Northern MI Cucklyfe: Floating Garage Edition

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Towed the glamper with the Gladiator ~200 miles round trip this weekend. Towed fantastic. My biggest complaint with the ZR2 was the transmission...100% better in the Gladiator. So eager to downshift, makes towing way easier. My earlier observation of less feeling of tongue weight was really apparent. Over bumps and whatnot, could barely feel the trailer back there. Wheelbase is so nice for towing. 5/7

Power was lacking, but no worse than the ZR2. With the transmission so good, it never really felt all too labored.

Brakes are strong AF...I couldn't believe how well it stopped without trailer brakes. So much so, that I'm returning the trailer brake controller I bought. No need for it on my trailer.

This was also our first camping trip with the Gladiator...what works great for camping:

The USB ports in the rear of the console are powered 100% of the time. Makes charging phones, BT speakers, headlamps, etc so much easier. In my Colorado, those ports were only on when the key was on, which always made me nervous that I'd drain the battery.

The tonneau cover opening without opening the tailgate is awesome. We picked up a load of firewood on the way, loaded it right against the tailgate. Then got a bag of ice for the drink cooler. I opened the tonneau and filled the cooler with ice without dropping the tailgate. Why is this awesome? Because if I had to open the tailgate, a number of pieced of wood would have fallen out. Been there done that with the Colorado.

The rear bed light that comes on with the interior lights is 5/7 for grabbing things in the bed in the dark. The bed lights in my Colorado had to be turned on with a button in the cab, so I pretty much never used them

Other observations:

People are still by the truck, especially in the middle of nowhere...

We were hanging out yesterday morning making breakfast and a ranger drove by. SLAMMED on the brakes after driving by our site. Dude walks over and says "doing random checks for state park stickers". OK, bro...I told him to check the windshield, I've got my sticker current. He glances at the windshield then goes 100% into "I've never seen one of these IRL". He's asking about the tires, suspension, the bed, the top, etc...he was there for an easy 10 minutes as I explained the truck to him. He loved it, even when I told him the price he said to which I asked him if the state park service is hiring rangers.

The area we were in is a really popular "color drive" (aka drive twisty roads and look at dying leaves) destination. Hell, MI (yes, actually exists) is a popular place to stop. It's super kitchy with a few bars to check out, so we went there to grab supplies and happened upon some Subaru vape bros having a "meet" in a park. I couldn't find a parking spot outside of their meet, so I just parked with them ZFG. Came back to 5 dudes standing around the truck...again asking about the shocks "those Fox shocks can't be stock" to "what part of the top comes off?" Showed them and they were pretty

It's incredible how many people love that truck.

That is fun and awesome.

Have you ever posted pics of the Glamper? Curious to see it.

I think I've posted a few. TBH, I don't have many. When I get to the camp site, my phone is turned off and locked in the glovebox until we leave. I should have taken some this weekend, I WILL next weekend for you guys.

[CorvetteWaxer]

That is fun and awesome.

Have you ever posted pics of the Glamper? Curious to see it.

I think I've posted a few. TBH, I don't have many. When I get to the camp site, my phone is turned off and locked in the glovebox until we leave. I should have taken some this weekend, I WILL next weekend for you guys.

What are the details on it?

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Here's one from earlier in the season.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

I think I've posted a few. TBH, I don't have many. When I get to the camp site, my phone is turned off and locked in the glovebox until we leave. I should have taken some this weekend, I WILL next weekend for you guys.

What are the details on it?

2006 Fleetwood Sea Pine pop up

Box is 12' long, has a king size bed in front, queen size in the rear.

Sea Pine was the bigger entry level popup, but ours somehow got every option other than AC. Furnace, hot water heater, 2 burner stove, outside shower.

I didn't want AC because we never ever camp where there's plug-ins. I wanted a camper that's self-sustaining which ours is completely.

Only complaint with it is setup time...but I love how easy it is to tow, so that's just what comes with the territory.

[max225]

Here's one from earlier in the season.

That rug !

Glad you’re having a good time it’s great to
Disconnect from the hustle and bustle

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Here's one from earlier in the season.

That rug !

