Looking for kit recommendations for weekend trips in the JLU

[rcadden]

My previous vehicle was an '07 GMC Sierra, so I never paid any mind to weight or size with my camping gear - just kept it all in 3 plastic totes that I could toss into the bed of the truck when we wanted to go camping.

Fast forward to today, and I'm in a JLU which has ... significantly less space. Plus all my gear is old anyways, so I'm working on putting together a new kit, and looking for recommendations.

Considerations:

• Need to be able to fully pack in/pack out using only the cargo area of the Jeep. While they won't be on every trip, I do have two daughters, so assume the seats can't be folded.
• We camp *maybe* 2-3 times a year. While I certainly want quality stuff, I'm more specifically looking for the best balance of cost and quality. I'd like it to last at least 5 years, but don't necessarily need "the last _____ you'll ever buy".
• Assume no running water, but only going for weekends. I'm not building a two-weeks-at-a-time overlanding rig. For instance, I don't need a built-in fridge (but do need a good cooler that'll fit the back of the Jeep)
• Jeep is my daily driver, so this all needs to be removable / able to be loaded just for the weekend and then stored in the garage when not in use.
• I *do* have a roof rack and a basket, so I *can* put stuff up there, but would rather not rely on that 100%.
• I need to sleep 2 adults and 2 teenagers

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[Matanzas]

Do you have a hitch? Then you could put the cooler/ bins in a hitch basket.

 

[GATORB8]

You staying relatively close? For tents, the Gazelle stuff is awesome, but it is BIG, as in strap it to the rack big. A little on the pricy side, but I promise it's so easy to use it's worth it. As long as you are staying close, I think you could get away with strapping them to the roof, especially in their upgraded "overland" bags.

We have a set of rubbermaid style bins that fit together and take up most of the area in the back. We load those first, and you can leave (or selectively remove) them in the jeep. Soft goods on top of those. We use those for clothes on our long distance trips. But before the trailer, we'd have a stack of shallowish ones on one side, and single big deep one on the other.

 

[ColonelSanders]

I also downsized from a truck and had to really go through my gear. First I removed dumb extras like the Dutch oven, then considered smaller versions of old equipment.. bye bye Coleman lantern. Removed a bunch of extras so only service for 4 and no redundant equipment. I have stacking cook pots with nesting bowls and mugs made for backpacking. You could get a bag like a trasharoo for your spare and use it for light bulky things but lose the backup cam while camping.

 

[rcadden]

I also downsized from a truck and had to really go through my gear. First I removed dumb extras like the Dutch oven, then considered smaller versions of old equipment.. bye bye Coleman lantern. Removed a bunch of extras so only service for 4 and no redundant equipment. I have stacking cook pots with nesting bowls and mugs made for backpacking. You could get a bag like a trasharoo for your spare and use it for light bulky things but lose the backup cam while camping.

Yes exactly. The new Coleman/Camp Chef stoves are half as tall. I have a nesting set of Stanley pots and a 4-place-setting kit in my Amazon cart. That's precisely what I'm after - what's good and compact.

 

[Remorseless]

So, been a while since I camped - and sadly not with the JL yet, but in my 2 door JK I camped fairly often and with the seat removed it's not horribly different from a 4 door in terms of space. I carried a 4 man Eureka outfitter tent, two cots that fold up inside a bag like a camp chair, two camp chairs, firewood, pack w/clothes and such, an Igloo Yukon 70 quart cooler (I think it's that anyway), and odds and ends for cooking. You can fit a lot more back there than you think if you use the vertical space well.

 

[AcesandEights]

Maybe try 3 plastic totes, that you can toss into the back of the Jeep?

 

[rcadden]

So, been a while since I camped - and sadly not with the JL yet, but in my 2 door JK I camped fairly often and with the seat removed it's not horribly different from a 4 door in terms of space. I carried a 4 man Eureka outfitter tent, two cots that fold up inside a bag like a camp chair, two camp chairs, firewood, pack w/clothes and such, an Igloo Yukon 70 quart cooler (I think it's that anyway), and odds and ends for cooking. You can fit a lot more back there than you think if you use the vertical space well.

Yeah those little camp chairs that fold up small are on the list. Done with the $5 crapchairs from Academy.

 

[Remorseless]

Yeah those little camp chairs that fold up small are on the list. Done with the $5 crapchairs from Academy.

Honestly, we didn't even go with small ones. These guys are what we got and they've held up spectacularly: Amazon.com : ALPS Mountaineering King Kong Camping Chairs for Adults with Mesh Cup Holders and Pockets, Built Durable and Reliable with Compact Foldable Steel Frame, Cactus W/Mesh : Sports & Outdoors

 

[GATORB8]

Yeah those little camp chairs that fold up small are on the list. Done with the $5 crapchairs from Academy.

Not super comfortable, but we have Cliq Chairs that we always carry in the Jeep. They even fit under the floor.

 

[Wbino]

Take a ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway and stay in Roanoke @ The Roanoke Hotel skip the camping. lol

 

[rcadden]

Not super comfortable, but we have Cliq Chairs that we always carry in the Jeep. They even fit under the floor.

Yeah I've basically been looking at Cliq chair knock-off's on Amazon.

 

[Only-In-A-Jeep]

I would recommend the Devos Light Ranger for camp lighting. Packs down small and throws a lot of dispersed light. I have the 1200 but they just came out with the 2000. Small package...lot of light. I don't carry the Coleman lantern anymore. I have a small Coleman light for in the tent.

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