Hondo Garage's New Thing

Anyone else get around the KodasTacoma way of doing it with the panels flipped upside down? I haven’t tried it yet but it seems to make sense.

Once mine broke in it got much much easier to close, plus as mentioned if you really tuck the fabric good (which gets easier as it loosens up) it closes without much drama.

 

I tried it yesterday and it seemed to be a bit easier to close. If I understood what was posted then it works but you have to force the cushions down through a space smaller than they are. The small panels are 25”x25”, the opening to mash the cushion into is only about 23”x24” because of the lips designed to support the panel. Since all the supporting lips are metal I’m not sure how well the cushion fabric will hold up to doing that repeatedly.

 

I like this mod.

If there is a concern, you could use another bit of fabric between the cushion and lip as a sacrificial layer.

 

Yea, forcing the 25x25" cushions was a bit of a chore but I don't think it will do any long term damage. I'm not too concerned about it. Once it's in, it's not going to be moving anywhere to force any wear. If I'm moving day to day, I'd skip this option and just leave the two small panels out. But for "Long term" storage, I like being able to have everything in place (Minus the long narrow cushion) and have my bedding stored up top.

Not a perfect solution but it does seem to work well.

 

My RTT has 8 little loops sewed into the fabric on the side walls. When you get ready to close it you can attach little elastic hooks between them which pulls the walls together as you close it. I'd love to do something similar to the GFC when it gets here. That should make tucking it a little easier.

 

The GFC comes with one bungee for that purpose.

It's actually not that hard to close. I've only had mine open a couple times and it's been pretty cold here. Leaving the windows slightly unzipped makes it much easier. The biggest problem is getting the pocket of air to get out of the tent as you are closing. Leaving the windows open helps a lot. Leaving out the two small panels makes it a complete non issue. You can close it in about 5 seconds that way. Even with all the panels in, in the normal configuration, it takes less than a minute for me to close. You just need to let the air seep out so you can push the fabric in without the air pushing it back out. It's definitely not as difficult as people make it seem and it can only get easier as the fabric breaks in.

 

A long bungee from the hinge area the whole way around to the other side of the hinge on the outside of the tent might do the trick without potentially compromising the fabric.

Otherwise, you might want to ask GFC what their recommendation would be for bonding to the fabric. That would at least give you some coverage.

 

The XL units are harder to close because of the added area. I do all the things you suggested and I still have to climb up and sit on the roof's corners to close it. Granted I've only had it for a month so I'm hoping it loosens up and/or I get my closing technique refined. The roof is at a higher level than on Tacos therefor its more difficult to exert much downward pressure without a stepladder or sitting on the roof.

Maybe GFC should make a video showing the proper closing technique.

 

That makes sense. I've never tried to close an XL. In fact, today was the first time i've actually seen one in person. He just happened to pull into a gas station I was at. Also, I'm 6'2", so it's pretty easy for me to grab the top and pull down and am tall enough to just lean on the top to get the latches closed.

I could see the XL being more difficult. The guy I met today, had all of his panels out and in the bed of the truck. He got his the same time I got mine, right around 6 weeks ago. I was amazed how much space there was in the back of the full sized truck. It's like a palace.

 

Good deal. I also got the extra door in mine, so we'll see how much harder that makes it.
Look, anything is easier than closing up my tent with a 2 inch foam topper and comforter in it. lol

 

True. My RTT was such a pain especially in the snow and rain. So far, the GFC is by far the easiest set up and take down I've had so far.

 

If I removed all the panels, which I haven't done, I suspect that I'd have no problem closing it. I'm 5'-11". I can just stretch out and grab the fabric till the bar is in reach and get it down. I can close it with all of the panels in place but have to use the sit on the corner technique for the last 1/2". One tip is that it will close more easily if you make sure that the top is perfectly centered between the corner pieces.
I can live with it the way it is but it would be great if I didn't have to get on top especially when its raining.
Hmm... I wonder if using memory foam instead of the stock foam would make a difference.

 

Please do it! I haven't seen that price on memory foam around here. The stock foam has a lot of pushback and is very firm..

 

For any one that wants the exact specs of the stock foam it's a 2# polyurethane 35 ILD. If you want softer get a lower ILD but don't go too low or you'll just bottom out. Higher if you want more firm.

 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=fH5ZAISuo3w

How about this one of JimBob closing his? Though it’s a Taco not full size.

Bottom line, and we all go through this when it’s new is just go SLOW!!!!!!!, tuck the fabric good and close it slooooooow, it’ll close with little to no drama. Especially once it’s broken in a bit.

 

Maybe I'll be the guinea pig. Next time I'm on a shopping trip (I live in the sticks) I'll check Home Depot and get a topper. Maybe you'd wouldn't need to chop it up to test it.

 

Wow! That was fast and easy. One thing I notice is when standing on my tailgate is that the top is about 6" lower than my shoulders whereas Jim Bobs shoulders look to be well over a foot above the top. I can't get as much leverage as well as having to deal with more area. Its hard to get my strength into position where it can be used effectively. It's funny that everybody thinks that I'm just trolling or something but I'd like to see someone close my camper that fast with all the panels in. Like I was saying, when my camper was delivered both the driver and I working together, had a difficult closing the top. It's getting better and of course, I love my GFC.

 

I don’t think your trolling. When i first got mine I struggled too. Slowing down and tucking the fabric really well made all the difference to me.

 

I think it's easy to underestimate how much more difficult the extra size and height make when closing the roof. I do slow down and have walked away for awhile waiting for the compressed air to leak out.
Are there any other XL owners out there who'd care to share their experiences?

 

Windows full open i assume...

And yours is full size, let’s see some pictures! I haven’t seen one of those. Well i saw Forge Overland’s Power Wagon at Expo but that’s a tent. His floor is 2” instead of 3” so I’m sure that helps