Expedition Modded Jeeps - Let's see 'em!!
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,567
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From: Goodyear, Arizona
JK Super Freak
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,236
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From: Pittsburgh, PA
Originally Posted by jckid
In addition to my off-road trailer with rooftop tent, I also have a regular camping trailer, I used to have a four-door that I slept in, and I sleep in regular ground tents several times a year, so I can give my two cents on each. Of the four, both my husband and I have found that we sleep best in the rooftop tent. The mattress is very comfortable--almost as comfortable as our bed at home. For us, it's easier to get down the ladder in the middle of the night, than it is to get up from the ground in a regular tent. We've only used it for a total of 7 nights so far, but we are very happy with the setup and will take this trailer for remote camping and off-road trips. Setup takes about 3 minutes, and teardown about 5. It's super simple compared to a ground tent.
Our regular camping trailer is a small T@B trailer, and we find the cushions a bit too soft, so we add thin Thermarest mattresses on top. We use it for camping in developed campgrounds. The benefits of it are that it has A/C, heat, and all the amenities except for a shower. It will be our choice for most winter camping trips, but not when there's off-roading or even dirt roads involved.
We used to have a four-door JK, and we slept in the back of it on many occasions. We slept better in it than our regular camping trailer, but the real drawback was that we had to empty out the entire back of the Jeep in order to sleep in it (as someone mentioned above). A few times we had to set up a tent just to have a place to put our stuff out of the weather.
As for a ground tent, well we have two. We have a large tent we've used on short trips with the Jeep. Now we will use our off-road trailer, but if we go somewhere too challenging for the trailer, we'll still use the ground tent. We also backpack once a year, and we travel on our motorcycles 3-4 times a year and use an ultralight backpacking tent. The biggest drawbacks I've found with ground tents is that the ground can be cold depending on mattress selection. The NeoAir mattresses we use for backpacking and motorcycle traveling do let the cold come through. We have warmer foam/air Thermarest mattresses, but they are too big to carry, especially on the bikes. We've combatted that issue with quality Western Mountaineering sleeping bags. Also, getting out of the tent, especially the backpacking one, can be a challenge in the middle of the night. And setup and teardown take longer and can be messy (dirt everywhere). Condensation seems to be more of an issue with nylon ground tents (Big Agnes and Nemo) than the canvas of the rooftop tent as well.
So that's my take. I think all of these setups have their advantages and disadvantages, and each have their place. It's nice to have a choice...to be able to pick the best setup depending on where I'm going. While having these choices may seem expensive, I figure we have less $ in our camping equipment than most people have in one big RV, and we're having way more fun than our friends who think having a 40' rolling house is the way to go.
Our regular camping trailer is a small T@B trailer, and we find the cushions a bit too soft, so we add thin Thermarest mattresses on top. We use it for camping in developed campgrounds. The benefits of it are that it has A/C, heat, and all the amenities except for a shower. It will be our choice for most winter camping trips, but not when there's off-roading or even dirt roads involved.
We used to have a four-door JK, and we slept in the back of it on many occasions. We slept better in it than our regular camping trailer, but the real drawback was that we had to empty out the entire back of the Jeep in order to sleep in it (as someone mentioned above). A few times we had to set up a tent just to have a place to put our stuff out of the weather.
As for a ground tent, well we have two. We have a large tent we've used on short trips with the Jeep. Now we will use our off-road trailer, but if we go somewhere too challenging for the trailer, we'll still use the ground tent. We also backpack once a year, and we travel on our motorcycles 3-4 times a year and use an ultralight backpacking tent. The biggest drawbacks I've found with ground tents is that the ground can be cold depending on mattress selection. The NeoAir mattresses we use for backpacking and motorcycle traveling do let the cold come through. We have warmer foam/air Thermarest mattresses, but they are too big to carry, especially on the bikes. We've combatted that issue with quality Western Mountaineering sleeping bags. Also, getting out of the tent, especially the backpacking one, can be a challenge in the middle of the night. And setup and teardown take longer and can be messy (dirt everywhere). Condensation seems to be more of an issue with nylon ground tents (Big Agnes and Nemo) than the canvas of the rooftop tent as well.
So that's my take. I think all of these setups have their advantages and disadvantages, and each have their place. It's nice to have a choice...to be able to pick the best setup depending on where I'm going. While having these choices may seem expensive, I figure we have less $ in our camping equipment than most people have in one big RV, and we're having way more fun than our friends who think having a 40' rolling house is the way to go.
JK Enthusiast
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 354
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
I agree. It is nice to have options. My wife finds the RTT the most comfortable. With the annex attached, we can set up a couple cots below for the kids and the dog sleeps between them. I originally had the RTT mounted to the trailer, but it wasn't as convenient. We can set up camp in the dead of night in 10-20 minutes and pick up in the morning even quicker and be on our way. The trailer is just to store all our food and gear, and is both water- and bear-proof. This leaves room in the back of the JKU for the dog while in transit. Works great for me now, but without the kids or dog, the trailer would not be necessary. It does limit the trails I can take. (this is an older picture when I had my black winter wheels still on the trailer)
Last edited by ShakyJake; Aug 18, 2012 at 04:27 PM.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,937
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From: Maine
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 684
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From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by maine07jk
You can make one like I did and dream for the RTT some day!
Still a work in progress!
JK Super Freak
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,937
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From: Maine
JK Freak
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 684
Likes: 0
From: Chicago, IL
Originally Posted by maine07jk
My build was under $1000. My biggest expense was the matching rims and tires. I had no plans. A friend of mine did the majority of the welding. I stopped in at ExPo: Adventure and Overland Travel Enthusiasts and got my ideas from the builds there. It amazes me how much stuff I can get into 3'x6' box and how easy it tows behind the jeep.
JK Super Freak
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,567
Likes: 0
From: Goodyear, Arizona
Would like to see this as well. Was going to do it to my JK but then with the rack it would be to tall to fit in the garage. It wasn't going to have much room left by my measurements.