TenaciousTJ
Explorer
Thanks for the detailed information and additional photos!
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Ursa Minor Pop-Top Jeep JK
- Thread starter cobblecrazy
- Start date
photo nomad
Adventurer
Check out the Penguin or Condor bags from Feathered Friends.
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Through the fabric. Especially the horizontal zipper seams. Just needs re waterproofing.
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The Condor bag looks perfect. . .
goin camping
Explorer
Interesting moment in a parking lot
We came out the Bear-Pit (BBQ place in So Cal) and as we walked up to the jeep I noticed three people staring at my roof.
A young lady looked over as I hit the button to unlock the door and said. "Is that an Ursa Minor?" Kind of surprised me as they are not that well known and usually not by young ladies. A friend of hers named David had gotten one but she hadn't seen it yet.
So I explained how it worked to her and showed her the hatches etc. Two folks I assumed were her parents liked it too.
We came out the Bear-Pit (BBQ place in So Cal) and as we walked up to the jeep I noticed three people staring at my roof.
A young lady looked over as I hit the button to unlock the door and said. "Is that an Ursa Minor?" Kind of surprised me as they are not that well known and usually not by young ladies. A friend of hers named David had gotten one but she hadn't seen it yet.
So I explained how it worked to her and showed her the hatches etc. Two folks I assumed were her parents liked it too.
ventura911
Adventurer
In my awning research, I looked at everything from the simple and small Shadyboy to the huge Bundu. I ended up choosing the Scipio, a Hannibal-style awning from So Cal Teardrops (just waiting for it to come in). For me, the smaller (6') awning is a better fit, both aesthetically (the J30 is so compact), and functionally (it has an annex and, given its small size, will still keep 3-4 people shaded/dry).
I found that even a 2M awning is a bit too long for me. If I were to go with a large awning, however, I would try to cheat it toward the back and balance the overhang by adding a small awning across the back.
I found that even a 2M awning is a bit too long for me. If I were to go with a large awning, however, I would try to cheat it toward the back and balance the overhang by adding a small awning across the back.
Thanks for the detailed response @ventura911. I'm really a fan of the 2-2.5m side awnings with aluminum cases (I live in southern NM and need to protect the awning against UV damage and dust infiltration). I was going to go with a 2m Eezi-Awn, but that size was not available and Equipt (equipt1.com) offered to upgrade me to the 2.5m size with no upcharge (excellent customer service). I definitely want an awning that can have sidewalls attached to create an enclosure, so I'm pretty much limited to the Eezi-Awn and the Fiamma. I chose the Eezi-Awn as it appeared to be a more durable product and it's enclosure includes a standard floor (Fiamma's equivalent would require an additional floor sheet).
Other than possibly relocating the latches and having the awning overhang the J30 to either the front or the back, can you foresee any other difficulties with an awning of this size?
Other than possibly relocating the latches and having the awning overhang the J30 to either the front or the back, can you foresee any other difficulties with an awning of this size?
rubicon91
Explorer
Was that your j30 jeep all silver at expo? I was camping across the road and walked over with my little one to see it but no one was there. Thing of beauty only one I saw so figuring has to be yours.
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ventura911
Adventurer
Not off the top of my head. The cool part is that the awning is attached to, rather than a part of, the top, so you can change awnings if a better solution comes along.
Thanks again. I couldn't think of anything particularly negative/harmful either from a theoretical standpoint, but I have no practical experience yet. The only thing that might be an issue is that if the latches are moved to the front, it would be difficult/impossible to undo them from inside the vehicle if you're setting up in bad precipitation, extreme cold, etc.
Gear
Explorer, Overland Certified OC0020
I had a 2.4m Hannibal on my JK for many years. It hung off the front by about 6" which actually helped with opening the front door inside the annex. I would go with the large size again. No real down side for me. Oh and I still love looking at this thread. One day I hope to own a J30. Keep the photographs coming. Thanks
expeditionerd
Observer
UMV J30 #9 here. ( Hey Dan! We met briefly at expo )
Reading on bat awnings and water ingress in the rain I though I'd share my experience. After years ( 3 maybe ? ) and plenty, plenty of testing in all sorts of climates, super hot, super wet, snow and everything else in between I've found that the best way to solve the elements problem is with a tarp attached to the top lid. I started with a big Kelty 16' that I'd just throw on top of the J30 when it rained hard, and with the years I've gone 2 sizes smaller. This is a nicely colored Kelty I also use for backpacking that's pretty light and packs to almost nothing. The poles and tarp are always stowed by the triangle formed by the rollbar against the J30 sides in the trunk. I love this solution because it's simple, super effective at keeping water out, allowing you to also keep all mesh Windows down and open for air circulation when it's wet and hot. When it's hot, this also lets you keep the sun out and still keep all windows down. Also creates a nice tall space around the truck, vs the narrow and low one you will get with an awning attached at the base level of the J30.
In the future I wish Ursa would make a zipper version that went all around the top lid, and perhaps wouldn't even need to be detached to close the camper. For inspiration take a look at what AluCab in South Africa does with their Icarus top. It's just a small flap that is kept is place with a very simple pole mechanism that also is stored together with the rest of the tent when the lid closes.
Just my 2 cents!
Reading on bat awnings and water ingress in the rain I though I'd share my experience. After years ( 3 maybe ? ) and plenty, plenty of testing in all sorts of climates, super hot, super wet, snow and everything else in between I've found that the best way to solve the elements problem is with a tarp attached to the top lid. I started with a big Kelty 16' that I'd just throw on top of the J30 when it rained hard, and with the years I've gone 2 sizes smaller. This is a nicely colored Kelty I also use for backpacking that's pretty light and packs to almost nothing. The poles and tarp are always stowed by the triangle formed by the rollbar against the J30 sides in the trunk. I love this solution because it's simple, super effective at keeping water out, allowing you to also keep all mesh Windows down and open for air circulation when it's wet and hot. When it's hot, this also lets you keep the sun out and still keep all windows down. Also creates a nice tall space around the truck, vs the narrow and low one you will get with an awning attached at the base level of the J30.
In the future I wish Ursa would make a zipper version that went all around the top lid, and perhaps wouldn't even need to be detached to close the camper. For inspiration take a look at what AluCab in South Africa does with their Icarus top. It's just a small flap that is kept is place with a very simple pole mechanism that also is stored together with the rest of the tent when the lid closes.
Just my 2 cents!
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expeditionerd
Observer
Tarp can also be used independent from the Jeep when needed, and provides plenty of shade for both being around the vehicle as well as inside the camper top.
