Hondo Garage's New Thing

why not ask in vo thread? expect gfc to answer this?

and i dropped 60k and my truck up front for 18 months of SAS work, and even more for racecar work. have put a big deposit down to order a audi before, known people to do the same for bmw’s. so what may be a problem for some, is totally normal to others. but great question to ask

 

I was just responding to the post I quoted. It pays to be cautious when fronting money to small startups.

 

agreed. do your homework and even then you can get burned. i have lost my share of cash to bad investments.

i hope vo isnt in trouble, but if they are my checkbook is coming out to gather up some ownership in it. i could use a shed in my backyard and wedge on my hottub

 

I just set up a Facebook group called GoFastCampers Owners. I’d like to have a community dedicated to all gfc owners, not just tacos.

 

First, I never mentioned VO, just GFC’s lead time and deposits...

You guys have even said can’t compare the two. They’re different purposes/goals/quality/designs. VO isn’t in trouble, far from it, asinine to even think so.

From my understanding, contrary to popular misconception of ‘nor cal bros’ I’ve never been to the VO warehouse, nor do I own a drifter. They’re built one at a time, without leaderboard jumps or marketing models pushing paying customers back. They take their time to produce each camper to a specific standard that when it leaves the shop, it doesn’t have to come back for repairs or ‘upgrades’. When you buy a custom product, expect to pay a deposit. Simply put, it guarantees the material for your build can be sourced and avoid delays later.

My comment you quoted was to reference to a tremendously long wait list
for campers built ‘fast’. Multiple a week is fast, regardless of how you want to look at it. VO May have less overall orders, but takes their time to make sure it’s quality over quantity.

Take it how you want, when you start camping in yours, let us know how it goes. A lot of us are genuinely curious and others may appreciate feedback positive or negative, that’s the great thing about consumerism. We are a community here, sometimes constructive criticism is appreciated, sometimes not, but it’s not a reason for childish name calling and hiding/lying to potential or current/different customers who all have different needs/requirements before they drop $$$$.

 

Quick update:

Got in touch with the guys over at GFC, and they'll be sending me the aluminium front and and rear tubes when available. Went ahead and drilled a quick drain hole in existing tube as it will be replaced anyways, and no water came out until I pulled one of the bolts, so it must be pretty well sealed. Looks like a very tight fit against the machined aluminum pieces. Still not sure where the water came from.



There may be a very small gap on this side.

 

The 50% deposit isn't new, and definitely isn't a sign that they're in any trouble. When I pre-ordered my Drifter a year ago, I had to put 50% down then as well.

 

Looks like I'm in the same boat. Similar appearance as far as gaps goes but no good.

 

I had been noticing water dripping from out of that hinge area sometimes for a few days after last rain. Starting to make sense that water is collecting somewhere. My camper is currently back at their shop and I emailed them today about this. Will see what they come up with for a solution.

 

Simple drain holes seems to be the answer, so water drains out as fast as it enters.

 

@Squeaky Penguin - did you remove the bar first or drill the drain hole in place?

I have the same thing going on and also been in contact with them. I would like to remove the bar and add some drain holes too - just haven't had a chance to start trying to take things apart yet.

 

I was able to drill a hole in the bottom without removing the tube. There may not be enough room to do so however on the 2nd or 3rd gens. Maybe with a right angle drill or adapter.


Pulling the tube would give you an opportunity to dry it/paint it though. I just sprayed a bunch of ballistol in the ends afterwards and called that good enough.

 

There are aluminum tubes now?

 

What is yours getting repaired for?

 

Mostly to get the new sealing that requires the one week cure time. Was getting water in at the corners where the frame and tent meet.

 

Ah okay, that’s probably a good fix. Did you drive it up there to drop it off?

 

Mine has water in the front tube also. I just lifted one side of the truck, took both screws out, rolled up a long paper towel and stuck it in the lower end. Most of it was absorbed.

 

I was able to meet up on their last delivery/install, so they took it back.

 

That seems pretty reasonable, did they say what the turn around time is? Im debating on doing the same, but nervous about timing since we are heading into camping season.

 

Initially said 4-6 weeks but think it will be sooner than that based on a recent conversation.
I bet if you able to drop it off and pick it up, it could be done in week or so.