Jeep is gone... Duramax GMC Canyon took her place.

[Miles]

Been lurking around these forums for quite some time now. I appreciate all the helpful conversations in here.

A few years ago, wifey and I built up a 2012 Rubicon with the J30 top on it and loved it. Spent about 100 nights roaming around, camping and exploring, but there was something missing.

Some pics of the rig and pics from some of our adventures are here: https://www.instagram.com/rubicamps/

But... As I said, something was missing.

Really it was an indoor table. lol.

Pretty much any resemblance of 'indoor space' was the trick, really. Indoor stove to make coffee on rainy mornings, a hideout from mosquitoes in the evening...

Plus, we can often sneak away on weekdays with laptops as long as we've got an hour or so to 'get our work done' and get back to roaming and camping.

The Jeep needed a lot of exterior setup in order to make that morning coffee and hour of power work-session... Wasn't fun in **** weather.

We loved how compact the Jeep was... Loved the backroads capabilities... Needed a little more space.

So now we have a 2017 long bed GMC Canyon duramax... Seemed like the logical transition.

Now I'm on the hunt for the 'right' camper to go along with it...

Not sure if going new or used is the right move... The lead time to have it made is not the most fun, but a new camper has it's benefits to get it just the way we want.

FWC and Phoenix seem to have good options for us... I know our payload capacity is the real limiting factor here, but we travel light and it is just us 2.

Getting the truck ready here soon... Adding airbags and the stubby antenna next...

Figured it was officially time to stop lurking and time to say thanks!

 

[Bill D]

Cool Jeep you had Miles!
Nice camping set-up for a Jeep. Looks like it is a great setup for nice weather and mobility. You will definitely gain a lot more interior use without sacrificing much mobility with your new setup.

Based on what I see is you would be suited for a shell. I would highly recommend a furnace with the stove on top. I'm sure you will use it for coffee all the time.

I'd consider going new if you are looking at a shell as the cost isn't as high, but if you find a good used one great.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Miles, take a look at the ATC Bobcat. ATC is great to work with, does custom work, and they have a stellar reputation for quality and customer service.

 

[K6ON]

Miles, take a look at the ATC Bobcat. ATC is great to work with, does custom work, and they have a stellar reputation for quality and customer service.

What he said....

 

[ski3pin]

Miles, take a look at the ATC Bobcat. ATC is great to work with, does custom work, and they have a stellar reputation for quality and customer service.

What he said....

Friends of ours recently picked up their ATC build for their Colorado/Canyon. It is a great camper. Consider adding ATC to your prospects.

 

[Miles]

Cool Jeep you had Miles!
Nice camping set-up for a Jeep. Looks like it is a great setup for nice weather and mobility. You will definitely gain a lot more interior use without sacrificing much mobility with your new setup.

Based on what I see is you would be suited for a shell. I would highly recommend a furnace with the stove on top. I'm sure you will use it for coffee all the time.

I'd consider going new if you are looking at a shell as the cost isn't as high, but if you find a good used one great.

We loved that thing... Got us deep into forests away from the crowds but let us pull into cities to say hi to family all on the same trip.

What do you mean when you mention a shell? Is this a simplified camper option or something? Is this different from a FWC Fleet?

Or is it a 'less cabinets and less gadgets' version? Like a lower trimline type thing?

I'm intrigued and I've read the term 'shell' thrown around but still don't fully get it.

 

[Miles]

Miles, take a look at the ATC Bobcat. ATC is great to work with, does custom work, and they have a stellar reputation for quality and customer service.

What he said....

Friends of ours recently picked up their ATC build for their Colorado/Canyon. It is a great camper. Consider adding ATC to your prospects.

YES!

Three votes for ATC Bobcat right there... Wasn't on my list (until now)

Thank you for the recommendations. Excited to go down this new rabbit hole...

 

[CougarCouple]

Hi Miles and welcome to WtW. When looking for used make sure you have all the measurements of your vehicle so you will know it fits properly. I’ll also second the shell, to keep the weight down because is the off-roading you do. Heater and maybe the combo sink /stovetop could downsize the tank or do a manual pump and you own containers. If you go the build route have all the behind your walls stuff there even if you don’t plan to use it today.
Russ

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Miles, you won’t be disappointed. When I sold mine, it was like cutting off an arm. I’ll have another pop up, and it will be an ATC.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

The frame on Canyons/Colorados are not necessarily as strong as they could be. It looks - to me - like they were designed more to be cars than real working trucks.

https://americanadventurist.com/forum/threads/interesting.6932/#post-127646

 

[Bill D]

This link will show you the difference between a shell and a model with a kitchen.

 

[Miles]

The frame on Canyons/Colorados are not necessarily as strong as they could be. It looks - to me - like they were designed more to be cars than real working trucks.

https://americanadventurist.com/forum/threads/interesting.6932/#post-127646

Having lived in Australia for nearly a year... When I see the quote: “For the most part, all the vehicles were grossly overloaded.”

And then: "any dirt road that has a dip or gully can result in a bent chassis,"

I just think back to the bogans and their petrol-head culture... They were probably FLYING on a dirt road with a VB in one hand, overloaded with slide-in with overpriced beer and hit a pot hole the size of Canberra at full speed... While towing.

Physics work down under just the same as up here.

I've got plenty of payload capacity for wifey and I, our rig and the gear we need... But a good reminder that there are physical limits.

 

[Miles]

This link will show you the difference between a shell and a model with a kitchen.

I guess this is the cabinet-maker's special approach... Build it as you want it.

I'm not all that handy with woodworking.

Spoke with Marty at ATC and he mentioned the 'shell with furnace and stove' option... But we'd still need sitting area, counterspace, storage space...

I could probably have a local cabinet maker build it out custom for me, but I think ATC could build it out custom, too... And I feel like ATC would build a superior product for weight/durability's sake.

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

Absolutely yes on ATCs custom build quality.. Just be careful with aisle space, you can make it real tight inside if you overdo seating and counter space.

 

[longhorn1]

Can't go wrong with FWC or ATC.

 

[Stitch]

I just think back to the bogans and their petrol-head culture... They were probably FLYING on a dirt road with a VB in one hand, overloaded with slide-in with overpriced beer and hit a pot hole the size of Canberra at full speed... While towing.

LOL... you don’t see “bogans” referred to much on WTW, but it’s a perfect descriptor.