Integrated Roof + Bed Topper Combination - options?

[jt_fuVA]

Does anyone know if anyone manufactures an integrated roof + bed-topper combination? My google searching has only yielded an electronic rendering of one posted on this forum years ago (picture attached). I figured if one existed in real life the communtiy here would know. Maybe there are technical challenges that complicate it, but it seems like it could helpful in environments where you would like to keep the bed area at least semi-climate controlled. Thanks!

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[HooliganActual]

Not currently. Check out the below thread by @Mules. He has built his own.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...-mules-fiberglass-gladiator-camper-diy.65364/

 

[aldo98229]

I see too much room for pitfalls on this idea. The main being the fiberglass cracking under tension when the cab and bed flex.

Good luck.

 

[jt_fuVA]

I see too much room for pitfalls on this idea. The main being the fiberglass cracking under tension when the cab and bed flex.

Good luck.

Yeah - that was one of the concerns I had in mind with "techincal challenges". From reading through @Mules thread (that is a thing of beauty!!!), it seems like the Gladiator is a bit more rigid (less flex) than a typical pick-up. It also sounds like his design contemplates this with using sheer bolts for attaching the top thus protecting the fiberglass. Wondering out loud - would aluminum be more forgiving - I suppose it would depend on how much the welds might get exposed to that stress.

 

[WestwallNF104A]

Yeah - that was one of the concerns I had in mind with "techincal challenges". From reading through @Mules thread (that is a thing of beauty!!!), it seems like the Gladiator is a bit more rigid (less flex) than a typical pick-up. It also sounds like his design contemplates this with using sheer bolts for attaching the top thus protecting the fiberglass. Wondering out loud - would aluminum be more forgiving - I suppose it would depend on how much the welds might get exposed to that stress.

Aluminum's huge advantage would be weight saving.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Does anyone know if anyone manufactures an integrated roof + bed-topper combination? My google searching has only yielded an electronic rendering of one posted on this forum years ago (picture attached). I figured if one existed in real life the communtiy here would know. Maybe there are technical challenges that complicate it, but it seems like it could helpful in environments where you would like to keep the bed area at least semi-climate controlled. Thanks!

honestly i think its totally doable with some solid bracing to mitigate cab/bed flex. the gladiator is pretty rigid so far more achievable than a tacoma per se.

 

[Mules]

Yeah - that was one of the concerns I had in mind with "techincal challenges". From reading through @Mules thread (that is a thing of beauty!!!), it seems like the Gladiator is a bit more rigid (less flex) than a typical pick-up. It also sounds like his design contemplates this with using sheer bolts for attaching the top thus protecting the fiberglass. Wondering out loud - would aluminum be more forgiving - I suppose it would depend on how much the welds might get exposed to that stress.

No cracks in 1 1/2 years of driving. The box frame on a Gladiator is very stiff compared to a pickup.

 

[AleYeah]

A soft top version of this theoretical product would be cool.

 

[BourbonRunner]

@Mules curious: how much does your super bad ass topper weigh?

 

[1JeepFamily]

From what I've learned, such a system would deal with immense amounts of stress as the bed flexes independently from the cab—only connected by the frame 3-4 feet below where the cab roof meets the bed cap roof. The necessary pivot angle at the top of a topper that cool would far exceed the breaking point of the likely fiberglass construction.

RAD rendering. Hard to make IRL. Would love to be proven wrong because that is a rad setup.

EDIT: didn't read previous replys. I've not only been proven wrong, but repeated the concerns others had.

 

[Mules]

@Mules curious: how much does your super bad ass topper weigh?

It’s only 150 lbs. heavier than my original hardtop. Its total weight is 210lbs (shell, pop up, tent and bed platform. It’s the lightest pop up camper I know off.

The link to the hundred page build forum is below. Two years of pictures from the build.

 

[Zybane]

It's a shame Ursa Minor gave up on their plans for an integrated camper top. The Gladiator with its removable top screams for an integrated camper solution. I'm surprised no manufacturer has done it.

Unfortunately what keeps me away from getting another Gladiator.

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