Crazy plans for an Eezi-Awn Globetrotter?

[jacobconroy]

I'm in a search for an awning with a four-wall room and I haven't been able to find anything that suits my needs at any price point. They also seem to be upwards of 50 lbs (the ones I like are anyway). Since I'm always alone, I need something like an Alu-Cab Shadow awning with a four-wall kit. I haven't been able to find any such thing.

Currently I have a Baroud tent on my Jeep, and an Eezi-Awn Globetrotter on an A/T Chaser. Lately, I've been toying with the idea of putting the Globetrotter on top of the Jeep.

Baroud on Jeep weight
tent = 160
bedding = 25
rack = 70
Aero bars and assorted extra brackets to raise tent = 30 ?
existing awning = 20 (Fiammo F35 Pro)
Total = about 305 lbs. This is a LOT of weight on top of the Jeep. But, I don't like pulling a trailer, and I've gotten used to the weight. Would weight another 30 lbs if I add an awning with a wall kit.

GlobeTrotter on Jeep weight
tent = 220 (from Interwebs. Includes wall/vestibule kit, but I can't be sure)
bedding = 25 or less (due to having less room when vestibule is kept in tent)
rack = 0 (removed. Body of tent can support the weight, I hope. I will reuse the front and rear support assembly from my Frontrunner Slimline II rack and bolt the tent to it.)
awning = 0 (gone. replaced with Globetrotter vestible and integrated awning)
Heavier ladder - 25 ? (to assist with tent cover and tent entry)

Total = 275 lbs

Now, I know the vestibule will not be long enough. I will need to source some canvas and hire someone to make some extensions (about 20 inches long, TBD). My thought was to have the extensions fit above the vestibule kit to avoid messing with zippers, door height, window accessibility, etc.

What do you all think? Am I overlooking anything? I really prefer to sleep in the Globetrotter (a little longer, smells like a canvas tent, vestibule is very, very nice, matress is thicker) but hate to tow a trailer. My poor little Jeep doesn't have the power for a trailer. I also don't want to save another three or four grand for a different Eezi-Awn tent.

Any intelligent discussion or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[brentbba]

Comments from a former Globetrotter owner (like you, got tired of towing a trailer!). Ken in the Rising Sun club in Colorado worked with Paul May at Equipt1 to have a longer vestibule made by Eezi-Awn to accommodate a higher than average platform on his trailer. Perhaps an expensive option and wait for it from South Africa. If you weren't land locked in Montana, I'd suggest searching out a marine sail maker and just have an extension sewn on. Perhaps a good auto upholstery shop could do the same? That's probably your least expensive option. I've got a James Baroud on top of my Landcruiser now. Like it, but do miss the vestibule of the Globetrotter immensely!

Good luck!

 

[jacobconroy]

Comments from a former Globetrotter owner (like you, got tired of towing a trailer!). Ken in the Rising Sun club in Colorado worked with Paul May at Equipt1 to have a longer vestibule made by Eezi-Awn to accommodate a higher than average platform on his trailer. Perhaps an expensive option and wait for it from South Africa. If you weren't land locked in Montana, I'd suggest searching out a marine sail maker and just have an extension sewn on. Perhaps a good auto upholstery shop could do the same? That's probably your least expensive option. I've got a James Baroud on top of my Landcruiser now. Like it, but do miss the vestibule of the Globetrotter immensely!

Good luck!

Cool. Thanks for the info. Knew I couldn't be the only one. Do you happen to know what EA charged him for the special order? And, how long it took him to get it? Any pics? Any or all would be appreciated. Maybe I could get them to go for it if I special ordered a taller/deeper cover for the Globetrotter at the same time to allow for more bedding.

I think that setup and close-up would be more work, but the tent is just soooo comfortable. And payed for. :ylsmoke: That, and I would be able to put the Baroud back on the Subaru this year. It rode really well.

 

[brentbba]

It was years ago that Ken had that done to a vestibule when he ordered the tent from Paul at Equipt1 and only know that Ken had about 3-4" added. I couldn't tell you whether that was add'l canvas material or the rubberized skirt that was lengthened to be quite honest with you. Paul is a super supporter of offroading and I believe a sponsor here. My best suggestion would be to contact Equipt1. I'd think that lead times would be significant though as Eezi-Awn is out of South Africa.

 

[jacobconroy]

I've decided to leave the Globetrotter on the Chaser. Last weekend I took the Scamp camper and found that having a bathroom and hot water was very nice.

Soooooo....I'm going to use the Globetrotter for a privacy area/bathroom. Since it already has propane and battery power I thought it would be cool and relatively easy to put in a Propex forced air heater and water heater.