of the Yakima mounts and the bed rack someone gave to me)

Nice, great solution.

 

[DirtySaylor]

i'd invest in a really good cooler. lol @ putting a fridge in the back! ha. But if you go way off the grid with it, i get it.

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