Hondo Garage's New Thing

Awesome, this was actually a question of mine. It’d be great to be able to provide those without having to fashion our own makeshift ones.
One other question I had was about accessing the tent body while the bed is chalk full of stuff. If I’m taking a big trip and it’s raining or snowing when I arrive at a campsite, I might not want to empty out the bed to get inside in order to access the tent. Will there be a way for us to use the rail attachment points to attach a ladder to access the tent from the exterior?

Thanks so much for your prompt and detailed replies, it’s awesome to watch a new product come to life and inspires confidence knowing we can chat with you guys directly!

 

For the camper version we won’t be supplying a ladder but we’ll have that as an option eventually when we start selling this as a stand-alone rtt. Depending on how tall you are you can get in via the rear tent door by standing on the tailgate. But as long as you have a foot or so of clear space at the back of the bed you could still get in through the floor.

 

Is it still on track for a April/May shipping Date? Going to be heading out to Montana from California to pick mine up. Thanks!

 

So far it's looking good.

 

That's great. I'd love to get back to Alaska in time for the king salmon opener in Ninilchik, AK during Memorial Weekend.

 

agreed, bead rolling breaks up that slab and doesn't look like a commercial work truck

this design is looking better and better. Might be the answer I've been looking for. I was looking for a topper and RTT but wanted to be able to climb up to the sleeping area and have accessibility on the sides...seems like it checks off all the boxes. I just have to figure if the $5k buy-in is justifiable for me

 

Thanks man! Stoked to show the production proto, think you guys will like it.

Sent the extruded framerails off to powder today, should be back thursday. Going to begin assembly of the canopy tomorrow night.

 

Subbed and bookmarked your site for updates keep the progress photos coming

 

Quick question, is there a technical reason why the topper is x inches higher than the truck's cab? What would happen if it were slightly/almost flush with the top of the cab?

 

The popup bed portion extends over the cab so the lower frame needs to be tall enough so that the popup frame will clear the roof. The upper frame isn’t shown in that photo but it would hit the cab if the lower frame were flush since the cab and the bed move somewhat independently.

 

Will the hinged-style side panels also remove easily?

How will the canvas panels attach?

Could I buy a set of soft canvas sides for when I leave the hard sides at home?

I want to run solid panels with windows in the front and back all day every day. I plan to run hinged side panels for when more security is needed, and be able to easily switch to soft sides for breathability and overall versatility. Is this going to be possible?

 

It would be awesome if at some point we can confirm if this will work with a prinsu rack. I have been looking at mine, and trying to find ways to lower it down if I need more clearance. I know half of the rack will be rendered useless, but aesthetically, and for wind flow I really want to keep it.

 

The canvas will attach using convertible top snaps. As for the hard panels, they will be removable but the tent frame will need to be loosened from the lower frame to do that. We won't know for sure until we try it but I'd guess it'll be a 30 minute job to get the sides and rear hatch off.

 

I should have a measurement for you this week. And as far as wind flow goes, we will be offering an adjustable fairing for the front as well as light mounting options.

 

Just want to add a little background behind our current plan for our aluminum hard panels. We initially planned to have removable fixed panels in addition to operable hinged panels, but nearly everyone is interested in the latter more than the former.

So we came up with a solution we think might work best to be able to offer locking operable panels that optimize access through the frame and increase weatherproofing when the panels are held open. Should have a proof of concept of that this evening to see how it works out. The only real trade-off in this concept is that the panels take a bit longer to remove.

 

What is the difference in height of the rack relative to the sharkfin?

 

An approximation, without putting a straight edge a crossed it looks like it's a little under an inch higher than the shark fin.

 

I know it's getting late in the game for you to make changes. Have you considered the idea of the hinged side actually being a lightweight frame with panels that you can change? You keep the opening frame - but change out the skin from aluminum to canvas. It would add a little weight but I don't think it would be much.

 

I haven't to be honest. What would be the benefit to a framed + hinged canvas panel?

 

Getting that dimension nailed would be awesome if you don't mind. Sounds like it will be quite close...