Lessons learned and Mistakes Made on my Overland Jeep Gladiator

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After a year of living full time in the Jeep Gladiator around Australia there are a few things I wish I had built differently, a few things I'll do differently next time, and a few things I still need to figure out how to solve.
Learn from my mistakes and build an overland vehicle better than mine!
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00:00 Introduction
00:49 Awning Mounting Location
03:14 Clothes Storage
05:49 Backup lights
07:45 Rear Drawers
11:26 Water Tank
13:14 Outro
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6 авг 2024

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Комментарии : 101

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Huge thanks to everyone who supports me on Patreon! That support allows me to get out and bring these videos to you all. If you’re interested in supporting my endeavours, check out patreon.com/theroadchoseme

@Onward4x4 Год назад

I so love this. Too often we get triumphant account of all that went right. It's "good" to see that most experience also make mistakes and so I don't feel too bad about the slew of mistakes I have made in my travels and setup!! Thank you for being a human! EDIT: Your videos have consistently been golden in terms of helpfulness and keeping the focus on that which is essential: quality of living while on the road. Thank you!!

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Happy to hear, and I plan to keep doing exactly the same honest advice and what did and didn't work, with no intention of just trying to sell junk people don't need.

@beyondthispoint5557 Год назад

Agreed. I am on Mk2 of my build out in a much smaller vehicle and will be changing it yet again due to the arrival of a new tent and different packing needs (and we don’t push ours like Dan does his from a live out of it perspective).

@andrewfoto Год назад

For clothes organization I use color coded dry bags, the kind hikers use. Nothing is worse than a big dark bag with everything just loose in it. Basically a bag for shirts, bag for pants-shorts, etc. etc. Also have specific gear bags for say cold weather where hats, gloves, base layers all go. Been working so far and effective at keeping the grit and sand out.

@rickbartley9255 Год назад

A few things I learned on my Gladiator 1) my bed tonneau cover came with foam rubber strips on the bed-body to seal the tailgate, which surprisingly really do keep water and dust out. 2) Learned the license plate lights were blinding the backup camera at night. 3) found that two sliding bed trays with plastic tubs worked best. You can even build homemade trays on the cheap using overhead garage door tracks, rollers and wood. Saw another guy use a slippery bed mat (Loadmaster) and just daisy-chain his tubs with cords so they all pull forward together.

@derekandleonie5636 Год назад

When we did our lap in a d22 Navara, my wife thought I was nuts when I suggested laundry baskets on the back seat rather than bags Turned out to be a great decision as they were easy to access and easy to take in and out when needed

@ROgletree Год назад

I watched you build that Gladiator. I loved what you did except I would have chosen a hard topper. I agree with the Gladiator needing a better backup light. There is an aftermarket LED backup light that installs where the factory bumper reflector is. You can get it with a wiring harness that plugs into the factory wiring. I can’t wait to see the new build. Good content Dan.

@dickinaroundoutdoors8609 Год назад

I appreciate the insight and appreciate the candid comments on the gear. It is probably one of the aspects of overlanding that everyone faces-there is no "perfect" solution!

@metaxaanabeer Год назад

Re: back up lighting. Pop out the OEM incandescent lamps and replace with LEDs. Huge difference for not much money at all. Of course nothing can beat a dedicated rear facing light bar or lamp but it sure works for me.

@tomthumb2815 Год назад

From watching the gladiator , it's off road performance can't even be questioned. The only thing would be long term durability..

@Fe_lix Год назад

Oh I can tell you, those drawers are not an Australian product. I know at least 3 different companies that sell the exact same ones in Europe (easy to recognize with the diagonal handle). Most likely the cheapest generic Aliexpress product ready to be rebranded by anyone wanting to create a brand with a range of overland products.

@Malc664 Год назад

Those Titan drawers are cheap chinese made ones. Plenty of good light Aussie drawer systems available like Tanami 4wd for example.

@WolfOverland Год назад

Love your lessons learned. The more I go out and experience this hobby the more I learn. I normally go weekends. 1-3 nights. Did 10 days out in Moab/ Colorado this summer. Learned a lot and messed up a bunch. Tazer programmer kills the license plate lights when backing up to help with that issue. After 3 months now with the aev suspension I’m in love with the setup. So much more concert and capability over the factory rubicon suspension.

