This Family Lives Full-Time Off-Road and Off-Grid in an Ingenious Jeep and Trailer Setup

If you believe that full-time family mobile living is difficult, you might call what this family is doing impossible. However, they make things work, and the way they've set up things makes this lifestyle easier.

Meet Julie and Chirs and their two kids, Oliver and Freddy. At the time the presentation video I'm checking out was filmed, they were aged 8 and 6, respectively. Before we take a look at the rig, let me shortly tell you about this family's story.

"How did they end up embarking on this crazy adventure?" you might wonder. Before the kids were born, Julie and Chris often went on weekend trips to national parks and forests. Once Oliver and Freddy were born, they saw that they also loved being in the outdoors. Slowly but surely, weekend trips became week-long trips, then month-long trips.

And so, they took the leap and decided to do this full-time and live nomadically. They discovered the TransAmerica Trail, a 4,253-mile (6,845 km) route across the United States consisting of a network of dirt roads going from coast to coast. And they decided to do it – quite the adventure, right?

You're probably curious about how much their setup cost to make. Their base vehicle of choice was a 4WD Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, sporting a 3.6-liter V6 engine. Furthermore, it rides on 35-inch Falken Wildpeak M/T tires. According to the couple, it gets about 14 MPG (16.8 L/100km) on the pavement and about 10.5 MPG (22.4 L/100km) on trails. Oh, and the trailer is a 1966 Stevens M416 military trailer the couple bought off Craigslist.

The Jeep was $30,000 (€27,784), and the couple invested $15,000 (€13,892) to make it into a camper. Moreover, the trailer build was about $8,000 (€7,409), bringing the total price of this rig to around $53,000 (€49,086). Keep in mind that they did most of the conversion themselves, saving a ton of money.

Julie and Chris wanted to make this whole thing a family experience. For instance, the kids helped with the entire conversion, of course, under supervision. This puts the entire family out of their comfort zone, but this is how they grew together.

Some might say that Julie and Chris are reckless because they take their children on this possibly dangerous adventure. Even Julie said, "As a parent, it's a little scary – you don't want your little child to be cold or hungry or tired." But as she explained, they have the ability, as a family, to problem solve, even when encountering hardships.

Going overlanding in secluded spots can be dangerous if not done right. However, Julie and Chris have taken all the precautions to make their adventures as safe and fun as possible.

Now, let's go into detail and see what their rig is about. The Wrangler and trailer together are about 25 feet (7.6 meters) long. What's more, the Jeep tips the scales at about 6,500 lb. (2,948 kg), while the trailer is about 1,500 lb. (680 kg).

As expected, some modifications needed to be done to allow for comfortable full-time living in the Jeep. Julie and Chris also wanted to keep things as organized as possible and have a lot of storage space. And so, the duo equipped the Jeep with a Patriot Fastback hardtop, which increased the height by 6.5 inches (16.6 centimeters).

On top of the vehicle, you'll discover two 100 W solar panels, a StarLink, Maxtrax traction boards, a storage box, and a massive awning.

Regarding the mechanical side, Julie and Chris removed the sway bar links to increase off-road performance by allowing the vehicle to have greater articulation and enabling the front wheels to act independently. Moreover, they added an ARB dual compressor, allowing the couple to adjust the tire pressures quickly.

Another very useful addition for off-roading was cameras all around the vehicle: one on each fender, as well as one at the front and one at the rear. They display the feed on an aftermarket head unit integrated into the dashboard.

This display also serves as a TV since a Google Chromecast is connected to it, and it's also used to display maps, a must for going overlanding. And since they use StarLink, they can connect to the internet wherever they are.

All the extra headspace the couple got from the hardtop is used for storage. Julie and Chris had a steel panel custom-made for the rig. The entire ceiling is packed with stuff, such as tools, backpacks, sleeping bags, clothes, and more.

In the back of the Jeep, you'll notice that Oliver and Freddy each have their own seats and backpacks. At the back of the cabin, the couple mounted all their first aid gear, including a defibrillator, a CPR resuscitator mask, an EpiPen, a bleed kit, and more. It might sound like too much, but when you're in the middle of nowhere, it's best to be prepared for anything. The couple even took some online training to learn how to apply first aid.

The duo prototyped a shelf for the trunk and had a company make it out of aluminum. It holds the family's clothing. Underneath it, you'll notice the slide-out kitchen, which features a slide-out refrigerator and a drawer system with a prep surface, a two-burner gas stove, and an outlet to connect small appliances.

At the rear is also where you'll find the plumbing and power system. Julie and Chris fitted a UV water filter, a water pump, and a 5-gallon (19-liter) freshwater tank in the bumper that makes it easy for the family to get water from natural sources. Moreover, a 21-gallon (79-liter) freshwater tank is held in the trailer.

The electrical system boasts a Goal Zero Yeti 500X with a 500 Ah lithium-ion battery, a built-in solar charge controller, and a 300 W inverter. What's more, the couple fitted various buttons and switches for the lights, Starlink, water pump, fridge, and more. Oh, the vehicle's alternator also helps keep the battery juiced up.

When getting ready for a meal, the family mounts a table and chair, and they can eat in peace with protection from the weather offered by the huge awning.

Regarding the military trailer, Julie and Chris made a spring-over-axle lift for more ground clearance, increased the tongue's length, and welded a hitch receiver onto the back to be able to hold a spare tire carrier.

To organize all their things, Julie and Chris used South African ammo cases, which are held in place by logistics rails. These cases carry food supplies, toys, and bathroom supplies. It's a clever solution, especially since the trailer can tip over when off-roading.

The passenger's side of the trailer houses the "bathroom." It consists of a tent and a shower made from a pesticide sprayer. Furthermore, the family uses a Thunderbox folding portable outback toilet.

Finally, we have the tent mounted on waterproof actuators on top of the trailer – they can raise the tent to 9 feet (2.7 meters) high. The tent is complete with many windows and lights.

All in all, this is truly a one-of-a-kind build. It's so ingenious and organized; every single inch is used to maximize the family's comfort. What an inspiring family. This lifestyle certainly isn't for everybody, but it makes this family fulfilled and happy.

Julie said: "We don't have plans anymore; we have goals." This lifestyle enabled them not only to connect with the outdoors but also to connect together as a family – at the end of the day, that's what matters most.