Automotive

Jeep turns the Gladiator into a go-anywhere hot dog cart

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The PCOR tray bed/canopy system is the highlight of the build, turning the Jeep Gladiator from a trail-ready pickup to a mountain bike adventure rig
Jeep
The Jeep Gladiator becomes the Jeep Top Dog Concept for SEMA360
Jeep
The PCOR tray bed/canopy system is the highlight of the build, turning the Jeep Gladiator from a trail-ready pickup to a mountain bike adventure rig
Jeep
With full power and exterior lighting on board, the Jeep Top Dog supports riders when the sun is up or down
Jeep
A suspension lift and 37-in BFG mud-terrain tires add off-road capability to the already stout Gladiator base
Jeep
The JPP lift kit includes Fox shocks
Jeep
Off-road auxiliary lights are installed at the base of the A-pillars
Jeep
Jeep tops the Top Dog Concept off with a pair of Trek mountain bikes secured inside a two-bike carrier
Jeep
PCOR offers a slide-out kitchen, but Jeep goes instead with something of an oddity: an electric hot dog roller
Jeep
The hot dog roller might not be right for every pre-/post- mountain bike ride, but cold drinks in the electric fridge/freezer definitely will be
Jeep
The other side of the canopy houses storage space, including a tool drawer
Jeep
Also included on the passenger side is the full electrical system with light switches
Jeep
Overhang storage space on the flatbed tray
Jeep
The Top Dog's PCOR canopy is a custom design and is different from the 1/2- and 3/4-length canopies it offers on the US market
Jeep
The rear bumper drawer houses a ladder for accessing the bikes on the roof
Jeep
Inside the Jeep Top Dog Concept
Jeep
The visual highlight inside is the exterior-matched K9 Blue dashboard facing
Jeep
Blue contrast stitching on black Katzkin leather seats
Jeep
Stainless steel pedal covers with rubber grips
Jeep
Mopar all-weather floor mats throughout
Jeep
MOLLE bags hang off the seat backs and provide organization
Jeep
View gallery - 20 images

The SEMA show isn't taking place at the Las Vegas Convention Center this week, but organizers have created a virtual show to fill in this year. It kicked off on Monday, and participants didn't let the lack of physical venue slow them in revealing custom concept builds. Mopar leapt out of the gate with a Jeep Gladiator that's something of an all-terrain mountain bike and food truck. The Jeep Top Dog Concept swaps out the Gladiator bed for a canopy loaded with a fridge/freezer and a hot dog roller. Forget the streets of New York, this truck dishes out hot dogs everywhere from the remote desert slickrock of Moab to the moss-painted forests of British Columbia.

The most critical component of the Top Dog Concept is the custom two-part tray/canopy system from Patriot Campers' PCOR brand. That new set-up fills in for the usual Gladiator bed, and Mopar specs it with hard-riding mountain bikers in mind, dropping a pair of Trek mountain bikes on the roof and bike tools in the passenger-side storage drawer.

The hot dog roller might not be right for every pre-/post- mountain bike ride, but cold drinks in the electric fridge/freezer definitely will be
Jeep

We're not sure if Jeep is holding onto some research that shows hot dogs are a preferred post-ride snack among mountain bikers, but over on the driver's side of the canopy it's installed an electric hot dog roller next to a fridge/freezer. Personally, we'd rather have the more versatile dual-burner stove that PCOR offers as part of its available slide-out kitchen, but builders like to keep things unique and interesting for SEMA. An onboard PCOR electrical system runs both appliances, along with LED lighting.

PCOR packs additional storage into tray overhang compartments and a rear bumper drawer that holds a ladder for roof access. Up above, the rear canopy carries a spare tire and jerry can. A second roof rack over the Gladiator cab can be used for carrying traction boards, cargo boxes and other essentials.

The rear bumper drawer houses a ladder for accessing the bikes on the roof
Jeep

To give the Top Dog Concept the ability to maneuver over rough, barely visible tracks on the way to remote backcountry trailheads, Mopar adds a 2-in Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) lift kit with Fox shocks, 17-in beadlock-capable wheels shod in 37-in BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires, a snorkel, a JPP Rubicon bumper with 8,000-lb (3,629-kg) Warn winch, a rear winch, and off-road LED lighting. A steel grille guard, steel concept "high-top" fender flares and tubular rock rails further enhance the Top Dog's rugged good looks.

The visual highlight inside is the exterior-matched K9 Blue dashboard facing
Jeep

Jeep carries the dark K-9 Blue paint into the interior, where it covers the instrument panel. The contrast stitching on the black leather seats, steering wheel, armrests, shifter boots and parking brake handle is also blue. Mopar stainless steel-covered pedals hang at the ready above the all-weather floor mats.

You'll find a closer look at the Jeep Top Dog Concept in the photo gallery and the video walkthrough below.

Source: Fiat-Chrysler

View gallery - 20 images
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2 comments
c2cam
Great looking vehicle, but as a mountain biker, I can honestly say the last thing I want after coming off the trail is a hot dog. To be fair, yes I'm hungry, but after the great exercise and being in the outdoors, something just a bit healthier is more in line with my cravings. So I wouldn't lay down my hard earned money for this package. Just a stock Gladiator would suffice. Though I am partial to a vintage Toyota FJ40 myself.
moodyblues
As a (non) mountain biker, my guess it's for Hot Dog vendors and the bikes are for remote deliveries...