@aasphaltmueller5178 Год назад

On a VW Van I once used an aftermarket red fog light as a back up light - worked quite well, and the red light does help with your night vision. To be switched on, off course, not activated by the gear lever.

@buffalo4127 Год назад

Dan, it is obvious form follows function. Thanks very much for sharing your travels and we look forward to the next phase.

@graemetowner7257 Год назад

if thinking drawers for your next rig, check out Drifta (who i guess you know by now after a year down under), no roller bearings which take up a lot of space and get clogged with dust, lightweight compared to steel and are extremely well made and engineered.Camping and overloading is about comfort vs weight vs space...theres always a compromise, its just which compromise your choose or what works for you

@akar2755 Год назад

I've got Drifta drawers in my Wrangler, they have great build quality and super light. I wouldn't trust myself to DIY to the same quality lol

@johnfitzgerald5158 Год назад

I actually like a lot of placement of your stuff. Maybe a better drawer system out back. The one big game changer i think you could have done is have side access flaps to your canopy closer to the cab. You could have installed some good clothes drawers right there.

@Alan.livingston Год назад

Dan has answered my comment to this effect previously with his list of reasons why he chose to not have side access. I respect his “you do you” attitude so I’m not having a dig, but having a canvas canopy on a tub backed Ute myself I can’t imagine not having side access and having to crawl over everything or put in drawers just to be able to get to the back of the tray. It’s why you see every fibreglass canopy with gull wing side windows. It just makes all that space so much more useful. Glad to see he gave the Ute a red hot go though and I’ve enjoyed watching him try out different solutions. I’m yet to find a good way of dealing with clothes and not having the backseat end up as a total tip by the end of a trip.

@johnfitzgerald5158 Год назад

@Alan Livingston yes, I guess having a pick up for as long as I have, i've had time to learn that access to the front of the bed is critical. If you have a hard shell gull wings are great. If soft top, roll up flaps would be ideal.

@RM-bx2zt Год назад

Have had fiberglass and aluminum caps only having experience the difference between contractor windows on the side and not having them, I choose to have them whenever possible. Even if you can't reach everything from the side having that reach in is so important. It's fine to try not having it too. Everyone set up is different and what they're willing to put up with. A pickup is always a compromise, as is SUV.

@robertvoss9111 Год назад

Overall seems pretty good! 👍 I think the things that you said are all very manageable

@duncdunc76 Год назад

Awesome as Always👍

@DavidMSA Год назад

Thank you for this nice video full of tips and "thinkabouts" . Personally I 'm not convinced on the pickup model as an overland vehicle but I respect your choice. Best Regards, David.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

I'm far from convinced too David - that's why I got one, so I could learn all of the pros and cons first hand and then make a decision on my next overland vehicle.

@youtubecarspottersguide1 Год назад

good vid tips want to do a tahoe - sequoia - armanda size wagon like to add a -pop up camper top

@yorkchris10 Год назад

XO has experience packing as a team. Each member has an alu-box and they have a "flight bag" for connections. A travel partner might need to have less stripes on their shoulder than you.

@rblbatb Год назад

Great series. Very much enjoyed the videos.

@steinar.offroad Год назад

Love these lessons, good food for thought! Building a pickup as we speak, I've made some different choices (mainly budget related), but overall our goals seem very similar. If you want your water tank to go down below where the spare tyre is, you should be able to fit the spare above the drawers in the bed. Main problem would be getting to them when you do get a flat, but I've solved that by having side access pannels in my canvas canopy. My setup: 210L diesel and 85L watertank in the back of the bed, spare parts and tyres fit above that. Covered it in canvas canopy and put a cooking box in the front of the canopy. As soon as I drop the tailgate, I've got access to all of the cooking suplies (no drawers needed). My canopy frame is load bearing (actualy its the same tube as my rollcage x.x), so I've put a (softshell) rooftop tent on top of that. The great part is, that the rooftop tent doesn't extend above the roofline (defender 130), as the canopy didn't need to be high to start with. Main downdside is that I cannot fit a batwing awning, as the canopy frame ends to low (and the tent rainfly irons extend out significantly (eezi awn jazz)), but if you went for a hybrid tent (like the iKamper roofnest) you would be able to fit a batwing next to that. Shameless plug! steinar.offroad on instagram, feel free to hit me up if you got questions (goes for anyone reading this ofcourse). Anyway, thanks for the vid, you are a huge inspiration.

