Jeep Launches Wrangler-Inspired Off-Road Camper Trailers

BigDaveZJ

Adventurer
This is one of those posts that will probably get me in trouble again...

I find it interesting that so many people see an upside to major manufactures and increasing numbers of businesses focusing attention on this 'overland' segment of the market place. Sure, the upside is a larger spectrum of products for consumers and competitive innovation. But there is a huge downside with growth in this activity...increased pressure on shrinking resources. Look at the damage caused by the massive surge in ATV and dirtbike ownership in the past decade and public land agencies response to that phenomena. What do you suppose the effects of a similar growth in 4wd recreation will be?

Personally, I think things are great the way they are. I hope overlanding gets largely ignored by the mainstream. I hope the specialty retailers around it remain as boutique specialists with good customer service. I mean, how much more innovation do we really need in this market segment? Seriously, there are people here with AC in thier tents and frosted mugs in freezer.

All of the overland enthusiasts I meet and read on the forum covet the backroad campsite, far from the bustle of campgrounds and national parks. If more and more people start enjoying this activity, there will be fewer and fewer places you can go. I can even see a future where increased usage of the technical backroads many here enjoy becoming maintained, graded, or even paved <gasp> Sure, it sounds far fetched, but this is already happening all over Arizona. Don't get me wrong, I wish the best for all of our forum sponsors, Overland Journal, and the working folks behind it all...just realize there is always an unintended consequence to growth in this market.


I was thinking the same thing, but was having troubles conveying it as "politely" as you did. I do this stuff to get AWAY from the majority of society.
 

TOTJ

Adventurer
Here is a manufacturer that has almost entirely lost its way and yet they try what amounts to little more than publicity stunts to bring back their glory days. A trailer...really? And on extremely overpriced, marginal one at that? Come on guys...Listen to your customers!
Folks have been begging and pleading for a Diesel. Or a JK that has some more oomph...?..

You do know that Jeep was the only brand that made Crysler money and that they have sold more JK's per year then any other model year and what other vehicle can you buy that is as ready out of the box as a jeep.
Why do you need more power. I have never NEEDED more power in my 03 Rubicon. Sure it would be fun. I have driven a Hemi TJ fron AEV but do I need it? No. (Better milage is another story) I remember when jeep came out with the rubicon, the same was said about it. "You can build it for less and etc". I do agree that I dont think they will sell many but like any other Mopar part it will get your new car warrenty so for some that is good thing.
 

boknows

Adventurer

Why do you need more power. I have never NEEDED more power in my 03 Rubicon. COLOR]


Being purely objective here, if one can be that has owned three wranglers. I have a 97 TJ on 35's that pulls a trailer...I have enough power. I also have a 2009 four door JK stock configuration (rubi, higher gearset) and its engine is so weak I actually dislike driving it when there are hills.
Huge difference between your TJ and a JK.
 

TOTJ

Adventurer
Being purely objective here, if one can be that has owned three wranglers. I have a 97 TJ on 35's that pulls a trailer...I have enough power. I also have a 2009 four door JK stock configuration (rubi, higher gearset) and its engine is so weak I actually dislike driving it when there are hills.
Huge difference between your TJ and a JK.

I have driven A jk 4 door woith all the steel plating under it, bumpers, winch,
35" tire on rock monster beadlocks regeared to 4:88s and I have been off road with it, around town and the freeways. I thought it was fine.
Yea it likes to have the revs a little higher then my jeep but all in all
It had what it needed and also it gets slightly better milage then my Rubicons
12mpg.
This is a picture of the jeep I drove around. Just the tires and wheels were
145lbs each
2109437846_8600752ab8.jpg
 

boknows

Adventurer
.......and my opinion is worth exactly what you paid for it, Sir:bike_rider: I loved the idea of a JK and I agree with you on the wrangler product line carrying Chrysler sales. Unfortunately, I believe in the latter years (2008-9) Chrysler lost sight of quality and it is reflected in their vehicles. When they decide to give an option for an engine upgrade and lose that horrible soft plastic interior I will consider another. I am sure there are many die hard JKs fans that will argue the point, not trying to stir the pot. However, after 18 months driving mine, it will officially be up for sale next week. Want mine?
 

jeepfreak81

Adventurer
Being purely objective here, if one can be that has owned three wranglers. I have a 97 TJ on 35's that pulls a trailer...I have enough power. I also have a 2009 four door JK stock configuration (rubi, higher gearset) and its engine is so weak I actually dislike driving it when there are hills.
Huge difference between your TJ and a JK.