Glad you’re having a good time it’s great to
Disconnect from the hustle and bustle

That rug is an outdoors rug designed for use with campers like that. It's all plastic and really easy to clean, but it was about to rain in this photo, so I didn't bother sweeping it. That's also why the awning was tilted a bit to encourage water to run off the lower side.

Going out in this stupid glamper is all I want to do. I desperately need that reset. So sad that next weekend is our last trip for the season.

[max225]

That rug !

Glad you’re having a good time it’s great to
Disconnect from the hustle and bustle

That rug is an outdoors rug designed for use with campers like that. It's all plastic and really easy to clean, but it was about to rain in this photo, so I didn't bother sweeping it. That's also why the awning was tilted a bit to encourage water to run off the lower side.

Going out in this stupid glamper is all I want to do. I desperately need that reset. So sad that next weekend is our last trip for the season.

BTW how long does it take to set up the camper thingy ? start to finish from parking to rug ready?

[ChrisoftheNorth]

That rug is an outdoors rug designed for use with campers like that. It's all plastic and really easy to clean, but it was about to rain in this photo, so I didn't bother sweeping it. That's also why the awning was tilted a bit to encourage water to run off the lower side.

Going out in this stupid glamper is all I want to do. I desperately need that reset. So sad that next weekend is our last trip for the season.

BTW how long does it take to set up the camper thingy ? start to finish from parking to rug ready?

~20 min.

Process:
1.) Back camper onto most level ground at site
2.) Level side to side with blocks, chock wheels (put blocks down and back/pull camper on top of them then chock wheels when level)
3.) Disconnect camper from truck
4.) Level front-to-back with trailer tongue jack
5.) Unlatch top (x4)
6.) Open outer door, remove rug and put down
7.) Lower stabilizers at all 4 corners (these go over the rug on the entry side)
8.) Unzip awning and let it fall down
9.) Pop up camper top with crank
10.) Pull out bed slides (x2)
11.) Stabilize bed slides with supports (x2 per side)
12.) Tie bed slide canvas on bottom (x2)
13.) Add poles to awning, erect, and tie down
14.) Release door from ceiling and install
15.) Flip up galley
16.) Switch on water pump
17.) Switch on propane
18.) Light water heater
19.) Light fridge (if needed)
20.)

[max225]

BTW how long does it take to set up the camper thingy ? start to finish from parking to rug ready?

~20 min.

Process:
1.) Back camper onto most level ground at site
2.) Level side to side with blocks, chock wheels (put blocks down and back/pull camper on top of them then chock wheels when level)
3.) Disconnect camper from truck
4.) Level front-to-back with trailer tongue jack
5.) Unlatch top (x4)
6.) Open outer door, remove rug and put down
7.) Lower stabilizers at all 4 corners (these go over the rug on the entry side)
8.) Unzip awning and let it fall down
9.) Pop up camper top with crank
10.) Pull out bed slides (x2)
11.) Stabilize bed slides with supports (x2 per side)
12.) Tie bed slide canvas on bottom (x2)
13.) Add poles to awning, erect, and tie down
14.) Release door from ceiling and install
15.) Flip up galley
16.) Switch on water pump
17.) Switch on propane
18.) Light water heater
19.) Light fridge (if needed)
20.)

Water heater? For showering?

Very I am a bit trailer curious.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

~20 min.

Process:
1.) Back camper onto most level ground at site
2.) Level side to side with blocks, chock wheels (put blocks down and back/pull camper on top of them then chock wheels when level)
3.) Disconnect camper from truck
4.) Level front-to-back with trailer tongue jack
5.) Unlatch top (x4)
6.) Open outer door, remove rug and put down
7.) Lower stabilizers at all 4 corners (these go over the rug on the entry side)
8.) Unzip awning and let it fall down
9.) Pop up camper top with crank
10.) Pull out bed slides (x2)
11.) Stabilize bed slides with supports (x2 per side)
12.) Tie bed slide canvas on bottom (x2)
13.) Add poles to awning, erect, and tie down
14.) Release door from ceiling and install
15.) Flip up galley
16.) Switch on water pump
17.) Switch on propane
18.) Light water heater
19.) Light fridge (if needed)
20.)

Water heater? For showering?

Very I am a bit trailer curious.

