Indecisive on Overland Setup

[JDtheJeepGuy]

Hey guys,

What you're looking at:
Tuwa Pro Mid Height Rack
MaxTrax Lites
2 Nanuk rifle cases up top
3 Nanuk cases down the driver side & a marine fire extenguisher

Here's the deal. I did an exhaustive amount of research before I picked out all of these components and felt like each of them were by far the best option. I did it all so that would be compatible with the Tyger soft roll up tonneau that I have as well. If I'm going to mess up a bed cover, it had better be a $200 one that doesn't leak versus a $600-$1500 one that does leak lol

My issue is, I just don't love to set up. I love all the components, just not the overall rig.

What I was trying to accomplish: making more storage space because I've got two car seats in the back and I need space to store things. Have it set up to where we went on road trips the gladiator was a more viable option than my wife's SUV because it had enough space to take all of our luggage, which the rifle cases do a surprising amount to help with. And I wanted to keep the tonneau in place so that we could keep strollers and larger large items out of the rain. I also hunt a lot, so the cases up top are fantastic for that.

What I don't like: bed accessibility is incredibly tough now, and I can't see out of the rearview window. Didn't think it would be a big deal, but it's driving me crazy lol.

Considering selling the entire rack setup and looking into other options to rebuild differently, or looking for suggestions on how to make existing rack setup more efficient. I know that seeing out of the back glass is not an option with this rack, and I don't really see how making the bed more accessible as easier either. Wondering if a camper shell with some cases on top wouldn't be a better fit for me instead. Which stinks, because I think this looks awesome.

Any ideas?

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[Glad Jeeper]

I really like your setup, I liked mine to a point that was very close to yours, mid height rack. Although I don't have a picture readily available here is what I have now. Bed access is easier with full height rack.

Full height rack
Max trax on top, awning off passenger side
Fire extinguisher in cab back corner
Decked bed system (love this) makes for bed access easier
Maybe check into the new Decked bed system with single drawer. It might have enough room for all the luggage and kid stuff. We have never had water intrusion since we have had this, 3.5 years.
We can and have stored items on top of the rack as well, like the cases you mentioned.

We don’t have the issue with car seats like you but while we are traveling I store our “can't get wet” stuff in HD plastic totes, extra fuel is also stored either on the decked or on the side of the rack. Even with totes and fuel cans I can see out the back window (super important for my wife when she drives).

Just my thoughts. Sometimes it takes trial, error, time (and $$$) to get the right setup for everyones individual needs. It has taken us since 2021 when we bought our JTM, it’s perfect for us, now.

 

[Josh00333]

Small cases on the driver side seem to be wasting a lot of rack space. Height an issue to get in the garage?

Maybe moving the traction boards up top, you take the truck top off? If no maybe a roof rack for them. Add some larger cases/fuel water there. Different set up for the small cases?

Over all, I like your idea, but as you noted the low racks you can't see out and bed becomes difficult. Either a full height or canopy.

Honestly I like your set up, how the big cases are flush with the roof line. I see how it fills your needs noted.

Give it some time on the whole rear visibility? Remember you can tag the back up camera on any time you want.

 

[fourfa]

Sorry it’s not working out for you like this. How about a canopy with lockable lift-up side doors? Like Alu-Cab for instance. Very direct access to all parts of the bed from the sides and back, and you can mount Quick-Fists inside the doors for long thin items (shovel, axe, traction boards on mine, but long guns work too)

(My Alu-Cab is the Camper, but same side doors as the Canopy)

 

[Jaxmax]

Just get a cap, you can lose all those heavy boxes, put stuff in some light weight totes as water is no longer a problem, Max trax can be strapped against front wall of bed and you will be surprised how much room you have with out the bed cover. and with the taller space of cap. Security is much better without stuff out on display and fire extinguisher can be inside not out in weather. Visibility out the back is great, one drawback to caps is the rear window is tinted , so you are looking through two tinted windows one on truck hard top and one on cap, it is dark, I found a guy here who had a base sport with untinted slider and we met at a fast food place and swapped , he left with $100 bucks and no need to tint his rear window. I would explore other options before getting rid of your truck, take the rack off for a bit and throw boxes under cover and see if is really important for rear view.....Jack

 

[JDtheJeepGuy]

Just get a cap, you can lose all those heavy boxes, put stuff in some light weight totes as water is no longer a problem, Max trax can be strapped against front wall of bed and you will be surprised how much room you have with out the bed cover. and with the taller space of cap. Security is much better without stuff out on display and fire extinguisher can be inside not out in weather. Visibility out the back is great, one drawback to caps is the rear window is tinted , so you are looking through two tinted windows one on truck hard top and one on cap, it is dark, I found a guy here who had a base sport with untinted slider and we met at a fast food place and swapped , he left with $100 bucks and no need to tint his rear window. I would explore other options before getting rid of your truck, take the rack off for a bit and throw boxes under cover and see if is really important for rear view.....Jack

Oh yeah not looking at getting rid of the gladiator! Just the overland rack setup. I do think a cap is sounding more and more appealing but dang I do like the aggressive look a bed rack gives. But at some point functionality has to take precedence based on my needs....

