You just missed us on Sunday! In Park City now dealing with AirbnbBS.
Ursa Minor Pop-Top Jeep JK
- Thread starter cobblecrazy
- Start date
You just missed us on Sunday! In Park City now dealing with AirbnbBS.
Question for everyone...
My dream is to drive from Colorado to Alaska (Alaska part is for fun. But not the main part of the dream) and then Colorado to Ushuaia.
So I come from the Fzj80 crowd and those are a dime a dozen down there. I am torn between buying a fzj80 again as I sold my last one (cheap and easy) or taking my current jeep. (Expensive and will baby no doubt but I know it's more capable)
Do you feel safe in the tent? Do you feel it would last in a 32k mile hard journey? Any changes you would make specifically for the this type of trip.
I am thinking rear window deletes and my heart goes to the jku setup as opposed to roof top tents. But the cost of the cruiser (cheap to buy and can resell down there worst case vs the top only Which is a pretty massive expense.)
Where does logic fall in this discussion? (If logic even falls into this). I have reached a point in my career where I can take the time of. Work on the road. And come back without missing a beat.
Which brings me to my last questions. Who has added solar and who provides a wifi setup that may work international with this top. ( Not sure if even a option.). I'm not looking for consistent wifi. But just knowing I can get it at times. I am a modern tech guy at heart. I know this will make some of you cringe as we all try to get off grid, but there are thing in life I work towards and I can't give them up..
My dream is to drive from Colorado to Alaska (Alaska part is for fun. But not the main part of the dream) and then Colorado to Ushuaia.
So I come from the Fzj80 crowd and those are a dime a dozen down there. I am torn between buying a fzj80 again as I sold my last one (cheap and easy) or taking my current jeep. (Expensive and will baby no doubt but I know it's more capable)
Do you feel safe in the tent? Do you feel it would last in a 32k mile hard journey? Any changes you would make specifically for the this type of trip.
I am thinking rear window deletes and my heart goes to the jku setup as opposed to roof top tents. But the cost of the cruiser (cheap to buy and can resell down there worst case vs the top only Which is a pretty massive expense.)
Where does logic fall in this discussion? (If logic even falls into this). I have reached a point in my career where I can take the time of. Work on the road. And come back without missing a beat.
Which brings me to my last questions. Who has added solar and who provides a wifi setup that may work international with this top. ( Not sure if even a option.). I'm not looking for consistent wifi. But just knowing I can get it at times. I am a modern tech guy at heart. I know this will make some of you cringe as we all try to get off grid, but there are thing in life I work towards and I can't give them up..
jktowhere, I've also contemplated the US to Ushuaia trip. I also already own a J30, and have also looked into internet options as I'm a developer who can work from anywhere so long as I have my laptop.
The primary thing preventing me from going was that I didn't want to go alone. I contemplated partnering up w/ a small group of touring motorcyclists and acting as a pseudo support vehicle but those guys go at to fast of a pace for my taste. That, and I wouldn't be able to get any work done.
Regarding your questions:
- What do you mean by safe? Would I camp out in a park full of drugged out hobos? Unlikely. Have I camped in parking lots next to dozens of others doing the same? Absolutely. Slept great too!
- I'm not sure I see anything wrong with doing 32k w/ the J30 on top. The worst thing you might do is tear some canvas or break a latch, both can be fixed or jerry rigged easily enough.
- Internet is a bit more of a challenge. All satellite based options are spendy and slow. The hardware can have a sizable upfront cost, and mounting it on the roof may limit any potential storage. If you don't need it always on, then you're much better off looking into just getting a SIM for a mobile hotspot wherever you are at.
- I had a large folding solar panel for when I was at Burning Man. I sold it because it was too cumbersome but have contemplated either getting one permanently affixed to the roof like we've seen on this thread, or more likely paying the extra price for a roll-up panel like Ursa Minor sells.
Keep in touch if you get more serious about doing this!
-James
The primary thing preventing me from going was that I didn't want to go alone. I contemplated partnering up w/ a small group of touring motorcyclists and acting as a pseudo support vehicle but those guys go at to fast of a pace for my taste. That, and I wouldn't be able to get any work done.
Regarding your questions:
- What do you mean by safe? Would I camp out in a park full of drugged out hobos? Unlikely. Have I camped in parking lots next to dozens of others doing the same? Absolutely. Slept great too!
- I'm not sure I see anything wrong with doing 32k w/ the J30 on top. The worst thing you might do is tear some canvas or break a latch, both can be fixed or jerry rigged easily enough.
- Internet is a bit more of a challenge. All satellite based options are spendy and slow. The hardware can have a sizable upfront cost, and mounting it on the roof may limit any potential storage. If you don't need it always on, then you're much better off looking into just getting a SIM for a mobile hotspot wherever you are at.
- I had a large folding solar panel for when I was at Burning Man. I sold it because it was too cumbersome but have contemplated either getting one permanently affixed to the roof like we've seen on this thread, or more likely paying the extra price for a roll-up panel like Ursa Minor sells.
Keep in touch if you get more serious about doing this!