You don't realize how great hot water is until you don't have it. It's got a 5 gallon hot water heater for the sink and outside shower. So you could shower a tad if you really wanted. But for me, the biggest thing is washing your hands/face with hot water before going to bed. I'll usually get a washcloth wet with hot water and do a quick wipe down before hopping in bed, amazing how clean you feel. Also, washing dishes with hot water is awesome.

There were a few times this summer where I didn't light the water heater because it was so hot out, the fresh water was fine. But this past weekend was in the 50's and the hot water was incredible. That and the furnace are gamechanging for camping.

[max225]

Makes sense! Very

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Drove my dad's 2.0T 2-door extensively this weekend. Took pictures, but posting them is a shitshow lately, so fuck it. Sorry.

The torque from the 2.0T in the small 2-door package is The 8-speed ticks off shifts so fast that it feels like it's always in the powerband when accelerating. Absolutely fantastic little thing. My dad said he likes it so much that he doesn't drive anything else now. He said it's way more fun that he thought it would be, and I agree with him on that. He went on saying it reminds him a lot of his first Jeep he had in college in the 70's, but it's like a "dream Jeep" where it's lightyears better in every single way. Said it's his favorite vehicle and he's lost interest in the Vagon completely. We'll see what develops with that.

Drove it and hour minutes to the middle of nowhere so my dad could drop off his motorhome for storage. On the highway, the 2-door is certainly twitchier than my JT or JLU, but it's really not bad at all. He has the premium soft top, which certainly has more noise than the hard top...but I called my sister over bluetooth and talked to her for nearly the entire hour and we had no issues hearing each other. Driving back with my dad, holding a normal conversation at 75mph was easy.

I did notice that once it got to 80 and above, the indicated fuel economy tanked, and it was blown around in the wind a bit more. It was super happy cruising along at 70-75 though.

My dad claims he's gotten over 22MPG in his actual combined driving, while the computer is indicating 23.

I really think the 2-door 2.0T would make an epic toy thing. Zero options other than 2.0T (and thus auto) and A/C. Some "cheap" take-off Rubicon parts and done.

One thing to note is my dad's been looking for take-off Rubicon rock rails, and they're non existent for 2-doors. Tons of 4-doors, but nothing for the 2. I suspect it's because few people buy them, so anything specific for a 2-door will be a bit more tough as a take-off.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Also, beebeep is fixed. She spent a week in a loaner Compass which she said she actually came to like a decent amount. Her words: "If I were poor and needed a simple Jeep, I'd get one". Tall praise for a plebe vehicle from her. She piled a bunch of work miles on it, which was nice keeping them off her actual vehicle. She's excited to get it back...said she's going to leave work a bit early to pick it up even.

[D Griff]

Also, beebeep is fixed. She spent a week in a loaner Compass which she said she actually came to like a decent amount. Her words: "If I were poor and needed a simple Jeep, I'd get one". Tall praise for a plebe vehicle from her. She piled a bunch of work miles on it, which was nice keeping them off her actual vehicle. She's excited to get it back...said she's going to leave work a bit early to pick it up even.

We may actually look at the new Compass for when she gets a new car eventually. She is really into a Jeep for some reason (wants a small SUV/box thing), the branding really works for her .

Her favorite car has been the Fiat Panda we rented due to being huge inside and small outside , so I think the Reegay may be better, seems like the Compass is probably "nicer" s we'll see when the time comes.

[max225]

Also, beebeep is fixed. She spent a week in a loaner Compass which she said she actually came to like a decent amount. Her words: "If I were poor and needed a simple Jeep, I'd get one". Tall praise for a plebe vehicle from her. She piled a bunch of work miles on it, which was nice keeping them off her actual vehicle. She's excited to get it back...said she's going to leave work a bit early to pick it up even.

It took them a week to fix a heated seat ?

[CaleDeRoo]

Also, beebeep is fixed. She spent a week in a loaner Compass which she said she actually came to like a decent amount. Her words: "If I were poor and needed a simple Jeep, I'd get one". Tall praise for a plebe vehicle from her. She piled a bunch of work miles on it, which was nice keeping them off her actual vehicle. She's excited to get it back...said she's going to leave work a bit early to pick it up even.

