Out of the Massive 3 US automakers, “Chrysler” is unquestionably the title that does not belong in a dialog about RVs and overland campers. Its siblings Jeep and Ram, certain, and rivals Ford and GM each provide RV-ready vehicles and vans, however the precise Chrysler badge? No. That stated, Chrysler was the one to introduce a brand new idea camper van at this yr’s Overland Expo Mountain West. The Grizzly Peak is a imaginative and prescient for a ruggedized on a regular basis MPV that is as able to camp on a distant canyon rim as it’s to shuffle the youngsters off to baseball follow and dance classes.
Even with out taking a look at motorhome base automobiles particularly, Chrysler barely has any new automobiles to promote in any respect. The marque has been working via a painful identification disaster for years (being beneficiant), and at the moment solely has two fashions left to its title (additionally being beneficiant – the Voyager is basically an entry-level fleet Pacifica).
Ram and Jeep automobiles, however, are inextricable staples of the annual slate of Overland Expo reveals.
Dodge? Not a lot, but it surely does at the least have historical past providing the vehicles and vans that at the moment are offered below Ram. In reality, you would possibly often nonetheless see a Sprinter camper van with a Dodge badge on its grill as a substitute of a Mercedes three-pointed star.
Stellantis North America shook issues up a bit bit this yr, although, following up the Could debut of the superior Jeep Wrangler ARTT at Overland Expo West in Flagstaff with the ruggedized Pacifica Grizzly Peak minivan camper at Overland Expo Mountain West in Colorado final month.
Chrysler/Stellantis
And why not? Chrysler’s two remaining fashions are each minivans, which, whereas not as RV-friendly as boxier business vans, are completely able to serving because the subject of assorted types of mini-camper conversion.
Turning a minivan into an intercontinental off-road 4×4 requires extreme engineering of SEMA proportions, so Chrysler retains the Grizzly Peak idea extra in all-roader SUV territory.
The corporate begins with an all-wheel-drive Pacifica, its most sensible automobile for this sort of factor, turning up the off-roadable traction issue with 31-in BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires mounted to 18-in black Foreshadow wheels. A full suspension elevate, measuring 2.75 in (7 cm) up entrance and a pair of.5 in (6.4 cm) on the rear, helps the MPV clear bigger rocks and bumps that may tear up a inventory mannequin.
Chrysler/Stellantis
A set of TYRI lights underlining the entrance fringe of the Rhino-Rack roof platform helps the rig ship sufficient illumination for off-road detours in Worldwide Darkish Sky nation, and the rack itself holds a spare wheel and pair of traction boards up prime, an ARB awning on the facet.
Even with that retractable awning, the Grizzly Peak is extra of an all-terrain day tripper than an all-out camper van, however Chrysler does prep it for minimalist tenting. As a substitute of teaming up on a pop-up roof conversion like Jeep did with its ARTT, it retains issues easy by changing the third-row seats with idea flooring panels that reach the rear cargo flooring as much as the bottom of the second row.
Chrysler/Stellantis
Chrysler throws down a pair of sleeping baggage behind the second row, however campers might additionally drop the Pacifica’s Stow ‘n’ Go second-row seats down into the ground, or just take away all of them collectively, for extra sleeping/cargo house. Solely the motive force and entrance passenger are going to suit inside to sleep, anyway, so it is actually a two-person journey rig as introduced (with out a rooftop tent).
Chrysler wires in a 115-V/450-W outlet within the rear cabin so campers can plug in equipment and home equipment to run off the Pacifica battery. A set of Chrysler-badged Mopar totes retains gear and van life provisions organized on the street and across the night time’s base camp.
Chrysler/Stellantis
Chrysler could also be withering all the way down to nothing in the intervening time, however the Grizzly Peak serves as a type of unfastened teaser for the model’s forthcoming refreshed Pacifica and all-new crossover mannequin.
Past that, we suspect the Grizzly Peak would possibly make an look or two at upcoming reveals like SEMA 2025 and possibly a few of the early 2026 Overland Expo occasions, however we do not reckon Chrysler is making ready to announce its growth into the journey van market.
Supply: Stellantis
