Unofficial J30 Jeep JKU Pop Up Thread

[grahamfitter]

Kayaks on a popup roof

Carrying a roof load is the big advantage I see in this over the Habitat. Specifically a canoe or a pair of kayaks. With just 2 of us and the dog, there'd be plenty of room, but I think it'd be a tough go with a kid.
Has anyone figured out how to carry stuff like kayaks on the Haitat w/o having to unload everything?

Leaving kayaks on the roof would be a big attraction to me too. If I had a JK I would be thinking seriously about getting a J30. In the mean time, here's some food for thought:

A buddy has a 4 wheel camper and we've found its hard work for one person to lift the roof with one kayak on it and an ordeal with two kayaks. These are generally small whitewater kayaks not long heavy touring boats. The gas struts he just added do help though.

One of the other issues we found with various campers is the living area isn't the best place to store bulky paddling gear. While our sense of smell has evolved to appreciate the aroma of damp polypro everything else just gets in the way and is better kept in a roof box or in kayaks which means even more weight on the roof to lift.

 

[Dan Grec]

Can we see some photos of the inside?

I'd like to see it when the roof is down and up, if possible please.

Thanks,
-Dan

 

[kb7our]

Can we see some photos of the inside?

I'd like to see it when the roof is down and up, if possible please.

Thanks,
-Dan

From the little info on the UMV web site it seems like it's going to be a pretty close equivalent of the Element eCamper, even the 7' x 4' mattress dimensions are the same. Not sure how often John checks these threads but perhaps he will chime in on this one eventually considering the growing interest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJAoz99de2k

 

[TCM]

I don't get it. It's going to be about the same price. Half the space, at best. Once you climb up in there and put the hatch cover in place you're stuck. There isn't room to sleep with the hatch open. So if you have to get up during the night then the other person does too. Yea, you could unzip and go down a ladder, but where are you going to pack that? on a roof rack maybe. If it were half the price, then maybe. I just don't see any advantage over the habitat. And now I see why the habitat hasn't shipped....

The advantage is the ability to carry bikes, kayaks, etc on the roof. The Habitat is not designed to do that.

 

[Dan Grec]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJAoz99de2k

Thanks for the link.
That's cool how they use the sunroof from the Element.

I'm very curious to see how much of a "cut-out" there is for the Wrangler. My hope is they cut out the entire roof. I see two advantages.
1. When the pop-top is closed, there would be a little more headroom in the entire interior (at least a couple of inches, I have to think)
2. When the pop-top is open, it would be possible to stand up in a lot of the Jeep, and certainly there would be a lot of headroom elsewhere.

It's an interesting one to watch, that's for sure.

-Dan

 

[DingusKahn]

Thanks for the link.
That's cool how they use the sunroof from the Element.

I'm very curious to see how much of a "cut-out" there is for the Wrangler. My hope is they cut out the entire roof. I see two advantages.
1. When the pop-top is closed, there would be a little more headroom in the entire interior (at least a couple of inches, I have to think)
2. When the pop-top is open, it would be possible to stand up in a lot of the Jeep, and certainly there would be a lot of headroom elsewhere.

It's an interesting one to watch, that's for sure.

-Dan

If they cut out the entire roof, where would you sleep?
There is not any more head room with either of the two tops because they have a floor in them. They both have hatches and that its the only place you can stand up, just like you see in the video. The habitat does have more head room once you are up in the sleeping area.
Both will offer a big increase in insulation because of the dual layer with a mattressin between.

 

[The Swiss]

I assume the base part of the hardtop is identical to the J180, the Habitat. Would make sense to use the same mold. The cut-outs would therefor also be in the middle, over the rear seats, with two panels closing the cut-out. The advantage of the J30 and J180 Habitat design is that the vehicle remains un-altered. No changes necessary to the roll cage. Even if the entire roof would be cut out, you still would have to work around the roll bars. Looking at the pics, I think even the top part of the roof might be the same as of the Habitat, just with a different lifting mechanism and tent obviously.

BTW, did you notice?

• J30 => roof opens 30 degrees
• J180 => roof opens 180 degrees

Has to be an engineer giving the product names at Ursa Minor

 

[irishcoffee]

If the shell could pop-out as the modular Airtop model from Autohome (triangle in case of wind - columbus type if you wish / or a complete rectangular pop-up - magiolina type) then more space could become available? Just a humble opinion.
Cheers
John

 

[Dan Grec]

If they cut out the entire roof, where would you sleep?

D'oh! Good point.

-Dan

 

[DingusKahn]

I assume the base part of the hardtop is identical to the J180, the Habitat. Would make sense to use the same mold. The cut-outs would therefor also be in the middle, over the rear seats, with two panels closing the cut-out. The advantage of the J30 and J180 Habitat design is that the vehicle remains un-altered. No changes necessary to the roll cage. Even if the entire roof would be cut out, you still would have to work around the roll bars. Looking at the pics, I think even the top part of the roof might be the same as of the Habitat, just with a different lifting mechanism and tent obviously.

BTW, did you notice?

• J30 => roof opens 30 degrees
• J180 => roof opens 180 degrees

Has to be an engineer giving the product names at Ursa Minor

I think the entire top and bottom are the same on both, less the large hinges up front on the Habitat, and other things you mentioned.
I have been up in the Habitat. It is very roomy.

 

[DingusKahn]

top

Also forgot to mention, both are complete new tops. They are not modified factory tops. So even if you don't have a hard top the cost is the same; except for the rear glass, hinges, gas pistons and hardware. You would have to buy those I THINK.

DK

 

[Sierra 4x4 Trailers]

I know we will be ordering a J30 for our company Jeep...

 

[washington taco]

Wow I really like this MUCH better than the habitat! Better for the rain and snow I will be using it in. Need to come up with a cover for the exposed hinge mechanism so it wont freeze in winter conditions.

 

[TexasTJ]

I'm sure it has to do with supporting the heaver load on top, but why do all of these pup up style hard tops delete the rear window. That to me is a down side.

Biggs

 

[dox]

I'm sure it has to do with supporting the heaver load on top, but why do all of these pup up style hard tops delete the rear window. That to me is a down side.

Biggs

Interesting observation, I didn't notice that while looking at the photos. The visibility in the JK isn't all that great to begin with, so that is a definite issue.