I accused him of plagerizing when the article first came out, I've rocked a ladder rack since 2010, and flying solo I put a tarp across the top and hang my hammock from corner to corner in the bed. Did Ouray that way in 2011! Even then, I doubt I was the first, so Cappa gets a pass.
Having done a number of overland trips with wife and baby, I think I've got a pretty good setup with the Trailhawk and ground tent, but I'm always looking at cheap ways to improve. What got me thinking about it recently is my annual drive out to Oregon and back. My wife and daughter fly out since it's to be with her family, and I drive out with my dogs so I spend more time driving and less getting my nerves worn down by in-laws.
Every year I wind up sleeping in whatever I drive out. My ZJ works, but with 140lbs of dog it's not that comfortable. This last time in the KL, it was almost a nightmare. We're kicking around the notion of renting an RV and driving together next year, but I'm also thinking of improving my J-10 set up.
My ladder rack is pretty sturdy, I welded it up solid except for one movable cross member. I'm thinking of making a pop-up soft wall (oiled canvas) tent around it. In the down position it would function as a soft shell keeping gear and dogs warm and contained, then popped up it could have some hinged counters for cooking and dishes. Maybe some jump seats and table that are camper-typical, and the obligatory over-cab bed.
Main difference from a manufactured slide-in camper is that it would never be wider than the truck bed, so all sleeping positions would be front to back, no room for side-to-side.
Still purely academic, nothing on paper.