GoFastCamper GFC Mods, Tips, and Tricks thread.

Haha

 

@dempster333 and @crazyfingers ...You're correct that I don't have a GFC on my Tacoma (rather a Super Pacific). That said, there are many items that I manufacture that are cross compatible between GFC, Super Pacific, Oru, and the like. I see how having the picture of the truck in the background is a faux pas on my part.

That said, the post is more of a shout out to those following that have welcomed my family into theirs and how we're paying it forward to help keep our public lands open.

 

Anyone on here take delivery of a GFC V2 Pro yet? If so, thoughts?

I am picking mine up in February.

 

Just got mine, I love it! The mattress is legit. Lots of plans in the works, electrical, bed rug, awning etc etc etc

 

After a quick chat with Shittco and as we have 3 of his ShitBrix Awning kits I decided it was time to put grommets in the tent doors rather than using the clips. Ordered a

$36 HAPDEN Grommet Tool Kit, 3/8" Handheld Eyelet Kit Manual Grommet Press Machine with 500 pcs 10 mm Grommets

Grommet Tool Kit off Amazon (couldn't find them locally in the hardware stores) and followed the super easy instructions...happy with the result and hope it will be easier at camp...?

Also now have 493 grommets left so if you live in San Diego -

 

Wanna grommet mine? lol

I still need to get around to doing the delaminating repair on mine. Keep putting it off

 

I have an absurd amount of grommets left too. I've used them for a few other projects but I still have at least 485 left for anyone in the Reno area that wants to borrow the tool for a couple grommets...I guess I could leave them in the truck for others that I run in to in the wild.

 

I know I did the GFC and “practiced” on a paper towel - so yeah - 493 left over. Which I’m sure I can use a few - but - that’s an amazing amount of grommets
Carrying some in the truck is a great idea - I can just see myself running up to some random GFC and “forcing them to let me grommet the doors”

 

Just do it when they're asleep

Grommets for everybody!!!

 

Stay away from my gfc

 

I'm so glad you got one of the ones where the tent doesn't look like shit. Some were so sloppily made I backed out of my order & went with a super pacific

 

You lose the $500 deposit?

 

I would have but it took over 5 weeks for then to process my refund and after countless emails from me saying where is my money. I started to search online for the direct emails of the way upper ups because customer service wasn't helping. Found customer services bosses boss & he was more that helpful and got it taken care of and week six he just gave me the deposit. I heard it from everyone there they are struggling hard with growing pains and it's a shit show

I will say for future searches if you use synchrony for financing and request a refund, I financed $2k, they will send you a synchrony sport credit card. Which is close to useless because it doesn't have a expiration date so you can't buy anything online and the local retailers who take it are fitness chains and bike shops. Why the fuck do I want a treadmill. So after calling synchrony they will spend 30-60 days to process a check refund to send you. GFC knows this and still doesn't care to let anyone know

 

Yeah I definitely thought about reconsidering becoming a customer of theirs when I saw they were working with a company to offer deferred interest. I think these practices are predatory lending and would never consider it as an option.

If I lived out west I would probably consider Super Pacific but the added price tag + the long drive for me made GFC the best option.

 

https://www.takethetruck.com/blog/go-fast-camper-accessories-upgrades-mods?format=amp

 

For Sale: Solar System Components - $450 for all

$100 2 pcs, 100-watt Renogy Solar panels. 2 years old
$100 100 Ah Lithium battery, Redodo brand. 2 years old
$250 Solar panel mount system for GFC standard camper. Mounts 2 panels. Use in place of 2 Beef Bars and solar tray which lists for $560. Note this sits slightly below the Beef bars so you can still mount items on Beef Bars with the panels installed.

The solar mount system is my design, specifically for the GFC camper. At one point I was considering offering them for sale, still might. It is adaptable to some other camper designs, Alucab, etc. The GFC offered system is $579 for mounting 1 panel.

The system has been mounted for over 2 years, accumulating well over 100 days and 1000's of miles on trails. Including Washington state BDR, Arizona, Nevada and Nor Cal BDR's, couple trips to Moab, into Colorado (Imogene pass, Engineer pass, etc.) plus several other trips in Utah and Arizona, never had any issues. (BDR = Back Country Discovery route)

Items are located in San Diego, CA. Can ship mount (ballpark est. $120) but not panels or battery.

 

Okay so not really a mod, tip, or trick, but didn’t know where else to post, but looking at the builder I cannot for the life of me understand why tent doors cost $525 for what effectively looks like a zipper and some mesh. You can get high-end backpacking tents for that price. Anybody order without tent side doors and try make them yourself? Is this the cost of good ol’ USA manufacturing?

 

Pretty sure that's the same I paid in 2021. And yes, I would say that's the cost of USA manufacturing.
From what I recall GFC paid at least $25/hr. in '21, maybe $30 now. Throw 30% for benefits on that and you are looking at ~$38/hr. labor cost? Figure labor at 30% of the shop rate puts the shop rate around $130/hr.? That gives about 4 hours of labor to add the doors. I did not include material cost just figuring it is captured in the shop rate.
Not totally outrageous, though it may seem that way on the surface. These are my own estimates, btw, I know nothing about GFC costs.
Actual calculations will of course by much more detailed but I don't want to spend hours.
My prior company we roughly targeted 30% labor, 30% material and balance fixed costs including about 15% profit.

I know if I tried to add them myself it would take me forever and end up poorly done. I toured their factory during my install (I worked in manufacturing), and they had specialized equipment for fabricating the tents, including doors.

 

very true... I'm looking at china labor for a backpacking tent vs paying livable wages in montana. I guess it's $525 for peace of mind I won't cut a hole in my tent and screw up adding a zipper.

half a day to cut some material then sew in a zipper and mesh seems like a long time.

fully recognize this is a very ignorant take as I have no idea how they manufacture anything and couldn't/wouldn't try to DIY