We may actually look at the new Compass for when she gets a new car eventually. She is really into a Jeep for some reason (wants a small SUV/box thing), the branding really works for her .

Inb4 you two have this conversation:

[max225]

Drove my dad's 2.0T 2-door extensively this weekend. Took pictures, but posting them is a shitshow lately, so fuck it. Sorry.

The torque from the 2.0T in the small 2-door package is The 8-speed ticks off shifts so fast that it feels like it's always in the powerband when accelerating. Absolutely fantastic little thing. My dad said he likes it so much that he doesn't drive anything else now. He said it's way more fun that he thought it would be, and I agree with him on that. He went on saying it reminds him a lot of his first Jeep he had in college in the 70's, but it's like a "dream Jeep" where it's lightyears better in every single way. Said it's his favorite vehicle and he's lost interest in the Vagon completely. We'll see what develops with that.

Drove it and hour minutes to the middle of nowhere so my dad could drop off his motorhome for storage. On the highway, the 2-door is certainly twitchier than my JT or JLU, but it's really not bad at all. He has the premium soft top, which certainly has more noise than the hard top...but I called my sister over bluetooth and talked to her for nearly the entire hour and we had no issues hearing each other. Driving back with my dad, holding a normal conversation at 75mph was easy.

I did notice that once it got to 80 and above, the indicated fuel economy tanked, and it was blown around in the wind a bit more. It was super happy cruising along at 70-75 though.

My dad claims he's gotten over 22MPG in his actual combined driving, while the computer is indicating 23.

I really think the 2-door 2.0T would make an epic toy thing. Zero options other than 2.0T (and thus auto) and A/C. Some "cheap" take-off Rubicon parts and done.

One thing to note is my dad's been looking for take-off Rubicon rock rails, and they're non existent for 2-doors. Tons of 4-doors, but nothing for the 2. I suspect it's because few people buy them, so anything specific for a 2-door will be a bit more tough as a take-off.

Agreed on all but the 2.slow. After dicking with a 2.slow all weekend fuck turbo cars. Way too complex for nothing. Jeeps need to be simple

[D Griff]

We may actually look at the new Compass for when she gets a new car eventually. She is really into a Jeep for some reason (wants a small SUV/box thing), the branding really works for her .

Inb4 you two have this conversation:

I'm just glad she covets relatively affordable vehicles.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Also, beebeep is fixed. She spent a week in a loaner Compass which she said she actually came to like a decent amount. Her words: "If I were poor and needed a simple Jeep, I'd get one". Tall praise for a plebe vehicle from her. She piled a bunch of work miles on it, which was nice keeping them off her actual vehicle. She's excited to get it back...said she's going to leave work a bit early to pick it up even.

It took them a week to fix a heated seat ?

It was diagnosed in a day (last Tuesday) they had to order parts that came on Friday, they fixed it on Saturday. All while was piling miles on the loaner.

I'm pleased with the outcome.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Drove my dad's 2.0T 2-door extensively this weekend. Took pictures, but posting them is a shitshow lately, so fuck it. Sorry.

The torque from the 2.0T in the small 2-door package is The 8-speed ticks off shifts so fast that it feels like it's always in the powerband when accelerating. Absolutely fantastic little thing. My dad said he likes it so much that he doesn't drive anything else now. He said it's way more fun that he thought it would be, and I agree with him on that. He went on saying it reminds him a lot of his first Jeep he had in college in the 70's, but it's like a "dream Jeep" where it's lightyears better in every single way. Said it's his favorite vehicle and he's lost interest in the Vagon completely. We'll see what develops with that.

Drove it and hour minutes to the middle of nowhere so my dad could drop off his motorhome for storage. On the highway, the 2-door is certainly twitchier than my JT or JLU, but it's really not bad at all. He has the premium soft top, which certainly has more noise than the hard top...but I called my sister over bluetooth and talked to her for nearly the entire hour and we had no issues hearing each other. Driving back with my dad, holding a normal conversation at 75mph was easy.

I did notice that once it got to 80 and above, the indicated fuel economy tanked, and it was blown around in the wind a bit more. It was super happy cruising along at 70-75 though.

