Rigs We Dig: 2020 Jeep Gladiator

August 27, 2024 4 min read

They don't call it the Final Frontier for nothing. Alaska is one of the wildest places on the planet, and an adventurer's absolute dream. However, to truly unlock the magic of this place, you're going to need the wheels (and the rig) to get you there. Just ask Adam Rubin, who, along with his trusty 2020 Jeep Commander, has found his way up, over, and out into some of the best the north has to offer. Tune into this week's edition of the HEST Rigs We Dig series to learn more about, Marrok, Rubin's built out base camp.

Your Name: Adam Rubin

Location: Fairbanks, Alaska

Make & Model: 2020 Jeep Gladiator

Nickname: Marrok

Bed Dimensions: 90" long, 50" wide

HEST products: 2 HEST Foamy mattresses, 2 Fitted Sheets, Camp Pillow, Standard Pillow, Down Comforter and Tote Bag

Is this your daily driver or getaway car?

Adventure vehicle and daily driver.

What do you like most about your rig?

The Jeep not only keeps me safe on the roads of Alaska in the winter when the pavement disappears and we drive on packed snow and gravel, it allows me to escape into the woods and travel through mud, snow, water, and silt to reach the beautiful backcountry in the Far North.

On your average weekend adventure, what is the gear set up you bring with you? How did you integrate gear storage needs into your rig set up?

I’ve recently finished a complete custom storage buildout with onboard power. The truck bed received a full makeover with insulated carpet on the floors and walls. A gear vault on the driver side fits my axe, shovel, two camp tables, and two camp chairs and then the front of the truck bed has shelving for my fridge and a cabinet for recovery gear with easy access. In the rear of the cab, I built out a platform for my dog to sleep on with a drawer underneath that holds his food and poop bags and leashes. On the other side behind the driver seat is the power management system with a Redarc Redvision setup with Manager 30 and then above I have “the pantry” with a Milwaukee PACKOUT drawer system and two Dometic GO water jugs.

Coolest place you’ve taken your rig to?

I’ve driven my Jeep all across the Lower 48 and Canada, so picking a coolest”place is tough. I’ve driven it to Deadhorse and the Northwest Territories. Possibly the most insane place it's been is out to a glacier where it drove up onto an iceberg on the glacial lake.

Any projects in the pipeline to get your rig even more adventure ready?

As part of the overhaul heading into winter, I am finishing up the power system and heater install and then have plans to add a solar panel to the roof, additional recovery gear, a freedom panel roof rack to hold additional items that require quick access, and additional camp lighting as it gets really dark this far north in the winter.

Biggest challenge in your build out?

The hardest problem I’ve had to solve with the truck build is maintaining a comfortable environment for my dog. The Jeep has limited space and when adding any additional features I need to make sure that Odin has room to be comfortable and stretch out. Making sure he's warm at night and not too hot during the day has taken a lot of time to get everything just right, but it's important that he enjoys the roadtrips as much as I do. This truck is as much his as it is mine and my adventures would be far less rewarding without him.

Tips for others looking to do the same to their vehicle?

The #1 piece of advice I can offer is to give yourself time. Drive the vehicle and use it how you want to use it and then plan small changes over the course of your adventures. I’ve driven the Jeep 146k miles and made minor adjustments every few months with major changes taking over a year to plan and execute. Each time I want to try a new addition, I do a rough fit to make sure it actually meets my needs before finishing it and locking it into place. Sometimes the initial idea simply doesn't work, so giving yourself time and experience for each of the upgrades is the best word of wisdom I've got.

Don’t start out with an awning or RTT or even a second battery. Go out with a ground tent and a power bank for your phone and start upgrading from there based on your personal experiences in how you like to adventure. If you need to upgrade something in your camp setup, make sure you have the right gear to get a good night's sleep. Nothing is worse than having a rough day on the trail and then being uncomfortable when you're trying to sleep.

https://hest.com/pages/camp-and-travel-pillows

Want to submit your rig for our blog? Email us at info@hest.com to get started!

Shop Hest