OVS Expedition Cap - How hot will this get?

[MojaveMaximus]

Hey everyone. I'm putting on an OVS Expedition Cap next week - very excited to get this on as I've been a bit frustrated with the tonneau cover as you can't stack anything (it can't even hold a propane tank upright) and keep it closed/locked.

Anyway, wondering if anyone who has this cap or something similar (Smartcap, AluCab, etc), could comment on how hot this thing might get on the inside - roughly - during summer. While I'm looking forward to the extra lockable storage space in the back, I'm curious how much this black stainless steel cap is gonna heat up in there.

Thanks for any input!

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[Aleph]

Hey everyone. I'm putting on an OVS Expedition Cap next week - very excited to get this on as I've been a bit frustrated with the tonneau cover as you can't stack anything (it can't even hold a propane tank upright) and keep it closed/locked.

Anyway, wondering if anyone who has this cap or something similar (Smartcap, AluCab, etc), could comment on how hot this thing might get on the inside - roughly - during summer. While I'm looking forward to the extra lockable storage space in the back, I'm curious how much this black stainless steel cap is gonna heat up in there.

Thanks for any input!

I have an alucab contour and it does get pretty toasty in there. Depending on how much you’ve sealed up your tailgate and how often you’re driving around. Also remember the hot exhaust pipe runs under down the left side’s length of the bed. Personally, I’d put my fridge in the cab. or get a model with openable side windows if you’re worried about keeping dogs back there. Not sure what you wanna keep back there.

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

It gets pretty warm. I have one in SoCal and yeah, either insulated it or do t store temp sensitive items back there. It’s basically a black metal box so think natural oven.

 

[Deleted member 57233]

It should be about the same temps as your tonneau cover.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

I have an alucab contour and it does get pretty toasty in there. Depending on how much you’ve sealed up your tailgate and how often you’re driving around. Also remember the hot exhaust pipe runs under down the left side’s length of the bed. Personally, I’d put my fridge in the cab. or get a model with openable side windows if you’re worried about keeping dogs back there. Not sure what you wanna keep back there.

Hey, thanks for the feedback. I don't have dogs, but one thing I was definitely thinking about was fridge. I've tested it out in the back seat, but it is a bit large and awkward there, so I would much rather keep in the back. Maybe I'll put it on the right side. I have put weather stripping around the tailgate to minimize dust.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

It gets pretty warm. I have one in SoCal and yeah, either insulated it or do t store temp sensitive items back there. It’s basically a black metal box so think natural oven.

Thanks for the feedback. This makes sense. I think the main thing I was considering was a fridge back there. I've found it's just too awkward to use in the back seat - it's just a bit too big. I also live in SoCal - it's not Arizona, but . . . still gets pretty hot in places!

 

[rharr]

Yes west coast sun is going to make that a Oven. Might want to buy some cheap white vinyl wrap off amazon and apply it to the roof of the cap. THat will at least cut down on a large portion of heat collection.

My white ARE cap gets pretty hot in the AZ sun, enough to shrink a pair of Crocs I use to keep in the back.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

Yes west coast sun is going to make that a Oven. Might want to buy some cheap white vinyl wrap off amazon and apply it to the roof of the cap. THat will at least cut down on a large portion of heat collection.

My white ARE cap gets pretty hot in the AZ sun, enough to shrink a pair of Crocs I use to keep in the back.

Thanks for the info. Vinyl wrap on the roof is not a bad idea! I'll take a look at that. Sorry about your crocs! haha! I don't live in Arizona, but I have visited there many times, and that heat is something amazing.

 

[Lost1wing]

I have the SmartCap and I keep my fridge in there. I also have a slide for the fridge. That makes it a bit more difficult to get things out of the fridge with the slide extended. It still opens when inside the smart cap, but the window gets in the way when pulling the fridge out. You can still use it, but it takes 2 hands. The smart cap has a vent on the top and does well while moving. I saw that someone installed a sheet of foam insulation on the inside roof. I bet that would knock it down a few degrees. I thought about trying something like that.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

I have the SmartCap and I keep my fridge in there. I also have a slide for the fridge. That makes it a bit more difficult to get things out of the fridge with the slide extended. It still opens when inside the smart cap, but the window gets in the way when pulling the fridge out. You can still use it, but it takes 2 hands. The smart cap has a vent on the top and does well while moving. I saw that someone installed a sheet of foam insulation on the inside roof. I bet that would knock it down a few degrees. I thought about trying something like that.

Good info, thanks. I think the OVS Cap is vented too, so hopefully it pushes a little air in there while moving.

 

[RubiNewbCB]

Good info, thanks. I think the OVS Cap is vented too, so hopefully it pushes a little air in there while moving.

It is vented.

It's been in the 1teens here in Coastal Va and my OVS capped Gladiator doesn't feel too extremely hot inside, definitelynot too much more than ambient temperature, maybe +/-10° more.

Nothing like the 140°+ temps we would see in a HMMWV in Iraq.

 

[MojaveMaximus]

It is vented.

It's been in the 1teens here in Coastal Va and my OVS capped Gladiator doesn't feel too extremely hot inside, definitelynot too much more than ambient temperature, maybe +/-10° more.

Nothing like the 140°+ temps we would see in a HMMWV in Iraq.

Hey, thanks for your sevice Seabee!
I've had the cap on about a good 2 weeks now, and it actually has really not been as bad I thought it would. Of course, it's not like Phoenix here in SoCal! or your Humvee. But still, so far it hasn't been too bad. So far, it functions so well for my purposes, and I love the side access doors.

 

[RubiNewbCB]

Hey, thanks for your sevice Seabee!
I've had the cap on about a good 2 weeks now, and it actually has really not been as bad I thought it would. Of course, it's not like Phoenix here in SoCal! or your Humvee. But still, so far it hasn't been too bad. So far, it functions so well for my purposes, and I love the side access doors.

Thanks. That's great that you're enjoying it. I really like they way it fits the truck and the gullwing doors as well. It was a great addition to my build for good price. Im looking forward converting it to the OVS camper once they release the retrofit kit. This will convert the Expedition cap into an Excursion Camper...

Excursion Camper Shell Roof Top Tent Combo https://share.google/KSMZ8iCXEPLRJgCPi

 

[MojaveMaximus]

Thanks. That's great that you're enjoying it. I really like they way it fits the truck and the gullwing doors as well. It was a great addition to my build for good price. Im looking forward converting it to the OVS camper once they release the retrofit kit. This will convert the Expedition cap into an Excursion Camper...

Excursion Camper Shell Roof Top Tent Combo https://share.google/KSMZ8iCXEPLRJgCPi

Yeah, that Excursion Camper looks pretty cool!

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