$28 bed rack for a Roof Top tent on the Jeep Gladiator

[@rickbarmore1167]

Wow, I do believe that you may have saved the jeep world w/your innovation and can do attitude. Didn't break the bank and saved many other jeep enthusiasts a realistic way to save and put some of these companies on call to quit gouging the consumers. AWESOME VIDEO...

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks Rick. Thats exactly what I'm trying to do! And the rack comes off, easily. My $2k one didn't come off so quickly. Stay tuned for my next video, a short prelude to my current trip, where you can see the rack in action. Also, if you haven't subscribed, please hit that button.

[@spec24]

Gouging the customers? How so? By charging a price you don't like? First, there is no such thing as price gouging. This is a term made up by politicians and morons who don't like the fact that we live in a market society. Companies charge what they can charge, to be competitive and make a profit. If customers aren't willing to pay what someone is asking and make a profit then said company will eed to adjust their prices. Clearly that's not the case. Of course it's easy to sit behind our computer and scream at the sky about things being two high priced while not bothering to offer an alternative on the market. Let me know when you do. Secondly, maybe you need to check the manufacturing and design/engineering that goes into a bed rack vs a couple of unistruts. Unistruts are produced by the hundreds of thousands, if not millions. That lowers manufacturing costs one hell of a lot. A company that makes a few racks per year isn't seeing that kind of economies of scale. And if you're paying $2000 for a rack that does only what this rack does then you've clearly lost your mind.

[@AndyYourBrother]

This is exactly what I needed to see to get my brain jogging on ideas! Appreciate the video

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks for watching.

[@ericcommon3645]

Thanks for sharing your side step the big guy idea. The truck bed inner rail system is also awesome. Not having to spend a lot leaves more beer and ice money. :)

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks for watching, Eric. Yes! More money for beer!

[@jjmack8233]

I bet that will fit on the new ford maverick. Such a great idea without being so high off the ground. Thanks for sharing!

[@EvolvingMale]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching

[@johnlindner1823]

You sire are a genius! I have a Mojave with the tonneau cover that is also my everyday driver and I have been struggling to find something that will work when I want to go camping but easily removable when I'm at home. And to think it's only going to cost around $40. Awesome!

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks! I keep telling people that, but they rarely listen! 😄 I wish I would have thought of it before I lost $300 on the purchase and sale of that rack, but hey, you live you learn. Just here to help!

[@gavinlindberry5283]

This worked absolutely amazing!!! Thank you so so much saved me a lot of money on a rack

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks for watching! Please make sure to subscribe!

[@theobsession9017]

Great video! But, you crack me up! "Yea, it cost me like $28, $29, $30." 😂😂

[@EBeauregard18]

What a crazy simple and great idea! The whole time I watched this I kept thinking " No shit! How the hell have I not thought of this!" Great idea!

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks. I thought of doing it and then spent nearly 2K on a rack, but it was too cumbersome. So I decided to go back to square one.

[@markm7677]

Great idea, bed bars are ridiculously expensive for no reason! I also like the security factor of this super low design, would be thieves will not be able to reach the mounting hardware if you have a RTT mounted and lock the tailgate!

[@EvolvingMale]

We think alike. Thanks for watching

[@ati573]

I would bolt the ones on the truck directly to the tent. Then you only have to unbolt the ones off truck and it all comes off together. Less wt too.. I do like the concept. I have similar tent.

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks. I'll consider that. Not a bad idea

[@edwintorres5850]

Great video definitely I will go this way, would be nice if you include part numbers for the materials that you uses but really excellent tutorial ✅

[@EvolvingMale]

Sorry, if you go to the hardware store, just ask for unistrut. It's in the electrical department. Thanks for watching

[@ozarkphoenix6615]

Thx for taking the time to share! Super simple and effective setup!

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks for taking the time to watch. Hopefully subscribed too. Always got more stuff coming. I'm also open to any requests.

[@johnwatson7543]

Subbed! Awesome stuff man, you saved me a ton of money with this video. Awesome channel!

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks for watching and subscribing!

[@Jeep79]

Good very good thx for sharing

[@EvolvingMale]

Thank you for watching!

[@lonewulf0328]

Funny seeing another JT from Napleton. You must live very close to me.

