Hondo Garage's New Thing

@DoorDing I was curious now that you have your GFC are you able to store any bedding up there? I know that was your original plan with a Big Agnes blanket or two if I remember right?

Reason I ask is mine is still pretty darn tough to fold down. In fact if I do it alone I take the two small squares out and slide the large panel to the rear (how Graeme showed me during my install).

I’m curious how the RTT folds down too. I’m not complaining, It’s not too difficult but it’s a tight squeeze for sure.

 

Oh. I understood it lol....

Besides it looks like a Mini-Van headed back from a run to Home Depot. Lol

 

The best platform those should be going on (IMO) is a Wrangler/FJ/Hummer H3. My way back 2nd gen 4runner would've been the only one I'd take off road, all the newer ones are equivalent to building a Subaru to handle 2 ft potholes . I agree about the rtt situation, was only in that market cause GFC and Vagabond were not out; lucky for my indecisiveness I waited lol.

 

And the side windows are open.

 

The GFC RTT would’ve solved the things I hated most about having a RTT on my 5th Gen 4Runner. The overall height of a foldout style tent on top of cross bars made it a pain to set up and made it feel very top heavy. The GFC mounting directly to the roof is a huge advantage over the other hard top tents.

Having said that, I went back to a Tacoma partially because the camper looks so much better than a RTT on any SUV.

 

Anyone notice the comment about the roof rack/deck in their IG story? Color me intrigued.

 

Haha yes I definitely do all of those things. Well I usually have the side windows open about half so maybe that would make a difference. I’m not saying it’s impossible but it’s not easy to close with cushions.

Again Graeme specifically showed me removing the two small cushions and placing the large one at the back as his preferred method of folding it up. It’s not like i invented the idea... it closes super easy that way. My roof has been cycled probably 20 times not. And yes it is getting a bit easier. Thanks for the help!!!

 

I get somewhere between 41” and 41.25” hopefully you’re not THAT close.

 

I saw it. I suppose I was intrigued... but I will in no way want to hang out on my roof, that said I wouldn’t mind watching pretty girls dance on my roof, like in a country music video. But I’m married so I that probably won’t happen either, guess I’ll pass on it lol. Still like you said it’s interesting. I’m jonesing for the fairing and or half roof rack for the cab though big time!!!

 

The key to closing with all panels and cushions in is making sure no fabric shoots out at the last minute and gets caught along the sides or back. With all the cushions in place there is less room for the air to escape. Even fabric built up close to the edge makes it more difficult. I have always closed it with all cushions in, front windows fully open, back window fully closed. An extra couple seconds of checking the perimeter makes it much easier to close.

I’m going to try closing it with down sleeping bags next week.

 

My approach to closing is similar to Jim Bob's: leave a window open, I keep the back door zipped open about 6" which makes the rear door easier to tuck at the corners, I close quickly until it's about 6" open, then I tuck the sides (no need to leave the tailgate for this) and then press down in the back middle really slowly so as to keep anything from billowing out. Then I latch each side while still pressing down in the middle.

They do get easier as people are saying. Since my camper goes to events and trade shows it's been opened and closed thousands of times it's really easy to close But the trick is not tucking till the last minute, then closing it very slowly for the last few inches.

 

Well I just gave it an honest try. Probably spent 15-20 mins following Wiley’s instructions and it JUST won’t close, only thing I can think of, is you guys that are having such an easy time closing it, do you have the upgraded memory foam option? It’s super comfortable but doesn’t seem to compress nearly as much as I’d expect regular closed cell foam to?










































Just wanted to see if the collective GFC community would lose its mind over that one. Actually I followed everyone’s advice and opened the side windows all the way and tried closing it super slow thanks @wileydavis it actually closed up just perfect. Certainly not 30 seconds but in a min or two without hassle.

 

I’m number 123 on the leader board, and I just got an email that my build will be starting Nov 5th! I may be the first Barcelona Red Tacoma with a gfc...

What steps should I take to prepare for the install?

I have a factory roof rack, when I take it off, how do I fill the holes? @wileydavis I’d love to be the guinea pig for your roof rack you’ve teased us about! Haha!

How important is taking off the bed rail caps and sealing them up? I live in oregon and spend a lot of time in the dusty desert...

Anything else I should consider doing before my drive to Montana?

Thank you!

 

I'll have to double check but I think we've installed a few with the factory roof rack intact and it clears just fine. So you could leave it on for the time being. As for the GFC rack, extrusion first articles should be here in about 2-3 weeks (different extrusion company than we use for the ten frames). if you did want to remove the rack, the best way to seal them up is to reinstall the factory bolts and use some butyl seal tape under the heads. Butyl seal tape is amazing stuff.

On my 3rd gen I haven't had an issue with dust intrusion from the bed rail caps. So my recommendation is to do nothing.

What desert part of Oregon. I did some desert racing out near millican years ago.

 

I sealed the roof rack holes with rtv silicone until I get around to getting another set of bolts.

 

Trying to put some logic to some math I've got going on for my camper... what was your original estimated build date after you ordered?

 

The holes for the roof rack didn’t have any bolts and were covered with tape.

When I took off my rack I bought some bolts with countersink heads and hooped them up with silicone. Then I covered with more silicone and gorilla tape under the ditch moldings. Hasn’t leaked yet.

 

PM Sent

 

Good news! 4 campers completed today and 7 were added to "In Production"

Too many to count: Not Shipped
42: In Production
11: Ready to Ship
66: Completed

 

Thank you for your reply! I live in Portland, but I’ve just been exploring the state. Not really revisiting the same places right now. I had a great long weekend in the Steens Mountains last month!