Our Wagoneer Travel Setup

Our wheels, tires, cargo storage, internet setup, and the companies we'd happily recommend.

When we began preparing for life on the road, one of my biggest concerns was how we were going to comfortably transport five people and everything we needed for an extended family pilgrimage.

Fortunately, we already owned a vehicle that was particularly well suited for the job: our 2022 Jeep Wagoneer Series III.

We purchased it used in February 2026 after our minivan finally bit the dust. I had already done quite a bit of research into what I wanted for our next family vehicle, and I knew I wanted a Wagoneer.

One of the biggest selling points for me was the Wagoneer's extraordinary towing capability. When properly equipped, the 2022 Wagoneer could tow up to 10,000 pounds, making it the highest-rated SUV for towing that model year. And remarkably, Jeep still holds that distinction in 2026 with the Grand Wagoneer!

Our Series III also has the Heavy-Duty Trailer-Tow Package, which includes some impressive equipment: heavy-duty engine cooling, a 3.92 rear axle ratio, an electronic limited-slip rear differential, an integrated electronic trailer brake controller, both 4-pin and 7-pin trailer electrical connections, and camera-assisted trailer hitch alignment. It also has dedicated towing controls and settings.

That's a tremendous amount of capability in a vehicle that also offers three rows of seating, four-wheel drive, an exceptionally comfortable interior, and plenty of room for our family.

And while we aren't currently towing anything on our pilgrimage, that capability was one of the reasons I specifically wanted a Wagoneer.

Of course, all of that comes with a rather substantial price tag.

Which is precisely why we purchased ours used!

I didn't even realize at the time that Jeep had introduced a longer-wheelbase Wagoneer L for the 2023 model year. The additional cargo space certainly would have been nice, but I absolutely love the Wagoneer we found and couldn't be happier with our purchase.

As we've prepared for our travels west, we've made several modifications to accommodate our family's needs. I spent quite a bit of time researching these purchases, and I wanted to share the details in hopes that our experience might help another family make their own decisions.

Our first major modification actually happened over the summer, before we ever imagined we'd be traveling full-time.

At the time, I was driving two of our children, Eleanor and Simon, to work at a dairy farm every morning. I wanted something more rugged and capable than the original tires on our Wagoneer.

The vehicle came equipped with 22-inch wheels, and after doing some research, I decided to replace them with 20-inch wheels so we could accommodate LT (Light Truck) all-terrain tires.

We selected 20×9-inch KMC KM722 Technic wheels in an Anthracite finish, paired with Falken Wildpeak A/T4W tires.

The Falkens appealed to me because of their all-terrain construction, durability, and versatility. They're designed for a combination of highway driving and more demanding conditions, which seemed like a sensible choice for our needs.

I also insisted that we replace the wheel and tire on the full-size spare stored underneath the vehicle.

That was important to me. If we were going to change the wheel and tire setup, I wanted our spare to match. Especially now that we're planning to travel through remote areas of the American West, I'm particularly glad we made that decision.

We purchased everything and had the work completed at Grip Tire and Wheel in Manhattan, Kansas. I cannot recommend them highly enough! We had a wonderful experience, and I would absolutely return to them.

It's rather funny to think that a decision originally motivated by early-morning trips to a dairy farm has turned out to be so useful for our cross-country travels.

Once we began traveling full-time, we quickly realized that even a vehicle as large as the Wagoneer can feel cramped when five people are carrying everything they need for daily life. We aren't simply packing for a weeklong vacation. We're homeschooling, working remotely, and moving between temporary homes as we make our way across the country. Our goal was to move as much of our luggage and equipment outside the passenger compartment as reasonably possible, while remaining within the vehicle's weight and cargo limits.

After considerable research, we settled on two major additions: a rear hitch-mounted cargo carrier and a rooftop cargo box. Together, they provide approximately 38 cubic feet of additional exterior storage space. That's more than the 27.4 cubic feet of factory cargo space behind the Wagoneer's third row!

Of course, cubic feet and pounds are two very different things, and we still have to be mindful of how much weight we're carrying. But the additional volume has given us far more flexibility in organizing our belongings.

