Hondo Garage's New Thing

What’s the verdict on windows?

Windows:
+ Visibility
+ Natural interior lighting
+ Makes a tiny space feel a little less tiny when closed up
- Price ($400)
- People can see in

No Windows:
+ Security
+ Savings ($400)
+ Insulation?
- Useless rear view mirror

Anyone have anything to add?

 

+ natural interior lighting
+ makes a tiny space feel a little less tiny when closed up

 

Edited to help others consider more factors.

 

I only have a front window. Backup Camera (in rear view mirror) works well for backing up, even better than before having GFC on. Before GFC, looking into rear view mirror was more distracting with 1/3 backup camera view and 2/3 actual view. Now camera 1/3 view 2/3 blacked out view. If I want more visibility when backing up I open rear door (tested once but have not needed with backup camera). No one is going to see in front window if doors are closed and top is is down unless they are in the cab or unless you have both windows not covered. Also can see in at night if not covered and you have light on inside GFC.

Only con so far is the $200 I spent for one window, but also a plus since I saved $200 on not needed rear window.

 

Same situation here! I park in structures daily. So the shark fin antenna is 2 inches and the GFC is 6 inches. So a total of 8 inches but to be safe say 10 inches from roof is what I’m going with. I have the Pro Fox shocks installed with a 1/4 inch top plate spacer and run 265/75/16 tires.

 

You know what would be really cool In terms of windows and visibility? If the side and rear panels could be opened remotely. Not just for ease of access but say you are in a situation where you wish you didn't have a camper on, just pop everything open and you can see where ever you want. Probly just a dream but maybe someday

 

I chose to forgo a rear window.

1) security
2) I will be building storage cabinets that will block most the view offered by the rear window.
3) My truck has very good side view mirrors.
4) I plan to install a full time rear camera.
5) My truck has a very effective backup camera.

 

They've been very busy at GFC.



Here's Mika and Stephan installing my unit.

 

Does anyone know how easy/difficult it would be to replace a broken rear window? That's another concern. I don't have anything valuable in my bed except for a YETI cooler, but say if my rear window was smashed, could I easily replace it?

Or would I be better off with a solid panel in the rear?

 

I'm spoiled by my fob controlled tailgate. It would be highly desirable if you could just push a button, maybe a smartphone app, to control the panels. No more fumbling around with the little panel keys. I suspect that this will never happen, too costly, low priority and hard to implement.

 

Not to mention completely opposed to the concept of a lightweight and simple camper.

 

#234 is.... COMPLETE!
Montana here we come!

 

Same here, just scheduled install on June 14th.

 

If you're worried someone might break the glass to get in then there was probably no one around to see or hear anything. If no one was around to see or hear I could get in in less than a minute without breaking the glass. I'd have the panel open and could access anything inside. If someone breaks the glass they're not going to crawl in or be able to reach much, certainly not pulling your Yeti out of the window opening. Still going to have to bust the locked latches to get in. Maybe a wire screen on the inside like the ones you see on commercial work vans would be a deterrent. I'm going to get my rear glass tinted to make it harder to see in as well as cut down on heat. Oh and I think it would be easy to replace glass, hard part would be getting glass cut. But GFC could take care of that.

 

Truck loaded with minimal gear and wife along for the adventure was good, OR suspension on washboard rd was ok nothing out of the ordinary. Suspension didn't feel sloshy and several bumps in low speed situations wasn't bad. Get whatever you want for suspension that suits your needs.

 

I'm strictly on pavement for the first 8 months of ownership. Stuck to a condo complex during that time. But I don't plan on driving regularly. I walk to work now and don't drive around much. I'll be sitting on stock TRD OR shocks and leafs until I move out of the garage and get a house/townhouse. Then I will be able to pull off a 2" lift and not worry about scraping by on garage height clearance.

 

I have had mine a little over a month now, no windows. At first backing up was a little challenging (compared to open bed) but i have a 3rd gen with camera, so that combined with the mirrors makes it easy. I have been on several trips already and with an awning on the side I dont foresee myself sitting closed up in the lower portion of the camper very often, so i opted for no windows. I will say that I have found I like to run the two smaller cushions out of the tent and down in the bed, with the long panel pushed all the way to the rear of the truck. They are nice to sit on after a bike ride or when the kids ride in the back to go down to the river to swim. With the two smaller cushions removed the roof provides a very nice natural lighting into the bed. Whatever you choose you will not be disappointed, these campers are extremely nice!! The side access is an absolute game changer for daily use and on trips!

 

Camper Completed!!!

When they notify you that the camper is complete, they send you a link to a calendar with install slots available (10x per week total with slots on M, W and F).

And now the ask: The wife and I are on a tight timeline and were initially hoping to get the install done this week (Thursday through Saturday). Unfortunately the first available time they had open was Monday. If anyone has a more flexible schedule and would be open to trading spots, that would be...amazing. It is a long shot, I know, but I figured I would put the ask out there.

SOOOOON!!!!

 

Personaly I think the only reasons to not get windows is if you just can't afford it or you are going to block the view with something making it useless.
You only get one chance to make this decision and I figure if I don't get it then I am stuck with no windows. If you really don't want the windows after you can always cover them up. I hope to keep this thing forever but if I do sell it someday I think windows would make it a more attractive buy as well.