Hondo Garage's New Thing

I agree.

 

I agree as well.

I am going to rig a tarp/shade/awning off the back using the slots of the extrusion.

 

Just saw this and thought we could use a similar design for our rigs

 

Replacement tailgate door isn't gonna happen from us. Too vehicle specific, and it would increase the price dramatically.

If someone wanted to build that however, we could supply the tent portion as builder parts. Its far and away the most complicated/expensive part, so the rest of the build would actually be super straightforward.

 

Well I have 3 kids ranging from 7 to 12. My plan is to build a drawer system in the need to stop essentials and the 2 older kids can sleep on air mattresses on top of the drawers. The wife and 7 year old would be able to sleep up top.

Would love the option for a rear window though for the rear

 

Yeah, I figured that was the case. I hadn't considered the camera, either.

Honestly, this thing is nearly perfect for my needs, and cost is a major part of that. With the wait and excitement, there's a lot of thinking, and it's easy to focus on stuff that probably doesn't matter much. The kids will be in and out a lot through the day, but they'll have no problem hopping on or over the tailgate.

Fitting the four of us and our gear is really the big question for me. I'm not great a conceptualizing, so I'm looking forward to getting this thing, getting out in it a few times, and figuring out a useful build. Also excited to see what other folks with kids come up with.

 

My plan for a build with kids is a drawer system for gear storage in the bed. Duffel Bags for clothing and personal items. Mount the fridge on top of the platform on the back or front side of the bed, and stack duffels and whatever gear in the same width footprint the fridge takes along the entire side. That make sense?

Then you have 3' by the length of the bed unobscured on the bed platform, duffels and gear can sit in the backseat of the cab when camp is set up. Parents go upstairs, up to two kids sleep downstairs until they are big enough to complain. At that point, they go in a ground tent, or one sleeps in the bed and the other sleeps in the backseat of a double cab.

The fridge is the crux here, would have a lot more space without it. Might even make sense to mount it in the front corner with the long side parallel with the back window of the cab. It's a tough game of tetris with these little tacoma beds, especially the 5'er. Totally doable though.

 

mmmm

 

The possibilities are endless. I’m planning to have a sliding drawer for the fridge, table and stove on the right side of the bed. It’ll double as a seat or step when inside the bed. Still debating if I want to build a platform under the sliding system.

 

I was considering an option like that with stove in a slide out under the fridge....my main constraint is fitting 2 kids and a 55lb dog. 1 simple flat surface on top of drawers in the bed of the truck would be simplest but not sure I want to put the dog in the cab of the truck, especially since right now we have 2 car seats in the back seat and will for a few more years.
I came up with a dual bunk drawing perpendicular to each other and that gave a spot for both kids and the dog....all separated. But the addition of a slide under the fridge made that bunk too close to the ceiling of the camper
Not sure if we'll end up doing it like that but it' an option. The nice thing is we have some time to run it as is before deciding how to build out the bed of the truck.

 

I see a lot of really cool truck-mounted kitchens but I’m not sure I want to be tied to the truck that much. Even if I’m not in a campground with a table, there’s often nice rocks away from the vehicle that make nice tables/benches/seats. I borrowed an ARB awning once and my wife didn’t like it ... she didn’t want to sit right next to the truck, and I saw her point. I will cook or prep food on the tailgate if there’s no ther option. I did build a platform, but so far don’t have drawers, preferring the flexibility of smaller bags and boxes. Here’s my favorite outdoor kitchen, from when I had my FlipPac, my daughter cooking. On that trip, with the bigger T100, she slept in the bed and my wife and I slept upstairs, plenty of room for all. 5’ Tacoma is a tighter squeeze.

 

That's a pretty good point....I guess not currently being "tied to the truck" I did not consider that. Do you have a good suggestion for small stackable containers for holding stove and other kitchen items?

We do have a light folding table I use now for cooking that's pretty cool....small and stow away nicely

 

What table?

 

@BURRTIO

 

@wileydavis or @gmacmt , could you update the OP with the most updated photo's? I have friends interested but it might be a bit hard to scour through all 30 some pages to find more pics! Thanks!

Also, is the ETA for shipping/pick up around May 2018?

 

I use this table. It folds to a decent size, is light and is big enough to fit my regular sized dual burner Coleman plus some extra crap when cooking.

http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/...productDetail/Tables/prod9999001155/cat100888

 

Check out the GFC Instagram page for a compilation of pics

@gfc_usa

 

https://www.rei.com/product/114087/mountain-summit-gear-roll-top-kitchen

$90 from REI. They make a 'deluxe' version with a 'cabinet' haha we didn't feel the need. This is nice to have a spot for the stove and a small prep area next to it

 

I use this one - it’s stable and folds up very compact.
https://www.rei.com/product/765280/rei-co-op-camp-roll-table
We usually use it for prep, cooking, and setting out stuff, and just eat in our camp chairs. Anyway, I suppose we’re getting a bit off-topic here, but some storage options for the GoFast which align with the “fast and light” philosophy would be interesting. One step at a time though.

 

Can I pick mine up yet??!