Instead of a swing away I modified a cargo carrier. It doubles as a multipurpose campsite table or exterior storage. I made it to be at same height as my cargo box in back with option of making it part of an extended sleeping platform. It has been a valuable piece of kit.

 

Rooftop tent? Cooking gear goes in the back, larger stuff goes on a hitch rack. Or build a platform in the back so you can level the floor and make space for a sleeping pad gear goes on top or under the Jeep when your sleeping. That's my plan, lower the back seats, place platform on the floor with my air mattress and sleeping bag on it. Cooking gear and food in 1 tote and camping gear in another tote, and a cooler will go on the roof when sleeping.

 

I apologize for the delay in my response. I was out of town with no internet access and had some work to do when I got back hone.

While on this two day trip, I slept in my Jeep and found it comfortable. I had two pads and used quilts and a down blanket instead of a sleeping bag. I tried a sleeping bag on another weekend trip and it moved too much under me, It is easier to control coverage with blankets. So, I can sleep in my Jeep. I thought about the platform to sleep on, and decide against it because it would restrict the head room,

Instead of a roof-top tent, a roof storage bin makes more sense. The issue with those I have looked at is that they open on the side so I would need to carry a step ladder. I am looking for one that opens from the back.

I am considering removing passenger side rear seat. My thought is that a storage bin could be placed in that area. What are your thoughts on this?

 

The "roof bin with space for a bed" that you saw was likely a hard shell roof top tent. Many of them are designed to perform double duty as a cargo box but require the walls and mattress be removed in order to do so.
We have a roof top tent (folding type, no hard roof) and while it is fantastic for it's intended purpose, I would highly recommend stepping up to a teardrop trailer if you want to live out of your vehicle for a prolonged period of time.

 

I agree, I would much prefer a small trailer. I will consider this option.

 

I like the rack you built.

I don't have the tools or the skill to accomplish a build like ours, however, there is a custom weld shop in town that would be able to fabricate this. thank you for sharing the concept.

 

I had set up my Suzuki Grand Vitara with a platform, gear would stow beneath. Top had 3 section mattress and wither a sleeping bag or sheets and blankets. worked great. I sold it and bought the Jeep GC (2008), it does not have quite as much vertical space as the Suzuki, but plan on creating same sort of setup. I also have a Yakima roof pod, fishing and campsite gear go in that. It will open either side, and you can mostly get into it by standing on door sill. Your height and mileage may vary.

A SUV tent is an option, it grips around the body, the rear hatch supports, and the base is staked down. Some better than others, but you sleep in the car and have room to stand and change, etc in the tent portion.

A teardrop is always an option, albeit a pretty expensive option. I use mine for an overnight fishing or photography trips.

For longer camping I just tow the Jeep behind my motorhome. I have done the sleep on a pad on the ground, but at my age, I like my luxury.

 

Or ditch the idea of camping/living in the Jeep all together and buy a 6x12 or 6x10 cargo trailer and configure it into a camper. Easy to pull around easy to park if you don't mind taking up 2 spaces at the mall and if need be you could lock it up and leave it while you go exploring off road.

 

I considered this option a while back and re-visited it when I read your post.

This remains an option.

 

Check ExpeditionPortal. There is a TON of overlanding info there. Also, check the WK2 section since they are configured differently inside than the WK1.

Solo makes some good swing away, hitch-mounted options. I think most are for the spare, but that would free up the space under the cargo tray.

 

Check ExpeditionPortal. There is a TON of overlanding info there. Also, check the WK2 section since they are configured differently inside than the WK1.

X2 on this suggestion. Here is a link to a particularly nice WK2 build out

WK2 backseat delete - looking for platform ideas

Hi everybody, I got bored over the TG break and decided to remove the back seat in our 2017 Grand Cherokee Trailhawk - because, why not. So step 1 is completed, but I haven't really thought too much about step 2.... We often sleep in the back of the car, so I was hoping to build out a platform...

expeditionportal.com

 

Great suggestions, thank you.

I liked the idea of a teardrop trailer. I decided to not get one because of the cost and also because I prefer to not tow anything. I like to drive at the speed limit.

The equipment required for food storage and cooking will utilize about half of the cargo area. Also, time would be used in food preparation and cleanup. In addition, I would need to purchase the equipment. Thus, I will start this adventure the easy way: sleep at the campsite and buy prepared food at a local grocery store. While this will be more expensive than campsite cooking, it will be easier and allow more time for hiking and taking photos. I justified this expense because I won't be paying rent on an apartment or house.

For storage, I looked at the options suggested here and decided to have a storage box built that attaches to the hitch. It is in work this week and will be ready on Monday. The box is 37" x 12" and 14" high.
I plan to remove the right rear passenger seat and use that area to store two duffel bags. Another duffel bag will be positioned along the right side of the cargo area. This will leave ample space for a bunk on the left side.

I am considering the suggestion of a tent with sufficient height so I can stand. I have an idea for this and I will test it.

