Sponsored

Jamrock

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Aug 14, 2019
Threads
12
Messages
706
Reaction score
801
Location
Jamaica
Vehicle(s)
Suzuki
Thanks for all the great info Ted! Been thinking about getting a camper I could pull behind the Jeep and this was the final piece to make this happen (picking up my E Pro tomorrow). What is your battery setup? Planning to use this camper primarily for long weekends back in the woods (similar to your trip in this thread).
Please post some pictures. I would love to see how it looks inside before any modifications have been made.
Sponsored

 

toddfranc

Member
First Name
Todd
Joined
May 27, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
14
Reaction score
17
Location
Lowell, Michigan
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport
Please post some pictures. I would love to see how it looks inside before any modifications have been made.
Will do! It's not the exact same unit that Ted is using. We're picking up a Flagstaff 14FK. A couple feet longer and has a basic bathroom in it.
 

IdahoJOAT

Well-Known Member
Joined
May 12, 2020
Threads
37
Messages
865
Reaction score
1,001
Location
Caldwell, ID
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLURe Tuscadero, Black '05 Silverado
Vehicle Showcase
2
That's awesome. We were there in July and while it wasn't intended... we were a Firecracker rental going from GR to Lakeview quite a bit... :like:
 
OP
OP
wibornz

wibornz

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ted
Joined
Aug 3, 2018
Threads
157
Messages
9,796
Reaction score
49,913
Location
lansing, Mi.
Vehicle(s)
JL Unlimited Rubicon
Occupation
Retired from Corrections....I have stories.
Thanks for all the great info Ted! Been thinking about getting a camper I could pull behind the Jeep and this was the final piece to make this happen (picking up my E Pro tomorrow). What is your battery setup? Planning to use this camper primarily for long weekends back in the woods (similar to your trip in this thread).
I have dual deep cycle Interstate batteries. they work fine for a weekend or up to a week for running lights, radio and such. If you use them to brew coffee, with the inverter..... well expect about 5 pots of coffee before they will not provide enough power to run the coffee maker.

I am getting ready to change to the lithium ion battery 200 ah soon. To expand my battery capacity and lose some weight in the process. I also hook solar up to charge the batteries at times.

Primary use the Jackery to brew coffee anyways.
 
OP
OP
wibornz

wibornz

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ted
Joined
Aug 3, 2018
Threads
157
Messages
9,796
Reaction score
49,913
Location
lansing, Mi.
Vehicle(s)
JL Unlimited Rubicon
Occupation
Retired from Corrections....I have stories.
Also if the battery disconnect is difficult to turn off because of the spare tire, just lower the spare tire and push it back some and retighten it so that it is not in the way.
 

Sponsored

toddfranc

Member
First Name
Todd
Joined
May 27, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
14
Reaction score
17
Location
Lowell, Michigan
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Wrangler JL Sport
I have dual deep cycle Interstate batteries. they work fine for a weekend or up to a week for running lights, radio and such. If you use them to brew coffee, with the inverter..... well expect about 5 pots of coffee before they will not provide enough power to run the coffee maker.

I am getting ready to change to the lithium ion battery 200 ah soon. To expand my battery capacity and lose some weight in the process. I also hook solar up to charge the batteries at times.

Primary use the Jackery to brew coffee anyways.
Thanks, Ted! Coffee is a requirement (at least if I want to keep my wife from divorcing me), so good advice. Planning a trip up to Two Hearted River in November, so figure we'll find a campground for this trip to practice boondocking, but have the ability to hook-up if needed.
 

Beetle Bailey

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Aug 31, 2018
Threads
31
Messages
162
Reaction score
155
Location
SoCal - Orange County
Vehicle(s)
2019 JLUR, HD Dyna, HD Softail
So I spend time looking for cool places to camp. I use Gaia and look specifically for trails that end at a river, or a lake. I look for places that are accessible by only one trail. and dead end at said lake or river. So I was following the coast of Lake Michigan in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and found a spot that I though warranted driving for 6+ hours to get to. We were going to go to Drummond Island, with a group of our friends. 4 of them came down with covid, (they are all good now and are over it. two were un-vaccinated, two were vaccinated) Another couple had the front axle seals go out in there JKUR so they and their two friends were out. With our group down from 12 people to 4 people and only two Jeeps, it was the perfect time to go look for that spot. So last week on Wednesday we loaded up and took off.

There was an added bonus. My bud Bill that if you follow any of my other Jeep traveling post you will know as the driver of the Punk'N JLUR brought his girlfriend with him..... I know it doesn't sound like a big deal, but I have known Bill for almost 30 years, He was divorced about 15 years ago and while he has had some fuck buddies, and girls that he would hang out with, this is the first time we have ever met one of the girls and this is the first one that he has ever called a girlfriend.