For rear storage, I selected the StowAway2 Max Cargo Carrier, which we purchased directly from the manufacturer.

There are plenty of hitch-mounted cargo carriers on the market, but I wanted something enclosed, secure, and, most importantly, something that wouldn't prevent us from accessing the rear of our vehicle.

The StowAway2's swing-away design was what ultimately sold me.

Rather than having to remove the carrier or unload everything whenever we need to open the liftgate, the entire carrier swings away from the back of the Wagoneer.

It also incorporates multiple locking and safety features to keep the carrier securely in its traveling position.

The Max model provides approximately 16 cubic feet of additional storage space, which is a substantial amount of room for luggage and other belongings.

When ordering our StowAway2, I opted for a couple of additional features that I thought were well worth the investment.

First, I upgraded to the LED lighting package. Because the cargo carrier sits behind the vehicle, I wanted the additional visibility that the upgraded lights provide. Safety is particularly important to me when we're going to be spending so much time on the road.

I also purchased the exhaust heat shield. Even though our Wagoneer's exhaust points downward, I didn't want to take any chances with exhaust heat potentially damaging the cargo box over time. With the carrier mounted behind the vehicle, I felt that adding a protective shield was a sensible precaution. One thing worth knowing if you're considering a StowAway2 is that the exhaust shield can be purchased for either passenger-side or driver-side installation, depending on your vehicle's exhaust configuration. It's a small detail, but exactly the kind of thing I appreciate knowing before placing an order. I would much rather take the extra precaution during installation than discover a problem after several thousand miles of driving!

We ordered the StowAway2 directly from the manufacturer and had it installed at Dobbs Tire & Auto Center in Osage Beach, Missouri.

I'm particularly pleased with how well the carrier integrates with the Wagoneer. The swing-away mechanism allows us to retain access to the rear liftgate, the enclosed box protects our belongings from the elements, and the added lighting and exhaust protection give me additional peace of mind.

Would I purchase it again? 

Absolutely.

For our family, the combination of additional storage, convenient rear access, and thoughtful safety features made the StowAway2 Max an excellent choice.

The next challenge was figuring out how to add storage to the roof. Our Wagoneer already had factory roof rails, but we needed crossbars to support a cargo box.

After researching several options, I decided on the 60-inch Thule Evo crossbar system, which we purchased from etrailer. One of the reasons I specifically chose this system was the length of the bars.

Many roof-rack systems are designed to sit relatively flush with the sides of the vehicle. That creates a nice, streamlined appearance, but I wanted something different.

I deliberately chose crossbars that extend beyond the factory roof rails because I wanted additional usable mounting space.

My thinking was that we might eventually want to mount more than just a cargo box. Having the extra width would give us more flexibility for accessories.

And that decision is already proving useful!

We're also considering adding a third crossbar to give us more flexibility for mounting accessories in the future. For now, we're using two, but having that additional mounting position available could be particularly useful as we continue outfitting the Wagoneer for our travels. Of course, any accessories still need to meet the manufacturer's spacing and weight requirements.

I will say that researching crossbar positioning was considerably more complicated than I anticipated!

There are different mounting positions, spacing requirements, and compatibility considerations. I learned quite a bit throughout the process.

But I'm very happy with our choice.

For our rooftop storage, we ultimately selected the Yakima SkyBox NX XXL, also purchased from etrailer.

This is a large rooftop cargo box with approximately 22 cubic feet of storage capacity.

I wanted something substantial enough to make a meaningful difference in our interior space, but also enclosed and secure so we wouldn't have to worry about our belongings being exposed to the weather.

The Yakima checked those boxes for us.

And I must admit, it looks fantastic on the Wagoneer!

We had Dobbs Tire & Auto Center install the cargo box, but I requested one particular adjustment. Rather than centering it on the roof, I asked them to position it as far toward the driver's side as the approved mounting arrangement would allow. There was a reason for that. We're planning to install our Starlink Mini on the passenger side of the roof rack. By shifting the cargo box toward the driver's side, we're preserving space for another accessory without having to completely rethink the roof setup later. That's exactly why I wanted the longer crossbars in the first place.

The Yakima was installed on October 30th, and as you can see from our photographs, Simon was particularly excited about the new addition!