-James
nwoods
Expedition Leader
jktowhere, I don't have a J30, and other than a trip to Costa Rica as a tourist, and a few tours through Panama Canal in Uncle Sam's Yacht Club and various drunken excursions into Mexico, can't offer you any tangible advice on the safety factor. But I do have an opinion based on LOTS of online reading of various other adventurer's.
Despite being just canvas, I think the integrated rooftop camping setup of the J30 is quite a bit more secure than a simple ground tent. There is a huge psychological difference of someone's accessibility and/or vunerability being inside a car verses being out of the car (in a tent).
Specifically, I am thinking of Brad and Sheena, and their trials and travels through India. They often retreated into their van to seek a reprieve from those around them. I think the J30 would offer a similar sanctuary.
On the issue of connectivity, the crew from Life Remotely did a fantastic job reporting on their connectivity options in each of the 17 countries they visited, and they offer tons of advice on how to work remotely from the field. http://liferemotely.com/
Hope that helps, wish I could tell you first hand!
Despite being just canvas, I think the integrated rooftop camping setup of the J30 is quite a bit more secure than a simple ground tent. There is a huge psychological difference of someone's accessibility and/or vunerability being inside a car verses being out of the car (in a tent).
Specifically, I am thinking of Brad and Sheena, and their trials and travels through India. They often retreated into their van to seek a reprieve from those around them. I think the J30 would offer a similar sanctuary.
On the issue of connectivity, the crew from Life Remotely did a fantastic job reporting on their connectivity options in each of the 17 countries they visited, and they offer tons of advice on how to work remotely from the field. http://liferemotely.com/
Hope that helps, wish I could tell you first hand!
goin camping
Explorer
Anyone with one of these tops notice any handleing changes?
ventura911
Adventurer
I believe the BunduAwn is between 10" and 12" tall when closed, which seems to me to be too bulky for a sleek setup like the J30.
Have a look at the FrontRunner EasyOut awning (http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/tents-awnings/front-runner-easy-out-awning-2-5m.html). Ursa Minor is actually a reseller of FR products I believe and can install it given sufficient lead time to order it.
I got the Front Runner Modular awning (http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/tents-awnings/front-runner-modular-awning.html) w/ my J30 when I ordered it. I wish I'd gotten the EasyOut. It's smaller but FAR quicker to setup.
I got the Front Runner Modular awning (http://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/tents-awnings/front-runner-modular-awning.html) w/ my J30 when I ordered it. I wish I'd gotten the EasyOut. It's smaller but FAR quicker to setup.
BVClimber
Observer
has anyone looked at the eezi-awn batwing 270? I called Paul at equipt1 and eezi-awn does infact make side walls for full a full enclosure. Looking at some photos he sent me of it set up on a different vehicle, it will allow enough space for the tail gate to be open, and have the glass up. Essentially, it will allow a living room off the side of the jeep, have enough room to cook out the back of the jeep with room for a sitting area all under within the 'tent' walls. Same Idea as the fox wing set up, but the support poles for the awning are internally built.
Anyone have thoughts on this?
http://www.equipt1.com/item/bat-270-degree-awning-right-hand-side
Anyone have thoughts on this?
http://www.equipt1.com/item/bat-270-degree-awning-right-hand-side
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Here is what I use:
I was a little apprehensive about whether it would work. I am pleasantly surprised. The seal between the jeep and the tent is quite tight. The areas I camp have a LOT of bugs and I need a place to hang out and cook in the evening. The tent is big enough to move around and provides good shade and rain protection. It was also quite cheap. I think with a 20% sale discount from Autoanything I paid around $275.
http://www.autoanything.com/truck-tents/61A3877A0A0.aspx
I was a little apprehensive about whether it would work. I am pleasantly surprised. The seal between the jeep and the tent is quite tight. The areas I camp have a LOT of bugs and I need a place to hang out and cook in the evening. The tent is big enough to move around and provides good shade and rain protection. It was also quite cheap. I think with a 20% sale discount from Autoanything I paid around $275.
http://www.autoanything.com/truck-tents/61A3877A0A0.aspx
Topo.Ranger
Adventurer
If there is a load rating for this top, what is it? I would assume not much at all. I am still looking into this option for sure.
This is what I use:
I needed something for hanging out in and cooking without being attacked by hungry hordes of bugs...:Wow1:
I was a little apprehensive about quality and ease of use, but it has worked out perfectly. The seal between the Jeep and the tent is quite good. There is plenty of room for a couple of chairs and a table. The tailgate opens into the tent and the tailgate table provides a cooking platform within easy reach of the fridge in the back jeep. It is also very easy to disengage the Jeep from the tent for running around.
I needed something for hanging out in and cooking without being attacked by hungry hordes of bugs...:Wow1:
I was a little apprehensive about quality and ease of use, but it has worked out perfectly. The seal between the Jeep and the tent is quite good. There is plenty of room for a couple of chairs and a table. The tailgate opens into the tent and the tailgate table provides a cooking platform within easy reach of the fridge in the back jeep. It is also very easy to disengage the Jeep from the tent for running around.