Alu-Cab Canopy for Jeep Gladiator: Overview and Review

Is the Alu-Cab Canopy the best overlanding modification you can make to your Jeep Gladiator?
As one of our favorite Jeeps mods, we certainly think it's in contention. Watch as I ramble on about the Alu-Cab Canopy, why we added it to our Jeep Gladiator Mojave build, the pros and cons we've discovered while living with it, and more.
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Riley: / rileyinthewoods
Website
rileyinthewoods.com/
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[@jmsuitter5]

Yes to the security

[@jeepinaustralia2477]

Great walk-through, thanks for sharing.

[@rileyinthewoods]

Thanks for watching!

[@XjDrZ]

Everything you commented on is the same reason why I made the move from a rack to the alu-cab. Love your build out! Good video on detail.

[@TuanNguyen-ld8kl]

Thanks for the video. Was set on getting a smartcap later this year but you've made some good points about weight and being single piece. Also, I'm seeing some fit and finish issues with the smartcap. Nicely done!

[@jmsuitter5]

Was looking forward to the next video

[@filthyoffroadadventures]

great review thanks so much we are trying to choose between Alucab and the RSI. Will go for the Alucab for sure now. Thanks

[@rileyinthewoods]

Glad it helped! I have friends with the RSI that love it, but weight was a priority for me, and the Alucab excels there. Either option is terrific!

[@filthyoffroadadventures]

@@rileyinthewoods ordered today will be fitted next Friday 👌

[@rileyinthewoods]

@@filthyoffroadadventures congrats!

[@jmsuitter5]

Great organization everything at hand through the side

[@KaptenInsano]

Thank you for taking the time to share this. You have sold me on the alu cab. Can't wait to see what you do with the bed. Are you thinking of using a decked system?

[@fbonde]

Thanks for sharing. Very helpful 🙂

[@highdesertgladiator1211]

Thanks for the run down.

[@ss84human14]

Nice review mate, cheers 👍 will look to make a purchase for our JTR

[@rileyinthewoods]

Thanks for watching! Alu-Cab makes the best canopies, no question 👍

[@WolfOverland]

Best Canopy you can buy. I see everyone leaning to the smartcap, although it does look better the alu-cab is lighter and proven quality!! Ordered one for my new gladiator!

[@GLI19497]

Excellent walk through and review. I was curious what brackets you used to attach the tent to the crossbars?

[@jmsuitter5]

Canopy is the way I’d go

[@WolfOverland]

I was planning this setup and then i found your channel (thanks youtube ...lol) A Few Questions- Have you had to change anything with the rear suspension to combat any sag from your setup? How do you like the use of the carpet vs a linex coating?

[@TheDrewDinsmore]

Thanks for video - great walk though. It seems like the cap is a bit higher than the roof of the Gladiator - do you know if this is the case?

[@deployed_overlander]

Awesome video! After researching the numerous different bedcaps these days, your video has made the final decision for me. I do have one question though... I noticed you have the medium risers for the load bars. Have you tried the low profile feet to mount your RTT? And if so, how much room did you have between the rear cab roof and RTT? I have a gladiator as well and as you probably know, keeping everything tight and low is hard to do but I try my best when possible. Thanks

[@rileyinthewoods]

I'm glad you found it helpful! The Alu-Cab is a truly awesome product. We never tried the low profile feet, so I can't give you any insight on that, unfortunately. We initially had a soft top on the Gladiator, which is why we opted for the medium risers. Once we switched to the hard top, we just kept them. Sorry I couldn't answer your question -- best of luck with your build!

[@skyteamoverland5399]

This makes me want to get rid of my Rebel rack now 😆

[@jmsuitter5]

Yep got to always think about weight

[@nocogarden]

I see that ok4wd sells the cab, but I can’t seem to find the box slides and cabinets. Where did you get them?

[@crossrifles5457]

Great video, I have the same tent and have an Alu-Cab canopy coming. What 90 degree mounts from the load bar to the tent are you using?

[@crossrifles5457]

@@rileyinthewoods awesome! Thank You. Great channel.

[@leftystrat62]

Your video was so helpful in determining what this canopy actually offers. Great job. It actually sold me on the Gladiator with a soft top. Were you able to open your soft top up all the way with just the canopy and no RTT? cheers

[@rileyinthewoods]

Glad you found it helpful! I appreciate the positive feedback and hope you enjoy your Gladiator.

