Hondo Garage's New Thing

Shame there isn’t a lockout on the roof.

 

I agree....a few months ago GFC said they were working on a design, but I'm starting to lose hope. My build date is coming up soon and I have been thinking about designing a locking mechanism myself. Unfortunately, I live in a big city where a lot of people are not honest.

 

That makes sense but now you got me thinking I should go with 3 bars for when I'm working and need to haul lumber and just use front 2 for camping with a kayak.

 

First post after using it for a while. My use will be 90% as a truck. I will camp and use the tent at the beach a fair bit but it won't get used as much as I would like as a camper.

That's the main reason it made no sense for me to get a Vagabond or something similar. They're cool - but I'm not living in my truck.

I've only opened and closed it a couple of times. It's tight but doable. And, the latch on the right is aligned perfectly and on the left the gap is larger. Seems ok so far.

I haven't been checking too much for leaks but it seems some water is coming in from the top of the rear opening - not the hinge - along the sides. Just a wee trickle. I'll look at it again when I get back to where everything isn't frozen in a couple of weeks.

I put the box forward so I can reach into it by stepping on my running boards (errrr 'sliders') in a pinch. I carry a step but it's nice to be able to reach up there if I have to without it.

Also, if I tilt the side mirror all the way up I can see the box and know that it's not moving around, open, etc.

I agree that forward would be best if you were camping.

I had a hard time paying 120 bucks for Yakima bars. So, I spent 20 at home depot and got 10' of pipe. I cut it and wrapped a piece of Gorilla tape around it. Fits great. Then, I put another piece around each side of the mount to make sure it won't slide side to side. I don't think it would be a problem without it but it's cheap and easy insurance. If it rusts out in a couple of years that's fine.

Short term report - I f'ing love this thing. The opening sides is a total game changer for being able to use the bed. I've never had a side opening canopy - much less one that practically disappears. It's amazing how much more useful it makes your truck.

 

Not sure what a s tab is? I was looking at replacing the passenger side bolt pin (designing a new one) with one that accepts a Connor swivel hitch lock. I'm just not sure how much the pin retracts into the cross bar. swivel hitch lock.

 

The opening side panels were the decision maker for me. I love the standing room in the vagabond when the bed is fully deployed..... but... the price and side panels on the GFC won me over.

 

Are those side panels gray or white? They look gray, but I wanted to be sure.

 

gray

 

yes

 

I meant for the struts

 

Can anyone chime in on if the translucent top sheds light in in the sun?

 

One of the best features in my opinion. When I was out the other day with all the sides buttoned up it was still light inside instead of being like a cave. Most people seem to be concerned with sleeping and the light coming in but it hasn’t been a problem for me and the sun doesn’t go down in the summer here so I know all about it.

 

Just do something similar. PVC with channel cut out that will snap over and hold up the strut. I've done this on struts for toppers before when they become weak. Works great.

 

Finally got around to installing a rotopax mount from AxisAlloys. Personally I'm not a fan of having my gear being on the outside mostly since truck gets left unattended while off hiking or fishing. This seems very secure and allows easy access without being in the way.

 

Thats going to rattle like crazy against the bars, wear the powder coat right off in spots it touches

 

Anyone what the order of the status's are know the leaderboard. I'm on "components produced" and am wondering what's next

 

Are you talking about the PVC spacers or the Rotopax post? If you're talking about the PVC that is why you cut the channel or groove in the pvc. When the top is up snap them in place over the rod of the struts. Just pull them back off before you lower the top. The PVC is cheap and easy to cut. If you're handy you can cut the groove yourself. If not I'm guessing you can find some one to cut the groove for $20-$25. While I have left them installed on toppers in the past, I definitely would not leave them on while travelling with the GFC.

 

Pretty sure he’s not talking about the pvc. I do think that’s a good idea for helping to support the roof if you have extra weight on it.

 

Rotopax, sorry just waking up.

Slotted pvc is a great idea for the struts

 

I suppose it could but I didn't hear any rattles with a full can, nor does it touch the panel. Have to push hard on panel to make any contact. Also put a layer of tape on the frame where the clamps go.