JK/JL Jeep Camper Concept

[LostInTheWorld]

Question for Dan and Michael, what highway speed do you guys typically run? I mean interstate speeds when you are 'between' scenic roads and trails. I'm not only curious how this plays into the mileage figures you've posted but also what is comfortable in the modified Jeeps, Jeeps being generally light vs. the bigger heavier camper rigs a lot of us drive.

Good question. I should have noted previously that our mileage numbers included a lot of driving at full interstate speed. We just set the cruise control at the speed limit and zip along. We’ve convoyed with Dan before, and his diesel is for sure way better on hills, but our 3.6L gas engine does really well in general with the camper. Sometimes I downshift, but we just cruise along at interstate speeds. Over the years, we’ve had three manual transmission Wranglers, and I always wish they were geared a little lower from the factory. Even before I did the camper conversion on this one, 6th gear was a bit too high, and I always like vehicles with very low 1st gear.

 

[LostInTheWorld]

We just got back from a few quiet nights in Arizona and eastern California. We were happy to catch a bit of fall color in Arizona before the cooler weather really kicks in. It’s starting to be desert camping season for sure. The temps were perfect in the Mojave.

I was just looking through my files, and I started the detailed design of this camper in November of 2021. It’s crazy how fast the last four years have gone by building and traveling in this camper.

Like always, the camper is working awesome for us, but you all know I also really love building things. So… I’ve started to think about what things I might try out if/when I make another camper like this. This vehicle has been great, so I’d probably just experiment with a few small things. We love this size, so if I made another one, it would be about this same size and likely on a Jeep Wrangler again; it’s been a really good combination. Maybe I’d try one of the rear door layouts or maybe one with slanted sides like I considered for this camper originally. It's fun to think about layout options again.

 

[ITTOG]

We just got back from a few quiet nights in Arizona and eastern California. We were happy to catch a bit of fall color in Arizona before the cooler weather really kicks in. It’s starting to be desert camping season for sure. The temps were perfect in the Mojave.

I was just looking through my files, and I started the detailed design of this camper in November of 2021. It’s crazy how fast the last four years have gone by building and traveling in this camper.

Like always, the camper is working awesome for us, but you all know I also really love building things. So… I’ve started to think about what things I might try out if/when I make another camper like this. This vehicle has been great, so I’d probably just experiment with a few small things. We love this size, so if I made another one, it would be about this same size and likely on a Jeep Wrangler again; it’s been a really good combination. Maybe I’d try one of the rear door layouts or maybe one with slanted sides like I considered for this camper originally. It's fun to think about layout options again.
View attachment 901067
View attachment 901066
View attachment 901068

Given you are looking at smaller changes I think you should consider making the roof into a flippac style so your bed doesn't take any space away from your interior. It would be an easy way to add functional space without making the box any bigger.

 

[LostInTheWorld]

Given you are looking at smaller changes I think you should consider making the roof into a flippac style so your bed doesn't take any space away from your interior. It would be an easy way to add functional space without making the box any bigger.

Flippac style roofs are cool and add a ton of volume to the living space.

 

[86scotty]

Flippac style roofs are cool and add a ton of volume to the living space.

But there's that tent roof problem.......

I live in the humid south but mostly travel out west. Tent roofs just become a disaster to use and dry out in any humidity or bad weather at all.

For whatever reason a hard roof with tent sides like these Jeeps and any pop top van/truck don't have this problem. They do occasionally require a little drying or attention after humid/rainy camping but only maybe 10% as bad as a tent roof camper like a Flippac or soft shell RTT.