Interested in building a Jeep Gladiator Overland build? In this article, we will go through various Jeep Gladiator camping set-up options, Jeep Gladiator camping gears, various camping builds, and answers to some frequently asked questions.
The Jeep Gladiator is one of the best Jeeps built for off-roading and Overlanding, it also has features such as a bed rack, and it’s big enough to suit a Jeep Overlanding requirement.
Related Post: What is Jeep Overlanding?
Thanks to the Jeep Gladiator’s four-wheel drive capabilities, High ground clearance and big tires and suspension system, a bed and racks mounting options, the Jeep Gladiator has lots of storage spaces to pack and go off-roading in your favorite Jeep Trails, and camp for several days.
If you are ready to build your Jeep Gladiator for Overlanding, then you have come to the best site full of Jeep builds, and Jeep accessories and parts that will guide you on your Jeep Gladiator build.
We have been building Jeeps, and using them for camping, off-roading, and Overlanding, and have tried various camping set-ups you can imagine.
So, Let’s dive in!
Jeep Gladiator Camping Options
There are four main Jeep Gladiator options you can consider for your Jeep Gladiator Overland build, but we will also highlight some of the less common camping set-ups for you to consider:
Jeep Gladiator Bed Tent
One of the most common Jeep Gladiator Camping options Jeep Gladiators consider is a Jeep Gladiator bed tent, it’s one of the simplest camping options and you just buy an already-built bed tent and mount it on your Jeep Gladiator truck bed.
The Jeep Gladiator truck bed is big enough to sleep directly, and a Jeep Gladiator is one of the cheapest and easy set-up camping options you can consider for your Jeep Gladiator Overland build.
One thing to understand about a Jeep Gladiator bed tent is that it occupies all your truck bed and minimizes the storage you require for storing your camping gear, we don’t recommend a truck bed tent for a Jeep Gladiator if you have lots of camping gear or if you are building a Jeep Gladiator Overland build to live in or camp for many days as you will likely lack the storage needed to pack all the camping gears you will need in your Jeep expedition.
Jeep Gladiator rooftop tent.
We recommend considering a Jeep Gladiator rooftop tent if you are into serious off-roading and Overlanding, you will need to install a roof rack and a Jeep Gladiator bed rack to fit a rooftop tent.
The installation costs are a bit high as you will need the roof rack, bed rack, and a rooftop tent, however unlike the bed rack tent the roof rack tent allows you to make use of the bed rack and the bed rack storage option that you can mount your Jeep recovery gears, Jeep gas cans, and Jeep storage boxes.
The benefits of adding a Jeep Gladiator rooftop tent are that you will get a benefit of a built-in mattress and the ease of setting up a Jeep Gladiator rooftop tent. Unlike the bed tent, a rooftop tent will also give you the added advantage of using the truck bed for additional storage.
One of the best rooftop tents we recommend is the Raptor Roof Top Tent.
You can also use the Jeep Gladiator roof rack to add a 270-degree awning, that will make sure you have additional shade for camping and relaxing while Overlanding. The 270 awnings can fit perfectly alongside the Jeep Gladiator rooftop tent, and no additional accessories are required.
Jeep Gladiator Camper Shell.
A Jeep Gladiator is also a good consideration for your Jeep Gladiator Overland Build, its benefits include being a low-cost option and easy set-up options for Jeep Gladiator camping.
We recommend a Jeep Gladiator Camper shell for occasional Overlanders because of the easy removal and conversion of the Overland Jeep Gladiator to a regular truck when the Camper shell is not needed.
A Jeep Gladiator camper shell makes a comfortable camping option, where you can throw in a mattress and a pillow and throw totes on top of the mattress for comfortable sleeping. The camper shell is mounted on top of your roof rack or bed rack so it doesn’t take out your Jeep Gladiator truck bed that you can use to store your camping gear.
All things have their advantages and disadvantages, and one of the disadvantages of a camper shell is that most people report their camper shells leak when it rains, so you will need to make sure you buy the right camper shell with waterproof features, and also make sure you have done some extra work to make sure your camper shell is waterproof.
Jeep Gladiator Truck Bed Camper.
If you are not tight on budget, you can consider a Jeep Gladiator truck bed camper, a truck bed camper is one of the most expensive camping options for a Jeep Gladiator, however, the more expensive the camper option the more features and amenities it offers that adds to the comfort that other camping options don’t offer.
If you are into serious Overlanding and want to live in your Jeep Gladiator for several days, a Jeep Gladiator truck bed camper is the best option, it comes with additional amenities such as kitchen sinks, water storage options, electricity, and the most important feature a bathroom.
This doesn’t mean you can’t have these features on other Jeep Gladiator Camping options, it just means that they are integrated into the camper and make it easier to include all the features you will need in your Jeep Overland build without the hustle of buying various manufacturers items and having them installed on your Jeep Gladiator Overland Build.
Jeep Gladiator Trailer.
