GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

Max of 107F yesterday, and it was a sunny 83F here. All closed up, the GFC in Black is an oven!

Need to figure out the vent/fan option out soon. I’m willing to cut, just haven’t found anything that doesn’t add 6” to the top or stick down more than 1”. Has anyone had any progress?

 

Find a Marine store and a RV store near you and go check out their fan selection.

 

I just ordered the Dometic 1250 Fantastic Fan today. It might be overkill but I’ve installed them in things before and they’re still sucking after years.

I plan to mount it in the rear center backwards. (Don’t forget to close it before taking flight, I know haha)
I’m going to make or have a 3” wide picture frame shaped stainless or aluminum bracket to mount on the inside to help strengthen the roof where it’s cut and thru bolt/nut the fan to that and seal. The interior “beauty ring” will also mount to this.

The roof is 1” thick exactly and that is the minimum it says the fan can be mounted flush into. It’s going to take some serious thinking a measuring but I’m pretty sure it can be done. I’m thinking I’m going to test fit it in some 1” thick plywood before hand.

The honeycomb roof material can be seen in your smaller mattress squares if you unzip them. I was rather surprised how strong it still is around the cut ends. That was something I was worried about at first.

I also need to feel how heavy these fans are again because I forget.

If anyone has any objection as to why I shouldn’t use this fan or why I’m doing it wrong, please speak up before I f*ck up! Haha.
I take critique well. Lots of knowledge on this forum to be had from you guys. I’m here to learn and help if I can.

List of things I’m considering about this fan before cutting my roof:

-How loud is it?
-How heavy is it? Will it be supported well?
-Does it suck too hard on low?
-Will anything prevent the tent from closing? (Don’t think so).
-Is there a possibility wind can catch the lid if mounted backwards and rip it off while going down the road?
-Will the honeycomb roof material crack/split when being cut with a jigsaw? (Hope not)

EDIT: After reading @alldownhill ’s post below I’m canceling the Dometic fan order. Switching to the MaxxFan Mini (00-04401M) to save $35, 1.5” of roof height and the fact that the MaxxFan mini has a locking latch with two lift arms.
Both fans seem to fit the same 14x14 footprint and move the same CFM.

 

has anyone mounted anything to the side flip up doors yet? I'd love to be able to mount some max tracks to one side and a shovel and axe to the other.

 

I think you have everything thought out already! I especially like the idea of adding flat bar to help strengthen, I think aluminum would be just fine.

Physically having the fan and test fitting will yield the best results. Shoot us some video if you can!

 

We had a somewhat lengthy discussion of fans in the drifter thread (starting around post #1250). I have a dometic fan in mine and it’s great. Although, if I were to do it again I would probably go with the MaxxFan mini:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-drifter-specs-and-faq.540826/page-124#post-20952524

I think that is one of if not the lowest profile off the shelf fans. It does not have a reversible fan though. It has dual lift arms and I think it has a manual lock. My fantastic fan ripped open in the western Kansas winds.

The reverse mounting is key too. I have been able to run my fan in pretty heavy rain: probably not a great idea but convenient nonetheless.

 

Gotcha. My two drawers are only 12”x24” at most. I couldn’t put 500lbs in them if I tried.

When I had the two full length drawers I considered buying the good slides but ended up using strips of cutting board type plastic. Can’t remember what it’s called. Uvmn or something like that and it worked just fine but not as nice as real slides.

 

Awesome. That’s some of the information I’m looking for. I’ll checkout that fan and read over that thread.
Luckily I bought the fan from Amazon so I can return it if I change my mind soon enough.
Sucks that the lid blew/broke off. That sucks but for sure something I’ve thought about.
Thanks dude!

 

Not great at videos but I’ll be sure to take a ton of photos and make a write up on some of the threads.
I’m not a great ta-ta-ta-talker.

As far as the flat bar goes... you’ll have to have something on the inside. Screws will never hold in that plastic it will have to be bolted/nutted to stay secure.

 

Do you think making a custom sun shade to place above the mattress cushions will help block the sun out?

 

If it helps any, I cut my bed squares with a jigsaw and I didn't have any issues with cracking or splitting.

 

Modifying my bed panels with a small opening to the truck bed below is next on my list.
I want the dog to sleep in the truck bed instead of my bed at night. He doesn’t like sleeping where he can’t see me. He’ll freak out, haha.
I’m going to cut a “window”. Haha.

 

To the guys running sumo springs....did you lose flex capability when on the trail?

 

I'm not an expert but I have experience with a Fantastic Fan mounted "backwards (the way you show it in your message") on an Aliner trailer. As long as the lid is down and locked when towing it should be fine. I have thousands of mines towing an Aliner trailer with the fan installed "backwards". If your still concerned you could mount a wind deflector in front of the fan for towing.

The Aliner trailer has 1" styrofoam walls and roof with fiberglass skins on each surface. When I mounted things to the walls with any weight I used 1" long aluminum sleeves on each of the bolts to prevent deforming or mashing the walls. This way you can fully tighten the nuts on the bolts without deforming or mashing the walls or roof. When used with the supporting frame you mentioned it makes a really solid installation.

 

These numbers are from below the tent with the tent closed. If you open up the sides and let it air out and then open the tent it will not be anywhere near those numbers. Otherwise it’s like any vehicle all closed up in the heat of the day. All closed up the fan won’t do much with the tent and mattress blocking air flow to down below.

Best would be do have the tent closed during the day on hot days. And then wait until it cools off to open the tent with all 3 sides of the canopy before hand to air out the hot air.

and not the tent. If you open the sides and let it air out and open the tent in the evening

 

You will, they are basically a giant bump stop.

 

I prefaced that earlier when I first posted about air temps. I’m not going to leave the sides open on my truck when I’m not around, with all my stuff inside up for grabs. Nor can I drive with sides open.

I also roll with the two square sections out, and the tent does not block where I’d put the fan.

 

On my last CBI Bedrack I had 6 led pods mounted under it for camp lighting (and tailgaters). I think the standard Amazon LED Pods wouldn't look right on the sleep GFC, so what are you guys using for camp lighting? Other than a headlamp. lol

 

For those using refrigerators in the GFC, is your food being kept cool as you hoped given the high temperatures of a closed up camper reaching 107 degrees inside. I can't see them working that great in those conditions.

 

My snomaster had been in the bed of my truck since I got the GFC and it's been working great. No issues at all. I'm in Texas and have a black GFC