Many pop-up campers have turnbuckles inside the bed. The Overland Jeep Gladiators payload capacity is just 1,140 pounds. I usually plan everything from looking at Google Earth because I can get a satellite image to see how rugged the terrain is. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. A lightweight roof-mounted tent is the best way to equip your Gladiator with spacious living quarters for sleeping while keeping the bed free for gear storage. Just do it now. Above: Gros Morne National Park, Newfoundland. If you dont drive over that bridge, you have missed out on life. Above: Chicken Corners Offroad Trail, Moab, Utah. I live in a campervan and on a 41-foot sailboat, and my goal is to help you live a simpler, more adventurous life whether thats in a campervan, RV, sailboat or tiny home. Its a rugged four-wheel drive trail, so its only truck campers and four-wheel drive vehicles that can get in there. Its gorgeous! That is impressive. There are times we want to take a hike, but in our 60s we dont hike to those places anymore, and we wish we could. The interior and cab boast a Goal Zero 150 power station, a dash kit from Ram Mounts, and the all-important Gaia GPS navigation app. Alu Cab manufactures this canopy camper with an easy-access vertical door at the rear on heavy-duty hinges. We upgraded the sink and stove combination in the Phoenix Camper. Phoenix Campers custom builds every camper specifically for a customers truck. When I got the camper, I stripped things out and remodeled the interior to make it more modern and lightweight. Pick From Supermarkets to Motocross Trails; two unexpected and incredible passion tours. In an age when most vehicle manufacturers have seemingly gone to automatic everything, the control youll get with a manual is still preferable for optimal control, provided you know how to drive stick. I usually rode up in the cabovers berth and looked out the front window watching the scenery go by. When youre overlanding, self-reliance is a big part of the experience. Above: Ron and his Jeep Gladiator on the left. Did you have to make any modifications to make the Jeep Gladiator and Phoenix Camper properly fit together? Then I changed the metal propane tank with a fiberglass propane tank. I also carry a Pull Pal Winch Anchor, which is like a big sailboat plow anchor that you put into the ground or sand to give you something to pull against. What are some of the highlights from that trip? Ron Chandlers Rig Truck:2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon, 3.0 EcoDiesel, 44, short bed Camper:2012 Phoenix Pop-Up Tie-Downs and Turnbuckles:Torklift Fastgun turnbuckles Suspension:Remote Control Airlift bags, Fox Shocks, Hellwig sway bar, Mopar Lift, Home Off-Road and Off-The-Grid Campers Extreme Rigs Jeep Gladiator Camper Goes Anywhere. But you can create shade wherever you go with a roof-mounted awning. There was a three to four-month wait before the flatbed tray was going to arrive from Australia. There was a time on a logging road on Vancouver Island where a sign said that the road was closed, but the gate was still open. A new diesel Jeep pickup truck! I am using Torklift Fastguns as internal turnbuckles. Above: A pullout along Highway 1 near the road closure at Big Sur. And you might want to research the next Overland Expo West event to see how others have built their ideal truck camper rig and get some tips for customizing everything from the bed to the cab on your Jeep! You want to make that trip. Ken Manning shares a 4-in-1 marine switch power strip that he added to the Overland Explorer Vehicles takes their Camp-X, turns it into a flatbed, and adds a Its time to vote for your favorite Medium Mods from Julys Iron-Mod contest. Powering your camping gear with solar panels is the most efficient way to keep small electronics powered up when youre off-grid. In the meantime, I was driving through Salt Lake City, Utah, and saw a Phoenix Camper sitting on the lot at an RV dealership. It gives you privacy for showing and its built with durable aluminum and stainless steel construction so itll last. Where have you been with your truck camper that you would recommend to other truck campers? What modifications or changes have you made to your truck? To learn more about the Jeep Gladiator and its all-terrain capabilities, click here. The Torklift Fastguns came with the camper when I bought it. I have a filtration system so I can get water from almost anywhere. Youve been to quite a few slot canyons. Your email address will not be published. If youre not using the tent for a while, you can