I talked to the service manager at the Jeep dealership and he said removing the seat is not a good idea because the airbag light would be illuminated all the time without the seat in place. Even so, the idea of duffel bags still seem viable.

 

We just fold down the back seats, put a queen size air mattress in there and some sleeping bags. Good for 2 people. The head room is not great so we may be looking at a thiner pad to gain maybe 6 inches of head room as the air mattress is pretty thick. Otherwise, it works fine. Cooler goes in the front seat, some gear goes on the roof rack or under the Jeep.

Pic from camping this summer. Pop up a tarp on some poles and you got a decent camping area.

I was looking at some "overlanding" style cargo trailers + roof top tent but even the cheapest one from Smittybuilt is twice the price of my Jeep. Maybe in the future.

 

Update:

I read an article that detailed the options that have been mentioned here. Although no doubt the author is biased, as everyone is, his conclusion makes sense: Use the vehicle for transportation not for sleeping, For sleeping, his suggestion is a tent.

I have a tent selected that has a wide opening that will allow the Jeep to be backed into, thus allowing access to the cargo compartment.

I reconsidered my idea of not cooking at the campsite and I now think campsite cooking will save time and not be as cumbersome as I thought. By not using the cargo area as a bunk, I have space for food, a cooler, tent, and camera equipment.

 

I hope to have a comfortable and efficient camping method established so I can camp for a few months. I photographed four rodeos in October and I am working to get the photos edited and published on my webpage. Two more rodeo weekends next month. With the photo project, planning a move, and working on the jeep project, I don't get much sleep. At about 0230 I had an idea for storage in my Jeep. Instead of going back to sleep, I designed the idea, and worked on it all day. I value your opinion and suggestions on what I built. You will notice a gap between the boards. I could have plywood cut to fit the total size, which is 36" x 58", or leave it as is. IN any case, I will disassemble it to paint it.

 

this concept didn't work well as I thought. the case on top slides too much and there is limited space for a cooler. So, I am working on a new plan.

What size cooler should I get? 45 quart, or 65?

 

Well, I think you should get 45 quart size cooler next time as you don't have enough space as I see. And yeah, have you got a tactical flashlight with you? After several times of camping I found out that this instrument is almost essential. Though it's important to find a good small generator that would charge a battery. There are some interesting flashlight models at https://www.amazon.com/Vont-Flashlight-Flashlights-Water-resistant-Accessories/dp/B089T8HDBV which I personally recommend examining. By the way, don't you think that you need a new monster to have enough space in the back?

 

 

Ground camping SUCKS! In the dirt, mud, sand. There isn't a way to keep everything really clean because you are in the dirt. Backing up the jeep to the tent works great if everything is dry and clean, but leaving doors open and creating makeshift hallways will let water into the tent, now everything is wet. Ground camping is great if you are hiking and need a light tent for a few day hike. But to live out of for a little while, they can really suck. Especially if your goal is to get out and see different places. Yes, this is my opinion, based on where I live and what makes me comfortable, so take it with a grain of salt.

The rooftop tent is an awesome option. Not one I prefer only because I built my jeep to drive and explore OHV trails. You can do this with a rooftop tent but not as well with the seriously raised center of gravity, plus you have to break down camp to go drive, if you were planning on leaving that day or not (yay for setting camp backup). But if you are looking to drive somewhere and hang out for a few days, I wouldn't overlook this option. Get it with an annex (that hangs down to the ground and encloses the space below the tent and you will have more dry space than you could ever use in bad weather, while also keeping setup simple and NOT using the annex when the weather is good.

I personally wouldn't write off the trailer suggestion. The speed limit would not be a problem for any trailer suggested to fulfill your mentioned needs. I personally, recently picked up a Fleetwood Evolution E1 popup trailer myself. My 4.7l Grand Cherokee has no problem pulling it the speed limit at probably 3500lbs loaded. I don't live in a flat state either... just driving 10 minutes to work I see more elevation change than some entire states have. I have a young family and a dry, warm hangout space really is important in the wet pacific nw. WAY overkill for what you are trying to do and NOT what you are looking for, I do realize that. You could pick up a smaller enclosed trailer for a couple grand (as suggested earlier in the post) and it would tow like its not even there and give you a pre-setup tent that you just open the door and climb into.

Another option would be to put the rooftop tent on top of a simple utility trailer. Trailer weight is kept to a minimum. Jeep center of gravity doesn't change. and you have tons of storage below the tent on the trailer.

The reality is, people spend tens of thousands of dollars on overland setups because there is always a new solution to a problem, there is always some piece of gear, some tent, some awning, some stove, lighting, trailer, tent, etc. that makes life easier. So there is a LOT to weigh in all this. Going budget friendly has its MAJOR tradeoffs when it comes to living out of a vehicle, espcially a small Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Also, just wanted to mention from a much earlier post. If you were to remove the passenger seat. You will need to get a resistor for the pretensioner and side airbags in the seat. Having those unplugged will disable ALL airbags so you will want to trick the computer into thinking they are still there.

