Hondo Garage's New Thing

@wileydavis I am all but sold... weighing out all the benefits of the GFC it really seems like you guys have truly dedicated the time and effort into providing us the very best cap/camper top. One other question to add to my last post is I want a solid panel on top to allow walking on. Graeme mentioned this in our conversation but I didn't fully understand if it will be added to the stock build or a replacement panel.

 

We only have minimal details at the moment, but the heater will most likely be the small propex unit. We'll probably have two versions, one that mounts to the front bulkhead panel and another that comes with the bed platform/drawer we're designing. Propane most likely would be on a swing-out carrier at the back. Under platform model would require drilling a hole for venting. Bulkhead version would come with a new front panel with vent holes already in it. We plan to have the heater option ready before next winter.

The storm covers for the side windows zip completely out of the way (from the inside), but the mesh is permanently attached.

And yes, the aluminum panels will have support struts to keep them open. We just didn't have time to get them installed before the Baja trip

 

You'll never be able to walk directly on the roof panel. We are working on a deck-style roof rack that would be walkable though. This will basically be a bunch of extruded aluminum slats connected to the tent frame with side plates so all the roof load is fed into the frame, not the roof panel. Keep in mind that a full walkable deck will add about 75 lbs.

 

Here's a porthole that I'm sure your dog will like.


Humans might like it too. Actually it's a relatively sleek way of lighting up a dark shell.

 

It would help but still weighs 60 lbs. You'd be better off with some spaced 2 x 4s over the area you want to stand. The deck racks will come in 24" sections, so you wouldn't need to cover the whole thing if you only wanted to stand on part of it.

 

Need any beta test volunteers down here in Wyoming? I’d be happy to take it winter camping up three lakes and obviously would be spending most of my summer in it here
My wallet is already feeling lighter

 

Everything still looks great. Can't wait to take delivery of mine.

 

This is a bummer that the mesh is permanently affixed... I want to be able to set up a camera and shoot from within the tent from the sides. A lot of time I don't arrive until late at my campsite and not knowing what direction of the sky I will photograph or early am, it would be nice to have a clear unobstructed view from all three sides. Just something to ponder... And thanks for the quick reply earlier.

 

Permanently attached mesh is a pretty standard deal with RTTs (that I've seen/own). But you've certainly got a valid (if edge-case) scenario in which it's not desired.

 

All of my rtt windows go down. Mesh included. Always have and I have 2

 

Given the angle of the rear door, you'd have a clear view of three sides when standing at the back. The mesh in the door zips open.

 

@Blackdawg and @yellowdogpaddler - In a lot of tents the rain cover is on the outside so to open the window you have to first unzip the mesh, then unzip the rain cover, then zip the mesh back up. I've used tents like this and I really dislike that workflow so I designed the side windows with the mesh on the outside and the rain cover inside so you only have to unzip one zipper to to look out the window or get some ventilation (yes it's still keeps the water out).

We could have made the mesh panel zip out as well, but it's rare most people would ever need to (even for photography the rear door/window is better suited since the side windows are at the low-roofed end of the tent and when standing or sitting at the back you have unobstructed vies to the side as well as the back) and we're trying to hit a reasonable price point and use really good materials and construct things in a way that they'll last a long time. To do all those things we have to simplify and focus on the most important features and make sure those are done really well. A bit of triage has to occur as to what features we make standard. All the extra little features add up pretty quickly. That said, after we're up and running I don't see why we wouldn't offer alternate tent sides for more niche use cases.

 

Sorry I just was saying how my windows work on the rtt to the guy that says they don't unzip.

My windows have the solid flap open first on the inside too and you can do the mesh if you want as well. There is also an exterior rain flap over hang

 

No worries. Just trying to offer a bit of explanation as to why we might adopt some suggestions and not others. Even some good ideas we can't incorporate right away.

 

That would be super rad.

 

I can't remember if this has already been answered, but are the pads/cushions permanently attached to the panels? Or, can they be removed and left behind to save weight/space? We often have our backpacking style self-inflating pads with us on our travels and we'd love it if we could just double dip and use said pads on the naked panels instead of carrying two separate types of sleeping pad accommodations. BTW, ready to drop the hammer on your invoice this week fellas, bring it!

 

Can't wait to begin seeing photos of these things in the wild.

 

The tent is going to be a coated nylon (shelter-lite). We originally planned to use either Sunbrella or Outdura (they're basically the same fabric) for the tent sides but the Shelter-Lite won out due to its durability, waterproofness, and because we can seam weld a lot of the components.

For the cushions we're probably going to start with either Sunbrella or Outdura but we might use the Shelter-Lite for those as well if our tests prove out, making the cushions a lot like a Paco Pad.

 

All but the two square cushions are separate. The two small panels are incorporated into the cushion covers to make them more convenient to open and close.

 

Damn @DoorDing, that's a huge amount of work! This thread owes you...