even remove the fabric and keep it in your garage so it doesnt wear unnecessarily. Tucker's website thebackpackguide.comdedicated to hiking, backpacking, and outdoor gear reviews. How did the camper remodel reduce the weight of the unit? Required fields are marked *. Here are the specifications for this Jeep truck: For more information to help you compare the various Jeep Gladiator models, click here. I literally follow the route on my computer and mark where it might be iffy. With the roof open, the exterior height increases to 91 from the top of the tray to the top of the camper. They recommend measuring twice to get drilling positions precise when installing this cargo system for your truck topper. We had a 1987 Volkswagen Vanagon Syncro and have been all over North America from the most eastern tip of Newfoundland to the far north of Alaska and Canada. For anyone who thinks this rig is too small or lacks too many features to be considered a truck camper for their purposes, well bet you a full fresh tank that we can change your mind in just two words; tow it. Please note that the interior dimensions of this camper will be slightly smaller depending on the modules or extra you mount inside. With 300-watts of solar on the roof, we can really extend our off-grid camping. I dont think I could have built a camper for it to be so perfect. What else do you enjoy doing while truck camping? You really get to know your companion well when dispersed camping in a small camper. Youll figure it out. Sleeping at the foot of glaciers, watching grizzly bears, moose, orcas, and whales while camping is an experience we all should have. Their mid-size camper system is a popular choice for Gladiators and it is comparable to the flatbed camper from Four Wheel Campers. Grab my FREE 19-Page Van Life Starter Kit! Going in, I always think about how Im going to get myself out. The island with all its red dirt is gorgeous. Check out a Gladiator fully-modified with the Active Cargo System here! I am an avid photographer and videographer. Alaska is a must. One of our coldest nights was near Breckenridge, Colorado at minus -8 Fahrenheit. Finding places to boondock was not too difficult once we got above upstate New York. Whether you install one of the best 12-volt refrigerators or opt for a well-insulated cooler like this one from RTIC Coolers, a sliding mount makes it easy to load and unload ice and food without constantly having to lift and strain your back. I carry all four tire chains in the winter. Recovery gear is the answer to being ready for difficult situations. If you are going to Nova Scotia, take the time to also go to Prince Edward Island. There are so many. Diesel torque. Above: Dispersed camping along the Kokopelli Trail. If you go to southern Utah you can find a majority of them. I can drive a couple of hours south from our home and end up where I normally never see another person. The rack system is available in Forged or Classic models. Electric Ford F-150 and Four Wheel Camper Make Alaska Run. Here are a few reasons why Jeep Gladiators are awesome for overland camping: Many of the best truck campers increase the height of your truck considerably. And sleeping next to the pounding waves of Big Sur makes you appreciate the silence of boondocking in a quiet National Forest. Thats why I carry recovery equipment like winches, Maxtrax recovery boards and a full-size shovel. With the refrigerator on the front drivers side, I use a nylon strap ratchet in that location. There have been many times my wife has asked, Why are we here?. For those of you ready to head out on your next off-grid camping adventure, check out some ideas for finding free campsites that provide the ideal testing ground for your Jeep Gladiator camper! For safetyreasons we always carry our Garmin InReach Mini. Sometimes the campsites from backroads are even more incredible. Driving the Alaska Highway was always a dream road trip. The motors would have added extra weight. That way I have plenty of length to hook to somebody or something if I have to. Sticking on this self-rescue theme, a trail jack is a must-have overland accessory for truck campers. I am a MacGyver-type person. The first was a beat-up 1983 Ford Tioga that he and his brother renovated before road-tripping from California to Texas to explore the music scene in Austin. With this focus, I removed the rear seats in the Jeep. Finally, the Alu Cab Canopy Camper is designed with a flip-away bed that offers ample headroom and more spacious living quarters than youll find on most campers. The Jeep Gladiator has a