@Defender110SLO Год назад

Dan happy travels. Cheers. 🍻

@Leon-lp9fl Год назад

Thanks Dan!

@mojavedesertsonorandesert9531 Год назад

45 years hitting trails and I'm still not a fan of drawers. I've always done more with less...

@DougVandegrift Год назад

I think a full size SUV is the best way to live in a vehicle. Pickups are great for hauling loads and possible a camper but strictly speaking, living half inside the vehicle and half out makes things a bit awkward.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

It's certainly a very good option Doug, but doesn't give much living space. Would you add a RTT or pop-up roof, or just sleep in the back and have no standing room?

@mainelybuds8543 Год назад

If those are your only complaints, I would call that a huge win! Nice work as always Dan, looking forward to your next adventure!

@christophersaul Год назад

Nice honest review, looking forward to your next build!

@IrelandBurning Год назад

I've similar issues with my 130. Having so many different sections to the vehicle is the main issue for me especially in the winter. I think the ultimate solution would be a pop top camper like Globecamper. Unfortunately they are super expensive so I think I'll be building one myself.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

I'm still trying to get my head around the fact it's kind of like two separate vehicles glued together. It messes with my head, and my organization.

@rodgood Год назад

I think a steel roofed SUV is the best for what you do . everyone has Troopys . I would like to see the Grenadier . and ya i own a Jeep .

@grahamsampson4807 Год назад

Ah would have thought Kings drawers were heavy and a bit crappy? There are all sorts of options for drawers that are lighter and better built but as the saying goes you can choose from good, cheap and fast but only get to pick two. I hate drawers for the exact reasons stated, heavy, expensive and permanent. I’ve always gone for Wolf Packs and canvas bags. Lightweight, strong, easy to remove and not expensive

@placestosea Год назад

thanks for posting, your comments about drawers is considered. you might want to check out our video on saving weight and space with 4wd/vans, for us we solved the same concerns with a unique drawer system.

@DB-yj3qc Год назад

Good review of what you did and didn't like as well. As a owner of 2 different pickups and few XJ's and a Wrangler to now a Gladiator, I didn't figure drawer's are a good thing. I use HD plastic boxes (stackable tool boxs) that are removable. The clothing situation is a issue still too for just myself I've been using dry bags for mine some I've been using for 25 years heavy duty but last and I can tie down on roof rack.

@AJWRAJWR Год назад

"Maybe I'll bump into you on the road" Ever consider a dodgem-style bumper bar then?

@sierramantrvlnus Год назад

Yay!

@alexdixon3759 Год назад

Yes those drawers are the bottom of the market in Australia

@k53847 Год назад

Use a steel square tubing attached to the roof rack to move the batwing. Can't use aluminum due to fatigue limit issue. But this is a hell of lever, so requires an engineered design to avoid tearing the roof rack off.

@richardkizirian Год назад

As always, an excellent and transparent of your various builds....pros and cons. You might have answered this question before: Did you consider the AluCab / Goose Gear system? They have an awesome water tank that is placed in the bed by the rear seats. Thanks.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

I did, but it's extremely heavy, expensive and hard to get here in Australia. During my build I think the waitlist was about 2 years... so I'd still be waiting right now!

@richardkizirian Год назад

@@TheRoadChoseMe Wow.....didn't realize about the wait time. Give you credit as to how you calculate the trade offs on budget and weight and more importantly, what makes sense.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

The number one priority is actually going on the expedition, everything else is secondary. So for me, I have to keep the budget to something I can realistically afford, otherwise there is no massive adventure!

@RM-bx2zt Год назад

That is why my Overland equipment is my old backpacking and car camping equipment. It's already made for living Outdoors it's just not always as convenient to bring out and put back. Your videos inspire me. Thank you for all your videos!

@taraaaron1242 Год назад

The gladiator is a excellent platform. I ha e o e that's built . It looks like all the mistakes are yours for sure. You need to start that built from scratch

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

I just spent a year driving it 60,000kms around Australia living in it full time. It has been a huge success, and a fantastic adventure. The opposite of a failure in fact. Now it's time for something new & different.

@PhilipBeresford Год назад

The clothes storage sounds like a royal pain in the ass, the rest seems all fairly minor so I'd definitely say that's a win. No setup is ever perfect.