 

[Glad Newbie]

The Alucab cap is my preference as well. Setup pretty much as Jaxmax described.

 

[Trauma PA]

Hey guys,

What you're looking at:
Tuwa Pro Mid Height Rack
MaxTrax Lites
2 Nanuk rifle cases up top
3 Nanuk cases down the driver side & a marine fire extenguisher

Here's the deal. I did an exhaustive amount of research before I picked out all of these components and felt like each of them were by far the best option. I did it all so that would be compatible with the Tyger soft roll up tonneau that I have as well. If I'm going to mess up a bed cover, it had better be a $200 one that doesn't leak versus a $600-$1500 one that does leak lol

My issue is, I just don't love to set up. I love all the components, just not the overall rig.

What I was trying to accomplish: making more storage space because I've got two car seats in the back and I need space to store things. Have it set up to where we went on road trips the gladiator was a more viable option than my wife's SUV because it had enough space to take all of our luggage, which the rifle cases do a surprising amount to help with. And I wanted to keep the tonneau in place so that we could keep strollers and larger large items out of the rain. I also hunt a lot, so the cases up top are fantastic for that.

What I don't like: bed accessibility is incredibly tough now, and I can't see out of the rearview window. Didn't think it would be a big deal, but it's driving me crazy lol.

Considering selling the entire rack setup and looking into other options to rebuild differently, or looking for suggestions on how to make existing rack setup more efficient. I know that seeing out of the back glass is not an option with this rack, and I don't really see how making the bed more accessible as easier either. Wondering if a camper shell with some cases on top wouldn't be a better fit for me instead. Which stinks, because I think this looks awesome.

Any ideas?

How was the visibility out the back before mounting the rifle cases?

 

[JTdiRtyD]

If your creative and good with designing/fabrication you could enclose your current half rack. Some folks use sign board like MaxMetal or Alupanel and cut them to fit the rack, or you could draw something up in Fusion and send off to a local shop to cut out of .125 alum. Far cheaper than you would think, and far cheaper than a whole new setup. I'm going to be drawing up panels to enclose my Rebel Xplore half rack. Rebel offers panels, but they want asinine prices for it.

Theres a thread on TacomaWorld about building your own GFC style camper. I used this process to build a cap with side opening panels that I had on my Taco.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diy-wedge-camper.604686/


Rear view can be addressed with a Wolfbox mirror. I did this on my Tacoma, and I have a G930 ready to go in the Gladi once I finish my rack.

 

[AKJTR]

You could do a Softopper with a bed rack. I just have a softopper and I love it.

 

[JDtheJeepGuy]

How was the visibility out the back before mounting the rifle cases?

Rifle cases don't play an issue at all. It's only the rack itself. It's right where cars are.

 

[JDtheJeepGuy]

You could do a Softopper with a bed rack. I just have a softopper and I love it.

How does it do with keeeping it dry? I looked at those and the Bestop Supertop too and I like the idea of it.

 

[JDtheJeepGuy]

If your creative and good with designing/fabrication you could enclose your current half rack. Some folks use sign board like MaxMetal or Alupanel and cut them to fit the rack, or you could draw something up in Fusion and send off to a local shop to cut out of .125 alum. Far cheaper than you would think, and far cheaper than a whole new setup. I'm going to be drawing up panels to enclose my Rebel Xplore half rack. Rebel offers panels, but they want asinine prices for it.

Theres a thread on TacomaWorld about building your own GFC style camper. I used this process to build a cap with side opening panels that I had on my Taco.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diy-wedge-camper.604686/


Rear view can be addressed with a Wolfbox mirror. I did this on my Tacoma, and I have a G930 ready to go in the Gladi once I finish my rack.

That's super slick! Nice job man. How do you like the Wolf box mirror? I actually looked at those and wondered if it might be something that could help my situation out

 

[JDtheJeepGuy]

Just get a cap, you can lose all those heavy boxes, put stuff in some light weight totes as water is no longer a problem, Max trax can be strapped against front wall of bed and you will be surprised how much room you have with out the bed cover. and with the taller space of cap. Security is much better without stuff out on display and fire extinguisher can be inside not out in weather. Visibility out the back is great, one drawback to caps is the rear window is tinted , so you are looking through two tinted windows one on truck hard top and one on cap, it is dark, I found a guy here who had a base sport with untinted slider and we met at a fast food place and swapped , he left with $100 bucks and no need to tint his rear window. I would explore other options before getting rid of your truck, take the rack off for a bit and throw boxes under cover and see if is really important for rear view.....Jack

I like this option best. But dangit caps are so derned expensive....

 

[AKJTR]

How does it do with keeeping it dry? I looked at those and the Bestop Supertop too and I like the idea of it.

It keeps everything dry. You could add gaskets if you needed to.

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