In this latest installment of the 67 Designs’ Customer Spotlight series, we introduce John and Colleen Hartel, a dynamic duo from Beaumont, Texas. When they are not at home with their little girl Bonnie, shooting photography, or modifying their Gladiator, the Hartels are big foodies, always out exploring local pubs, breweries, and restaurants wherever they go, enriching their travels with new flavors and friendships.
The Hartels are methodical in their trip planning approach, planning trips every six months, favoring destinations like Colorado and Utah over closer locales like the Ozarks. Overlanding has presented them with a unique opportunity to unplug and reconnect with the outdoors but does not come without the challenges of the vulnerability of being on the road, dealing with unpredictable weather, and the extensive planning required. Yet, it is these challenges that make their trips memorable, offering endless learning opportunities and stories born from navigating the unexpected. For them, reaching out to the overlanding community has opened doors, turning each trip into a new chapter of their adventure story.
Proud owner of: 2020 Jeep Gladiator in Gator Green
Customer of 67 Designs since: 2020
Featured upgrades:
Suspension, Steering, Driveline, and Tires:
- Mopar Performance 2" lift kit hybrid w/ 3/4" daystar spring spacers front and rear**
- SteerSmarts Track bar and Draglink - use GATROVRLD_SS for 10% off
- Falcon SP2 3.3 Adjustable Shocks**
- 13 Revolution Axle Gears
- 37x12.50R17 BFG KO2 All-Terrains on stock 17X7.5 +44.45mm wheels
Rack and Bed accessories:
- Leitner ACS Forged Bed Rack**
- Leitner GearPOD & GearPOD XL**
- Leitner HydroPOD
- Leitner Universal mounting bracket w/ 2.5 Gallon Rotopax
- Rhino Rack USA Batwin 270 Awning
- 813 Fabrication and Designs Bed MOLLE for attaching gear**
- ARB ELEMENTS 63qt fridge and fridge slide
- Rigid SR-M flood/chaser lights and miscellaneous LED's
- DirtComplex TrailSwing HD Tire Carrier w/ Front Runner folding table
Rooftop Tent:
- RoofNest Sparrow XL (previously)**
- RoofNest Condor Overland 2 XL (current)
Recovery and Armor:
- Smittybilt X2O 10K winch
- ARB RK9A Premium Recovery Kit
- Warn Soft Shackles
- 4 Tire DIY Inflate/Deflate kit**
- Atlas 46 YorkTown Tool Roll
- Rock Slide Engineering Gen 3 Step Slider
Interior and Electronics
- 67 Designs Jeep Gladiator Rail w/ driver and passenger MagMount G3 holders**
- 813 Fabrication and Designs "Behind the Rear Seat" Air Compressor Bracket**
- ARB Single Air Compressor
- HotHeads Insulating Headliner**
- DIY 60% Rear Seat Delete**
- Ecoflow River Pro 728w Power Station
- Garmin InReach Explore+ GPS
- LUX Lighting Systems Rock Lights**
** indicates associated YouTube install/review videos on Gator Overland youtube channel
Early Inspiration: John has always been passionate about vehicles, a hobby that began with his love for 4-wheel drives and classic cars like the '65 and '69 Chevelle. Upon meeting his now wife Colleen, John shifted his focus towards a more settled and expansive exploration of the world. Both growing up in scouts with Colleen’s background as a camp counselor near Navasota for a number of years, the outdoors were calling them back.
Together, they embarked on international travels to places deeply meaningful to them, such as Ireland—where John's mother hails from—and other destinations like Thailand and Costa Rica. Their journey in overlanding took a significant turn when COVID-19 struck right after their wedding in Thailand in February 2020, during their honeymoon. The pandemic forced them to reconsider their travel plans when they attempted to return and found Texas was closing down.
