Hondo Garage's New Thing

Has this been field tested?

 

lolz, vigorous action.

 

they spent a lot of time in Baja testing this

 

He’s talking about the vigorous bed usage

 

I think it went over his head lol

 

Lol yeah mindset was definitely not there

 

Joke ruined lol

 

You know this thing is ready to launch when we're on to the sex joke phase.

 

What is supporting the smaller square portions of the bed from underneath? In the animation on site doesn't look like there is any sort of support from under, but something has to support the seam where the two come together? Also any close up shots of the brackets/attachment points that are welded on?

Also may want to update the site to mention the lack of couch option to not mislead folks not on TW since quite a few people asked a few pages back and the site makes it sound/look like it is available for the presale.

 

While you're answering questions - I've thought of a couple as well:

1) I've also been wondering about what kind of attachment points you are considering on the frame - for attaching things inside. I know you're talking about being able to hang things akin to a bike pannier. I'm curious because I've already scoped out netting that I can hang up in order to leave things open and let the dog stay in the bed of the truck. Looks pretty inexpensive to buy a 'custom cargo net' that I could just hang on the inside.

2) How difficult will it be to remove the aluminum side panels? I know you were originally planning to make them very easy to pop on and off. I think that has changed and the plan now is to make them easy to open - but not necessarily easy to remove. I'm fine with that but am curious what the actual plan is.

3) I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got planned for a roof vent.

None of these things is a deal breaker and I'm sorry to distract you from actually getting the damn thing finished. But, I'm curious.

 

The fixed panel has a flange and the long removable panel has a flange along one long side. So in either orientation, only one short side on the small panels is unsupported. The 1" floor material is incredibly stiff and has no trouble supporting that 25" span.

No good shots of the camper to bed brackets yet because the ones on the prototype are not what is going on the production units. The actual design of those will also vary depending on the truck model. We're building two final production versions now though, so around the end of the month we'll have lots of detailed photos and videos of everything. Actual production starts March 1, so we're almost there

 

1) There will be small tabs with a hole inside the frame at various points to attach things. And we actually have a cargo net design that will be ready about when we start shipping. Along the lines of a race car window net.

2) We were originally thinking they wouldn't be easy to remove, but we found a way. Loosen four bolts per side and open the latches and the panel will pull right off. Probably takes ten minutes to take all the panels off. About the same time to reinstall.

3) Initially it will be a small solar vent similar the the James Baroud tents.

Now back to work. Lots to get done before March

 

Please make sure that (like everything else) those fans are easy to source and replace. The fan in my JB was originally silent, but started making a lot of noise about half a year into ownership. Same thing with my buddy's JB tent. JB told me the fan is the only part of the tent they don't make in house. We're both getting replacements under warranty.

Another thing I'm not crazy about is that the on/off switch is inside the fan, behind the blade. It doesn't hurt to put fingers through that moving fan (or even stop it with the fingers) to access the switch, but it's still a weird design that I'm not crazy about.

 

Subd

 

that would be schweeet!

 

(psst)
(it’s early February)
(and I got moneys)
thumbsup

 

Thanks dude, really happy to be featured there!

 

http://forum.expeditionportal.com/threads/184004-Stoked-about-the-new-Gofast-camper

 

It's mentioned earlier in this thread but the rear door flap will have two carbon stays that will let it be used as an eave over the door. This is only useful in a light rain of course. But there's no need for additional venting because the entire upper perimeter vents. The fabric tent sides snap in place and this creates a small gap between the frame and the fabric. There's enough overlap so that the tent is rain proof but not air tight. We tried lots of fabric attachment methods and this design won out (over screw in plates, keder track, and j-clip specifically) as it solves three important problems: It allows for easy removal or replacement of the tent (literally 5 minutes), it provides ventilation, and in situations where environmental conditions make interior condensation unavoidable it allows any water that collects on the roof or sides to roll down and outside the tent rather than inside where it would pool up on the mattress. The reason we've gone through the trouble and expense of extruding the aluminum frame beams wasn't for the T-slot track on the outside (that was just an added bonus) but because it allowed us to achieve a shape that is designed to both shed and direct water really well and breathe sufficiently. The design has a lot in common with window frames for a house in terms of how it deals with water.

As for bedding, we will be offering fitted sheets for the individual panels before the summer is over.

 

It's not feasible to notch the floor for the antenna. When closed the upper frame is only 6" tall so your best bet will just be a wind deflector. Keep in mind that if the overhang is too close to the cab you can actually increase wind noise because the air has to accelerate to move through a narrower space. No word yet on xm as none of us have it. Regular radio receptions seems fine though