Hondo Garage's New Thing

Nice to get the e-mail update and check out the blog post about the shop set-up. I hope this means they're about to get cranking!

Their offer of personally setting up/delivering the pre-orders seems crazy. Has me wondering if maybe they're all high on tent-vinyl welding fumes - or if they have the bodies and processes in place that things will be progressing at a regular cadence regardless of it Grame or Wiley are there or out delivering campers.

Just to clarify for planning purposes - does the 6-8 week delay mean I should anticipate 6-8 weeks beyond what was communicated in e-mail already or are they 6-8 weeks delayed on the schedule that was originally on their website?

 

Wanted to see if anyone that read it was parsing the e-mail differently/more clearly than I was before bugging them with an e-mail. Being number 54 I already wasn't expecting it super soon.

 

We are actually on time with the schedule on our website, we are 6-8 weeks behind the schedule we sent out two months back via email.

And to be clear, nobody responsible for manufacturing tents will be delivering tents. In addition to the founding team of Wiley, Ross and myself, we have 5 new employees that we have brought on in the last month and a half. (Thankfully) this isn't just me, Wiley and Ross in a garage trying to get these tents out the door.

We are building the infrastructure now to be able to build these things at scale, which is part of why the initial production has been delayed. It is almost impossible to get vendors to scale with you as demand increases, so we decided to cut out as many vendors as we can in the supply chain. I am going to be sending out a weekly email documenting the production process as we move forward, and showcase some of the tooling that we have in the shop to build these things.

There is a reason that there has never been a camper built at this quality anywhere near this price-point. Smart design and owning all of the manufacturing processes is a big driver in what enables us to do this.

 

Reposting these questions as they seem to have gotten lost:
Just wondering about "Carbon-Fiber battens that work with the rigid roof to keep the fabric walls from flapping too much in the wind." (from GFC website) - Have we seen anything on this? Concept sounds great. @gmacmt

And regarding colors - we've now seen the white and gray on a production unit, just waiting to see black. I'm assuming the logo/graphics will be added to the gray/windows version we've recently seen - no?

 

This looks great, and is just what I was looking for. I read somewhere that you were working on improving the aerodynamics for fuel efficiency. I'll be watching for this option. Also, there are two areas that I'm unclear about:

1. Can the tent be locked in the down position? If not, with the aluminum sides and rear door keyed closed, couldn't I just open the tent and remove a floor pannel to bypass the locks?

2. How does the tent perform in the rain? It looks like the zippered windows and door would alow rain in, and it could get pretty uncomfortable up there without ventilation. I see that you offer a vent fan upgrade, but would this require a floor panel to be removed to provide return air? If so, how do two people sleep and how do you keep the mosquitos out? Any plans for a rainfly?

Again, great design overall, and really appreciate the strengh for true offroad use.

 

We’re gonna try it with a baby and a dog....

 

To clarify the rain question, what happens when the huge front window and two side windows are open for ventilation and it rains? I see no awnings or anything to keep rain from coming in the open windows. If you have to close them due to rain, and need to resort to using the optional vent fan for air, I'm assuming that you would have to remove a floor panel for return air - that's the basis for the two people sleeping and mosquito questions.

 

Yes and I have the same concern. They are working on a locking mechanism. I’m waiting for the upgrade before I purchase.

 

I wouldn’t wait... unless you don’t want it for this years camping season, I’m fairly certain @gmacmt stated it would be internal and an easy add on upgrade.

 

I just ordered one, and I’m #150... I expect by August / September they might have the locking mechanism figured out.

 

Anyone been in one of these in the rain? Am I correct in assuming that you'll get wet unless all the windows are completely closed?

 

Congrats! That’s great they’ve sold 150 of these already. Incredible.... super happy. I just want mine... NOW

 

I still think there’s only the 1 or 2 out there. But yeah, if the windows are open it’s just mesh protecting you. Kinda like leaving your windows open at home. The roof will keep you kinda dry, but the floors gonna get wet.... if you understand my analogy.

 

Watch the video here. explains side windows very well. you are mistaken.

https://www.gofastcampers.com/

 

How about a vestibule for the large rear opening? I've seen them on some other RTT's. It would have to be well designed so not to flap excessively when windy and be easily deployable. Perhaps it could be a skinny vestibule, just there to provide ventilation not as a doorway.

 

Yes, it's clear that you don't understand what I'm asking, so never mind. It's great marketing to belittle a potential customer with a legitimate performance question. Thank you for pointing out that water is wet. The bottom line seems to be that, unlike many competitive products, yours must be buttoned up if it rains. Good thing that never happens when camping. That's all I was after as I comparison shop. Your product still has a lot in the plus column, but rain intrusion is an important data point for many. If you don’t feel that wet weather performance matters, who am I to disagree?

 

He (inv3ctiv3) is a customer, not the manufacturer . Just an FYI

 

Then my apologies to the OP. Perhaps he can provide a better answer and any possible plans for awnings and whatnot.

 

dude. @inv3ctiv3 doesn't work for GFC. he's just the first person to have one in the wild - he took delivery #1. he's been very kind to share his experiences with us.

i don't think anyone is pissing in your cheerios. your question was kinda funny. GFC has said that these are watertight. yes, you have some good questions. i would like to see a vestibule for the rear window - I think one was planned previously. i wouldn't be surprised to see one soon.

awesome that they have 150 orders. i'm glad i got in early!