I have a 46' Willys with a Buick V6

I had a 94 Wrangler with a 4 cyl

I have a 1994 Wrangler with a mild 355

Last year I had a '09 Rubi 2 door , and our company also had an '08 4 door Sahara.

I think I would rather have driven my 4 cyl YJ more then either of the JK's - other then creature comforts. I hated that engine and computer programming. Slow to rev, slow to drop the revs (programmed that way for emissions)

The Willy's is probably the most fun, but least comfortable. My 355 YJ has always been my favorite, but the mileage sucks.

As much as I don't like it the Jeeps are going more upscale so they can justify the production and get more buyers. I just wish they offered the "stripper" concept they have out. I want little to no options, and a bigger engine in a JK.


That said, I hope they sell a crap ton of the trailers, and the 'yuppie' people buy them, find out it's not for them, and then sell them to guys like us cheap to mod out the way we want :victory:
 

ECVMatt

Observer
I think some folks forget that not everyone is a mechanic, welder, fabricator, etc..some folks just want to drive. My dad bought a 4 door JK Rubicon and loves it. He is 73 and really wanted a jeep to drive in the desert. He bought the Rubicon and has never looked back. It has taken him all over Death Valley, Mojave, Sierras, and where ever else he wants to go. I works great. He does not drive over boulders or through mud pits, but does hit every road out there and has never been stuck. He keeps it extremely clean (He was a Life Guard/ Fire Dept Chief) and has a ball. I remember one time we were getting groceries and a hardcore jeep guy made some comment about him buying a yuppie jeep and it never leaving the highway. He just commented that he liked to keep is stuff clean and walked off. That guy had no idea where he has been.

If Jeep put out a trailer, then good for them. If it gets more people out there then it could be good or bad, but at least it would be one more voice to support our activities. I kind of see it as if you like it, get it, if you don't leave it alone.

Personally I have a Horizon and it has been great. I bought it a few years ago and don't think I would be able to afford one now. I think the Jeep trailer might be a nice mid level option for some.

This is America, we are allowed to choose what we buy.
 

JIMBO

Expedition Leader
:sombrero: Man, I thought it was my son Matt !!


I think some folks forget that not everyone is a mechanic, welder, fabricator, etc..some folks just want to drive. My dad bought a 4 door JK Rubicon and loves it. He is 73 and really wanted a jeep to drive in the desert. He bought the Rubicon and has never looked back. It has taken him all over Death Valley, Mojave, Sierras, and where ever else he wants to go. I works great. He does not drive over boulders or through mud pits, but does hit every road out there and has never been stuck. He keeps it extremely clean (He was a Life Guard/ Fire Dept Chief) and has a ball. I remember one time we were getting groceries and a hardcore jeep guy made some comment about him buying a yuppie jeep and it never leaving the highway. He just commented that he liked to keep is stuff clean and walked off. That guy had no idea where he has been.

If Jeep put out a trailer, then good for them. If it gets more people out there then it could be good or bad, but at least it would be one more voice to support our activities. I kind of see it as if you like it, get it, if you don't leave it alone.

Personally I have a Horizon and it has been great. I bought it a few years ago and don't think I would be able to afford one now. I think the Jeep trailer might be a nice mid level option for some.

This is America, we are allowed to choose what we buy.

I'm not quite 73, but not far and I bought a new ('08) JKU Rubi and I keepit kinda clean

This summer

025.jpg


After last winter

PICT0241.jpg


Ya gotta stay kewl around youngus with old jeeps

:costumed-smiley-007:wings: JIMBO
 

cnskate

Adventurer
I'm guessing that trailer is just a small marketing move on Jeep's part. They probably won't sell that many, or care if they sell that many, but they want to push the outdoor camping adventure "lifestyle" as being associated with Jeeps. Most of the millions of people who have bought an SUV thought, erroneously, that they're new car would lead to a life of more adventure. Basically, they just want to sell more Jeeps to people who want to be as cool as Expo members:sombrero: Anyways, I think that camper one looks perfect for my family, maybe not the supsension, though. No way I would drop $12K for it, though.
 

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