Hondo Garage's New Thing

so its safe to say you worried about the next turn, and not your camper?

 

Thanks for the feedback!

I do really like how it's tighter to the roof than the prototype/3rd gen with the KB side rails, so much so that I've already ordered the @KB Voodoo side rails. They will complement the matching tail gate cap I ordered from them a few weeks back - should have just pulled the trigger on the combo deal at the same time.

Fortunately I have the OEM short antenna already so no trimming required there.

 

I get that, just hard to stomach the look

 

Does anyone know if those zip ties and surface cable routing is how they are handling production units? Would have expected internal.

 

Awesome pics!

I have TC dreams.

 

Thanks for the review! One question: Can you open the tailgate without opening the rear door panel on the camper?

 

Good stuff! Is your shark fin cut down or do you have an aftermarket one?

 

This will be different on the next run of units. Cleaner (external) routing is 100%. That was the prototype lighting kit, so we didn't have the wiring fully planned.

Apologies for radio silence the last couple days, I don't think I have had 10 minutes go by without the phone ringing.

 

well that's good!

 

definitely not complaining!

 

I imagine there is not actually this much light coming through the top? Does this pic have a special effect? I'm clearly not a camera guy, but it looks like your neighbors would be lit up. Maybe the lights could be mounted on the roof pointing down into the cabin vs what looks like the opposite?

Any news on possibility of switchable white/red colored LED's?

Is there a zipper/velcro etc. at the bottom of the tent rear door? I see the well placed side zips on both mesh and fly, but what seals the bottom?

 

Should be able to. If you look at the rear opening of the camper there are plates that the rear door lock too. The only interference you might get is to the seal at the bottom of the rear door. Opening and closing the tailgate might seat the seal differently (kinda like on some tonneau covers). For what it's worth I am planning to use it in that way to for a fridge slide under the rear door.

 

This picture NEEDS to be on the GFC website, If that doesn't scream GoFastCamper's I seriously don't know what does. That's amazing, seriously freaking cool. Nice photo

@inv3ctiv3 @wileydavis @gmacmt

 

Good to know about the tailgate not opening when the topper door is open. Was wondering if a pop n lock would be needed to secure things. May still do it for when I want extra piece of mind.

 

I’m case you want extra security this company replaces your manual locking mechanism and ties into your automatic locking mechanism and security alarm. I plan on getting one since it’s pretty cheap anyways. Not to mention the new founded convenience of pressing a button to unlock instead of keying it like 1995. http://www.popandlock.net

 

Could you elaborate on how they must be used together vs separate? Does the door lock to the tailgate? Perhaps I just can't see it in my mind this morning.

 

Typically the bottom edge of the door on a shell overlaps the top of the back of the tailgate. Thus if the shell door is closed you can’t actually open the tailgate because the shell door is holding it in place. So if you can lock the shell door it effectively prevents the tailgate from being opened too.

Problem is most shell door handle/latches use relatively weak metal for the latches and the latches are held in place with set screws for easy adjustment. Yanking on the shell door handles vigorously for a bit will make the set screw slip and the latch bend until you can open the door. I haven’t watched all the videos closely but I think the GFC uses a different latching mechanism that should be a lot more robust.

 

I can see that. Guess I'm thinking more about how it would work for other OEM tailgates. Guess I was thinking more for a F150

Taco vs F150 gate

Also, I'm pretty sure the tab is where the rear door latches to.

 

Don't waste your money on the popandlock:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/power-tailgate-lock.393110/

mesojdm has a thread around here somewhere with the same cheap mod.

Here's mesojdm's version:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/10-diy-power-lock-tailgate.424052/

 

@unclewilson - Great eye on the latch tab, just another little detail that makes me feel really good about the quality of construction. Quite a departure from a t-handle lock with a pot metal tab rotating behind the fiberglass edge of a camper shell.

I'll have to spend some time looking at the stock latch mechanism and some generic actuators and see if I can come up with something on my own for less $$.

It would be easier to add an actuator if the 2nd gen had an OEM lockable tailgate from the get'go.

If I add power locking to the tailgate I will also probably add a switch inline with the +12V to the actuator so I can disable the locking feature when I want the cab locked but the tailgate unlocked.