GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

First trip out is going well. The suspension is night and day compared to stock with the weight of the camper and buildout.
100w solar panel and goal zero yeti 400 battery are keeping the dometic 28 running and the battery never goes under 60%. I’m up in the Olympic peninsula and it has been mostly overcast as well.
This morning I was able to answer some emails and pretend I wasn’t on a quick vacation. The laugun desk came in handy.

 

Got it - I am in the same boat. My front tube is so good at collecting water and then dripping rust on my paint it drives me nuts. Please keep us in the loop if you actually get new ones - I should be on their list too but don't trust them to follow up without me pestering them first.

About the rear being locked shut - have you tried any PB blaster and then maybe tapping the pins inward with some sort of drift and a dead blow?

 

Hey that's my neck of the woods. PM me if you're in the PT area and want to meetup. Definitely going to get the Lagun table. Installing my solar panel today. I have two flexible panels. Going to install them in series so I'll get the high voltage which is best for lithium ion power banks.

 

I'm going to give it the hose tomorrow and see what water does to it. As far as taking the tent off, using a standard screwdriver worked better for me than the plastic pry bars they recommended. Just had to be very careful with where the leverage is applied. Snapping it on was cake. I started with the lower front exterior snaps, then the upper front interior snaps. Then the lower exterior snaps all the way around, then finally the upper interior snaps. Did the whole thing from the inside without having to go up and down at all.

That's crazy that it locked up. I have rust on my rear tube but they still slide open fairly easily. Have not noticed any water or rust in the front tube, and the rear tube is all contained and does not drip down or anything. What did they say the replacement would be? And is it a repair you'll be able to do yourself?

I'm so glad I could get all this done by myself before my July trip, instead of waiting 4-6+ weeks. I really had to stay on them to get the stuff shipped though

 

When I was at GFC on the 10th I was told they are working on filming a replacement instructional video and will be mailing everyone aluminum tubes in the future.

 

I tried a bunch of different rust removes and lubricants without much success. Tapping didn't work. I ended up slightly bending the pins with a dead blow, but it was enough to get it open. I sprayed everything down while it was open and let it sit. Closing it up a few hours later and still had the same problems closing/opening it. I gave up in fear that I was about to shear the pins off. GFC told me it would be about 1 to 2 weeks for my rear tube with pins. It was 2 weeks today so I just sent them an email. Luckily the replacement process sounds really straightforward. There was talk about aluminum tubes in the future, but they are sending me the same old ones.

Thanks for the info, it sounds like an easy swap for the tent. Both tubes have rust. They are replacing with the same old tubes, but there has been discussion about aluminum versions in the future to avoid this issue. I can do the repair myself and shouldn't take too long. My July trip is quickly approaching while I nervously wait for parts in time.

I'm still waiting on the new crossbar mounts. People have had them for over a month, but I'm still told they aren't ready for purchase yet

 

Yeah I'm still rocking the old Yak tube bars for now, just to strap fishing rods to for this next trip. I'll be snagging the new ones as soon as they put them up!

 

I'm working on wiring my solar setup together this weekend, but found I have one concern with my lithium battery (170 AH). I forgot LiFePo4 isn't supposed to get charged below 32 degrees because of potential damage to the battery. Have you found a solution for this or are you concerned at all? It isn't uncommon for overnight temps to drop to near freezing throughout the year in the high mountains in my area, so I'm a little worried about my big investment.

 

That’s just what I was told when I asked about the rust issues.

 

Added some quick fists to mount my axe and shovel to get them out the bed, took the picture with the axe backwards.

 

What ace and shovel are those?

 

i use this axe, well made and excellently balanced - a mate of mine is a 'smoke jumper' and put me on to it.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Husqvarna-...ogger-Forest-Axe/392292691465?epid=2255636412

https://www.husqvarna.com/us/accessories/axes/traditional-multi-purpose-axe/596271301/

 

A $70 hickory and hand forged swedish steel axe is hardly the best choice for mounting on the side of your camper.

 

Yeah with the case on it does restrict it opening fully. If you take it off though you’re good!

 

Yeah here in the PNW we get way to much rain for wood handled axes if you store it outside the rig

 

Nowhere that I've lived could you get away with leaving a wood handled axe outside for any length of time. Great way to end up with splinters.

 

i store it inside ... was just saying its a great axe.

 

Looks like a great tool, just a bit of an overkill for a camp axe.
I use an Estwing Long Handle Camper's Axe. Slim enough to fit in the passenger side cubby in my double but more than capable of creating useable firewood while camping.

 

This is true, I seent it! And then I went and got one too. My fav ax for sure but I also carry a splitting ax in case we run into the need for one

 

In case anyone else’s cab side panel rattles like crazy. Added some gasketing along the trusses and it pretty much silenced it all up.