Hondo Garage's New Thing

I've got a pile of ruffstuff zip tie tabs. If I get the nerve to cut through the new powdercoat, I'll just weld those where I need them for wire management.

 

Bingo!

I could not convince the Mrs. to let me get the super dope GFC lighting kit on pickup day. Like many, we(she) had to draw the line somewhere. So I made a quick stop at home depot and found a temporary fix. Thankfully the GFC lighting kit is totally retrofittable.

My GFC side panel stiffeners had a couple of conveniently placed holes that took me all of 10 seconds to mod into the best clothesline ever. 15' of 3mm cord, 6 knots, and presto! Adds a little privacy/shade to camp when the panels are up. Might upgrade to a braided stainless steel cable. It works great for now though.

The GFC carries my 60lb 14.5’ kayak with ease. And you can pop the top without removing it. No extra supports needed. Wow, still smiling with this purchase. Too cool.

 

Now taking photo requests... What do you want to see?

 

How about a few of the sealing surfaces/fitment panels to frame?

Did you get the high roof rack or the low?

 

I’m borrowing their Baja prototype feet currently. Highly recommended! Definitely getting another set once they are ready for shipment. Best roof rack platform ever!

For all the triangulation haters:

 

@Ralston can you show me the gap between the roof of the Tacoma to bottom of the GFC (overhang portion) I also have a 2nd gen white access cab and want to see how much overhang there is. I remember Wiley saying there is less overhang on the 2nd gen Tacomas

 

so was hoping to could persuade someone earlier in the cue to swap with me but have realized no one wants to even with the lure of a few hundred dollars. That and with the delays to build numbers I wont get mine till September/October I guess ive got a great ground tent I just need to figure out a secure storage solution for some travel in central America in last week of august and first two weeks of September... I'm thinking maybe just take a small duffel bag and the tent and show my habitat and 4 wheel camper buddies up by just being a bushcrafy minimalist. that and mooching

 

was great to meet wiley and got to ask him my many questions at the expo and was nice to get to play around with a GFC, really seems well made and well thought out product. I guess my only two concerns are dust ingress here in the southwest and also knocking of the gas struts in tight trails. I'm sure they are pretty solid but its still a concern.

 

Spent 5 nights in it so far, enjoying it for sure. I'm in Portland, Oregon. Travel all over the state though. Happy to show it off. And definitely some ideas I've updated, refining the setup each time. I'll be updating my build page soon to show off details.

 

They have posted a few pictures of the lack of dust ingress. @inv3ctiv3 can probably chime in regarding his experience with dust or lack thereof.

What do you mean about knocking of the gas struts on tight trails?

 

The want is real.

Any experience yet having to climb out for the call of nature with two people up in the sleeper?

 

What size bars are your Yakima’s?

 

No not yet. We have our dog up there with us too. So far just go before bed, haha. We've been using a small blanket under us along with a light sleeping bag quilt, feels like a full set of sheets or something would be pain in the but.

 

I have about 1.5”. I run KB Voodoo bedrail caps which drop the GFC at least .75” FWIW. Not enough room for maxtrax, but we already have a plan for those.

 

Has it been warm while raining? If so, How is the ventilation been with rain?

 

yeah, I use sheets in my Tepui, but I've found a pair of coleman flannel bags with a blanket or two have been the most comfortable combo. With sheets, I feel like pulling out one of the little square floor pieces would be a pain.

 

My lady has done it at least once every night, haha. Maybe 20+ nights now. Piece of cake! We use a queen size flat sheet on top of the cushions, a queen size flat sheet on top of us, and a feathered friends down comforter to seal the deal. So comfy it hurts to get out. These guys nailed it!

 

No rain yet. Been warm though. Good ventilation. I did hit it had a few ago washing the truck after 3000 miles of driving the last few weeks. No water got inside anywhere really.

 

58”

 

Ventilation when raining is amazing. With the large rear door closed up tight you just open the side vents about halfway(depending on wind). You can feel the breeze across your chest/face better than in any ground tent I’ve ever slept in. And that is quite a few fwiw.
It’s almost like the wind forces itself through the side vent, and in between you and the flat rigid ceiling above. Seemingly gaining velocity as is passes through. If you open the rear panel you can definitely get a better view, but the wind tunnel effect is noticeably lessened.