Early Adventures: With their long standing mutual interest in camping, by fall 2020, they embraced their love for the mountains with a 12 day trip through the San Juan Mountains– a trip that all others will be compared to with the mountain showers, high elevation and high winds. Their trip to Colorado led them to invest in the Gladiator and start a YouTube channel to share their adventures and insights, particularly highlighting their modifications. Their channel aimed to fill a gap they noticed in the overlanding community, offering guidance in various vehicle upgrades and building a platform for long-term growth in the field. Since then, their routine includes planning a domestic trip every six to nine months and have gone 40,000 miles between Texas, Arizona, California, New Mexico, Utah and Colorado in the Gladiator ever since.
Recent Adventures: John and Colleen Hartel's expedition to Utah was meticulously timed to coincide with the new moon, capitalizing on one of the darkest skies in the United States. The profound silence of the high desert was a memorable aspect of their journey, offering a tranquility so intense it seemed to absorb even the sound of their voices. Despite never having captured astrophotography, with tips from a more experienced friend, Colleen successfully photographed a once in lifetime view of the Utah night sky featuring a comet streaking across it.
Most Memorable Adventures: Their journey through Utah took them from Moab to Zion, with each destination offering its own unique beauty and challenges. Despite the fears of being out on exposed points, they found moments of serenity and surprise, even discovering a mason jar that contained an ammo box with messages from previous visitors. Since it is a remote spot, the last entry dated back nearly 8 years ago. Keeping the tradition going, the Hartels left a Lonestar beer can and some koozies for the next lucky traveler to find.
Their adventure spanned from the iconic red rocks of Moab to the majestic landscapes of Zion National Park. Each location presented unique challenges and stunning beauty. One particularly memorable part of their trip was an early morning hike up Angel’s Landing in Zion, before the introduction of the lottery system. Despite the crowds, the path’s steep slopes and narrow rock passages, assisted by chains, provided a thrilling yet nerve-wracking experience. John and Colleen reached the summit by catching one of the first shuttle buses of the day, avoiding the later throngs of less-prepared hikers. Reflecting on the experience, they mused that it was as daunting as skydiving—an adventure they’d been persuaded to try once before.
In Moab, another highlight was the Arches hike, where they met two women from Indiana. The chance encounter led to a deep conversation about life and adventures, culminating in a friendship that continued beyond the trails. These women, who regularly embark on annual trips together, shared their experiences and have stayed in touch with Colleen and John, swapping stories and life updates, ever since!
Each segment of their Utah journey—from the daunting climb at Angel's Landing to the serene encounters under arches and stars—reinforced the Hartels' love for adventure and their appreciation for both the journey and the destinations they explored. Their travels not only bring them closer to nature but also to new friendships and communities, enriching their lives far beyond the trails they tread.
Lessons Learned: Last year was especially memorable for John and Colleen Hartel as they embarked on their first family trip with their daughter, Bonnie, to Big Bend National Park in West Texas. The journey proved to be another enriching chapter in their lives, filled with unexpected lessons and stories. The Hartels prepared for cool temperatures ranging from the 40s to 50s, only to be met instead with a surprising heatwave that reached into the 90s. Fortunately, they were well-equipped with a fridge and an awning, underscoring a recurring theme in their travels: each trip brings new insights on what to consolidate and what essentials to upgrade. One of their highlights was reaching the high point of the mountain, where temperatures in the basin soared to 100°F, only to drop to a mid 70°F, creating a natural oasis and escape from the sun. While they may have had to retreat to the car more times then they would have liked, the Hartels emphasized how crucial pre-trip planning is and how important adapting and adjusting the plan is necessary for safety.
Upcoming Trips: In the coming days, the Hartels' sights are set on Ouachita, Arkansas with a group of friends spanning from across the continental US from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Texas, and South Carolina. The main travel checklist was of course a good view, preferably one with a waterfall.
Dream Trips: An overlanding stretch in Scotland and Wales at Cairngorms National Park or a trip to the Pacific Northwest to “the last frontier” and beyond scores high on their travel bucket list. The dream would be to do it in their very own Green Gator by shipping it out ahead of the trip and adding to the mileage!
Connect with John and Colleen: Follow John and Colleen for more of their adventures and join the community @GatorOverland
This Customer Spotlight is by Meg Klavitter.
This series was envisioned and created by Kate Della Pietra in the summer of 2020 when she worked for 67 Designs as a marketing intern.