Hondo Garage's New Thing

The side windows have inside covers that zip down from the top and drain to the outside at the bottom. So unless the rain is really flying sideways, you can partially open the side windows for ventilation without getting wet. As for the rear door, we have a small awning planned that will bolt to the top of the tent frame that would allow the door to be opened up in the rain (it will also act as a mini tailgate awning when the tent is closed). We were originally planning on making a prop for the outer door but that proved to be useless in any sort of wind so we decided to make the awning an accessory. It will have enough structure to be used in windy conditions without flapping like crazy. if you're hanging out in a storm and have a floor panel or two open, then propping open the lower panels provides excellent ventilation as air moves from the bottom and out the top.

 

Thanks for the info. That sounds like the solution I was looking for.

 

I hate to be “that guy” but with so much of this thread covering lead times, payment details, specific orders etc, much of it between the supplier and customers, shouldn’t it move to the Vendors section?

 

Hey guys, quick question for @inv3ctiv3 or @gmacmt if either of you have the time. I'll try to keep this on point and making sense.

Basically I plan on transporting my rather large fishing Kayak in the bed of my truck on top of my decked drawer and out to a hitch mounted support. That said due to the height of the Decked drawer (+12") and the Bars and towers that will be mounted to the Decked drawers (+3") I will not be able to drive with the rear hatch door of my GFC closed and latched.

I'd like to be able to mount two 1" RAM balls on the inside (opposite sides) of the Rear hatch door and use extended RAM arms to anchor the rear door to a second RAM ball secured to the Space Frame on both sides of the truck (that part is easy as RAM makes clamps specifically for that).

My question is can one of you provide a good clear picture of the INSIDE and OUTSIDE of the rear hatch door only? I looked through all the pictures and watched the videos but I can't really tell if mounting a 1" Ball inside the rear hatch is something that is easily possible, or if it would require drilling? I'm talking about a 1" ball mounted about 6" in from either outside edge on the bottom (tailgate side). If bolting/ through bolting isn't possible perhaps adhesive tape would hold it securely.

Also in your opinion is this a viable option for driving with the hatch partially open? I've driven many times with my old cap rear hatch open and obviously they wear pretty hard over time. I'd like to avoid that by doing this right the first time and properly supporting it from bouncing around.

On LONG road trips I will be getting the boat up on the roof, but at well over 100lbs for just the boat I'd like to be able to move it around town and for shorter trips off the bed of my truck without really hurting anything (including my kayak)

Thank you in advance for any help and or pictures you can provide. Really looking forward to my mobile fishing/ and camping machine!!!

-YOTA

and no a trailer isn't really a viable option if I can avoid it, I'd rather be self contained in one vehicle if possible.

 

I wonder if there's full standing headroom with the decked system? Perhaps towards the rear. I've ordered the GFC XL 6.5' bed version and it would be the cat's meow if there's standing headroom the full length of the bed w/ decked system.

 

I'd be worried about the approach angle of a decked system...but I have also never used a flippac or a GFC so someone else could comment better.

 

Would be nice if you could just remove the rear panel and add a soft top portion, then you can just roll it up and down for short trips. I also have a smaller kayak that I'll more than likely stow inside for short trips.

 

It'd be awesome if there was a conversion that bolted into the rail channels on the GFC to turn the truck into a helicopter! And then maybe a glycol system routed through the tube frame to have beer on draft.

 

Hey guys,

Right the point of my post was asking about supporting the rear hatch while partially open. I’m positive i will not be able to close it with a boat in there. If i can mount a couple RAM balls i can support the rear hatch while driving and not have it bounce ext.... i plan on driving tailgate down hatch open (but supported)

 

I’m positive I’ll still have standing room with my Decked installed.

If anything a decked (or other platform) probably makes it a bit easier to get “upstairs” easily.

 

You didn’t specify that in your order?

Seriously though my question wasn’t that complicated or obscure. It was about driving with the hatch open (but supported). I probably see 10 trucks a week driving hatch open with lumber sticking out of a normal truck cap....

Kinda the same idea, I’d just like to support it so i don’t destroy it.

 

I think you would be challenged to damage the aluminum panel.

However, there is plenty or real-estate to drill a hole and mount the ram ball. I'm not sure how big the ram mounts are because I don't use them, but I believe there is a re-enforcement bracket similar to the ones on the side panels that the gas struts bolt to that you may be able to thread a ram ball onto. I believe they also make lock-outs for gas struts, so you could leave it all the way open, not just partially.

My $.02, which is just opinion and not judgement, I think you are creating a solution for a problem that won't exist

 

Lol... sorry I can’t fight what I am. I guess there’s a reason the term “over engineered” was coined.

I have a habit of designing and perfecting everything I do to a standard no one really needs. That said I will post a picture of my “solution” for driving with a fully supported rear hatch once my GFC arrives.

Thanks!

 

Odd place for a 1st post but oh well...

agreed that the decked or a platform should help with ingress/egress.

We are going to be using our GFC as a platform for our “overland” coffee truck to showcase our coffee on the road. We also will be using a decked system.

When in “coffee making mode” we will be using the front of the sleeping platform as prep space. Based off our measurements and mock ups, the platform would actually be at an awkward height without the use of some type of platform.

 

Welcome to TW. And thanks for quoting me in your very first post! I agree. I think the Decked (or any platform really) adds not only some needed storage, but also height and a FLAT FLOOR. All good things.

Now where do i find this mobile “overlanding” coffee truck??????

 

We will be around Colorado all summer! Stay tuned, we will be posting our official build thread in the next few days.

 

“BIVOUAC COFFEE IS EXCLUSIVELY SHIPPED TO COLORADO ADDRESSES“

Colorado? Only? Bummer. Guess i won’t see you! Guess I’ll have to stick with my Starbucks Via packets, or MSR Windburner and coffee press.

Does sound like a clever way to make your new Overlanding Taco a business expense though!!

My hats off to you!

 

I live in Boerne TX. Let us know when you head this way with your Coffee and GFC.

 

This will be changing in the next month or so, it has do to with Colorado’s health department and FDA requirements... Send us a DM or email of your interested in trying it out before then!