[@EvolvingMale]

I actually picked this up in Lakeland

[@jeffforbes70]

twirl nut vs spring nuts . spring nuts with slowed strut cam be a pain . might try twirl with plastic wings

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks. I'll check it out next time I go to use it

[@TheCampfirekitchen]

Great stuff man! Been looking ideas for my new gladiator. You have a lot of good ideas I might steal 👍

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks for watching and subscribing. I’m super glad it is an inspiration. That’s why I do it.

[@romeojr.isorena554]

where can i buy those bars?! man you are amazing! you are saving us a lot of money!!! really appreciate your video!

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks Romeo. You can get them at a Fastenal store (nuts, bolts, etc.) or at a Lowes, or home depot. Lowe's and Home depot is a little bit more money, but not too much more. Thanks for watching!

[@4_lolife]

Interesting. I do not want a full time bed rack either so the answer I have been searching for is if the placement of the RTT on the bed has to be centered or towards the front? I have never seen it placed towards the rear. I'll be following to see if you have any pros or cons to this setup. Great job!

[@EvolvingMale]

Thank you. So far, no cons. Works great, I just open it towards the back. Out on a trip right now in Georgia. It's working great

[@ups3357]

Great video, thanks for sharing!

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks for watching!!!

[@tonyrivera2651]

fantastic idea, what was the reasoning for the orientation to the back of the JT ? Can you still rotate it perpendicular (normal way)? I have the trifold tonneau so I am trying to figure it out your way. Not to mention the cost saving is ASTRONOMICAL 👍

[@EvolvingMale]

Thanks!. I chose going towards the rear because I have that small light rack on the back and this way, allowed me to slightly tuck it between the rack panels. Gained about an inch. Also, I could just pull in somewhere and not have to worry about opening it towards the side. But really, you could do it any way you like. I'm sure there is a way with the cover. You're right, the cost savings are huge. There is another guy who contacted me, below I think, that made his own version using unistrut and it's taller.

[@Jeepgirllexi]

Awesome video !! Will this still work if I don’t have the rail system in my truck bed ?

[@EvolvingMale]

Not exactly but you can figure a clamp system out and clamp to to the bed rail. I have another video of how to add the bed rail system for cheap, too

[@Jeepgirllexi]

@@EvolvingMale I’ll check it out thank you !

[@davidfessel3824]

I just joined your viewers and I’m wondering it’s been awhile since you installed unistrut rack and I have two questions. First, are you noticing any sagging with the RTT and sleeping in it. And second, do miss not having the tailgate as a table because of the way you enter/exit the RTT?

[@EvolvingMale]

No sagging at all. Is very sturdy. I dont miss he tailgate too much. I could always turn the tent sideways if needed. Thanks for subscribing!

[@browere]

Great stuff, thank you for sharing. I'm looking at Fastenal's Unistrut selection. Which material did you use for the unistrut? Trying to determine which would be best: AL - wouldn't rust but not as strong and expensive SS - 2nd best rust protection but heavy & costly Pre-Galvanized - cheap but paint adherence is suspect. Thanks & keep up the inspirational & educational content!

[@EvolvingMale]

I’m using the galvanized, but it does require touch ups periodically. It’s also cheap

[@paulwotzak6924]

Hi the setup looks great and easy.What tent did you use?

[@EvolvingMale]

Smittbilt. and thanks.

[@smlchng1968]

Where did you buy the punched square tube. Couldn’t find right length at Home Depot

[@EvolvingMale]

I went to a Fastenal supply store. They’re everywhere. You can also order from Grainger.com

[@jimmurphy2465]

Did you do a video on how you set up your rail system for the bed?

[@EvolvingMale]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/aoG9eqt-rcp5frc

[@RKempke]

Is there a reason that you have another set of bars attached to the bottom of your roof top tent? Couldn't you remove those and then mount the others to the tent? Then all you'd have to do is remove the bolts from the L brackets going to the bed rail. Seems like it'd be less work.

[@EvolvingMale]

The aluminum bars came with the tent. They are meant to go like that. The black ones are the rack. I suppose you could do it the other way but it would most likely be more difficult to man handle imo

[@georgetouchton5435]

Wow, that's great! A couple of things #1 eye protection, #2 invest in a mic, it will make your videos way more professional and easier to hear you.

[@EvolvingMale]

Any recommendations on a mic. I started to look that up once and never found anything I understood

[@EvolvingMale]

Also, thanks

[@Jeep79]

I like the bed matt what it is?