rail system in the bed. Ron added 35-inch E-Rated tires, a Hellwig sway bar and made plans for an Australian flatbed conversion for a possible camper. Sure, you could stop into a gas station every now and then to add air to your tires. There are loads of options for all-terrain camping vehicles like lightweight Tacomas and Ford F Series trucks out there these days. All Rights Reserved. Above: At 10,624-feet with Cedar Breaks National Monument in the distance. Staying really remote was the whole idea with this build. *This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. There are also options for trail-rated or desert-rated performance upgrades so you know youll have the best capability on the specific terrain you want to conquer. I have told my kids to do it now. For safety, I want to make sure the brackets dont bend or come out of the camper. All Alu Cab modules require the Goose Gear Alu Cab Canopy Camper plate and the Alu Cab double-drawer model (one of their most popular) requires a new Alu Cab top plate with extended rear attachment points to tie into the Alu Cab canopy camper proprietary extrusions. The Fastguns are used for three of the attachment points; passengers side front and back, and drivers side back. On my last trip to Cinnamon Pass, Colorado, there were some ledges and switchbacks. Before you go, make sure the weather is good. So most of you wont want your actual bed to be back there. We boondocked there on the other side of the bridge, on the island. When you get to Newfoundland, many people want to go to Cape Spear Lighthouse, which is nice. Something has to be said about stopping to grill a great lunch, under the shade of an awning, with the comfort of home, at over 13,000-feet in elevation. Over the years, our overland rigs have taken us everywhere and we look forward to South America and Europe in the future. I have shared that secret spot with a few people and now Im finding people in a spot I used to go to and never see anyone. Where do you suggest people go in Utah? I have a favorite spot where I can take a short stroll to Delicate Arch, camp on red slick-rock, and seldom hear anything but coyotes. Its a very necessary piece of equipment. You take a ferry to the mainland and come down a dirt road. Having the ability to make ice and enjoy ice cream in Death Valley was a treat. Yes, several times. But if you sink your truck deep into mud or soft sand and suffer a blowout at the same time, getting the spare off to change out the blown tire is going to be nearly impossible. When I ordered my Jeep, I didnt have the bed lined because I was going to put a flatbed tray on it. Jeep mojo. I have a Plan B of places to camp before any iffy spots. Heres how his incredibly capable rig came together, and where it allows him to go. It must be in my blood. However, the weight of the camper was a bit high for the Gladiators payload. It was one of our best camping spots. With what might be the luckiest Phoenix Camper find in history, Ron was set up and ready to tackle his favorite North America Jeep trails and camp where others couldnt imagine. Instead of just towing a Jeep behind your truck camper rig, you could be towing a Jeep Gladiator and Phoenix Camper thats capable of going places your (comparatively) big, comfortable, and road preferring truck camper probably would destroy itself trying to reach. It also has an SOS feature to send the calvary if we have an emergency situation. Passing through the Great Lakes, Maine, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and then a ferry to Newfoundland was one of the most spectacular trips we have taken. Living in Utah there are so many places to disperse camp on BLM land. When traveling, I rarely haul any water until I reach my destination. My wife wants to keep the hot water system, but Im thinking of a combination diesel heater and on-demand hot water system so that I dont need the tank capacity. Get more information here about Alu Cab Canopy Camper Modules from Goose Gear! Aside from that, the Gladiator is built with a 3.6-liter V6 engine with 285 horsepower and the ability to produce up to 260 pound-feet of torque. I spend all hours of the night enjoying astrophotography. Everyone has said, It was meant to be. This canopy camper also comes with side-access doors on gas struts that make it super easy to grab gear out of the bed without climbing in awkwardly. Once youve converted your truck bed, here are some overland gear ideas to help you stock your truck so you can camp anywhere: The main bed section of the Gladiator is only five feet long. Google slot