Wedge Life

I've had a few issues. All of which have been taken care of, the latest was an issue with the tent zipper and am having the full tent replaced. All issues have been fixed at cost to GFC. Customer service urgency could use some work, no denying that; email and call back only could be a lot better. And arguably a lot of their early issues should've been caught in their validation run, but so is life.

As for that guy, he is also refusing to get his issues taken care of because he doesn't believe the issue has been/will be resolved with the new tent canvas/sealing which is fair, but also a bit unfair to GFC as that is what they currently offer. The sealing is an RTV that's hand applied, so naturally there's going to be inconsistencies across mass production and will be some leaks across customers. The tent failure, well that one is new and I understand his concerns but seems like his issues are with the camper itself not the customer service; sounds like he wants that portion sewn as well which isn't how they manufacture it. Not sure what he expects to get out of it.

Original purchase price as $5,000 for mid size and $5,500 for full size and that included free delivery to your personal address, no commercial crap. Closest full size competitor for him would be $8200 without any options or $9,000 with windoors that the GFC comes standard with then tack on shipping... When GFC came out and took pre-orders neither VO or AT Overland was announced let alone taking pre-orders.

 

So by my math im counting $2,700 for base comparisons. Far from the $4,000 mentioned above.

 

Wouldn't say far, but point taken. My point was VO wasn't even an option at that time. After I paid my deposit and sent a check in VO announced maybe 1 month later? They also didn't come out with the full size version for a while after the drifter.

 

i get the availability part of it, i just wanted to know where he was clarifying the $4,000 difference. Options are one thing but base/base it didnt add up.

Im just sitting here wishing i had a truck bed

 

Yeah base/base there's not a huge difference, but if you include free shipping on GFC and whatever it costs to ship a VO; probably $1-1500 then you get right about there. Idk where the number from, but it's a significant amount more.

 

The Nomad base price is $8250. Full powder coating ~$1600 = $9850.
I paid $5200 for an XL GFC. included free shipping.
You say if GFC is smart, well let the market decide. How many orders are there for the Drifter? IDK but is GFC over 800 yet?

 

Before this thread gets out of hand, let’s just all appreciate that we have these options available period.

For those of us that have a wedgie, we’ve spent thousands of dollars on it and we dont need anyone telling us that we made the wrong purchase. People will come to that conclusion themselves, if at all.

Its summer. Go out and enjoy your camper

 

I'm with MJ! Doesn't it rock to have a wedgie? They are so much fun out in the wilds of beautiful summer in the PNW and over dinner while we are plotting where we will go and what we will do next to heighten our outdoor experience. They all are pretty different which is reflected in price points, and noted strengths and weaknesses, but quite frankly in my book we are all wedgie winners, wannabes or will be soons.

 

...

 

I agree with MJ as well. The spirit of this thread was to have a common bond between all of us wedge owners. Sure we can have a healthy discussion of differences, but let's not let it get out of hand.

We are all fortunate for a lot of reasons. As mentioned there are tons of options that years ago didn't exist, and we also have the internet! There's never been a time with so much information available at your fingertips. Folks can make really good, well informed decisions if they take the time to look. This article and all the other info out there can only help a buyer. There's enough VS out there, so let's stay on "us" here.

I'll touch on the availability from VO's stand point. It was a hard decision for us, but we chose to go though our camper to the point of nauseam. We wanted to vet out materials, our processes and design as much as we could before we started. We also had a provisional patent application in and we didn't want to release until that was confirmed. In the end we didn't want to sell a product we wouldn't be happy with buying ourselves, and that took time. I'm not saying other companies didn't do the same, just our perspective on why we didn't launch sooner.

Everyone, enjoy your campers, enjoy your freedoms, and enjoy life!

 

Enjoy the wedgies is a phrase I can get behind on...

 

Not trashing anyone. Just stating ones opinion that has had a GFC for a long time and (or any wedge style camper that is) that spent 80 nights in it and their problems they have experienced. People should know the positives and negatives out of each camper before they buy IMO. I sure want that before I buy. No camper is perfect. I actually have known this guy many years since we both had 4th gen 4runners before our Tacoma's. Again I did not bash anyone, I just posted someone who is a heavy user of the product (which sometimes is hard to find) and their experiences.

Again its nice to see an opinion and pros/cons from a product that someone is living out of.

 

I’ve got over 100 nights in my Drifter since purchase and the only issue i have is waking up in the morning because i sleep so damn good in it!
Solid product from a solid company. Best thing i have bought for my truck no doubt about it. I love it.

A little Drifter porn to get this back on the #wedgelife track

 

Since this Wedge thread is supposed to be the common peaceful ground, here’s a picture of my new Wedge. Fully loaded Alu-Cab Khaya prime. I had one of the original GFC’s and I had good luck with it, I enjoyed it but I wanted a more fully loaded camper. The Khaya met my needs perfectly.

It has a diesel heater, 200W of solar, on board hot water heater, indoor sink and stove, outdoor shower, even has a dual zone national Luna 60L fridge, it’s freaking cool. All the comforts of home in a 5ft truck bed. Is it for everyone? Heck no it’s heavy AF, I’ve got 8 leaf springs and a set of Air Bags but it drives super nice right now. I’m planning on either 4.88’s or 5.29’s in the Spring.

Suits my wife and I perfectly we’re very happy.

As with all things Wedge related to each his/ her own.

 

Let’s see some interior shots!

 

Entry way looking in steps folded down hatch door lifted up.

Dometic sink/ stove combo.

Cabinets and drawers, 100% aluminum/ stainless. Zippered access hides 12V water heater.

Large bed panel flips up on struts. There is another 2ft panel towards the rear that can be up or down to allow access.

National Luna 60L twin.

Outdoor cupboard. Full kitchen set.

Outdoor cupboard coffee portion folds in to allow access to Java without leaving the camper.

Utility cabinet side. Full CTEK charging/ solar controller/ smart charger/ shore power outlet/ DC/DC charger with fuse panels. Diesel forced air furnace with indoor thermostat. Front cabinet has shower head/ curtain and holds 5lb propane bottle for interior stove.

12V hot water heater/ mixing valve.

There is a ton of other stuff. Storage compartments, 2 front runner chairs, a full size table under the over hang, group 31 battery, 22 gallon onboard stainless water tank. Bug screens 6 ways lights on every cabinet, door, roof ect, even hella led reading lights on both sides of the bed as well as dual usb and dual 12V outlets on both sides. Prob tons of stuff I’m forgetting.

Sorry the pictures aren’t great but it’s in my garage and it’s the best i could do for now. Enjoy.

 

Awesome! Thanks for sharing.

 

Very Nice, Congrats. What was the weight? What was your main reason over the FWC?

 

That’s an awesome setup man! I got to check them out at Expo and they make good stuff. We got to have drinks with the Alu-Cab guys from South Africa and they are a good group of dude!

Keep sharing your experiences man! Different setups work for different reasons, but the goal is to get out more.