Hondo Garage's New Thing

Added note....I have had the camper for two weeks...beach trips with kids and surf boards is so killer with the GFC and loading bikes, skateboard and scooters for runs to the skate park are effortless...being able to open the side doors and grab anything from anywhere in the bed is so convenient. I have instructed the kids on how to handle the doors as to not put undo stress on the hinges. Next up is a minor build out to have a bed for myself while kids are in the top tent and have storage easily accessible under the bed-bed...if that make sense.

 

GFC Life...I plan to keep my truck a truck and any build out / sleeping platform in the bed simple and efficient.

 

This may have been covered already, but can you open the latches from the inside? If one were sleeping in the bed without the tent open (stealth mode), would it be possible for someone to close the latch from outside the vehicle, locking you inside the camper?

If so, has anyone made a workaround to prevent the latch from being closed fully?

 

I found a photo of the rear hatch locking mechanism. It's that little powder coated tab with the J-hook cutout. Clipping a binder clip onto that would prevent the latch from being able to close and trap you inside. Just one of many options, so it's a non-issue really.

 

This is new to me....so what happens if it is raining and I don’t want my gear in the bed getting wet?

 

Not sure I understand the question, but you simply close the panels if you don’t want water inside.

 

He was saying you are locked inside if you close the panels

 

If you want to click the latches closed then yes, I guess you’d be trapped if the camper is closed. The one time I accidentally fully latched the rear hatch I just reached down from the back window/door in the tent and popped it open. I generally shut and latch the side panels from outside before bed and just close the rear panel from the inside without latching it.

 

If you're worried about it, I would get a couple non-sealed latches like they use to use for the back panel, and make some pull tabs for them.

I made some for mine, and latch the panels shut every night.

 

I've locked myself in it before. My kids had a good laugh before opening a panel.

 

Anyone looking to sell their GFC spot for 3rd gen 5 foot bed? Please DM me

 

So who was the black Tacoma in Haines yesterday? First one I’ve seen in the wild.

 

What swingout is that?

Haines Alaska? @rkam65 might still be up that way

 

The swingout looks like a rakattach with a super duty single bike rack, both from 1up. I have the same setup and love it.

 

That was me in Haines! In Skagway but getting the ferry back to Haines today. I'm gonna try and look for a place to live and get a job for the 300 inches of snow in winter lol. @amp34 you live there?

 

Rakattach is correct. I run the size large and chose to have it swing driver's side. Kuat has actually bought the rights to the rakattach design, so you can now get it a little cheaper from them if you're cool with it swinging passenger side.

Rack is a 1up super duty double with two extra trays added, so total of four. I also built a slide out tray to carry two bikes inside the camper for extra capacity or secure storage.

Side note/FYI, rakattach and 1up are two separate companies.

 

Pics of the slide out tray?

 

Bottom is HDPE and the tray is kept from tipping by some L-track along the side cubbies. I thought about doing drawer slides, but we actually pull the whole tray out and use it as a table at camp quite a bit.

 

I’ve been looking at ordering one for a couple of years now. Looking at the Yakima version too. Can you post some pictures with it open? I have a swing out spare tire carrier, so I’ve thought if the bike rack swings driver side it should clear and let me open the tire carrier.