Hondo Garage's New Thing

https://instagram.com/p/BjvnTIdnI3Z/
Wiley going fast

 

Just a little run to Uwharrie NF. Rough trails and lots of dust and the GFC passed with flying colors.

 

I'm a very impatient person. Dropping $6k and having to wait an indeterminate amount of time is going to kill me. But, I'm dropping the money in the next couple days and can't wait.

Question, can you leave your bedding in the tent like most rooftop tents? That's the best part of having a RTT or camper is not having to pack up the sleeping bag every morning. Not a deal breaker, I'm buying it either way.

 

Cool. Thanks. I can make that work.

 

Question for anyone: Seeing as it's been mentioned that the panels are likely too thin to be durable enough to carry traction pads/mats, how are you planning on carrying them? Roof? Tire Carrier? Other?

 

I have the MaxTaxx rear tire mount that I’m going to run.... of course you need a rear tire on your Tacoma for this. Since i may not ALWAYS have a Spare on the back i definitely plan on provisions for them on the roof too.

My buddy runs them on the ROOF of his FJ and they work well... he mostly uses them to level his truck when camping. I can imagine if you bury them in mud, roof isn’t quite as great an option.

Also keep in mind the extrusions all around the GFC for some reason i invision GFC having a MaxTraxx (or others solution) that will go right in those extruded tracks.


(Right behind his RTT, so they aren’t any less aerodynamic in the HW)

 

Doubt it. If you mounted a maxtraxx there, it would mean you couldn't open the sides with them installed. Seems the roof is the best bet here or maning up and drilling holes in the aluminum side panels in the right spots to bolt in mounts. maxtraxx aren't that heavy. You could easily put in a heavier duty gas strut if you really wanted as well.

 

I though about mounting the on the extrusion, but you either mount them level with roof, likely blocking side opening, or mount them higher and become the highest point on GFC....

What i think would be sick is a GFC fairing with an access panel/hinge where you could mount the maxtrax (the similar) underneath and out of the air path....

Might just strap them to the roof like your buddy did in the end. Likely the quickest least complicated method.

 

I'm still wondering how difficult or how easy it is to remove the side panels so I can have my dog in the back. I assume you'd have to remove at least the rear panel too if you are going down the freeway. Anyone?

 

the bed of the truck?

 

Yes, but prefer to keep the muck out of the truck if possible.

 

Same. I posted the dimensions of the maxtrax pin mounting locations hoping someone with a GFC would take a few minutes and see if the mounts can fit without interfering with the tube frame and reinforcements on the panel.

 

My thought is to mount 1, possibly 2, T-Slot bars (similar to a prinsu crossbar) on the outside of the panel. That way you don't have to worry about drilling exact holes and you have a more modular system on the outside. The con is the added weight. You would definitely need stronger gas struts.

 

Not cheap but this airline track would be more versitile I think.

$189 US Cargo Control L Track Tie Down System, Includes (4) USA Made 4-Foot Aluminum L-Track and (4) Silver Single Stud O-Ring Fittings, Versatile Trailer Tie Down System for Trailers and Truck Beds

https://www.amazon.com/Powersports-...ds=l+track&dpPl=1&dpID=51OT2wCVXSL&ref=plSrch

 

I personally think the best location would be under the cab over portion using the front runner table rack. I bet you could shim and/or create mounting points to accept maxtrax that slide in underneath. That way you make use of that wasted space. My original idea is to use the front runner steel table and mount it underneath, using dimensions from door ding's post it fits as well. Either that or a Prinsu half rack might be the best places that are easy to reach and areas no one cares about getting dirty. https://www.frontrunneroutfitters.com/en/us/table-brackets-for-mki-table-incl-latch-rrac097.html

 

Well, out camping on another wet weekend wishing I had a GFC and not a ground tent to setup and dry out.



Happy to be chilling regardless.

 

Wooo, have my build date now. October 1st

 

Just as a heads up, we've been working on our roof rack system and will have some cool stuff to show soon. Now that the shop is more or less running (not fast enough yet but I don't need to be there all the time to tell people what to do) I have time to design more products. So in addition to the rack tower for round bars, we'll be releasing a flat bed rack soon. This will work for the roof of the GFC of course, but we'll also have options for tacoma and 4runner roofs, as well as an 18" cantilever cab-over rack for the GFC that would be perfect for stuff like firewood or MaxTrax ETA on the new racks is about 6 weeks.

 

When did you order if you don't mind my asking?