The interest in the hitch mounted platform.. they work great but also have a HUGE impact on the rear suspension. Just putting that gear in the back of the jeep would make it squat some, then push it back 2-3 feet away from the rear axle and you are giving all that weight more leverage. You will drive around squatted. Driving at night would be blinding oncoming drivers. Simple, functional solution, that causes other problems.

I also like your rack you made in the back. My only concern with it is how much space it takes up. With respect to the size of the tubing used and the space around the system. I realize you may have loose things to stuff on the sides but its really not super usable space on each side. So its eating into already limited area. I would personally plan to have the cooler/fridge on the floor in the back and build a smaller aluminum (or lighter, smaller, thinner wall steel) structure to support storage of other, lighter things. Just make sure to back the shelves into the cabin so if you are in a collision you don't have Rubbermaids assaulting you from the back of the jeep. Then buy a slide for the fridge and you are set.

EDIT: I am seeing the rack in the back runs all the way to the front, which I didnt notice before. This would give it more functionality than I initially thought, but still not a very efficient use of the space. How is access to the front of the rack from the side doors?

All my .02 cents. Your mileage may vary. Have fun with it!

 

The rooftop tent is an awesome option. Not one I prefer only because I built my jeep to drive and explore OHV trails. You can do this with a rooftop tent but not as well with the seriously raised center of gravity,

The rooftop tent is so light in weight, I believe the center of gravity difference is virtually immeasurable.

 

This is sort of the thing I am looking at.


Originally, I thought of getting a pick up with a pick up camper on the back. But that was getting into too big of a rig.


And I never was much of a tenter, one way or another.


So my thought is still sleeping in the back of the Jeep and just some cooking amenities along. And most likely not for more than one or two nights.


I did see some real fancy rigs on TrailRecon, a youtube channel of Jeep owners. Link not possible til my post count is higher. They do a lot of trail riding all over the western states; they are out of San Diego; they also showcase a lot of camping rigs and all the gear and modifications.



It's amazing some of the cooking they do out in the middle of no-where with their set ups. Also entertainment to see it all.
dc

 

Unfortunately, I do not know how much your car model costs. Motorhomes are divided into two types, as far as I know. My favorites are those that have their own motor and a driver’s seat. Seasonality and mobility of the car are the main things to pay attention to. I also purchased a new model last month.
Moreover, I ordered https://www.amazon.com/Vont-Flashlight-Flashlights-Water-Resistant-Accessories/dp/B089T8HDBV since I drive mostly at night. Btw, home trailers are quite budget-friendly. However, they are less comfortable on a long road.

 

Revisiting this thread. As I starting using my WK more on camping destinations, I developed a set up that worked pretty well for me. I really wish I had a good photo of it, but alas, I do not. I bought a Wilco Hitchgate swing out tire carrier with a flip-down FrontRunner tailgate table. I built out a carpeted wood platform throughout the back of the WK, and then I installed a KC Cyclone LED flat little puck light into the lift gate on the passenger side. For some reason Jeep only put a dim incandescent light on the drivers side, but the swing out tire carrier opens to the right, so I wanted light on that side. Then I bought magnetic strips from Harbor Freight to hold my kitchen knives and such, and then added a magnetic paper towel holder (also Harbor Freight). Oh! And I added a Trasharoo over the rear tire, so I had easy access to dispose of trash while cooking.

The result was amazing. I set up a folding table behind the truck on the Drivers side, and the LED light easily lit up everything around. I mean, its phenominal. And with the lift and 33" tires, the hight of the flip-down table was perfect to cook from. I put my cooler under the table and had a perfect kitchen triangle. Total game changer. Then I bought a JK and ruined it

Here is a video of the table and lighting that I posted to Instagram

Nathan Woods on Instagram: "Part 2 - the rear cargo and food prep area lighting courtesy of @kchilites, @frontrunneroutfitters @wilco_offroad @grandteam_"

20 likes, 0 comments - 4wdphoto on March 10, 2023: "Part 2 - the rear cargo and food prep area lighting courtesy of @kchilites, @frontrunneroutfitters @wilco_offroad @grandteam_".

www.instagram.com

Here are some photos of the various elements, but nothing all together showing how its used!

I also added those KC HiLite Cyclone LED puck lights under the hood. They are sold as an "Underhood lighting kit" pretty inexpensive, easy to install, and are really nice to use in low light conditions when working on your engine, or even just when connecting your compressor to the battery to air up at the end of the trail in the evening. Here is a video of that install: Nathan Woods on Instagram: "Made some improvements to the old Sanity Reset Vehicle. Really digging these Cyclone LED puck lights from @kchilites - Super bright, compact, and very easy to install. The Underhood Kit is complete, inexpensive, and completely transformative, and the upgraded lighting for my Hitchgate mounted cooking and food prep space is phenomenal. Love it! @wilco_offroad @grandteam_ #jeepwk"

Lastly, as I mentioned, I unexpectedly found myself buying a JK and it has a tire carrier, so now the Wilco unit is available for sale