Gazell, a pop-up camper for Jeep JKU

[KevinsMap]

Man, the things you can find on this forum!

I found this impressive product quite awhile ago, somewhere around the web, in a search on camper-related material. I never thought to create a thread here on EP, because like a lot of cool stuff worldwide, we in the USofA were never going to (easily) get our hands on it ;-) The company is French, and they did not sell here (or, at the time, have an English website). Very impressive design. I saved quite a lot of material for my idea library. I have even used a photo or two (in other OP's threads) just to show what can be done... out there.

Fast forward, two days ago, and I read this:

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/157599-pop-up-camper-for-a-jeep?p=2079344#post2079344

Specifically, this: post#6

"I like the look of this removable KIT without drilling and without any modifs of the vehicle, and his light weight(80kg to 180kg depending on the version).
.It's perfectly integrated with the JEEP.
B.B.F(Gazell.Fr) is a French company.Its production is in Poland.Retailers in Switzerland , Germany, Austria , Belgium , Netherlands and Poland

*BBF will be present at the expo Overland in Flagstaff, AZ, May 20-22-2016

http://www.gazell.fr/assets/Price-li...ll-JK-Jeep.pdf"

This corner of EP needed to know. It's one cool Jeep. It seems that it is sold as a kit. And, we can actually see one at Overland Expo West. Can we buy one? I intend to find out.

Meanwhile, from my library, to you:

http://www.gazell.fr





and, more pics to follow...

 

[KevinsMap]

Gazell Pictures

Upper Bed



Lower Bed





Galley, with standing room opening, seating on cabinets





Toilet, stowed in Storage Cabinet



Soft Storage

 

[KevinsMap]

... and from the Gazell website...

 

[Haf-E]

Yes looks great - although I like the way the ursa-minor top has the forward edge of the pop-top lift up giving more room at the front of the bed.

Here is a good image of the Gazelle being assembled:

 

[the wasp]

And more...


catherine

 

[MTSN]

Very cool!!

 

[Kmrtnsn]

Nice! A body stretch too! Closest I've seen to purchasable Africa Concept.

 

[evaliquette]

J'en veux un!


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[Dan Grec]

Very nice.

The standing room in the back is similar to what I've done to my Ursa Minor J30, though with the stock roll bar in place their space must be extremely tight!

-Dan

 

[KevinsMap]

Very nice.

The standing room in the back is similar to what I've done to my Ursa Minor J30, though with the stock roll bar in place their space must be extremely tight!

-Dan

That is one essential aspect I will be looking at ;-)

Early impressions:

- from their website (french version), the GaZell interior is longer than a stock JKU, by a shade less than 15 inches (38cm), all of that behind the roll bar. See the website, and the video when they are mounting the cabin extension. Since the stock roll-bar slopes forward dramatically, they get a pretty generous Fore-Aft opening. I will measure it, if I can, at the show. Their website says they will be there, but not what they will be bringing with them.

- now, Laterally, your solution is easily roomier at sitting hip level, I would guesstimate by 7 inches overall (no roll bar down-tubes). But at head and shoulder level in the dining/sitting area, their solution has no roll bar at all to impinge on that head and shoulder space. So the lateral opening is just about as wide as the JK roofline makes possible.

- the GaZell does all this while retaining both sections of the rear seat. (!) I am imagining the possibilities of (like you, Dan) recovering that space for the camping cabin. My JKU RubiconX has already shed 2/3 of the rear seat to make room for a Engel fridge, power station and house battery. So a 2 or 3 seater that is 15" longer has real potential for me

- the video answered (for me) one very important question; the nature of the rear structure. Update: from the website. "Extension Arrière moulé d'une pièce 100% monobloc en polyester renforcé" - or, - "Rear Extension molded in one piece 100% reinforced polyester mono bloc". It apparently does not alter the original JKU body or frame structure. I would love to know how they managed that. I know why though; Euro regulations are very strict about safety equipment modifications. The GaZell seems to be bolt-on without modification to bumper structure, rear body structure, or roll bar. Again, wow.

 

[MTSN]

Anyone figure out the ballpark costs of this system? I think I'm pretty much done building the Jeep for the wheeling aspect, but I'm still considering a J30 for camping now that my wallet has had some time to recover. I really dig this setup, but my biggest concerns would be cost and vendor support in the US.

 

[Dan Grec]

That is one essential aspect I will be looking at ;-)

Early impressions:

- from their website (french version), the GaZell interior is longer than a stock JKU, by a shade less than 15 inches (38cm), all of that behind the roll bar. See the website, and the video when they are mounting the cabin extension. Since the stock roll-bar slopes forward dramatically, they get a pretty generous Fore-Aft opening. I will measure it, if I can, at the show. Their website says they will be there, but not what they will be bringing with them..

Ha, I hadn't seen that. At 22 seconds in the video you can clearly see how much longer it is behind the little "slot cubby" that holds the stock jack.

That's significant and must make a lot more room inside. Without the back seat it would be more than long enough to sleep in down the bottom.

I'm curious on costs, and if it actually goes into production.

EDIT: and of course I should have looked more closely, it's long enough to mount the maxtrax on the rear side window.
I was wishing mine would go there, but they're waaaay too long on a stock-length hardtop.

-Dan

 

[emkay]

It is in production, prices in europe (germany) go from € 12.500,- (empty) up to € 19.300,- (loaded)


Sent via my bongo drums...

 

[Dan Grec]

It is in production, prices in europe (germany) go from € 12.500,- (empty) up to € 19.300,- (loaded)

Woah, that's just for the camper? i.e. you have to provide the Jeep?

USD $14,400 to $22,200

-Dan

 

[emkay]

sad but true... but compared to the j30 which is around €10.000,- here (imported) still a good "bang for the buck" if you dont mind the "rucksack" of the gazell


Sent via my bongo drums...