Guest Post By Matt Sather
A Jeep is the ideal vehicle for the weekend camping trip, but with just a few simple additions, you can take your next adventure to another level. No matter if you’re hitting the trail for the weekend or taking the family to the lake for a quick night away, there are a number of accessories on the market that can make your Jeep camping trip more awesome.
Increased Storage & Carrying Capacity
Let’s be honest, Jeeps don’t compare to other SUVs on the market when it comes to storage space inside the vehicle. But a lack of storage space isn’t a reason to sell your Jeep and buy an Excursion, especially when there are a number of awesome products that will allow you to haul more gear than you could possibly use on your weekend vacation. Whether you need to haul the family’s bikes off the rear hitch, or carry a couple kayaks on the roof, there’s an accessory out there that will free up some room inside the Jeep, which can help keep the peace while traveling to the campsite with friends or the kids.
Roofracks extend the carrying capacity of your Jeep and make all kinds of excursions possible.
If you’re more of a hardcore, trail-riding Jeep owner, there are rack systems that integrate into the rear cargo area of the Wrangler, increasing the carrying capacity of an aftermarket roof rack. Once you’ve upgraded your Wrangler roof’s weight-carrying capacity, you’ll never have to choose between the Hi-Lift jack, a spare tire, or a second cooler – you’ll end up bringing all of them for your trail adventure.
Enhanced Functionality
Not only can your Jeep be the most fun way to reach the campsite, these days it can basically be the campsite. If you’re looking for products that turn your vehicle into a mobile rest spot, there are a variety of vehicle awnings that store and function directly connected to an attached roof rack. Drive to your campsite, park the Jeep, and unfurl your mobile patio. The main reason these integrated awnings are so popular is because of the ease of operation, and how quick and simple they are to setup up and tear down.
Want to go even a step further? Or maybe you’re not a fan of sleeping on the ground? Roof-top tents are the perfect option for people desiring an elevated campsite. These tents are specifically designed to use the roof of the Jeep as the floor support, and have an integrated ladder that provides access to the tent from below. These rooftop tents are designed to be quickly set up and dismantled, making this an excellent camping option for trail riders who are always on the move.
A rooftop tent lets you camp up and out of reach of the critters and creepy crawlers.
Modern Comforts on the Trail
There are lots of different ways to camp, from rough-camping far off the beaten path, to a relaxing weekend next to the lake. Regardless of your personal camping style, it never hurts to bring some modern comforts along on the trip. A portable fridge/freezer can keep your food cold over the long haul, while using a reasonable amount of power. The availability of ice can be problematic during a long, off-road trek, so a portable fridge/freezer will be the envy of everyone on the trail. Once you’ve got a portable fridge in your rig, you’ll never have to worry about lukewarm sodas or waterlogged sandwiches again.
Portable fridge-freezers can keep food cold where ice isn’t available.
If would like even more creature comforts while “roughing it” under the stars, a portable inverter generator is an excellent option. A portable generator can deliver juice to your smartphone, tablet, and any other electronics, and it makes so little sound that will you will forget it’s even at the campsite.
With so many options available, you’re sure to find the perfect accessory to make your next camping trip a success. It does not matter if you’re looking for a relaxing weekend or an intense trail-ride, the most important thing to remember is to get out there!
Matt Sather is a Brand Manager at RealTruck.com, a successful online retailer specializing in aftermarket vehicle accessories. The growing e-commerce enterprise is ranked 1855 on the 2014 Inc. 5000 list, and was named the 14th fastest-growing e-commerce company in North America by Internet Retailer.