[@EvolvingMale]

It’s a horse stall mat from Tractor Supply. It works fantastic.

[@vicc6744]

where did you get them moving bolt hole deals? I've never seen them before

[@EvolvingMale]

The unistrut? Fastenal or sometimes home Depot. The attachment hardware was from home Depot

[@vicc6744]

@@EvolvingMale got it thanks- I'm ispired and will get to this in the spring

[@kikiarnie9726]

Nice !!! What is the square bars called and where did you get them from

[@EvolvingMale]

It's called Unistrut. You can find it in the electrical department at Lowe's or Home Depot. Or a local Fastenal store.

[@kikiarnie9726]

@@EvolvingMale thank you

[@EvolvingMale]

@@kikiarnie9726 you’re welcome.

[@edvargas72]

Awesome 👌 what's the gladiator bed size?

[@EvolvingMale]

It's like 6 feet long with the tailgate down

[@BennyTygohome]

Hey, you can't do that! -garvin

[@sacredshogun6325]

I have to ask, how did you mount the ammo can? Did you drill holes on it?

[@EvolvingMale]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jqnVq2Ctiblneq8

[@EvolvingMale]

Thats my video above. I've got all kinds. Also another one coming Sunday for a in bed rail system.

[@NealeyUNC23]

What bed mat are you using? Need something like that for my Gladiator.

[@EvolvingMale]

It’s a horse stall mat from Tractor Supply. I thinks it’s around $35. I had to cut it down a bit and used the scrap to make the two pieces directly behind the wheel wells. They stay in perfect if you cut it tight.

[@braddahryan]

That's awesome man! What brand tent is that?

[@EvolvingMale]

Smittybilt. It's the cheapest one you can buy for rooftop. It's very nice (it ought to be).

[@braddahryan]

@@EvolvingMale right on. I appreciate the video. Aloha

[@EvolvingMale]

@@braddahryan you're welcome. thanks for watching.

[@EdwardLewis-w8l]

Who's tent are yoi using?

[@EvolvingMale]

@@EdwardLewis-w8l Smittybilt.

[@EvolvingMale]

Smittybilt. Thanks for watching

[@normmuelleman2570]

How much do you think this thing can hold? A RTT is about 200#. My fat ass is 250#, plus a companion of about 200# and a dog of 40#...

[@EvolvingMale]

I forget what the weight rating was but I want to say it’s a crap-ton. I looked it up and it’s twice or more what you’re talking about. Another viewer made a rack that sits up near the roofline with unistrut and it’s holding.

[@normmuelleman2570]

@@EvolvingMale well, if Inread the chart right...you used 1 5/8" width 12 gauge, correct? Unbraced 5 ft span is rated at 650#. Thats one. Figure spreading load over 2 struts...that should be plenty. I need to watch your video on the side rails. Any idea how to.slot those angle brackets without a cutting torch?

[@EvolvingMale]

@@normmuelleman2570 that’s sounds about right. Plus there’s a good bit of leeway figured in to their numbers. A Dremel too would work great and they are pretty cheap. I managed to use drill bit. Got lucky with hole placement. Also you could use three rails if you were worried about weight

[@ConnorMurray]

@@EvolvingMale Can you share the link to the video of the roof height rack? I'm wanting to build one for my gladiator. Also when creating our own trail rail system like in your other video do you suggest going with solid backed unistrut pr unistrut with the holes as you mentioned might be a better choice in this video. Thanks! Love the content, subscribing now

[@EvolvingMale]

@@ConnorMurray thanks for subscribing! I’d actually suggest getting the solid backed unistrut. The Pre drilled holes are big and not lined up perfect. But either way will work. The guy who did the roof high rack used aluminum, I believe. He messaged me on FB, and sent me some pics. If you message me on FB @evolvingmale, I’ll forward what he sent me, to you.

[@mjc_overlander8809]

Do you still have the annex?

[@EvolvingMale]

No. I sold it to another subscriber.

[@warrenrushing5768]

What tent is that?

[@EvolvingMale]

Smittybilt. Not regular size not the xl

[@gvsukids]

do you ever take your jeep off-road?

[@EvolvingMale]

I sure do. Just today in fact. I'm actually out in the woods in Georgia right now. And hopefully got some other stuff coming up soon. Jeepin qith Judd in February. I had it off road, up and down some serious trails, before I made my first payment. I do not take it off road enough, or as much as I'd like. Too much working.