Hondo Garage's New Thing

Honestly, I don't understand the idea of the 'beef bars'. They look kinda cool and might be useful for mounting a platform to walk on. Maybe a basket. Or a solar panel.

But, how the hell would you mount a cargo box, kayak carrier, bike rack, etc?

I'm sure I'm missing something - but I don't see the advantage of these over my round bars that mount EVERYTHING.

 

Here are better pictures, it looks like bare aluminum to me, but it could be one of prismatic’s custom colors.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bw28aHPhcch/?igshid=17pyakylb8z8h

 

My latch pins froze up. Now that I know it's a problem I lube the hell outta them and move frequently. If you open the tent twice a year I don't see how the front hinge could ever freeze up - even if it rusted a LOT.

All that being said, I don't think road salt would be a big issue on these items as they're no where near the road....

I'm in BC and it's damn wet.

 

My camper set unused on my truck for about two months at the end of winter and beginning of spring in southern Idaho. We got a little snow and a bunch of rain. The tubes were rusted shut to the point that I almost sheared the pins off. I eventually had to disassemble, scrape out the rust, and spray it down. It was way quicker than expected. But rust can definitely be a show stopper if you don't have the tools for a quick fix when needed. Luckily the switch to aluminum will fix that.

 

I have an early version with the thicker mattress too. I've been using the trick someone posted here, flipping the small square sections upside down. Makes closing much easier.

 

Yeah. I didn't open mine for a couple months - through the winter - rain and snow - freeze and thaw - etc. And I couldn't slide the pins. But, it was partially my fault for not lubing them up and exercising them once in a while. Now I keep them juiced with boeshield and slide them every once in a while - even if I'm not using the tent. GFC was awesome about sending me the replacement bar. I'm curious what the Aluminum ones will be like.

 

Wasn't trying to insult you or brag about mine - just trying to understand if it's actually so difficult to close that it's actually taking >1min, or if it's a matter of you feel like it should be a 10 second operation vs. 30.

If you don't already - you may try leaving one or both windows open when you close - the air gets out much faster.

I'll second the tip about flipping the small squares upside down, I always do this now and it's made it easier.

When I get around to it I'm also going to trim the small squares down by a few inches like others have done so it's easier to grab them from above as well as vent air while closing.

 

Curious too.

I have the original tent material and thicker pads and have never had an issue closing it. I have all the cushions in and don't flip them. No more than 1 minute operation.

I leave the front windows completely unzipped and laid down flat on the cushion, the back panel is unzipped about 1/3 of the way, then you close it almost completely and tuck in the sides. The only trick is to make sure you don't have any places that end up bunched up and too thick. If you get the rear zipper in the right place, and the tuck in right, that's almost never an issue.



And a couple pics from the last adventure in the GFC just because

IMG_1879-2 by Brett Bjorgum, on Flickr

IMG_1895-2 by Brett Bjorgum, on Flickr

IMG_1913-2 by Brett Bjorgum, on Flickr


Still very pleased with my GFC overall.

 

Regarding closing: It does take a bit of effort to make sure nothing is bunched up. If everything is not laid out nicely while closing - you can't close it enough to slide the pins. Sometimes it takes me a couple of times to get everything folded up properly. It can be frustrating but still just takes a few minutes.

After sleeping in it a few nights now - I gotta say the cushions are 'firm'. I wish they were softer but it still beats the hell outta sleeping on a thermarest on the ground.

I'll try the 'flip the cushions over' trick on my next trip.

And why the hell aren't there any pockets to put stuff on the inside of the tent?

Now that the days are getting shorter I need to get my lights installed. They've been sitting in a box for months now.

 

Nice! I do enjoy seeing pics of GFCs getting in some good use.

 

Sorry for getting so defensive. Really. Anyway, I appreciate the helpful tips from everyone. I will give most of them a shot before spending big bucks on an upgrade from GFC or a lot of time on a DIY solution.

 

I have just been leaving the two small squares out and in the bed of the truck and it makes it super easy. I know this is not an option for everyone.

 

#overlanding #partydeck #burningman #iglife

 

I have no need for mounting roof racks, I simply need to mount solar panels. The beef bars allow me to easily mount the panels with existing angle adapters whereas mounting to round bars isn't as straight forward. Plus the beef bars look lower profile. It's not much, but it's enough of a difference for me/

 

The beef bars look to be better for hauling lumber with the flat non skid surface. With just the T bolts and various D rings there's a lot you can do. The track on the bottom could be used to fasten heavy duty mesh to create a shelf that could carry stuff and provide a base for solar panels.

 

Now this I understand. But, I need to mount a ski box and kayak racks to mine. I don't need a dancing deck. but, then again, I know I'm not as cool as everyone else.

After camping a few times now - i NEED an awning!

 

It’s definitely nice.

 

Good question. Especially since the Raptor that they gave Expedition Portal for the wedge camper shootout had pockets. EP even gave GFC a shoutout because of how useful the pockets were.

 

I think I learned about these pockets from this thread:

$10 MCARCAR KIT 2pcs Automotive Storage Nets Mesh Cargo Net Universal Trunk Organizer Net Rear Seat Nylon Car Storage Net Wall Sticker Organizer Pouch Bag Storage Mesh Net for Car Trunk Storage

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B073VQNR1J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
All you need is some industrial strength velcro and you can stick them to the ceiling.

 

Good stuff in that article between the competitors. Did they really give a product to review that they don’t even release to customers? Maybe an EP special treatment because of their marketing audience? Either way, that’s unfortunate they push a product for competitive review that they don’t even offer to customers. Chalk that one up to another marketing preferential treatment.