On this “episode” of 67 Designs Customer Spotlights, where we share the stories of some of our customers, we get to know Eddie and Jo Ramos. The couple, from Altadena, CA, has been on the Navy reserves for about 10 years and as an office services manager for a mutual funds company, respectively. Although they have young kids and aren’t able to get out as a family recently, they have been able to host many adventurers on Hipcamp and live vicariously through them.
Proud owner of: a black 2015 Jeep Wrangler Sport Unlimited.
Featured upgrades: Jo and Eddie’s Jeep is decked out with the following features…
- Dual Rate 2.5 Metal Cloak Game Changer Lift
- Metal Cloak QD Sway bar links
- 67 Designs Universal Holder for Phones x2
- Bilstein 5100 long travel shocks and stabilizer
- SmittyBilt XRC steel bumpers, tire carrier, sliders, and roof rack
- Smittybilt Overland Gen2 rooftop tent
- KC Hilites - Gravity LED headlights and fog lights
- Rigid ditch lights / single row amber LED fogs
- Method Mesh 306 17x8 wheels
- 35” BF Goodrich KM3 Mud Terrain
- Midland GMRS 15w Mobile Radio
- Headliners
- Trasharoo
Customer of 67 Designs since: May 2019.
Inspiration for buying their Jeep: Eddie has always wanted a Jeep and when they were dating, Eddie tried to convince Jo to get one. The couple lives to go on road trips, run marathons and adventure and needed a vehicle that could do that and more. The Jeep was the perfect vehicle to fit their lifestyle.
First adventure with a vehicle: November 2014—Joshua Tree National Park. When they got there, they could not find a campsite and did not have all the proper gear, so they slept in the car and watched movies. In the morning, they saw the most beautiful sunrise. Once the overlanding ball started rolling, it was hard to stop.
Most recent adventure/COVID-19 adventures: The Ramos’ have two really young kids and two dogs, so they have had to change the way they overland. Jo has missed out on many of the trips because of the kids and dogs. Eddie has been able to get out with some friends. In January, he drove out to Alabama Hills with some friends who all have different vehicles (there was a Ford Raptor, a Dodge Durango, an astro van, a Forerunner and a Land Cruiser). They offroaded, played around with his drone and enjoyed smoke ribs, Korean BBQ and Monkey bread!
Most memorable adventure: November 2015. For their wedding, they wanted their friends and family to experience the adventure they love, so they had their wedding in Big Sur, where you can only drive from the North or South along the Pacific Coast Highway. It was also on a Sunday morning so their guests could take scenic stops on both Saturday and Sunday. Jo and Eddie also went out with the Jeep with the wedding party on trails in the woods of Big Sur. And it was really weird, Eddie and his groomsmen actually ran into a coworker who was traversing the trails in a red Camaro! On their honeymoon, they also got to drive a Mustang through the Everglades and the Keys before jumping on a cruise for a week.
Upcoming trips: In May, they are taking the whole family to Idaho to see some friends who live in a decked out school bus! They just got a teardrop so they are going to head out with that attached and enjoy some adventures along the way!
Dream trip: Eddie’s dream trip is to go to Banff, Canada and stop in a lot of places before arriving. Jo would love to go up the Pacific Coast in the warmer weather, going through Oregon and Washington.
Advice for those who are just beginning overlanding: “Do not get caught up with the hype stuff, find what works for you—the best gear might not be the right gear for you” and “go with people because people make the experience that much richer.”
#1 place they have camped: September 2016. For Jo, it was when they organized a trip to Joshua Tree with 40 people. They brought together a really wide range of people and it was fun to camp with so many friends. For Eddie, it was his recent trip to Alabama Hills because of the views of the mountains spilling out into the desert.
Fun fact about Eddie: He used to be a bodyguard for about 5 years for celebrities, A listers and CEOs.
Fun fact about Jo (from Eddie): Jo can “turn something from nothing—when she has an idea, it happens.”
Jeep club memberships: They are not officially part of a club, but everyone that they overland with is a member of Unite Church in Pasadena.
Notes from the writer: Despite having two young children, one big way that the Ramos’ have been able to connect to the outdoor community is through Hitcamp, which is so awesome. Since they have a great piece of land that is close to the Rose Bowl Stadium and hiking/biking trails, they get a lot of visitors. Once their kids get a little older, I have no doubt they will be out every weekend! And hopefully staying with some of their past visitors.
Check out their work here: You can check out Jo and Eddie’s awesome website below, along with their Instagram:
© 67 Designs, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Spotlight by Kate Della Pietra.