canyons in Utah, and you will find a lot on the borders of Arizona and New Mexico. I have been fortunate. It is a satellite communicator that keeps us in touch with our family. Matts camper is equipped with a slide in Decked drawer system for better storage and access to everything in the back. Thats why most serious off-roaders install a hitch-mounted spare wheel carrier so that access isnt an issue when its needed. We love to hike slot canyons, mountain bike, look for Native American rock art, and just have a relaxing dinner on the shore of a glacier-fed lake. Its best to have a friend help you lift the weight as you set this cargo system in place. Yes. Have you ever been stuck? When I put the camper on, it fit on my 2021 Jeep Gladiator like a glove. Copyright 2007-2022. We got 30 to 40-kilometers in and the GPS showed a straight line to the spot I picked. Some are very secluded and hard to get to. Its like my camper was built for my Jeep. All went perfectly to Rons plan until the Truck Camping Gods (or quite possibly the universe) itself intervened. The system itself simply provides a framework over the bed to make the installation of overlanding gear and accessories easier. The national parks have a boundary around them. It gives us around a 500-mile range without even using the Rotopax. Because of the way Ive outfitted my rig, I am more capable to get out of situations. From the road, I could tell it was small. With the weight constraints of a small pickup, we needed something that had a lower center of gravity and was lightweight. Thats why companies like Four Wheel Campers make pop-up truck bed campers that can be expanded while youre in camp and retracted to improve fuel economy when youre driving. The Classic boasts a dry weight of just 81 pounds while the Forged model comes in at 85 pounds. Another way to reduce weight from a rig is to reduce the weight of the truck. But storing flammable liquids in an enclosed truck topper can be dangerous. Do you carry any other essential gear to get in and out of the places you go? I purchased the Phoenix Camper that day. He eventually purchased a 1970 Ford pickup truck with a slide-in camper. This camper starts with a custom-built bed rack from Modifications Contreras. With my truck camper, I have the ability to easily take the camper off and have a very capable Jeep platform to go exploring for the day. One of the coolest things about the Jeep Gladiator, in my opinion, is that it comes with a six-speed manual transmission. This includes lightweight gear pods, mounting kits for a roof-mounted tent or awning, a shower kit, traction boards, jerry gas cans, and more. Dad always loved trucks and campers because we could pull boats or motorcycles. Upgrading your sway bars will improve handling and minimize body roll once you add that extra weight to your Jeep. Putting our sign in the Sign Post Forest (pictured above) at Watson Lake in the Yukon still brings a smile to my face. It also boasts up to 11.1 inches of ground clearance and excellent off-road features like electronic front and rear locking differentials, a transfer case for improved crawl ratio, and a sway bar disconnect that increases front wheel articulation by as much as 30 percent. Get more info on these boards from ARB 44 Accessories! Especially if youre taking your Jeep to desert areas like Death Valley, finding shade can be a struggle when overland camping. Its especially important on rugged trails to help you navigate especially rocky terrain and it will also help you safely jack your Jeep up if you need to change a tire or address other broken components. All Jeeps come with factory-installed sway bars, but they arent always designed to handle the weight youll add as you customize your camper. Sorting through Jeep Gladiator camper options is only the first step towards remote camping bliss. Others like Buckskin Gulch, you park in a parking lot and walk down the wash. Others Ive driven to and camped in the wash. Whatever you call it, were fairly certain larger forces were involved. The photo above is of us under the bridge on the PEI side. Theres a lot of freedom when it comes to customizing a camper for a Jeep Gladiator maybe more so than any other type of overland vehicle. The installation of both models requires drilling into the rails of your truck bed and they say installation requires 2-3 hours on average. I have a Gladiator EcoDiesel; a 3.0-liter, turbocharged diesel V-6. I carry two 30-foot snatch straps. The Alu Cab proprietary extrusions allow for a drill-free installation when fitting the Alu Cab Canopy