Dan, I really don't see how adapting a JL to the JT can work. The bed and cab move about independently from one another. If you lock it down to the bed and the roof, things are going to be break. As a Gladiator owner, I'm looking forward to a solution. Maybe like a long transit bus that connects two separate chassis together for Independant turning.
Ursa Minor Camper Shell for JT Gladiator
- Thread starter Beowulf
- Start date
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
I had the same worries, but I've been assured it can and will work. It will be built.
-Dan
It looks like it'll be a tough challenge but I'm excited by the potential offered by the Gladiator platform. The fact that it has a removable fiberglass top puts it into a completely different category than any other truck out there. If you cut a hole in the roof/back of the cab of a Tacoma or any other truck on the market for a pass through or even using part of the cab as livable space, it's effectively irreversible and now you have a permanent RV. On top of that, are you compromising safety? How about long term resistance to corrosion? Not a problem with the Gladiator though.
It's tough to wait but I'm really excited to see what UM comes up with. They have had innovative, high quality, well engineered solutions that fill a unique spot in the market. I am sure they will not disappoint for this truck. The platform has the potential to offer some excellent living space on a very capable platform and I hope it'll be worth the wait.
tbrenneman
New member
I completely agree. GFC, AT Habitat, etc are great but they don't take advantage of the uniqueness of the Gladiator. I also can't wait to see some creative methods to attach the cab and bed into one space. As stated by others, some sort of accordion or whatever Earthroamer does to tie the body and bed together should work. Makes me think of the Jeep Africa concept from a few years ago. Imagine that with a pop top and living space below!
Jeep Wrangler Africa Concept: Built to Safari
This lengthened, lifted, safari tan Wrangler on old-school steel wheels is our favorite concept from Jeep's Easter Safari collection. See more at Car and Driver.
www.caranddriver.com
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
Makes me think of the Jeep Africa concept from a few years ago. Imagine that with a pop top and living space below!
Jeep Wrangler Africa Concept: Built to Safari
This lengthened, lifted, safari tan Wrangler on old-school steel wheels is our favorite concept from Jeep's Easter Safari collection. See more at Car and Driver.
That's almost exactly what I built mine to be (pop up with living space below), the Africa is just a touch longer.
-Dan
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Dan,
I've heard you mention in the past (my apologies if it was this thread!) that while you enjoyed your Jeep, after months you wished you would've have something with slightly more interior space like a sportsmobile.
Looking at the footprint of the Gladiator, do you think a camper buildout on that truck would add enough room to satisfy your interior room wants?
Those sportsmobiles appear to be very capable but the Gladiator seems like it will be slightly more off-road-able and might have a slight edge maneuvering around cities.
I've heard you mention in the past (my apologies if it was this thread!) that while you enjoyed your Jeep, after months you wished you would've have something with slightly more interior space like a sportsmobile.
Looking at the footprint of the Gladiator, do you think a camper buildout on that truck would add enough room to satisfy your interior room wants?
Those sportsmobiles appear to be very capable but the Gladiator seems like it will be slightly more off-road-able and might have a slight edge maneuvering around cities.
Dan Grec
Expedition Leader
I think it depends more on the weather for a proposed trip, the length of said trip, the number of people involved, and how remote you are attempting to get.
These are the factors that determine how suitable a vehicle/camper combo is.
The gladiator "camper" is going to be interesting too, because the rear of the bed will still have a vertical wall, and the rear of the tub vertical wall will still be there... so it's not going to like a Sportsmobile where you can just waltz on through. Also I doubt there will be a nice way to swivel the front passenger seat which is a super nice feature of vans.
My Jeep right now has over 5 feet of length from the inside of the tailgate to the back of the driver's seat... which is longer than the 5 ft Gladiator bed.
So in all honesty it's apples to oranges.
-Dan
Makes sense! Always good to hear an informed opinion
LyLCamp'R
Member
Hey guys, just a little input on camper, after travelling over 5k miles with mine, when off roading the frame does twist a lot, I personally don't think mating cab with unit is a good option unless using a ruber boot in between.. Minimum payload past rear axle is very important, as the back frame offer little support.
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86scotty
Cynic
Are you familiar with the Super Pacific? If not, look closely. It's impressive.
LyLCamp'R, 100% agree. Any kind of pass through would need a flexible connection. I would think something similar to post 31 would work pretty well
Ursa Minor Camper Shell for JT Gladiator
The trickY part is how the the cab and bed would be divided. If it was one large open area I wouldn’t think the stock AC and heater could manage all that space. Not to mention there would have to be some way to seal the gap between the bed and cab. It would be nice as you could potentially fit...
expeditionportal.com
campertramper
Active member
It currently says "late 2021 product" on the https://ursaminorvehicles.com/j30-pop-up-camper-jl-2.html page:
- We will offer a J30 version for the Jeep Gladiator Truck, but that will be a completely new product pre-order page, and based on how long the JL took...is probably would be a late 2021 product.
campertramper
Active member
I like how you mounted your bike on the front of the vehicle!
campertramper
Active member
When I met up with John from Ursa Minor in December 2021 I believe he said that they are currently prioritizing development on the bronco and that the Gladiator build will come after that. I'm guessing we're looking more at 2023 or 2024. Your patience will be rewarded...