@SamCarleton Год назад

About the drawers, I have a JLUR and was looking to put in one big drawer. I was eyeing one of the more expensive ones from one of the better know companies. My question is this: is the quality issue with your drawers because you got a budget draw system or is it just an issue with drawers in general?

@KarlEller Год назад

It's a bit of both. Drawers are always going to add weight, and they aren't always volume efficient, but higher end drawers reduce those problems. Using wood or aluminium instead of steel can save you a fair bit of weight, and drawers that use something like Teflon slides have a lot less wasted space than bearings.

@DavidZ81T3 Год назад

If it's an Overland, why does it say Rubicon on the hood?

@beyondthispoint5557 Год назад

It is interesting to me the problems that you list with the pick-up tub. In North America, tubs are by far the norm. We don’t tend to live out of touring rigs like Aussies do. I have a question. Wouldn’t the tried and true tray and canopy setup work better and answer your concerns? I suspect it comes down to $$ being realistic. Here, in Canada, a Mits Alloy set up imported from Australia is about the same price as an A-Liner camper trailer, so it isn’t cheap. I wouldn’t do one pure;y for that reason. I wonder if a metal cap (vs canvas) with hinged doors on the side would work well? Water tank and pump could be at the front by the headboard and jerry cans and other bulky things could be accessed from the side with stacked tubs beside the fridge for storage. Just guessing here - I lack the experience to offer anything other than theoretical thoughts.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

I think that kind of setup works fine for a "live outside" type setup, but for all those $$$ it gives zero inside living space to escape the weather or the bugs. I personally don't think that is justifiable.

@FourLowAdventures Год назад

Sounds like most of your problems would be fixed with a tray canopy sadly they are super expensive. Regarding drawers, as you say they are heavy but I have always avoided them as it would prevent the lid being used as a table because the drawers need that space to open. In my Amarok with tub canopy (came with the vehicle) I just use plastic tubs and access through the windows and do my cooking on the gate which works pretty well. Also regarding the awning, if you want to save some GVM look into the Snow Peak hexa tarp. They are huge, easy to put up and only weigh a few kilos. I love mine so much that my ARB awning is in the garage collecting dust and best of all I don't need anything attached to the roof anymore.

@flysoutbackadventures Год назад

Hi Dan. If u go down the custom ute build again. May I suggest a flat bed tray instead of a tub. In my set up I have 240 litres of under tray fuel storage. 120litres of under tray water storage. Under tray side mount tool boxes and an under tray rear access slide out draw. This leaves the back of the tray for what ever use u want. In my case I've built an aluminium frame to mount a roof top tent. Which is also strong enough to support a 270° awning and shower cubical ( also awning style ). I have left my tray open ( as it suits me atm ). But it could then be enclosed to make for a living space.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

For sure that's an option - and a very popular one in Australia. I shy away from it mostly because of the expense and weight.

@codyaverhoff6828 11 месяцев назад

I like your canvas canopy. Did you custom build it or is there a manufacturer making them for the Gladiator?

@TheRoadChoseMe 11 месяцев назад

Southern Cross Canvas in Melbourne made it for me. I heard they made another for a Gladiator too.

@codyaverhoff6828 11 месяцев назад

Thank you!@@TheRoadChoseMe

@blurglide Год назад

You're happy with the sleeping system / living outside?

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

I covered that in the previous review video here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-vjgw7Dqu39M.html

@nathanbailey6475 10 месяцев назад

Is there a link to the om606 mercedes deisel jeep jku build cant find it ?

@TheRoadChoseMe 10 месяцев назад

I didn't film the build in great detail, there are a couple of shots of it in basically my first ever video: near the end ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-4sLy5NEr-Hg.html

@tomkelly3896 Год назад

Hi dan....do you use roro when you ship your vehicle? Thx

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

No, never. Always in a container. Reasons and full details here: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nfXrj6J87Ts.html

@GATORADDAM Год назад

The only one I would call a mistake is the awning. And that really stems from the ragtopper. It's always been something I've disliked about the build. But it got you through so it's not a failure.

@squatch2461 Год назад

🍻

@jasonwishart6800 Год назад

Flat bed tray and gullwing service body. Much better access from each side.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Without a doubt, though I would have spent as much money on that as I did on the whole Australia expedition.. so in reality I'd still be at work saving money and there wouldn't be an Australian expedition!