Camper to your Gladiator. Do you know what type of truck your camper was originally built before? Theres one named Little Wild Horse Canyon (pictured above). It was originally built for a Nissan Frontier (shown above). Special fitment notes: The Alu Cab Canopy Camper modules are designed to fit Jeep Gladiator JT models from 2019 to the present. I checked the turnbuckles multiple times. Also, put Newfoundland on your bucket list. As a young boy growing up in St. Louis, our father would always take us out west camping. Alu Cab really does provide an amazing canopy camper option for your Jeep Gladiator. That can make your vehicle top-heavy and will require you to drive more carefully, especially avoiding taking tight turns at high speeds. The spare tire on a Gladiator is usually tucked underneath the bed just behind the rear axle. They also make it safer to drive on rugged dirt roads without worrying about your truck campers higher center of gravity increasing your vehicles chances of rolling on particularly uneven terrain. Backroads follow washes, so also make sure you have recovery gear. Or you could bring your own compressor and remain self-sufficient. Your email address will not be published. The side access doors measure 41 wide x 32.25 tall while the rear access door measures 36.25 wide x 31.5 tall. Ron Chandler takes his 2021 Jeep Gladiator and custom Phoenix truck camper on some of Americas most challenging off-road trails and camps in secluded beauty. Its popular, and right next to Goblin Valley State Park. The Best Jeep Gladiator Campers and Conversion Kits We Could Find. I hope to help you craft a new version of the American Dream. Organizing the bed is the best way to keep the front seats open for passengers. Eating fresh salmon, halibut, and shellfish, and never having it dark outside when you go to sleep was also very special. When Jeep finally announced they would launch a diesel Gladiator pickup in July of 2020, diesel-loving, truck adoring Jeep fans simply lost their minds. Tucker's latest RV adventure involved purchasing and refurbishing a 36-foot 1997 Fleetwood Bounder. The Jeep Gladiator Rubicon offers the most deviation from the other models. We plan on returning to Alaska very soon. From everything I did, and our lightweight packing, we have reduced the weight of the truck and camper by about 420-pounds. If I were to talk to the younger people, Id say to not wait until you are older to explore. The exterior features an ARB aluminum hardshell awning, X Bull recovery tracks, fog lights from Baja Designs, a 3.8-gallon water tank from The Waterport, and V800 storage cases from Pelican. We participate in the Amazon Services, LLC Associates program. Jeep Gladiator Sport, Sport S, Willys, Willys Sport, Altitude, and Texas Trail, Doorstep Adventures Jeep Gladiator Camper, The Ultimate Jeep Gladiator Camper From Off Road N Chill, Final Tip on Building a Jeep Gladiator Camper, https://youtube.com/channel/UCf7-MEOzISGX3MndCeFfddg, The best off road toy haulers we could find, Overland gear list: What you need to go off roading. Seldom do we take a road trip that something doesnt need to be fixed or repaired. When I went in to take a look at it, a guy who had just bought a Gladiator pulled in. I bet we could all remove a good amount of weight from our rigs if we got that serious about it. I even like that it has manual push-up bars on both sides instead of the motors. Yeah, thats a cool idea. That picture was taken with my telephoto lens. But it has the same GVWR, towing capacity, and seating capacity as the models above. Go to the northwest coast. There are a variety of modular canopy options under the Alu Cab canopy camper umbrella, such as front and rear utility modules, bulkhead panels, sleep decks for one or two, and more. 50Tens Jeep Gladiator camper is designed for easy setup. When you bought your Jeep Gladiator, were you intending to get a truck camper? This tricked-out Jeep Gladiator truck camper features GoMammuts rooftop tent, ARBs four-foot awning mounted on the rear, a bed rack system from Datin Metal Fabrication, a Jeep-specific lighting kit from Baja Designs, and various shock, suspension, and tire improvements from Ride Fox, EVO Manufacturing, and Mickey Thompson Tires, respectively. And believe me, I know it was lucky. What is the bed size on the Jeep Gladiator? With the installation of our diesel heater, our camper can keep us warm and comfortable well below the freezing mark. We spent every vacation out west from Colorado to Montana. Founded in 2007, TCM is the RV community's number one source for