Recommendation for Topper?

[Chunky White]

thanks,,,I also sleep in the back of my Gladiator...I am OLD and I like to drink while camping...a Roof top tent, alcohol and gravity just dont work for me very well

Thats my kind of camping for sure

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[PackMule]

Good advice above on figuring out what you need, eg how you plan on using it.
I haul kayaks into the mountains, so fiberglass offerings when I was buying were not capable.

i got an RSI. It's load rated to 300/700 lb dynamic/static. Gull wings for side access are awesome. It weighs 180 lbs, and the fiberglass ones when I was looking were 160. Alucab. Is lighter at 140. And I think also rated at 300lb dynamic.

If doing again, I'd maybe check the Ozark one in the link mentioned above. I saw them in the Sema videos, and they use a new technology of infused fiberglass, half the weight at 75 lb and some rediculously high load rating,... like more than a gladiator total payload! Worth a look.

 

[iDeacon]

Good advice above on figuring out what you need, eg how you plan on using it.
I haul kayaks into the mountains, so fiberglass offerings when I was buying were not capable.

i got an RSI. It's load rated to 300/700 lb dynamic/static. Gull wings for side access are awesome. It weighs 180 lbs, and the fiberglass ones when I was looking were 160. Alucab. Is lighter at 140. And I think also rated at 300lb dynamic.

If doing again, I'd maybe check the Ozark one in the link mentioned above. I saw them in the Sema videos, and they use a new technology of infused fiberglass, half the weight at 75 lb and some rediculously high load rating,... like more than a gladiator total payload! Worth a look.

Thanks so much! I will take a look at the Ozark.

 

[iDeacon]

I run an RSI cap , it is stainless looks great three years later , RSI and Aluma Cab are rated the same about 330lbs on the racks dynamic and over seven hundred static, or in other words two people sleeping in a Roof top tent. Alumac Cab is 140 lbs, RSI Evo with windows is 193lbs. Weird thing it in the very beginning they were saying it was 175 lbs. , then it was 220lbs, I don't have my shipping ticket that was on the box but want to say it was 230 lbs. we haa pretty spirited conversation about two of us picking it up and walking it onto truck with fingers under it, daughter helped us with 2X4s on the bed and she balanced the rear as we walked it on, we had figured some where around 175lbs. but who know Specs should be correct . Specs say it's fifty pounds heavier then Aluma Cab.
All this doesn't matter too much get what you want and stay under $3,000, it will be fine.
Advice to give....... HAVE TO GET the pop up side windows that is huge, you can reach in from side and touch floor of bed. Get roof racks that can carry some weight, I've had Kayaks, Surf Rods, lumber, extension ladders, bikes, conduit and so on and so on.
Some caps like RDI, RSI and Aluma Cab come with roof rack tracks included and pop up windows on sides., don't need metal supports inside. All the options like kitchens tables rack and stuff is not cheap. My cap is dry, but when I go surf fishing with an ocean breeze, the next day or so after I am pressure washing the inside from the salt spray, no rust, no leaks, positive pressure vent, excellent fit and latching, cleans up great. What the fiberglass caps have is better smooth profile, not a box, the RSI is next sloped more on the back. I think it is just great that you have options!.....Jack

Thanks Jack! You’re right, there are so many options. I’m going to take my time to be sure what I purchase is right for my needs. I’m not a camper, but I can see how a roof rack could come in real handy. Most important for me is access from the side and staying dry when going through a car wash.

 

[iDeacon]

I have an AluCab contour canopy. I wanted aluminum, and I felt that the fiberglass models made it look too much like a big SUV instead of a truck with a topper.

Yeah, the Alucab looks really nice. Thanks.

 

[iDeacon]

Another option...

Ozark Cab-High Truck Top - Venturous Truck Tops

This looks great! Caries twice the weight of the Alu-cab and the key options are included in the base price through February. They also have a local dealer here! Definitely going to check this out. https://venturoustrucktops.com/exclusivelaunchoffer/

 

[iDeacon]

Thanks so much! I will take a look at the Ozark.

Looks like you get all the key options included in the $3495 base price if ordered by end of February! https://venturoustrucktops.com/exclusivelaunchoffer/

 

[Like-a-virgin]

Alu-Cab Contour canopy. All welded aluminum. Light. Stronger than RSI. Positive pressure vent. Extremely well sealed.

That’s my favorite one so far. Is that the Adventure? $?

 

[MojaveLawyer]

I've had my RSI Smartcap for quite sometime, and I cannot tell you how impressed I have been with it. At first, I was a little on the edge about spending the $4k+ on this, but I'm glad I did and saw this more as an investment especially with having 2 German Shepherds, and a little tiny human on the way.

Not to beat the dead horse with much of the great and diverse insight from many Jeepers experiences, however, from my experience I agree entirely with one of the gentlemen who mentioned analyzing the pros and cons on what you use it for, and moving from there.

Having the rear side opening panels is such a great feature, and I can testify that I have not had any leaks (knock on wood). One downside is that if you live in a hot as-hell state such as Arizona, that 110-degree weather gets hot enough in the back to make a rotisserie chicken.

I'm sure with whichever topper you decide on, it will work great for your needs!

Buy once, cry once. Good luck sir!

- X

 

[Mtpisgah]

I really need to get my windows tinted, that looks good.

 

[MojaveLawyer]

Thank you, @Mtpisgah!

Definitely a plus for the privacy! There was a member a while back who had their RSI glass broken into, and once he fixed it, he wrapped the glass, and it looked so sharp, but defeated the purpose of looking out the glass.

 

[NVjeff]

Looks like you get all the key options included in the $3495 base price if ordered by end of February! https://venturoustrucktops.com/exclusivelaunchoffer/

I'm on the fence about buying a canopy but I like the looks of this one.
My JT came with the factory tonneau and I've considered a rigid tonneau if I need more secure storage.

I like the looks of the Gladiators with a canopy but I don't know if I need all that interior room.
In the past, with a longer bed, I've slept in them. I can't sleep in a 5' bed.

 

[iDeacon]

I've had my RSI Smartcap for quite sometime, and I cannot tell you how impressed I have been with it. At first, I was a little on the edge about spending the $4k+ on this, but I'm glad I did and saw this more as an investment especially with having 2 German Shepherds, and a little tiny human on the way.

Not to beat the dead horse with much of the great and diverse insight from many Jeepers experiences, however, from my experience I agree entirely with one of the gentlemen who mentioned analyzing the pros and cons on what you use it for, and moving from there.

Having the rear side opening panels is such a great feature, and I can testify that I have not had any leaks (knock on wood). One downside is that if you live in a hot as-hell state such as Arizona, that 110-degree weather gets hot enough in the back to make a rotisserie chicken.

I'm sure with whichever topper you decide on, it will work great for your needs!

Buy once, cry once. Good luck sir!

- X

Thanks Seg. Looks great! I love the look of the RSI. I'm leaning toward the Ozark with their intro deal. Even lighter and carries more weight. But the lines of the RSI can't be beat. https://venturoustrucktops.com/exclusivelaunchoffer/

 

[Like-a-virgin]

I love my ARE CX Classic..I think it follows the lines of the Gladiator overall real well.

The shep is posing. Glamour Shots!

 

[lotecredneck]

I just picked up a Leer 100XQ with sliding and fold down front window and the standard side windows that tip out in matte black for $1700 that looks new.

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