Essential camping gear for a Jeep Gladiator Mojave build?

yo, congrats on the mojave!! honestly, i have a love-hate relationship with mine. i spent way too much on a heavy setup at first and it basically ruined the high-speed fox shock magic. the mojave rear springs are actually softer than a rubicon's to allow for that bypass travel, but it means they sag like crazy once u add gear. it was so frustrating watching my backend squat just from a weekend's worth of supplies.

if u wanna keep that desert-rated feel, i highkey recommend staying away from heavy steel racks. here is what i found works best for technical weight management:

* Go aluminum for the rack. i tried a steel one first and it was a mistake... way too much weight up high. i recommend the JCR Offroad Gladiator Half Rack cuz it keeps the center of gravity low and is super light compared to others.
* for storage, i tried some cheap bins but they cracked in the heat. the previous guy mentioned wolf packs, which are okay, but i prefer the Roam Adventure Co. 82L Rugged Case because they are easier to strap down and dont slide around as much in the bed.
* definitely stick to a ground tent or a super slim RTT like the Roofnest Falcon 2. any hardshell over 150lbs and ur gonna feel that body roll in the turns, which totally sucks when ur trying to move fast.

seriously, watch ur payload. i ended up having to swap to TeraFlex Gladiator Rear Progressive Bump Stops just to stop bottoming out when i was loaded down. its kinda disappointing that such an expensive truck needs help there, but thats the trade-off for the plush ride. but yeah, keep it light and youll love it! gl with the build!

sooo i totally get the struggle lol. I remember my first trip out in my Mojave... i basically packed everything including the kitchen sink and it felt so sluggish in the dunes. i was sooo bummed cuz the high-speed stuff is why we buy these trucks, right?? Anyway, i might want to suggest keeping it minimal so u dont ruin those shocks.

Here is what I recommend for a light setup:

* Rack: Look at the Leitner Designs Active Cargo System Forged. Its aluminum so it doesnt weigh much but is still strong for gear.
* Tent: I would suggest staying with a ground setup. I use the Gazelle T4 Pop-Up Hub Tent cuz it keeps your center of gravity low. Be careful with rooftop tents, they make the truck feel realy tippy on turns!
* Storage: Grab some Front Runner Wolf Pack Pro Storage Boxes. They are light and keep the dust out of your gear.

The big lesson i learned is that weight is the enemy of the Mojave suspension. If u start sagging, those Fox shocks lose their valving range and the ride gets rough. Just make sure to weigh your gear before u bolt it all on... seriously!! gl!

Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.

yo, congrats on the mojave!! honestly, its such a sick truck but i totally get the worry about the rear sagging. since youre trying to keep costs down and weight low, i actually suggest staying away from the super heavy steel racks. i use a simple aluminum crossbar setup with some basic plastic storage bins from a hardware store—works well and i have no complaints about the cost.

imo, definitely stick to a ground setup if you wanna keep that high-speed "floaty" feel. putting a big tent up top *really* makes the truck feel tippy in the turns. plus, its cheaper!

but yeah, before you drop a ton of cash, how many people are usually camping with you? also, are you planning on doing mostly weekend trips or like longer overland stuff? gl!

^ This. Also, I really gotta warn you about overloading the very back of the bed. I was so stoked when I first got my Mojave and I basically treated it like a regular truck... big mistake! I had all my heavy water jugs and a massive cooler right by the tailgate for easy access. The first time I tried to hit a sandy section at speed, the back end was bouncing so hard it actually felt dangerous. Those Fox shocks are amazing but they aren't magic if you mess up the weight distribution. I've found that keeping everything as close to the cab as possible is the only way to keep that Mojave feel alive. I actually had a bolt on one of my cheap accessory mounts sheer right off because of the high-speed vibrations too. It's crazy how much more stress desert running puts on your gear compared to slow rock crawling... stuff just rattles apart! Definitely double check every single connection point before you head out because things will come loose when you're having fun. Just keep it light and simple, honestly you'll thank yourself when you're flying over the bumps and not worrying about your gear flying out!