New to gladiator. Topper + RTT recommendations?

[PurduePilot]

Newbie here…I’m taking delivery on a new gladiator high altitude and want to fit it with a topper and RTT. I think i want an ARE and something like a red tail hard side wedge tent….but honestly there are so many choices. Can anyone recommend a topper and if they make them something like the redtail hard side RTT? Appreciate y’all insight…thanks in advance.

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[WILDHOBO]

Newbie here…I’m taking delivery on a new gladiator high altitude and want to fit it with a topper and RTT. I think i want an ARE and something like a red tail hard side wedge tent….but honestly there are so many choices. Can anyone recommend a topper and if they make them something like the redtail hard side RTT? Appreciate y’all insight…thanks in advance.

Welcome. Fellow Coloradan here. I don’t have a hard topper, and our tent is on our trailer, but wanted to say congrats anyway.

 

[Escape.idiocracy]

https://gofastcampers.com/pages/gfc-platform-camper-v2

 

[LostWoods]

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/rld-v2-bed-cap-with-rhino-rack.76388/#post-1248142

Shameless self plug if you feel like a drive... Stainless build with a 700# static and 350# dynamic load . Easy to mount a couple crossbars to the top for or a tent.

Otherwise RSI Smartcap and GFC are generally more the kind of thing you're looking for because they are either integrated or have the capacity for a tent. Fiberglass is not really up to the task without reinforcement.

 

[PuddleJumper]

Newbie here…I’m taking delivery on a new gladiator high altitude and want to fit it with a topper and RTT. I think i want an ARE and something like a red tail hard side wedge tent….but honestly there are so many choices. Can anyone recommend a topper and if they make them something like the redtail hard side RTT? Appreciate y’all insight…thanks in advance.

how tall are you? I'm 6'5" so i had to get a CVT fold out. Wedges may be pretty long but you cant really use the space by the hinge edge. If i go wedge style in the future ill have to go GFC in order to fit. As far as racks, i got a half height to keep the top of my tent flush with the roof line. However that means its too short to mount an awning rn without a lift and bigger tires. Jeeps are already shaped like brick so putting a large foot thick brick that weighs 100-200lbs that high up tends to dissuade many. Dynamically it'll sway more with wind on road and make offroad situations that would be otherwise fine, sketchy af. that being said these are the compromises made when overlanding. My two cents. Invest, buy once cry once. Get A quality rack that will fit your current needs and future ones. ARE is a great option imo. Tent wise, go to a Rack Attack or REI and try some different types out before you toss 3 grand at something you don't fit in or doesn't have the features you need.

remember tents need to be maintained as well. If it gets wet you have to find time to keep it open and let it air out somewhere, they will mold otherwise. Also is it 4 season rated? Nothing is worse than trying winter camping for the first time and waking up to ice lining your tent. does it have an optional tent insulator? does it have a quality mattress? does it have extra hardware? is it stored in the tent or do u have to allocate more space in the truck for said hardware?

here's some examples, my buddy has a hardshell. last trip he had to share with me because his gas shocks wouldn't hold in sub freezing temps. My other buddy's ultralight GFC bent a support arm from the amount of snow that accumulated overnight. I had to spend 20 mins fighting my tent cover zipper packing it up cus it shrunk in the cold. Tents aren't invulnerable fortresses against mother nature as youtube would have you believe. Now don't get me wrong i like my RTT, its better than a ground tent by a lot imo. but it definitely isn't all sunshine and rainbows.

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