We love the idea of integrating a trailer camper in your Jeep Gladiator build, while this is not a Jeep Gladiator truck bed camper, it’s one of the best ways to maximize the use of your Jeep Gladiator Capabilities. A Jeep Gladiator is strong enough to pull a t4railer off-road, for these reasons you need to build a Jeep trailer or buy an already-made Jeep trailer that has off-road capabilities.
Buying an already-built OR building your own Jeep Gladiator trailer is one of the expensive options, however, you will have additional storage for your other camping gear such as storage boxes, recovery gear, tents, etc.
One of the appeals of a Jeep Gladiator pull-behind trailer is the fact that it’s Overlanding beginner friendly and can be used by occasional Overlanders for a more extensive Overland expedition.
Jeep Gladiator Camping Gears and accessories.
When building your Jeep Gladiator Build, you will need to first understand the essentials of Overlanding in your Jeep Gladiator, while you may need all the latest camping gear, you only need essentials to go camping in a Jeep Gladiator.
Some of the essential Jeep Gladiator camping gear include:
- For a comfortable mattress, we recommend an air mattress as you will be able to fit it perfectly in your truck bed, and tent.
- You will also need a sleeping bag, and some pillows to add some security and comfort, some sleeping bags particularly those made for Overlanders have temperature control and are useful when camping in winter and in the summer.
- You will also need water storage options for your Jeep Gladiator to build, the water is used for cooking, drinking, washing utensils, and general hygiene.
- You will also need to find an Overland 12 Volts fridge or cooler to keep your food fresh and beverages cold.
- A tent fan is one of the essentials we recommend adding to your Jeep Gladiator Overland build, you can install the tent fan in the tent or the trailer.
- We also recommend knowing what recovery gears you will need and where to store them, recovery gears such as HI Lift and shovels can be mounted on the sidewalls of your Jeep Gladiator bed rack, so you will need to buy a bed rack that has sidewalls with mounting options.
- For additional fuel storage, we recommend investing in some Jeep gas cans, that will enable you to go camping for several days without visiting a gas station.
- You will also need a portable Kitchen to cook your meals, if you don’t invest in a portable kitchen, you will only eat dry food when camping, or have limited camping options because you will need fresh food from restaurants or camping shops.
- Investing in some kitchenware is beneficial for Overland cooking, we recommend having an Overland Kitchen with the necessary kitchenware you might need such as mugs, plates, Cutlery, knives, etc.
Highlighted above are some of the essential Jeep Gladiator camping gears and accessories you need to add to your Jeep Gladiator Overland build, building a Jeep Gladiator Overland is an expensive build, but once it is done you will have much fun traveling with your self-reliant Jeep Gladiator.
We recommend looking at our list of the best Jeep storage boxes, to store essential gear, and protect them when traveling, and for pretty storage management.
Final Thoughts
The Jeep Gladiator is one of the best Jeep models to build a Jeep Camper, its one of the best Jeeps with features and space to do anything you would like, and its high ground clearance, and large storage spaces make it a good candidate to build a Jeep Gladiator Overland build.
You can choose to sleep in an old-school ground tent while camping with a Jeep Gladiator, but nothing beats adding rooftop tents, bed rack tents, camper shells, or towing a trailer as your Jeep Gladiator camper.
If you want to learn more about Jeep Camping, check out our Jeep guides, Jeep accessories, and Jeep parts section, you will find more posts like this that will get you started in building your Jeep Gladiator Overlanding built and begin adventuring in your favorite camping locations.
Jeep Gladiator Related Posts:
- Jeep Gladiator 37-inch tires for off-roading and Overlanding
- Jeep Gladiator Camper Setups Options
- 5 Best Jeep Gladiator Bed Racks
- Jeep Camping Guide and Gears
- Best Jeep storage box
- Best Jeep awning for Overlanding & Camping
- Best Jeep Gas Cans for off-roading and Overlanding
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you camp in a Jeep Gladiator?
Yes! The Jeep Gladiator is one of the best Jeep models to go camping with, you can sleep in a camping tent, a rooftop tent, a trailer, or a bed rack tent, and add a mattress to sleep on.
The Jeep Gladiator has ample storage to store your camping gear and accessories, adding additional camping gear to your Jeep Gladiator will add the comfort of camping in a Jeep Gladiator.
Can you use a Jeep Gladiator as a Camper?
You can use a Jeep Gladiator as a camper by installing a camping tent, you can check out our article on building a Jeep Gladiator build for many options to use a Jeep Gladiator as a Camper.
About the Author: James Ndungu
James Ndungu is a seasoned automotive professional with a deep passion for Jeeps. With 40 years of experience in owning, testing, and reviewing various Jeep models, James has gained extensive first-hand knowledge and expertise. He shares his insights, tips, and advice through his engaging writing, helping fellow Jeep enthusiasts navigate the exciting world of Jeeps.
Last update on 2024-12-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
