Hondo Garage's New Thing

Logged 2k miles through NV/UT/CA with another GFC. Best thing was being able to drive until well after dark and just pop the top to rack out. I have the 3” mattress, with new tent material (I guess 2nd round now if there’s really a 3rd coming), and I was still able to leave a sleeping bag, Pendleton blanket, and a woobie up there. Closed up nicely every time

Some of the spots were a little too close to Area 51 I think, my drone got tons of interference and a lot of photos and videos never saved near Tonopah Range. One of the photos shows the weird interference lines in the lower right, was probably totally aliens or whatever

 

Yep, this is coming soon....stay tuned.

In the meanwhile:

 

I'm still waiting for someone to try a DIY replacement with a hurricane hinge or something similar. There has to be a viable solution that we can borrow from the RV, trailer, other industries. I may work up enough courage over the coming months to give it a go if my repairs don't hold.

 

As an additional contribution to what passed for thread normalcy back in the day: photos from our hurried trip to Belgrade, MT and back earlier this month.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/iC41bEk3yM3NJPKQ6

 

Beautiful pictures! More green than I would have guessed given the time of year.

Looks like you have a long bed Colorado- could you take measurements of the space frame portion of the camper (L x W x H)? I've been curious if it's any different than the taco.

 

Pretty sure that is a short bed. Not sure if that makes a difference on your request or not.

 

Looking at it closer I am pretty sure you're right! The cab overhang looked shorter at a quick glance based on the angle in his pics.

Still curious about dimensions.

 

Ya, that's exactly what im thinking about lol. Nothing like a panel falling down and hitting your fenders on the freeway.

 

I really love going through 3 pages of people talking about talking about knowing the answer to questions we've been talking about

In relation to the thread, I'm finally in production. Hoping it will be done end of September but I have a feeling it'll be more into October either way, I'm very excited.

For those who are having to replace 2nd gen tents, are you getting it covered as warranty or is it costing you? I have a feeling ill have the 2nd get tent and I will be using it full time. I'm hoping any of the issues are relatively repairable, I'll need to make sure it lasts for a while. Any thoughts or should I plan on getting that 3rd get fabric as soon as possible?

 

I like to see the best in people as well, but sometimes things happen. Money for example, makes people do some weird shit. Always good to look at the positives of what people are doing (including the GFC guys) but always have your head on a swivel...... people are people after all.

 

Am I late for the party? Snapped entirely off when I was closing it. Went camping without a panel, nothing stolen!

The guys at gfc already sent out a new hinge... but I didn’t know this was an issue with others since when I asked them they said it hasn’t happened unless “misused” so... yeah. Kinda irritating also since someone mentioned to me also 1 million used.

 

If I were you, I'd call GFC and request the 3rd gen tent and wait if you have to. Somebody rumored that the 3rd gen will have rip stop fabric. Don't ask me the source 'cause I don't remember. They may have upgraded the glue too and some other chaffing issues. After a long wait you might as well get the latest iteration. I got the 2nd gen tent for no charge as well as getting the 3" cushions replaced with the 2" ones. My unit also got the extrusion sealed to the frame to fix leaks. No charge for all.

 

Ive had my gfc for a little over a year now.. I really hope I dont have to keep changing hinges every year.

 

That's irritating AF! I'd like to hear what they are considering misuse.

Would be really helpful if they wanted to chime in and explain why we shouldn't expect this to continue happening.

 

Ha! You're right - I'm sure the new forum is next on the list as "soon" as our aluminum tubes ship out and they release a new roof rack.

I try to cut them a lot of slack and do really like my camper - but the whole blaming the hinge failures on "misuse" blows my mind. They have a video where they encourage closing one latch to prop the panel open for ventilation - which seems like it would be way more damaging than any other way I can picture someone "mis-using" it. They may want to re-think that one.

 

@ace7196 @smelly621
I too asked someone from GFC about the henge issue...
What still boggles my mind is the fact that venting the side panels for a dog seems to be okay as described in their YouTube video. I’ve tried it once but not going to risk it again after seeing issues, oh hell nah! I can hardly see your insulated panels on the inside causing a hinge failure, @ace7196 but who knows.
https://youtu.be/bHEjaPe3hAM


^Probably shouldn’t do this anymore I’m guessing. I’ve been treating my camper/henges like glass recently which is kind of a bummer because I really do love it. We see a lot of negative or all of it on here but I truly hope they all sit down every morning and try to work on these issues and still read this forum.
I don’t regret my purchase. I love it.

 

That last sentence is key. If you're satisfied with your purchase, that's all that really matters. My first message was more of an overall in relation to how people can be good natured, but sometimes fall into a different lane for a variety of reasons. Also why it's nice to hear from everyone and their opinions, both good and bad. Keeps stuff in perspecitve and in check.

 

@ace7196 @socalktk What builds were you? That would suck if the whole thing just snapped off. Any signs of cracking before it broke off?

 

Oh heeeeelllllll nah, misuse my sweet ass. I’m not out here doing donuts with the top open, I’m just using day to day with a camping trip once a quarter.

If that phrase of “misuse” was written or typed somewhere, I’d like to see it