Hondo Garage's New Thing

I’m down for that!

 

Guess we're all spending the night in our new tents in the parking lot..

 

I've always wanted to fish in Montana...

 

Love the design using the aluminum extrusion; keep up the good work.

I've been entertaining the idea of something smaller for myself out of 8020 but doubt I'll ever actually get around to designing and fabbing all of the needed components.

Sub'd for updates...

 

Looks like it's going to be a party in Bozeman! Sounds perfect.

Here's a rough outline of the pricing and options. A lot of the optional bits we don't have pricing for yet since the designs of those parts aren't finalized. I'll have @gmacmt jump in here to talk about shipping deductions and install parties since he's handling that aspect of things. But we'd love to have you all come out for an in-person pick up.

$5000 base price. Includes the following:

• Complete camper assembly
• Choice of Canvas soft sides with vinyl front and rear windows or removable aluminum hard sides with no windows.
• Mattress cushions and covers.
• Truck-specific mounting kit.
• Brake light and wiring harness
• Shipping to lower 48

Options not included in the base price:

• Hinged side panels (open upwards) - Estimated price $250 (total for both sides)
• Front and rear windows for aluminum sided models - Estimated price $150/window.
• Color-matched aluminum panels - Price TBD
• Roof rack bars and mounting brackets - Price TBD
• Basket style roof rack - Price TBD
• Roof-mounted ventilation fan - Price TBD
• Interior LED lighting - Price TBD
• Insulation tent liner - Price TBD
• Lower panel insulation kit - Price TBD
• Heater - Price TBD

 

About to pull trigger on pre order. What color will it be if not purchasing color match. Thanks!

 

Soft sides will be black or gray. Aluminum will be white, black, or gun metal gray.

 

Good deal, thanks!

 

So options that should just be standard like front and rear windows, and hinged sides up the price $550. The roof rack bars that have looked standard the whole time, and IMO is the major benefit of a this rig, will probably up the price another $300. We keep nickel and diming options and we approach the price of a Habitat. As a small business owner, and a business forward minded individual, I usually don't critique others prices. However how many people will not opt for the no windows option, or the non hinged sides? Probably should be standard, and not an "option". It would also stream line the production process as well.
Those that have put down a deposit how do you feel?
God forbid you lose money on your venture, that is not what business is about, and I don't go to work every day thinking I am going to work for free. But you have been taking people money, and most of them have signed up not knowing exactly what they are going to receive. I know it is a non binding deposit, but I need a lot more then a few cad drawings, and a rough prototype to plunk down my money. I really want to purchase one, the one I have pictured in my mind from the cad renderings I have seen in this post, and on the website.
I love your work and have two unholey mounts in my truck with Ipad, and I phone mounts, along with radio knobs. Your fit and finish is perfect. I hope to have GFC in my future.
Thanks
Morgan

 

I’m not really worried about it until we get closer to production. There’s a lot of unknowns at this point.

I assumed there’d be lots of options, I wouldn’t expect it to be fully kitted out for that price. Any of the toppers or bed racks I’ve looked at have been the same way, here’s the price for the main unit and here’s all the other stuff you can add.

I’ve had my eye on the hab for a long time so I’m really excited to see what this develops into. In the end if I don’t like what the final product is, I’ll get my deposit back.

 

Well seeing how the habitat starts at $8600 and their option list looks like this:

-Cab slider window $360
-Roof Rack (3 bars) on adjustable track $804
-Side slider windows (each) $410
-Side hatch doors 14″ x 42″ (each) $550
-Rear liftgate insert window $290

I think the GFC Platform will be a pretty good value. You're at $11,154 roughly for the habitat with front and rear windows, side hatch doors, and a roof rack. Vs. less than $6000 for the GFC similarly equipped.

 

I should also add that there's a lot of neat detail work going into this thing. We didn't originally plan on making operable sides but had enough requests that we decided to make it an option. But an external hinge is a bit ugly and would have been a pain with the tube/extrusion design. So I designed a telescoping hinge that remains internal and works well with the way the panel seals. Just got the rivet press in today to build the prototypes:



Point is, we're building something that's going to be well made and with lots of thought put into every little piece. Some of those pieces will just cost a little extra

 

I haven't deposited but intend to when the funds are saved up.

I like everything that I am hearing and am a fan of the basic kit with AL sides plus just a front window. Just my $0.02.

 

Hey all, Graeme here. Been talking to at least a few of you guys, I am the guy you talk to on email, instagram, the phone, etc. Dig this forum, and appreciate the feedback so far.

We have been pretty clear about base model with upgradable options from the onset, hinged sides were never a standard option. And I think you might be surprised at how many people wouldn't want rear windows or hinged sides. I camp with a lot of guys that have habitats that run a blank rear. Its more secure, lighter weight, more durable and less expensive. That's a lot of upsides, and it's where the cool guys put their patches . I for one will run no rear window and operable sides, and for most folks the option to pick pieces a la carte is an upside.

Plus when you see the execution of the parts, I think you'll be stoked. Each component going into the Platform is an engineered part with quality that surpasses any RTT or canopy camper system on the market. Period.

Additionally, we are not in the business of price gouging. We wouldn't charge you 250 for a SS piano hinge and Chinese compression latches. We also won't make you run our proprietary expensive solution just because we want the margins. For example, the basic ARB awning costs like what, $150? I have NO interest in competing with that pricing, or pricing our customers out of that solution by not supporting that product. For the money, that awning kicks ass. We will definitely make a mounting bracket to attach that awning to our system for a fair price, and we want to enable customers to have a good time for a budget most people can afford.

Just for an example of build quality, here are the rough concept roof bar mounts on the prototype. Please note that this is just mounted in some tube not the final extrusion of course...

 

Everyone should come pick up in Bozeman. It will be 100% worthwhile. I would be stoked to get your installs dialed in person. Plus we are really close to Yellowstone, blue ribbon trout streams, and lots of wilderness. I can send you on all the good dirt roads between here and there. You can actually drive dirt from yellowstone virtually all the way up to glacier but don't tell anyone because nobody does it.

You can safely assume that it will be at least $300 off to do pick ups for pre-ordered units. I will let you guys know a final figure once we hash out all of the details.

 

It's montana, we can all go camping like half an hour from our shop in the real outdoors. Would be down to plan something like that if we can time it right.

 

Everything sounds good to me! Last time Ive been to that area was probably 20 years ago when I was a kid. Time to start building the bed space

 

Great rebuttal on all points! I also see how narrow minded my approach is, and that what I think is right, is not right for everybody. I read the whole thread this past weekend, along with website, and blog. I must have missed some of those key points about pricing/options. I am pretty syked that I poked the bear a little bit and got a bunch of great content added to this thread! Even in spite of me looking like a dick. When I see pictures like this, I get very excited, and worries of the up charges completely evaporate.




Not some off the shelf parts sourced from china! It is sad in this day and age my mind goes right to cheap SS piano hinge and Chinese compression latch, and what not. Looks like you guys are doing it right, I am really glad to see these domestically made parts! I am still 90% sold, just have to see how the aluminum sides flow with the trucks lines.
Thanks
Morgan

 

You can count me in for a gfc pickup party

 

No worries at all Morgan!

Like you said, we appreciate you all asking questions because I am sure you aren't the only one wondering.

Stay tuned, should be forming and mounting panels next week. Have them all laser cut and ready.