Jeep Wrangler Habitat Official Release

[Clutch]

So what you're saying is even if it was two king beds with 6 feet between them, you still wouldn't be happy.

It's obvious there is no product in existence that would satisfy your wants in this regard. (4 adults in one camping unit)

At that point, it's not worth you commenting on that feature of the products at all.

-Dan

Where did I say I want 4 people in one sleeping unit? There are plenty of products out there
that will satisfy two person travel, actually more out there than a 4 person.

Why I don't like the "having to crawl through a hole to access the sleeping area"
design of it, why people like myself who don't want the chummy 4 person daisy-chain sleeping
arrangements...and much rather have a more open (read: more useful) floor plan.

Not everyone has kids..nor wants the extra sleeping area.

Much rather have this setup:

There is a reason why in other parts of the world,
the design below is grossly more popular the Habitat porthole version,
otherwise just get a RTT.






Than this:

This seems like a lot of wasted space, in an already space limited vehicle.

Even if it weren't adults, some people have kids and may wish to keep young ones close. Even for me it isn't that I would set out to have four adults up there, but just that you COULD if you needed to (flooded tent on the ground etc). Or if the weather is crap, a few people could hang out up top without an issue. Space to sit up and change, stretch, stow bags, etc is great.
You may not have close friends but that isn't a flaw with the product.

See above....us without children or the swinging lifestyle, wouldn't mind an interior kitchen to cook food during inclement weather.

Or have the ability to hangout without standing up through a single porthole.

I like the JP Unlimited, I like the AT Habitat....don't like that porthole though, bit of a letdown really.

Some of us were looking for a "poormans" ER-JK, an open/spacious floorplan...a more useful floorplan...

...envisioned possibilities like this:

 

[kb7our]

Where did I say I want 4 people in one sleeping unit? There are plenty of products out there
that will satisfy two person travel, actually more out there than a 4 person.

Why I don't like the "having to crawl through a hole to access the sleeping area"
design of it, why people like myself who don't want the chummy 4 person daisy-chain sleeping
arrangements...and much rather have a more open (read: more useful) floor plan.

Not everyone has kids..nor wants the extra sleeping area.

Much rather have this setup:

There is a reason why in other parts of the world,
the design below is grossly more popular the Habitat porthole version,
otherwise just get a RTT.

View attachment 110756

View attachment 110757


Than this:

This seems like a lot of wasted space, in an already space limited vehicle.



View attachment 110755




See above....us without children or the swinging lifestyle, wouldn't mind an interior kitchen to cook food during inclement weather.

Or have the ability to hangout without standing up through a single porthole.

I like the JP Unlimited, I like the AT Habitat....don't like that porthole though, bit of a letdown really.

Some of us were looking for a "poormans" ER-JK, an open/spacious floorplan...a more useful floorplan...

View attachment 110764

View attachment 110765

Maybe UMV or AT will chime in on the possibility of a more open design with only the front bed.

 

[Clutch]

Maybe UMV or AT will chime in on the possibility of a more open design with only the front bed.

I would say at least make it an option, which also opens up more products for them the sell. Cabinetry, stovetops, bench/storage, etc...

Plus you could incorporate an additional sleeping area with the open design, by using a sectional sleeping platform.
For those who want the 4 person capacity. It makes for a more versatile product.

 

[elcoyote]

It's all about choices, options and compromises, especially when dealing with a relatively small platform Kermit.

The Earthroamer XV JP is a discontinued product, about $125K. The ActionCamper is $53K + the Jeep. The Habitat is $7599.

Opening the rear roof means losing the rear seat and the protection of the rear roll bar. That doesn't work for everyone. We offer an option in the Habitat that works for some and we understand that. We also sell the Actioncamper for those who want the alternative open roof you want.

If you want an ActionCamper or a XV-JP at a Habitat price point....that's going to be a challenge.

 

[bamajeep]

Open space

Dont loose the back seat, just fold it down when needed. And modify the roll cage to have the open space. That way you can still take the wife and kids and when you get to the camp site just fold down the rear seat and you have plenty of standing room our sleeping room on the floor. Then the customer could build custom interior storage to there needs.

 

[cnynrat]

Dont loose the back seat, just fold it down when needed. And modify the roll cage to have the open space. That way you can still take the wife and kids and when you get to the camp site just fold down the rear seat and you have plenty of standing room our sleeping room on the floor. Then the customer could build custom interior storage to there needs.

I wonder if there wouldn't be some potential product liability issues as soon as you start modifying the roll cage. Much simpler and less expensive to rely on the OEM stuff from Jeep.

 

[washington taco]

I wonder if there wouldn't be some potential product liability issues as soon as you start modifying the roll cage. Much simpler and less expensive to rely on the OEM stuff from Jeep.

The reason why A/T didn't mess with it in the first place. I am sure their product liabilty lawyer told them not to touch the factory safety items.

 

[Dan Grec]

Dont loose the back seat, just fold it down when needed. And modify the roll cage to have the open space.

I plan on modifying the rear roll cage to "open up" the habitat, but I'm never going to have a back seat.

I would not be comfortable with people in the back of the Jeep after modifying it how I plan to.
I plan to move the "horizontal" bar right to the back of the hard top, and change the side bars to continue back at roof height, then go vertically down in the very back corner.
This is sure to weaken the cage right around where the backseat would be.

My hope is that in the event of a roll over, the front two passenger seats are still sufficiently protected by the cage.
The back might crumple, but there will be nobody in there.