@RallyMichael75 Год назад

I think the other problem which doesn't help access to the tray is that there is no side access. One of the best things with a hard canopy is being able to open up side hatches and get easy access to the side and deeper parts of the tray. A hard canopy also solves your issue with not being able to put things on the top

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Side access is an interesting one - with the larger tires and lift, it would have been impossible for me to reach over the side of the bed to get stuff off the bottom without leaning heavily on the side of the Jeep.. which means I'm covered in mud. Katie wouldn't have been able to do it at all. So while it sounds great, I think in reality it wouldn't have helped any.

@tomkelly3896 Год назад

Solution to crammed space....overland a school bus🤓🤠😎

@nategcole Год назад

After seeing your friends and their "australian standard" rigs, would you consider going non-jeep in the future?

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Oh, absolutely. I'll consider any brand that meets my needs and has the features I'm looking for.

@chrisendrizzi6872 Год назад

Any reason u didn't go with a tray and a canopy. Sounds like that would of solved Most of your problems.from what I've seen some alloy trays are lighter then factory tubs .I just missed u in cairns seen the Ute but couldn't stop l.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Price was the biggest factor, and during my build there wasn't a company making one for the Gladiator, so it wasn't really an option.

@RTWtravel Год назад

Will the next car be a Jeep or another brand pickup?

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Ideas, renderings and progress will all be posted to Patreon in the coming months

@tomkelly3896 Год назад

No.mistakes dan...just changes....alterations...modifications.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Always Tom, lessons learned, forward progress!

@operation4wheelz Год назад

*cheap Chinese brand drawers …not Aussie brand drawers. Ya pay for what ya get.

@sammywhammy007 Год назад

So these things you regret… are they specific to the type of vehicle you chose and it didn’t fit the vehicle or these are things you would not want in any vehicle? Obviously your regrets are based on the specific vehicle you chose which happens to be a pickup truck instead of a standard SUV so wondering if the regrets are based on your vehicle choice and what you tried to fit in there as mods did not work out as you expected when compared to your Wrangler or traditional SUV vs a pickup or as you Aussies call it, Ute lol

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Absolutely, most of these are due to my lack of experience with pickups, and my not understanding how important the organization of the bed would be. I got one so I could learn, and learn I did!

@sammywhammy007 Год назад

@@TheRoadChoseMe Ah ok thanks. I was wondering if it was the vehicle choice to the options you chose you regretted or in general for any vehicle. Like your awning… that maybe a vehicle type choice problem.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

The awning itself is fantastic, I just mounted it in the wrong place which was a cascading result of the canopy I designed and had built. Many times small choices turn into larger consequences that are not easy to see from the outset, and I hope everyone can learn from my mistakes so they don't have to make the same ones!

@sammywhammy007 Год назад

@@TheRoadChoseMe Thx Dan. Yeah, your learning experience will definitely be valuable to the people who make the choices you made and what glitches you run into. Great videos from Australia btw.

@cyclemoto8744 Год назад

Anyone not on their "first rodeo" in terms of setting up a touring rig, should be acutely aware that cheap drawers equates to too much weight (due to steel) and poor quality. Unclear on the reasoning for tainting all aussie made heavy duty drawers with what appear to be Chinese made Kings drawers (the cheapest on the market). As per the title of the video you've learned your lessons yet you're blaming a product which is clearly at the bottom end of the market. Maybe time for some further contemplation...Thanks for the content. Cheers

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

It's interested you would say that - after about 100,000 miles through 55 countries around the world I had never used or needed drawers before. So I was a beginner in that sense when I got to Australia, and had tons to learn. That's the main reason I got a pickup actually, so I could learn.

@DaciaProject Год назад

No idea why you run Jeeps let alone in Australia! Landcruisers are the only viable option.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

I've been over this many times, though it's pretty clear I've proven Jeeps to be a perfectly valid option.

@DaciaProject Год назад

@@TheRoadChoseMe You should have imported a Troopy into Canada. Would have been legit.

@TheRoadChoseMe Год назад

Did you see today's video? I go over the whole process in detail

@TheKodiak72 День назад

Your first whole point.. is basically the gladiator is a shit design. Its WAY too long, a typically US mistake making things to big. You wouldnt have the issue with a normal ute.

@calsurflance5598 Год назад

This has been a great series Dan, but we have to get a boomerang lesson before you leave Oz. 🪃 I’m sure Sandy will be happy to get out of storage when you get back to Canada.👍