2 door Rubicon for offroading and camping

[dchemphill1]

I am working on our first trip to Colorado with the Jeep and would love to hear from those that have done off road and camping out of a 2 door? How do you organize your gear? I am not getting a tent for top of jeep. We will ground camp.
Thanks for the tips and hints.

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[Pappy06]

I did a lot of camping out of my 2. Door JK. I used a tent trailer called the spec ops by LetsGoAero. It only weighs 500 lbs. tried the RTT option but got tired of having to tear down the campsite when I needed the Jeep.

 

[PA-Punkn]

I built a shelf setup for the cargo area. This picture shows a one day offroading setup with the back seat still in. For longer trips would remove and utilize upper shelf and all the nooks and crannies, plus go more vertical on sides with hard top on.

 

[dchemphill1]

PA Punkin, what were the measurements for your shelf? Material? I will definitely be taking the seat out. Looking at 7-10 day trip.

 

[sourdough]

I found no need for back seats and now have a lot of room. Built a shelf out of 5/8 plywood.

first one work out so well I build a second one. If the spare was still on the tailgate I’d have a lot more storage.

 

[calemasters]

David,

I have not done any camping (wife prefers Embassy Suites), but when I had my 2-door JK Rubicon, we did a trip from L. A. to Colorado where we stayed in Ouray (I know, no Embassy Suites in Ouray) and took Black Bear Pass to Telluride. This was the most beautiful trail we have ever taken. Colorado is beautiful. If you remove the back seat from your 2-door there is more room than you might think. Also, the 2-door is great for when you get to the switchbacks.

As soon as the snow and ice melts in the Rockies, we are doing the trip again. Probably in June when the trails reopen.

 

[dchemphill1]

David,

I have not done any camping (wife prefers Embassy Suites), but when I had my 2-door JK Rubicon, we did a trip from L. A. to Colorado where we stayed in Ouray (I know, no Embassy Suites in Ouray) and took Black Bear Pass to Telluride. This was the most beautiful trail we have ever taken. Colorado is beautiful. If you remove the back seat from your 2-door there is more room than you might think. Also, the 2-door is great for when you get to the switchbacks.

As soon as the snow and ice melts in the Rockies, we are doing the trip again. Probably in June when the trails reopen.

Thanks. We are new to it so hope to do some of the easier rated trails in the Ouray, Silverton, Durango area for several days and then maybe end on the Alpine Loop. Probably be July that we head out to CO.

 

[PA-Punkn]

PA Punkin, what were the measurements for your shelf? Material? I will definitely be taking the seat out. Looking at 7-10 day trip.

Each shelf is 36" wide and 24" deep. The 1st shelf is 15" high off the bottom platform and top shelf is 25" high off platform. The posts are 2x4s and the platorm/shelves are plywood.

You can go wider than 36" but I wanted to leave a little side space for larger items like a rotopax or similar.

 

[Hudson]

I did this trip in my JLR this summer. Get your reservations in early for sites - there are a few in Ouray. You want to have three to four full days to get trails in near Ouray. We averaged 2trails a day, didn’t do black bear.

I installed a Hooke Road shelf rack for the rear (thread) and only a few mods to make it fit a JLR. Weight is your big issue, as the stock Jeep springs suck when fully loaded. I had upgraded lift and springs/shocks. Therefore, resist the urge to pack too much like heavy camp kitchens and mess kits. Buy food and water locally and pack your overnite stuff for easy grab and go.

While a lift wasn’t needed in most parts, it helped on Imogene, as did the lockers. It rains frequently so plan for weather. The rocks on Imogene can get slick.

Bring an air down tool and a compressor. There was air at the gas stops in Telluride and Ouray but several stations had broken air hoses. You’ll want to be aired down on several trails.

A CB and GMRS are helpful as the trail can be backed up and it helps to chat with others.

Make restaurant reservations in Ouray and Telluride early as they fill up quick.

 

[Fatboy97]

I am working on our first trip to Colorado with the Jeep and would love to hear from those that have done off road and camping out of a 2 door? How do you organize your gear? I am not getting a tent for top of jeep. We will ground camp.
Thanks for the tips and hints.

First thing I did was remove the back seat. Installed fishbone Offroad storage cubbies. Purchased a storage rack off Amazon (for either jk or jl 4 door) nothing is made for the 2 door. I had made my own mounts for the rack by using the seatbelt mounts. I also completely removed rear seat belts as they will never be used. After buying a fridge I am now making new mounts that will use the bolt holes in the roll bar where the soft top bolts to. Installed a rear cargo light, used Baja designs rock light with built in switch, ran wire to rear cigarette outlet for power and installed quick disconnect for top removal. There is plenty of room for all my camping needs. No roof top tent for me, climbing into bed is for kids. Planning on getting a teardrop camper in the near future.

 

[Krondor]

Looks like a lot of great recommendations already, but I’d add that the Outback Adventure table for the tailgate comes in handy. Keep things light and secured for the trails.

We plan to be in Ouray again this year with another forum member who lives out there @Blksmth. Fantastic place to explore and completely doable camping out away from the river.

 

[Blksmth]

Looks like a lot of great recommendations already, but I’d add that the Outback Adventure table for the tailgate comes in handy. Keep things light and secured for the trails.

We plan to be in Ouray again this year with another forum member who lives out there @Blksmth. Fantastic place to explore and completely doable camping out away from the river.

Looking forward to it. Heading back out to Moab soon

 

[Kansascoast]

If you’re looking for ideas...here’s what I did. First thing was to add the Springtail folding table. I then made a rear shelf from 1/8” aluminum and covered it in matching carpeting. It works great for adding storage on camping trips and also functions as security with the top off. Here are some pictures and if you want to make one I would be happy to provide a template or further instructions. The hole in the middle is for my cooler. There is a cover for the hole if I don’t want to carry the cooler. Also, the middle section is made to be removable if I don’t need the shelf or need additional height.
I also added a shelf to the table for additional room. The pictures of the table shelf are of the “prototype” so it looks unfinished.
We started out ground camping, but I have since added a RTT and love the added comfort.

 

[Tintin]

Kansascoast Jim - your parcel shelf setup is fantastic. Awesome job.

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