-Dan

 

[Honu]

I would say at least make it an option, which also opens up more products for them the sell. Cabinetry, stovetops, bench/storage, etc...

Plus you could incorporate an additional sleeping area with the open design, by using a sectional sleeping platform.
For those who want the 4 person capacity. It makes for a more versatile product.

View attachment 110769

what is that from ? looks pretty nice

 

[Overland Hadley]

what is that from ? looks pretty nice

Action Camper

 

[bamajeep]

Roll cage

I wonder if there wouldn't be some potential product liability issues as soon as you start modifying the roll cage. Much simpler and less expensive to rely on the OEM stuff from Jeep.

Well just bolt in the millitary version cage, its an more open design. Wouldnt that work?

 

[Clutch]

If you want an ActionCamper or a XV-JP at a Habitat price point....that's going to be a challenge.

Not suggesting that at all, just suggesting having the entry section more open, that is all, then the owner of the vehicle than could build their own interior, or you guys could sell modular interior pieces. The people that want/need extra sleeping area, you could sell a sectional bed system.

So the client could get a more economical version of the Action Camper or XV-JP, could spend $10-12K instead of $50K+ of the Action Camper, my guess you would sell more Habitats then since they would be at a lower price point.

As I stated earlier, not everyone has a need for the rear seat, think you're eliminating potential buyers, by not making it more versatile. Which I gave a simple solution in an earlier post on how to appease a broader audience.

 

[cnynrat]

Well just bolt in the millitary version cage, its an more open design. Wouldnt that work?

I haven't seen that roll cage, so it's hard for me to say. One thing that may be a concern for A/T though is that the military roll cage may not have been tested to the relevant DOT requirements for passenger vehicles, so changing to the military roll cage may create a similar product liability concern for them.

I am just speculating though.

 

[Ursa Minor]

Interior Layout/Options

Maybe UMV or AT will chime in on the possibility of a more open design with only the front bed.

Well… sort of covered this topic back around post #242 for Dan:

There are two areas on either side of the access way in the Habitat;

• 
  Toward the rear, once the rear roll bar is out of the way, one would be able to open up the shell as you proposed, it would give you something like an additional 24" x 48" of standing room.

• 
  Toward the front, the B-pillar roll bar (just behind the front seats, which includes the speakers/domelight/padding) can not be removed as the structure of the Habitat/J180 is secured to it. So there's nothing to gain from cutting away any more of the shell to the front. If the speaker pod/dome light components are stripped from the roll bar, you might gain another couple inches in the center and a little more room in the corners. If you have a look at this early fit-test on the J8, you can see the stripped roll bar relative to the Habitat shell.
  
  Fit Test

You would likely need to do some minor changes to keep the tent canvas out of your way when the top is closed, but that's a minor task relative to removing the roll bar.

The reason why Ursa Minor didn't mess with it in the first place. I am sure their product liability lawyer told them not to touch the factory safety items.

Fixed - just for clarification.


AT Overland/Adventure Trailers installs and customizes our J180 camper for their customers. Our design has been shaped by their feedback as well as our experience building our other campers. The design envelope of the Jeep is constrained by the factory roll bar. By working around the roll bar, the standing room was not maximized but there are some advantages

• 
  Our Jeep tops can be transferred between Jeeps, if you want to upgrade from a 2007 to the 2013 diesel (hoping) or just remove it for a season

• 
  There’s no significant change needed on the Jeep. Installation does not require modifying the vehicle, which helps our installers like AT as well as retail customers that may mount it themselves.

In any small camper, even if one modifies a Habitat, there’s just not going to be that much room. In practice, while the access way is not going to let you practice salsa moves while waiting for the rain to stop, you can use the surfaces on either side for working tables/personal hygiene/ meal prep. I am not going to recommend cooking in the tent, as I’m sure the NEMO label has some cautions for that. If you’re sitting, you’re probably more comfortable in the reclined driver’s seat than on a bench in the back. You can easily hold a decent card game in the top of the Habitat if inclined.

Both of the Ursa Minor campers for the Jeep JK are biased toward lightweight travel, prioritizing the 4x4 capabilities of the smaller, trail friendly Jeep over creature comforts/wet bath/full kitchens available in pickup truck campers. The Action Camper delivers more room by modifying the Jeep structure, and extending over the rear and side of the vehicle. The XV-JP (RIP) also modified the Jeep heavily with a new roll bar. These designs now only seat 2 people, and in both cases the price is driven by the extent of the changes and features.

When the XV-JP first came out, there were calls for an “empty” shell for customers to build out. The custom work done on Mike’s XVJP in the photos is in the same direction, albeit starting from a finished ER XV-JP. These fantastic changes involved costs, customization and compromises – such as a sleeping only one person in a berth.

Either of our UMV designs delivers a functional camper for the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited. For customers who want to customize, they are a great starting point - think of it as the “Empty Shell” that Earthroamer did not offer. The most expensive and/or hard to fabricate parts are complete, while leaving the cabinets, internal layout and systems to the needs and desires of those with fabrication skills. If one wants a wide open space, much like Dan suggests - weld up a new cage and cut the rear of the J180 shell, (and be sure and post photos.)

If you want UMV to zip the shell open, it’s about an hour of shop time – just let us know at ordering.
Cheers,
John

 

[Clutch]

If you want UMV to zip the shell open, it's about an hour of shop time – just let us know at ordering.
Cheers,
John

Ahhh good to know, it seemed by the earlier comments that there was no way to get an open shell from the manufacture, unless the customer would do it themselves, which I would assume might void the warranty.

Thanks!