[RUoffroader]

A few years ago I build a hitch mounted cargo rack like this... http://tweetys.com/20x48-platform-ca...FUHatgodbhBdMQ

It was great for carrying gear outside of the Jeep on road trips. However, because it mounted into the hitch, you couldn't do any challenging wheeling because of the loss of clearance in the back. Never been an issue, since I can usually just keep the rack at camp while I wheel. Well, come memorial day, I am doing a fairly difficult trail on my way home from a weekend camp trip, and I will need to carry all my gear with me, and it will have ot be somewhere outside of the jeep because my big *** dog will be with me taking up pretty much all the room in the back. I'm trying to figure out what I can quickly fab up to carry at least the cooler and maybe a bag or two. I've thought about building a small rack that can be mounted to the spare like my snowboard rack, or maybe a rack above the tire, but i need some ideas.

[wytewolf00]

There's a few write-ups on here for making one that goes above the spare tire (mounting to the tire bracket). They look pretty nice, as long as you don't make it monstrous in size...

[Faramir66103]

This may be a silly option, but how about pulling the front passengers seat? If its just the two of you, it would give you more space inside, and if you pack carefully and are inventive with strapping it all in place, it might be enough.

FWIW,
Adam

[jscherb]

Folds up when not in use:



Slips over the top of the spare so it's easily removable. Easily storable when off the Jeep because it folds:



Simple quick-release for folding/easily adjustable for different sized tires:

[BigRodney]

You could go with something like this for the dog and then you would have plenty of room in the back of the jeep for your gear.

[RUoffroader]

Originally Posted by Faramir66103

This may be a silly option, but how about pulling the front passengers seat? If its just the two of you, it would give you more space inside, and if you pack carefully and are inventive with strapping it all in place, it might be enough.

FWIW,
Adam

Not really that silly. That would definitely free up a bunch of room right there. I didn't actually have time to start building something yet, so this might be a good option.

Originally Posted by jscherb

Folds up when not in use:



Slips over the top of the spare so it's easily removable. Easily storable when off the Jeep because it folds:



Simple quick-release for folding/easily adjustable for different sized tires:

Now that thing is SLICK!!

[LiveAndLearn]

[lupinsea]

I built a cargo deck / table for my rig. I like it a lot and it's handy for anchoring down cargo. My cooler, camp kitchen tote, and dog would go on the top of the cargo deck. The ~7" below deck storage area would be for the tent, folding chair, air mattress, firewood, tool bag, etc. Then when I got to the campsite I'd take the deck out and fold down the folding legs I attached to the bottom and it became my camp table. Very handy.

If I leave the rear anchor brackets installed to the stock rear Insta-Trunk mounting locations (which I do most of the time), then the whole deck can be in installed or removed in about 60 seconds without tools.

Full Write-Up On The Cargo Deck / Table




Here it is loaded with gear.




This is the bottom of the deck. Visible are the
table legs, the brackets that interface with the
stock seat brackets, and all the threaded
inserts for the anchor grid.




These are the brackets I fabbed up for the
cargo deck so that it could fit the stock rear
seat brackets without need of tools. They also
act (sort of) like a hinge for lifting up the
cargo deck if I need to access what's under it.




These are the rear brackets that fit the stock
threaded inserts for the Insta-trunk accessory.
The cargo deck "lands" on the tongue sticking
out and a threaded knob fastens it down
so it won't move.




Some simple eye-bolts can be screwed in to
any of the 21 threaded anchor points.




And here it is at the campsite.

.

[Locked32114]

Originally Posted by lupinsea

I built a cargo deck / table for my rig. I like it a lot and it's handy for anchoring down cargo. My cooler, camp kitchen tote, and dog would go on the top of the cargo deck. The ~7" below deck storage area would be for the tent, folding chair, air mattress, firewood, tool bag, etc. Then when I got to the campsite I'd take the deck out and fold down the folding legs I attached to the bottom and it became my camp table. Very handy.

If I leave the rear anchor brackets installed to the stock rear Insta-Trunk mounting locations (which I do most of the time), then the whole deck can be in installed or removed in about 60 seconds without tools.

Looks like you are really ruffin' it out there when you camp....

[liredneck]

Now thats slick