[@leftystrat62]

@@rileyinthewoods Were you able to open your soft top up all the way with just the canopy and no RTT? Did you go with the hard top/ BestTop Sunrider option for security purposes? I'm trying so hard to figure out how to run a soft top. Thanks

[@rileyinthewoods]

@@leftystrat62 We replaced the soft top with the hardtop/Sunrider before we purchased the canopy to ensure the tent would clear (the factory soft top is a little taller than the hardtop). However, without the tent on, I believe you could open the soft top without an issue. I can't say for sure, but if memory serves, I don't think the canopy would interfere.

[@PLT123]

I want one!

[@rileyinthewoods]

They’re great! It completely changed our camping experience.

[@rick_petrie]

Hey Riley, Are you saying it weighs 130 lbs with the Cupboards & frontrunner slide up front, or just the cap without those accessories? Thanks for the video.

[@rileyinthewoods]

Just the cap. The accessories added minimal weight. I don’t have the exact numbers anymore (I believe they can be found on Alu-Cab’s website) but it was less than 20 additional pounds.

[@mikemoore6472]

Getting my JT in a week. White Tx trail with diesel. Have been scouring the internet trying to find someone who built out almost exactly what I plan to do….I found you and you nailed it! Do you know the Dimensions of your tent when packed? I may be mounting a CVT Denali hybrid(discontinued) which is massive. Want to make sure the overhang is not too much. Sub’d

[@mikemoore6472]

@@rileyinthewoods I’m definitely Interested. I planned on purchasing it in late June with practically everything you have equipped.

[@mikemoore6472]

@@rileyinthewoods Sounds good. Emailed you.

[@PCHwoods]

If you were to do it again, would you opt to get the new Contour canopy with windows now that it’s an option?

[@rileyinthewoods]

I would not opt for the windows. A major concern for me was security, so the fewer windows the better in my mind. I also like using the side cabinets without worrying about stored objects coming in contact with the glass. Lastly, I think the side windows could be a liability on tight trails!

[@ovrlndtravel]

Great video very informative thank you! What about weight support? I saw one the vendors for alucab that only supports 330bls of static weight?

[@ovrlndtravel]

@@rileyinthewoods thank you for your response, yes those 150kg translates to 330bls and same here the website and eve alucab KZbin videos says 150kg = 330bls but the question is of dynamic or static weight 😅 if is dynamic weight than the static weight doubles or triples given the shoper more certainty and making the purchase. I will have to give someone a call😄 thank you for your feed back I really appreciate it 🙏🏻

[@ovrlndtravel]

@@rileyinthewoods Alu-Cab did answered in their video, so it holds 350kg of static weight, 771bls. That's why you didn't have any problems 😁. With that said, to my preference Alu-Cab makes a better option for my set up!

[@jmsuitter5]

Wow didn’t realize the road armor was such a beefy cow 🐄

[@jakemetz1742]

What were the light covers you mentioned? Would love ambers to help keep the bugs away

[@rileyinthewoods]

I couldn't find them again, my apologies. It looks like National Luna makes replacement lights with dual-color LEDs, though. That would allow you to use white or red light depending on the situation.

[@jakemetz1742]

@@rileyinthewoods no worries. I’ll get my sleuth hat on and if I find it post it back here for the people. Thanks for the help

[@rileyinthewoods]

@@jakemetz1742Best of luck! If I manage to find them, I'll be sure to let you know.

[@CMParks]

Why did you pick the contour canopy over canopy camper?

[@rileyinthewoods]

At the time we had a good relationship with the company that made our tent. That, the Gladiator being our only vehicle, and the cost savings made the canopy the right choice for us.

[@dafrasier1]

Fumes , ?? gas inside canopy. any issues ?

[@dafrasier1]

@@rileyinthewoods thanks. like I asked "Canopy" not canopy camper. I have a Rubicon. concerned about weight, and the canopy camper seems way over priced.

[@dafrasier1]

@@rileyinthewoods So back to original Question that was NOT answered. Are their any Gasoline fumes inside the canopy. that you have noticed? air tight, no leak, Rotopax. ? (understand air pressure change as elevation changes. White Water Cat, on trailer, Montana) So if you bleed the Rotopax as you go up in elevation, you get some gas fumes coming out. but otherwise NO fumes ?

[@jmsuitter5]

First comment yay

[@SuperSilence23]

Overpriced

[@Clifton_McWilliams]

is the canopy able to be removed ?

[@rileyinthewoods]

In theory, but it’s not something you’d want to do often. Especially if you want the weather sealing to remain in good shape.