Gladiator Pop-Up Pass Through Camper Build

[Mules]

Drumroll please...

The results are in. The Pecron 600watt power supply ran my Iceco JPL42 with a 12 pack of beer for 44 hours. Daytime temperatures are hitting 80's.

It works fine running the fridge for a weekend trip.

Next up I will hook up the power supply to my truck's stock inverter, so that it will change when I am driving. With the fridge running it should keep the power supply topped off by driving (1) hour a day.

This works for now since my camping trips include me 4-wheeling the truck anyway. I typically don't stay in one spot for more than one or two days. If I add 100 to 200 watt solar to this, I'll be able to leave the fridge running in the truck continuously. My beverages might get warm if I have a few days of rain though.

I think 600 watt is the minimum size power supply to run a small fridge on. I would recommend getting a 1200 watt (100AH) or larger Lithium Phosphate power supply. This should last you 3-4 days without recharging.

 

[Mules]

Portable or Roof Top Solar? Let me know.

Here's the story. I've been driving my truck to work and the store this week and this has been enough to recharge my power supply and keep my fridge running all week. Problem is if I park my truck for two days, my fridge drains the power supply.

I was thinking about just taping on a 100watt flexible solar panel on the roof. This should keep the fridge running when I park the truck for a couple days.

The problem I just thought about, is that when I camp, I always park my truck in the shade. This keeps my camper cool, but what about the solar panel on top? Maybe I should just use a portable panel and put it in the sun when I camp.

Tricky, which way to go?

 

[chris the ogre]

I went with portable. While camping, I also park in the shade. Helps keep the interior of the vehicle cold so the fridge doesn't have to run as much. I do want a permanent mounted roof top panel as well, for city parking. something that can keep charging when I can't put a panel out.

 

[Mules]

I found another view to wake up to. It’s my little paradise complete with waterfall and a scary cave. I put that ladder down into the cave about 10 years ago. Too sketchy for me.

 

[Mules]

 

[Mules]

Where to put the fridge or cooler in a JL or JT?

I've been playing around with my fridge location for the last two years. I put it in the back by the tailgate, on the bench in the camper, and in the cab back seats. I keep going back to one location because of ease.

The driver side back seat is perfect for a Fridge or Large Cooler. I find that I use the fridge more from outside the vehicle than inside, and opening the back door or reaching through the rolled down window is quick and easy. I can also get to the fridge from inside the camper or in the back seats.

I usually don't tie it down, as the arm rest captures it nicely behind the drivers seat. I can tie it down on the back seat headrest and seat bracket for bumpy trails. It's also close to the stock Jeep Inverter or the 12v plug.

 

[Mules]

 

[ITTOG]

Looks like a great spot.

 

[Mules]

I'm thinking about a Rockies trip this summer. My problem is that I'm trying to fit too much into a 1-2 week trip. Let me know which places you like best and worst. I've got to cut out some of this.

St. Louis to Badlands of South Dakota, Devils Tower, Yellowstone, Tetons, Arches National Park, Moab, and back through Colorado home.

 

[1000arms]

Give yourself at least a few days for Yellowstone NP and Grand Teton NP. It will be a whirlwind tour of those two National Parks, but, but it will help you plan for a much longer trip in the future.

Yellowstone NP is 2.2 million acres, and is bigger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined. The speed limits are low. Try to split your stay on two different sides of the "figure 8" in Yellowstone (see a map of YNP roads). "Animal jams" from people rudely blocking the roads can also quickly increase traffic travel time.

Avoid driving in the dark. The bison (buffalo) are the "black holes of light", and will travel the roads as well as cut across them whenever they choose. I am used to watching out for moose, deer, elk, etc, but the bison can be extremely hard to see in the dark.

Grand Teton, Middle Teton, and South Teton are all within the Teton Range, BUT, there is only one Grand Teton, so, it is Grand Teton NP (NOT Grand Tetons NP).

Forum members with kids might want to read about Expedition Yellowstone:

"Through Expedition Yellowstone the National Park Service offers a 4-5 day curriculum-based residential program for teachers and their 4-8th grade classes. This long-standing program operates September through mid December and mid February through May. The program has two campuses. The historic Lamar Buffalo Ranch is used during the spring and fall. The Youth Conservation Corps facilities are used during winter months."

"Expedition Yellowstone teaches students about the natural and cultural history of Yellowstone National Park, investigates current issues affecting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, and promotes stewardship and preservation in the park and in home communities. Emphasis is on learning through direct experience in the outdoors. Students participate with teachers and parent chaperones in hikes, field investigations, discussions, creative dramatics, and journal writing. The program coordinator works with teachers to tailor an itinerary for the group that best meets their educational needs."

Expedition Yellowstone Program - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

Expedition Yellowstone is a 4-5 day curriculum-based residential program for students in grads 4-8.

www.nps.gov

Kids, teachers, and chaperones are needed for the trips.

 

[Mules]

I hated how my cattle used my pickup as a "Scratching Post" when they walked by. Hope the Buffalo don't get the same idea with my camper!

 

[Mules]

Here’s an easy way to make sure your cooler or fridge doesn’t bounce out of your Jeep! There’s also a place to strap the back of the cooler.

 

[Mules]

Well the hardest part of planning this trip is finding camping sites in Yellowstone. I've reserved my camping sites there and even booked a room at Old Faithful Inn.

I'm really looking for some off grid places to camp. I just found a great free site near Badlands. Let me know if you know of some along my route.

Here's what the trip looks like so far.

St. Louis to Badlands, Black Hills, Red Lodge, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and swing back through Colorado on way home. I'll have to do the Southern route next time through Moab Utah.

 

[1000arms]

Which campgrounds in Yellowstone NP? Which campground(s) in Grand Teton NP?

 

[Mules]

Which campgrounds in Yellowstone NP? Which campground(s) in Grand Teton NP?

Canyon and Grant camps in Yellowstone. Looks like Grand Teton camps are all booked for my dates.

If anyone knows of some dispersed camping sites around Jackson Hole, let me know. I'm not familiar with 4 wheel camping laws in Wyoming, but many times National Forest Lands allow dispersed camping.

Interactive Visitor Map

Web site created using create-react-app

www.fs.usda.gov

Fishlake National Forest - Recreation

Fishlake National Forest - Recreation

www.fs.usda.gov