Camping options with an XJ/MJ

[jeepman75]

Searched and couldn't find just one complete thread for how everyone camps with their XJ/MJ's. So I am starting one for everyone to show how they camp weather it is in an XJ/MJ, in a tent on top or next to a XJ/MJ, a camper trailer behind an XJ/MJ or even an XJ/MJ on a trailer with a camper. I think it will centralize all the different setups and help answer questions cutting down on new threads.

I will start:
This is my 1975 AMF Skamper pop up I just got for $200. It weights 994lbs, is 11'6"x6"3 closed, has a stove, sink and ice chest. Pulls great behind my XJ and can even cruise at 65mph with it.
Future plans are some up dated wiring including moving the inside plug location and adding one to the outside. Also going to replace all the screens and add a fridge where the ice chest is.

(MODS: If this gets enough positive response maybe it can become a STICKY?)

 

[IllianaXJ]

78 Coleman Rebel popup, electric hookup, A/C retrofitted, sink/stove removed for storage space, steel tongue box. Right at 1000 lbs. dry, probably 1200 packed. Used more for family camping when we drove the Durango instead of the XJ. Sold it this spring since we outgrew it.

Driveway pic:

Tent beside the XJ most of the time when wheeling, no pics though.

 

[rocknxj]

Here is one of my least favorite pictures of Old Blue. This picture was taken on the side of the road on the way to the Rubicon Trail Poker Run this past Spring. I'm towing my 2005 Fleetwood Bayside popup trailer (approx 3500 lbs, empty) and it proved too much for the XJ. Maybe I just need new gears...or a lighter trailer.

The Bayside is fully equipped with dual batteries, propane, two king sized beds, slide out dining room, pop-out kitchen, fridge, three-burner interior stove, oustide grill, hot water, heater, inside toilet, and deluxe cabinetry. She's a beaut.

Looking at the pic, I cannot believe how clean that Jeep looked. After a few trips on the Rubicon, Old Blue aint so purty anymore.

 

[n1ywb]

This thread already covers most of the bases I think
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=924568

 

[Atticus_1354]

Always keep my hammock in the back of the XJ. If the weather doesn't permit then it is a tent next to it.

 

[SC Rednek]

Ok, so my jeep is sitting right out of the picture, but it's the best I got. Little cold for a hammock.

 

[jeepman75]

This thread already covers most of the bases I think
http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=924568

I read that thread and it is mostly for sleeping in an XJ, with some people mentioning alternatives. I wanted to start a thread for all options when staying away from home with the XJ/MJ.

I like the hammock anchored to the XJ idea as a quick and easy sleeping spot.

 

[Atticus_1354]

I can't recommend a hammock enough for those of us in a more temperate climate. I sleep better than at home. I recommend checking out http://hennessyhammock.com/ for a great tent hammock. I plan to upgrade to one when I get some money. Until then I will stick with my basic model and maybe a tarp over it if the weather demands.

 

[Handlebars]

I'm a biiig hammock fan too! I tried the Hennesy Hammock, it didn't work out for me. I got too cold during the night and it is really difficult to put my Thermarest underneath me due to the bottom entry location of that hammock. It would probably work if you are camping in a hot, humid location where it is difficult to sleep due to the heat. I camp in the desert and mountains of the Southwest where single digit humidity and 40 degree temperature differences between night and day are common. A regular hammock works fine as long as it is not rainy or windy. I put the Thermarest on the hammock and toss by bag on top of that. Your weight compresses the insulation of your sleeping bag and the hammock offers no barrier for your body heat to radiate into the night so some kind of uncompressible insulation is needed on cold nights.

 

[karstic]

Mojave Road Thanksgiving '07



The kitchen



Hammerhead 3 tent by Mountain Hardwear



Swamp Lake, High Sierra



Monache Meadow, Sierra Nevada mountains, CA

with by Bantam T3C trailer

 

[WayneXJ]

I just got this bantam from my dad. It was in bad shape and rusty, but after a little work it turned out alright. He picked it up for $60 and I probably spent $30 on painting it. The frame is a little bent but it still tows just fine.

before

after

 

[karstic]

Here's mine playing workhorse. I had 700-800 pounds of building material (asphalt, steel stirrups, lag bolts and plates, etc.) in the trailer.

 

[OverlandZJ]

Ground tent for the last 20 years, latest being a Cabela's Alaskan Guide model 4 person.

A back injury has been progressively getting worse and setup/teardown was miserable for me. If i was going to continue camping out of my Jeep i had to make a change. Put the Willy's up for sale and bought a RTT. Eventually the RTT will be mounted to a trailer.

 

[iluv83vettes]

That OD makes your rig look so good.

 

[dirtrider]

This is the way I like to camp. The Hammock tent's rated to be four season. For some reason I couldn't get the first three pics bigger...

Pic from inside Jeep

 

[RabidRabit]

Thats a sweet hammock set up. What brand and where did you grab it from?

 

[dirtrider]

Thats a sweet hammock set up. What brand and where did you grab it from?

Thanks man. Clark Jungle Hammock is the company and I think the only place you can buy them is off their website. I own the North American model.

http://www.junglehammock.com/

 

[alex22]

I've seen these hammock's at a few scouting events and talked with the owner/designer when he was there. I haven't slept in one before but when I did climb inside one of the hammocks he had on display, they are very comfortable. If I was going to be camping while wheeling I would defiantly bring one of these with me.

~Alex

 

[bigalpha]

What's the setup on the tarp? What are you using to hold it up, etc?

 

[OverlandZJ]

What's the setup on the tarp? What are you using to hold it up, etc?

It's just a 20x30 poly camo tarp with steel expandable poles/guywires. Two Jeeps on the one side with one pole between them, two poles in center on sides with rope spanning under the tarp, three poles on far side. Worked well for us.

In heavier rain we lower the poles on far side and between Jeeps to create runoffs and had no water pooling.

Heavy wind is an issue however.