news, reviews, guides, newbie advice, destination ideas, maintenance recommendations, modifications, and more. How did you get into off-roading and camping? One of the best parts of having an air compressor on board is the ability to quickly deflate tires when you hit sandy terrain and then refill to your desired level once youre back on a paved roadway. Learn more about this Hi-Lift trail jack! It was time to upgrade to a newer platform for our adventures. Gros Morne National Park is gorgeous. The exterior of this camper measures 63 wide by 63 long and 43.25 tall with the roof closed. Nearly every park has a backroad. The 50Ten camper options are designed for Jeep vehicles with a flat-bed modification. Just make sure your awning mounts are compatible with the roof rack unit already install on your vehicle. Its beautiful. But, when you are on the island, go along the northwest coast against the mainland. Most Jeep Gladiator camper options maintain a low profile so that you can go further on a single tank of gas and worry less about roads with low height clearance. Modifications to my Jeep truck were minimal. Youll figure out the money, but you cant enjoy it as much as when you are older. Newfoundland is a trip we want to take. Descending down the road it was fine, but getting out was hard. The longest we have traveled and camped off-grid was just over four weeks. Jeep suspension. Finally, we pack light and really focus on reducing the weight of our camper. Driving from Utah to St Johns was a road trip that we will never forget. Originally I was going to put a flatbed on the Jeep and a flatbed truck camper on top of it. Even with the improved tires and airbags, only a stripped-down pop-up, like my custom Phoenix Camper, would work on a diesel Jeep Gladiator. It is an engineering marvel. In a snow area, where there isnt a tree or anything to winch out with, I get my shovel out and use Maxtrax. I added 35-inch E-Rated tires to handle the load, installed Air Lift bags to level the load, and a Hellwig rear adjustable sway bar. Was that picture taken from that spot? For the center of gravity, I had to remove the front rail to get my camper further forward. What are you using for turnbuckles? You talked about overlanding all over North America. My wife is an Anne of Green Gables fan. The Nissan Frontiers bed size just happens to be the same as the Gladiators bed size. Tall truck campers will also reduce your fuel economy and can make it difficult to navigate into campsites with low-hanging branches. I had to modify the Fastguns because they werent short enough for the Gladiators attachment points. Above: The Chandlers with their Phoenix Camper and Jeep Gladiator at Cinnamon Pass. Jeep Gladiators are an excellent option for off-roading, but creating your own Jeep Gladiator camper will take your overland adventures to a whole new level. Its also got a tent from Hills Offroad Gear, Rock Krawler Pro-X 3 suspension, a MOPAR LED lighting package, and much more. That sounds like a plan. With the highway closed, we were fortunate to pop the top and camp along the beautiful Big Sur coast. The ability to keep perishable foods fresh is key to enjoying delicious meals when youre camping in rural areas. First, I removed everything that wasnt needed. Above: Portland Head Light, Cape Elizabeth, Maine. With the simple opening of a security hook, you can go from having the roof closed to having the roof open (and your rooftop tent set up) in seconds. Cell phones dont always work out there. Above: Petroglyphs near Crow Canyon, Arizona. The Active Cargo System from Leitner Designs is best for experienced overlanders interested in fully customizing their camper. You really need something lightweight. I also installed some plastic blocks on the inside of the wheel wells to center the camper while loading. I do all my own wrenching and try to fix anything broken. Ron Chandler read that paragraph and thought, Yup, that was me. Soon after it was announced, Ron purchased a 2021 Jeep Gladiator with the 3.0-liter turbocharged diesel V-6. You sent in a picture of Delicate Arch with a line of people. Inside that tent, youll find a comfortable 3.15-inch mattress and a Froli spring system so you can get great sleep wherever you camp. Please read ourdisclosure policyfor more info. My Gladiator has a 5-foot bed. Okay, maybe thats one step too far, but try explaining how Ron just happened to come across the perfect truck camper for his rig, at the right time, and there was a Gladiator on hand for measurements.

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