Between the Yakima on top and the StowAway2 on the back, our Wagoneer is beginning to look like a proper expedition vehicle.

And I love it.

One of the more important aspects of our travel preparations has been internet connectivity. Because we work remotely and the children are homeschooled, having dependable internet isn't simply a convenience. It's a necessity. Fortunately, we have several options.

Our Wagoneer has its own built-in Wi-Fi service through AT&T. We also carry a separate, dedicated portable AT&T hotspot. Both connections allow multiple family members to be online simultaneously, although the more devices using a connection at once, the more it can affect internet speeds. Having a separate hotspot gives us another option for distributing that demand, especially when we're working and homeschooling at the same time. But cellular coverage isn't universal, especially in some of the remote areas we hope to explore. That's where Starlink Mini comes into the picture.

We have a Starlink roaming subscription with an in-motion service option, and our plan is to mount the Mini on the passenger side of the roof rack. The goal is to have satellite internet available while we're traveling, including in areas where AT&T coverage is limited or unavailable. Starlink may also provide faster service in some locations, although actual performance will depend on coverage, obstructions, and network conditions.

We'll need to make sure the permanent mount is approved for vehicle use, properly secured, and positioned where it has a sufficiently clear view of the sky.

Once we've completed the installation and tested it on the road, I'll update this article with our experience.

For now, I feel much better knowing we'll have multiple connectivity options as we travel.

I always appreciate recommendations from people who have actually purchased and used the products they're discussing. That's one of the reasons I wanted to share not only what we purchased, but where we purchased it and who performed the installations.

Grip Tire and Wheel — Manhattan, Kansas

They handled our KMC wheels and Falken Wildpeak tires, including the matching spare. We had an excellent experience and would absolutely recommend them.

Dobbs Tire & Auto Center — Osage Beach, Missouri

Dobbs installed our StowAway2 Max, Thule Evo crossbars, and Yakima rooftop cargo box. They've been wonderful to work with, and I would happily recommend them to anyone needing similar work.

etrailer

We purchased both our Thule crossbars and Yakima SkyBox NX XXL through etrailer. Their customer service has been excellent, and I've been very pleased with our experience.

StowAway2

We purchased our rear cargo carrier directly from the manufacturer. I was impressed by the swing-away design and the thought that went into its locking and safety mechanisms.

These are genuine recommendations based on our own purchasing and installation experiences.

Outfitting a vehicle for extended travel certainly isn't inexpensive. Between the wheels, tires, cargo carrier, crossbars, rooftop cargo box, and installation costs, we've made a substantial investment in our Wagoneer. But I look at it this way: this vehicle is going to carry our family across the country. It's where we'll spend countless hours together, traveling between destinations, visiting national parks, discovering new places, and making memories along the way. We want it to be comfortable, dependable, and organized. And because we're a one-vehicle family, we have the added advantage of not having to maintain, insure, fuel, or eventually store a second vehicle.

When we reach Travis Air Force Base in California, we'll be storing the Wagoneer while we continue our pilgrimage overseas. I've already put us on the waiting list for on-base vehicle storage. I was also pleased to learn that USAA offers reduced insurance premiums for qualifying stored vehicles, which should help with the cost of keeping the Wagoneer while we're away.

All things considered, I feel very good about the decisions we've made.

At this point, not much!

I absolutely love our Wagoneer, and I'm delighted with the equipment we've selected. If I were starting over, I would probably spend a little more time understanding the different crossbar mounting positions and cargo box spacing requirements before scheduling installation. That would have saved me some additional research and a few headaches! But that's part of the learning process, and one of the reasons I wanted to document our setup for other families.

As we travel, I'll continue updating this article with what works, what doesn't, and anything we might change.

We still have a few ideas for additional accessories, including a retractable side awning. And perhaps some side-mounted gas cans, front bull bars, and a winch.

Just kidding.

Well... mostly.

At some point, I suppose we'll have to stop outfitting the Wagoneer and actually get on the road!

For now, I'm delighted with how everything has come together, and I hope sharing our research helps someone else planning their own adventures.

Happy travels, and God bless!

The Roamin' Catholics Family