My dad claims he's gotten over 22MPG in his actual combined driving, while the computer is indicating 23.

I really think the 2-door 2.0T would make an epic toy thing. Zero options other than 2.0T (and thus auto) and A/C. Some "cheap" take-off Rubicon parts and done.

One thing to note is my dad's been looking for take-off Rubicon rock rails, and they're non existent for 2-doors. Tons of 4-doors, but nothing for the 2. I suspect it's because few people buy them, so anything specific for a 2-door will be a bit more tough as a take-off.

Agreed on all but the 2.slow. After dicking with a 2.slow all weekend fuck turbo cars. Way too complex for nothing. Jeeps need to be simple

2.0T is more fun than the 3.6..."fun to drive" has zero to do with serviceability IMO.

The 2.0T in the JL is the same one that FCA will be putting in everything eventually. If there's something critically wrong with it, it'll bankrupt the company.

[max225]

It took them a week to fix a heated seat ?

It was diagnosed in a day (last Tuesday) they had to order parts that came on Friday, they fixed it on Saturday. All while was piling miles on the loaner.

I'm pleased with the outcome.

What broke, curious, I guess it wasn't the whole... harness issue... I wonder why it wasn't QA'd..

[ChrisoftheNorth]

Also, beebeep is fixed. She spent a week in a loaner Compass which she said she actually came to like a decent amount. Her words: "If I were poor and needed a simple Jeep, I'd get one". Tall praise for a plebe vehicle from her. She piled a bunch of work miles on it, which was nice keeping them off her actual vehicle. She's excited to get it back...said she's going to leave work a bit early to pick it up even.

We may actually look at the new Compass for when she gets a new car eventually. She is really into a Jeep for some reason (wants a small SUV/box thing), the branding really works for her .

Her favorite car has been the Fiat Panda we rented due to being huge inside and small outside , so I think the Reegay may be better, seems like the Compass is probably "nicer" s we'll see when the time comes.

I don't think the Compass is "nicer" per se, but it's certainly a bit bigger. It's a really nice size vehicle that drives like a taller car. I totally get why so many buy them. I was surprised by how much mine ended up liking it, but she's excited to get her JL back.

[max225]

Agreed on all but the 2.slow. After dicking with a 2.slow all weekend fuck turbo cars. Way too complex for nothing. Jeeps need to be simple

2.0T is more fun than the 3.6..."fun to drive" has zero to do with serviceability IMO.

The 2.0T in the JL is the same one that FCA will be putting in everything eventually. If there's something critically wrong with it, it'll bankrupt the company.

VW puts their 2.slow into everything also, and they have plenty of issues. It'll only bankrupt the company if it fails within 3/36 or 5/60. Which won't be the case.

My point was that the whole point of a Jeep is that it is simpler than other Jelly bean cross overs. Frame, NA, no DI, can hose out interior etc. Once you add things like Hybrid+Turbos+intercoolers things get complicated.

That's just my opinion of course.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

It was diagnosed in a day (last Tuesday) they had to order parts that came on Friday, they fixed it on Saturday. All while was piling miles on the loaner.

I'm pleased with the outcome.

What broke, curious, I guess it wasn't the whole... harness issue... I wonder why it wasn't QA'd..

They claimed the "heating element" was faulty. Why it wasn't caught in QC, I dunno. It could have also broke after somehow.

it's fixed now.

[ChrisoftheNorth]

2.0T is more fun than the 3.6..."fun to drive" has zero to do with serviceability IMO.

The 2.0T in the JL is the same one that FCA will be putting in everything eventually. If there's something critically wrong with it, it'll bankrupt the company.

VW puts their 2.slow into everything also, and they have plenty of issues. It'll only bankrupt the company if it fails within 3/36 or 5/60. Which won't be the case.

My point was that the whole point of a Jeep is that it is simpler than other Jelly bean cross overs. Frame, NA, no DI, can hose out interior etc. Once you add things like Hybrid+Turbos+intercoolers things get complicated.

That's just my opinion of course.

Oh, totally. In the spirit of Jeep, a simple engine is better. But in practice, it'll probably be fine and is more fun. I doubt any of the 2.0T vehicles will be in my fleet purview for long enough to matter anyway.