Outdoors

The Jeep Wrangler blows its lid with Ursa Minor pop-top camper

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The J30 allows campers to sleep up top while keeping the cabin interior intact
The J30 kit is a replacement roof with integrated pop-up tent
The J30 allows campers to sleep up top while keeping the cabin interior intact
The J30 lifts by way of two gas struts
The J30 blends seamlessly, adding only 6 inches to the Wrangler's height
The J30 conversion is only offered on the Wrangler Unlimited
The J30 uses breathable, water-resistant canvas
The J30 is a low profile, integrated camper that lets drivers unleash the Wrangler's all terrain potential
The J30 is a sleek overlanding solution
The Jeep Campers are the successors to Ursa Minor's original E-Camper
The J180 is Ursa Minor's other Wrangler camper
The J180 uses a fold-over roof tent
Ursa Minor began shipping the first J30 campers in May 2012
The Ursa Minor J30 retails for $5,250
Ursa gets to work on the J180
The J30 includes zippered windows
The only change to the Wrangler cabin is a new headliner
View gallery - 16 images

Ursa Minor Vehicles hit the scene several years ago when it unveiled the E-Camper, a converted Honda Element inspired by classic Westfalia Volkswagen van-campers. Given that the VW Microbus was no longer available in the US, the E-Camper was conceived as a sort of modern-day alternative. Now that the Element has gone the way of the Microbus, Ursa Minor is focusing attention on its all new Jeep Camper line.

The Jeep Wrangler may not have Element conveniences like the flat, rubberized floor or hatchback, but it does have a few advantages over the Element - specifically, the ability to travel virtually anywhere on Earth. It's certainly a versatile choice for exploring (and camping in) all kinds of environments.

One of two distinct Jeep Wrangler Unlimited kits that Ursa Minor offers, the J30 is a pop-up hard-top conversion that includes a bed for two adults. Unlike other Jeep-based pop-up campers, this one doesn't rely on a separate shell, and it doesn't require changing all that much of the Wrangler. Instead, it displaces the stock roof and blends in naturally with the Jeep. It adds just 6 inches (15 cm) to the vehicle's stock height when closed.

Ursa Minor's John Gish told us that the cabin interior of the Wrangler Unlimited remains stock during the conversion, with the exception of a new headliner. He said that Ursa isn't able to do custom Jeep interiors yet, but customers and distributors are known to pursue their own visions.

The J30 includes zippered windows

The soft-sided pop-up camper is made from durable, breathable, water-resistant canvas. It includes a 7 x 4 foot (2.1 x 1.2 m) mattress and interior LED lighting. Zippered screen windows on all sides increase ventilation.

Unlike the Action Camper we covered a few months ago (which was put on hold in the US because of its high price), the Ursa Minor J30 camper is accessible to jeepers of more modest means. Ursa lists the base price at US$5,250. It began deliveries in May, and Gish estimates a six- to eight-week lead time between ordering and shipping.

Ursa Minor's second Wrangler camper is the J180, which uses a fold-out roof tent. Pricing has yet to be listed for that model.

Source: Ursa Minor Vehicles

View gallery - 16 images
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3 comments
BigGoofyGuy
It is like - IMO - a modern version of the VW Microbus Camper but with off road capabilities. :)
Guy Macher
You can buy a good used camping trailer for the price. Save cash. Buy a tent.
Joe F
Guys like Guy really miss the point. Who wants to tow around a (used) camping trailer (especially in off road Wrangler country) when they can have a built in camper with no extra footprint? Tent camping is great, but a camper like this is useful for situations where you don't want to or can't put a tent down.