expeditionerd
Observer
Sorry for the multiple posts. As for the ideal solution, here's what AluCab in Southafrica makes for Defenders. That kind of flap that opens up at the end would be perfect for the J30. Keep the sun and the water out, while allowing you to also keep windows open and circulate fresh air
Which takes me to something I've been wanting to email John about for a while: Man, for as much as I love the J30, how convenient it is and how much it has made me love my wrangler even more, I despise the J30 tent Windows design. This design is a small evolution front the Ecampers where clearly it made more sense. However on the wrangler, it'd be so much easier to also be able to get in and out from the back climbing onto the spare wheel. The panorama opening thing all the way to the center is a nice touch, but it's very impractical. In 3 years, I've opened the top all the way to the center a total of 3 times. The rest of the time is mostly just on the sides, and every time I use the camper I wish I had also an opening on the back. Maybe all you need is to figure out a way to ALSO open the windows from the center in the back?
Being able to get access to the camper top from the back seat inside is priceless don't ever think about removing that option. But also being able to go in and out from any side would be a huge thing added to that. Specially when there's 2 people sleeping on top and getting out would mean quick single zip action, then climb down through the spare wheel, instead of doing a bunch of contortionist moves to make enough space to lift up the lid under your butt.
If you think you can come up with a tent design that matches or tops what the AluCab guys are doing below, please sign me up for another J30 - I think my wife will be very happy with her own.
Last thing! Dan: here's more inspiration for you. Once you get that huge space inside your camper, I think an internal front hinged platform that can move up against the top when you want more internal space will be a lot more useful than 3 independent planks that you stack all the way in the front. With the internal hinged platform all your bedding, sleeping bag and pillows can stay in place and with the help of properly balanced struts you can push the whole thing up with one finger.
Good luck with your build! Keep posting build progress here. If you get it right, I think I might even be next in line with one of those. Can't ever get enough Ursas!
http://youtu.be/7x4Bp1lvJ6w
Which takes me to something I've been wanting to email John about for a while: Man, for as much as I love the J30, how convenient it is and how much it has made me love my wrangler even more, I despise the J30 tent Windows design. This design is a small evolution front the Ecampers where clearly it made more sense. However on the wrangler, it'd be so much easier to also be able to get in and out from the back climbing onto the spare wheel. The panorama opening thing all the way to the center is a nice touch, but it's very impractical. In 3 years, I've opened the top all the way to the center a total of 3 times. The rest of the time is mostly just on the sides, and every time I use the camper I wish I had also an opening on the back. Maybe all you need is to figure out a way to ALSO open the windows from the center in the back?
Being able to get access to the camper top from the back seat inside is priceless don't ever think about removing that option. But also being able to go in and out from any side would be a huge thing added to that. Specially when there's 2 people sleeping on top and getting out would mean quick single zip action, then climb down through the spare wheel, instead of doing a bunch of contortionist moves to make enough space to lift up the lid under your butt.
If you think you can come up with a tent design that matches or tops what the AluCab guys are doing below, please sign me up for another J30 - I think my wife will be very happy with her own.
Last thing! Dan: here's more inspiration for you. Once you get that huge space inside your camper, I think an internal front hinged platform that can move up against the top when you want more internal space will be a lot more useful than 3 independent planks that you stack all the way in the front. With the internal hinged platform all your bedding, sleeping bag and pillows can stay in place and with the help of properly balanced struts you can push the whole thing up with one finger.
Good luck with your build! Keep posting build progress here. If you get it right, I think I might even be next in line with one of those. Can't ever get enough Ursas!
http://youtu.be/7x4Bp1lvJ6w
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