SO we left the Lansing area and headed north. We stopped off at a small lake up by Grayling for the first night of camping as we got a late start. Wanted to have time to enjoy the camping and cook a good meal.

Get there just in time to catch sun set through the trees.
1629890256663.png


In the morning we are greeted by some fog over the lake and it made for a pleasant morning.
1629890345316.png


1629890746175.png


1629890393079.png


Off we go to the UP of Michigan crossing the Mighty Mac

1629890779315.png


We stop along the trail for lunch on the hood of JLUR. Is there a better way to have lunch then on the hood of JLUR along side a trail while in the shade about 40 yards from the shore of Lake Michigan?
1629890601531.png


1629890659869.png


So we start scoping out scoping out some of the places that I though looked like a great place to camp. My first choice was open, It is about 10 miles by trail off the main road. Back in the woods of the UP with no one around..... No one.

This is our first look at it.
1629891092596.png


Yes that is the shore of Lake Michigan in the background. We are right on the lake just in the woods and out of the wind. There are zero bugs. Winning we are.

The water is beautiful and there are rocks sticking out of the water. Note the T-shirt says it all.
1629891463903.png


1629891540369.png


I think it was a trap.
1629891585232.png


Set up camp and start cooking. The dinner meal is shredded beef and shrimp tacos with cheese, onion and mushrooms topped with Chipotle sauce.
1629891785911.png


My wife baked, yes baked a pineapple upside down cake at camp. The smell was incredible, as I slide my Glock onto my waist. There is a lot of bear and cougar activity in the area.
1629891996781.png


It was incredible and even more so as it was baked while we were camping on the shore of Lake Michigan. This is living. We were all excited to try it and it was amazing. It was a wonder that I was able to get a picture before they cut into it.
1629892116996.png


After dinner, I flew the drone and we took a walk on the beach to burn off some of the calories from dinner. It was so nice to finally meet Bill's official girlfriend. She fit in well, she loves drag racing, Jeeping (she owns a 2019 white JLUR) and loves to camp plus she is low drama. So big win for all of us.
1629892373364.png


1629914972733.png


We watched the moon come up through the trees.
1629915049848.png


Then stepped out to watch the moon rise over the lake.
1629915087178.png


The next morning we headed out to run trails for about 6 hours.
1629915207123.png


1629915298279.png


1629915353817.png


Found another cool camping spot on a inland lake. It was big enough to fit abut 10 to 15 campers on the site. Had a nice fire ring, good view of the lake and a rock to flex on.
1629915447768.png


1629915517178.png


The trails were easy for the most part, just trails through the woods. There was some mud here and there, but mainly just a relaxing trail run with good sights along the Lake and in the woods.
1629915639726.png


1629915723831.png


This would be another sweet camp site next to an inland lake too.
1629915786970.png


A few more drone shots from our main camp spot.
1629915957158.png


1629915977768.png


You can see the camp spot with the Jeeps at the bottom of the pic and the shore of Lake Michigan at the top of the pic.
1629916020611.png


1629916060482.png


1629916094979.png


1629916118052.png


1629916136699.png


1629916187443.png


1629916220866.png


We walked out on the sand bar. It is nice not having to worry about sharks and having fresh water.
1629916274971.png


1629916329717.png


As the light faded behind the trees.
1629916398918.png


Up early and caught these shots.
1629916481516.png


1629916550275.png


1629916599855.png


After sunrise, we hiked about 2 miles north on the beach to the mouth of a river that spilled into Lake Michigan. We were told that it was common to eagles catching fish there in the morning.

Sadly there were no eagles, but we saw many signs of bear and cougars.
1629916967013.png


1629917012105.png


1629917064290.png


apparently bears also shit on the beach. This is about 100 yards from our camp.
1629917131547.png


1629917203061.png


We did head out and do run some trails at night.
1629917276598.png


The moon on Friday
night was bright coming through the trees.
1629917336402.png


Saturday we broke camp and headed back to the lower peninsula to one of my other favorite camp spots.
1629917462596.png


I was up early, cut some more wood, built a fire before the rest of the crew got up. Of course I put coffee on even before you ask. Duh...
1629917545846.png


1629917590405.png


She looks innocent and sweet, but she will full send your Jeep and twist axle shaft, jump the Jeep, get it suck in the mud and dam near flip it over backwards. I would suggest you NOT let her drive your Jeep. She drives mine and it cost me and it makes me have to wash it often. Just saying.
1629917752194.png


Breakfast at camp, we are roughing if. Eggs, cheese, bacon, sausage, sour cream, tomatoes and onions with flat bread, or a croissant. Then of course my wife baked up some raspberry type breakfast pastry.
1629917898952.png


1629918009971.png


Then back to reality Sunday as we packed up and headed home. We were home just long enough to drop the camper and then meet up with our local Jeep peeps for some ice cream.
1629918120679.png


It was a nice way to end 5 days of camping.
You are really spoiled!!
 
 



Top