Hondo Garage's New Thing

But yeah , ,I realize not a lot of people are gonna spend more for the camper than the truck, LOL

 

Adding an 1-1.5" would do nothing noticeable to aerodynamics on this setup, especially since lifts and bigger wheels would have a much bigger offset on mpg . The convenience would be nice to be able to keep all bedding in that area, clean and out of the way.

 

B

Exactly. GFC should add 1-2" on the next revised version 2 design so people would be able to store sleeping bags and 2 pillows up there full time. This will have no impact to MPG at all.

A lift with bigger tires have the greatest impact to MPG. I am coming from a 4runner with Autohome Extreme RTT tent that with and without that tent MPG was almost identical.

I since sold the 4runner and have a Tacoma now. Hopefully we get a revised GFC in the future that will allow storage of sleeping gear up top as I am in the market for a camper.

 

Not missing the point. Funny how some guys are so defensive of suggestions on the design. I'd expect design changes as version 2, 3 and onward come out with GFC success down the road. It would be a minimal change to accommodate some additional bedding, not "big fat" (unless you tell your wife/girlfriend that 1.5" is b&f ). In the fall hunting with my dogs in crates and possible shitty weather, it would be nice to pop the top up and have everything already stowed up there.

 

Not just pillows. When I saw a GFC in person 2 weeks ago it was recommended to take off 2 mattress cubes to close the tent so the air escapes in those passages. When I asked just open the windows and leave the cubes in and then close the tent. No real answer was given to me. So now you have 2 sleeping bags, 2 pillows, and 2 GFC mattress cubes on the bed of the camper when stowed?. I find this little bit unacceptable especially when space is limited on the bed of a truck.

There is a somewhat of a revision coming FYI. The GFC mattresses are getting little bit thinner, maybe to accommodate these issues?

 

I don't care about pillows. I'd just want enough room to keep sleeping bags/blankets up there to keep me warm during late fall bird/elk hunts, without having to stow them in compression bags elsewhere. If that works now..perfect. I'm looking forward to checking one out when they come through Utah again.

 

I close mine with all the cushions installed and the side windows opened. It takes a couple seconds longer to let the air escape and fold the tent in but it's not bad.

 

What quilt is it that fits? Looking for one I can leave up there.

 

Could you do this again, only in english this time?

 

Does it slide along the track? Is the focus adjustable so that it could be used as an outdoor reading light?

 

Do you have the 3" or 4" mattress?

 

Maybe you could get away with 3" or less with some sort of memory foam although 2" probably would be too thin.
Here's a 2-3/8" memory foam camping mattress that's getting excellent reviews.

LaidBackPad Memory Foam Camping Sleeping Pad - Memory Foam Mattress for Camping, with Built-in Mattress Connector, The Most Comfortable Portable Sleeping Pad- 24 x 72 x 2⅜ Inches, 8.5 lbs

https://www.amazon.com/LaidBackPad-Memory-Foam-Sleeping-Pad/dp/B01COF6NNG#customerReviews

 

While there are certainly folks with use cases that would warrant more space, longer sleeping platforms, ample bedding storage, etc, those things just don't fit in with our design ethos. We set out to build as spartan a camper as possible that still allowed for a good night's sleep and was super fast to deploy and stow. We come at this not from the RV/overlanding side of things but the motorcycle/bicycle touring, and race car side of things. So from our perspective the GFC Platform is on the luxurious end of the spectrum. Meaning it's as RV-like as we intend to get. What the spartan aspect gets you is a camper that has minimal impact on your truck's daily drivability, and a product that has really well-made parts for a reasonable price.

All that said, you can just close it up with an 600+ fill down bag or quilt. And we have a thinner (but more comfortable according to our testers so far) mattress in the works that would give a little more space up top. But any change we make to the design in the future will toward the thinner and lighter.

We absolutely don't mind hearing people's suggestions and opinions. And when it fits in with our design philosophy we'll gladly incorporate those ideas. But I would hate for people to needlessly be holding their breath

 

I think your design is directly on point. The only thing I would worry about is summer sleeping (I live in North Carolina) where it's probably going to be hot no matter what one does. Other than that, I'll be purchasing one of your units for my 2017 Tacoma DCSB as soon as I can manage. Keep up the great work!

 

I'd look at latex. More resilient then memory foam/poly and sleeps cooler. You can go thinner, while retaining more support then a memory foam and not bottom out. I sell the stuff...

 

Latex is not effected by temp change. Memory foam is heat sensitive and can get very firm in cold conditions. Latex won't be as plush as a memory foam, but in a limited thickness use like the GFC, soft memory foam won't provide support and can bottom out, while latex will support more weight. The challenge in a 2-4" application is comfort with enough support in a minimal space. Plus the latex we deal with is 100% natural, not chemical based. Some people like the idea of that.

 

Getting closer to color matching my GFC.

 

maybe not, but doing the R&D, design, prototype samples for the taller extrusion, new tooling for the front hinges, rear lock down point, tent mounting etc would add up to a lot of extra expense just to squeeze some pillows in.

I store pillows and blankets in my Tepui when I'm not using it, so i totally get what you're trying to do, but it just doesn't fit with the design philosophy of the GFC.

 

I am able to close the GFC with all the panels up top and with my EE quilt also.

 

There are people that want a bigger tent and those that dont. At the end of the day you dont ask a company to make a product for you, you buy an available product that they sell. Unless of course you are willing to pay to have someone custom make you something.

That being said the GFC is designed with specific intentions and is very well thought out. Personally, I love the fact that its only 6" or so thick and is one of the most appealing characteristics. If I really want pillows, I vacuum seal them in a tote.

It's great that we have easy access to the crew making the GFC but it just seems silly to me to ask them to essentially redesign their camper for some pillows. That's like going to Autohome and Eezi-Awn and saying, ya this is great but can you just start over to fit my needs.

I dont think anyone is defensive over the design either, the GFC is what it is and people either will like it or not.