Hondo Garage's New Thing

Presumably the GFC will need something similar even if only for the 3rd brake light. Will the campers ship with this harness?

 

Hey sorry man, i work swing shift so sometimes i can be a little blunt without proper caffination in me. As far as colors i just meant we’d all get to see real pictures before choosing your color hopefully? I’m leaning to grey with orange tubes but i wanna see how it matches my MGM so i hear you there... and as far as sounding kind of defensive, well i owned my own business for a long time and that was a constant battle CC companies kind of have us all in a sling right? I’m sure wiring money or something could be an option in the future to try and save fees. This is a big reason the idea of blockchain Currency like bitcoin was invented, it’s just too damn volatile to be a viable currency right now. Anyway again i apologize for sounding like an @ss haha. I’ll be sure to have a cup of coffee before spouting off next time. These guys are doing a great thing and making it all in the USA, they deserve our respect and business.

-YOTA

 

All good Yota, I was this morning myself when I got all defensive internet tough guy on you. I have heard the same discussion points around crypto currency and it's ability to disrupt the current banking structure around the world. With most things of that magnitude, I expect change to occur slowly, if at all.

I have several local businesses that I frequent that have gone from accepting cards, to charging fees, to now cash only - so I do wonder if the options are getting even more costly.

Onto camper talk - I think orange tube on the darker color trucks with black or gray sides will look great.

Question to stump Door Ding - did I miss where it said how fast I can drive with the tent open? I'm thinking this would make hauling large volumes of insulation possible, or even allow my partner to take a nap if traveling slower back roads.

 

@smelly621 - you can’t drive with it open So maximum speed is zero

 

Well .... you're the guy with the lawyers and warranty, but I will say that I have maneuvered a few feet within a campsite with my FlipPac open, which I would never have tried with my Tepui open, so I'd say the limit may be a tiny bit more than zero mph

 

Ok, so the mfg. says the max speed with it open is zero - but I suspect that's being said for liability reasons. I will have to perform my own edge of failure testing and report back.

@DoorDing - with the lockouts in place for the roof, I don't think the hinge would suffer too much from bouncing - but the lock-outs might buckle. I think the windows would need to remain closed so that LEOs would not see an unrestrained occupant, as well as to not allow the tent to become a parachute. Insulation was just something that came to mind that I stuffed my current shell full of, and could have used more space instead of making multiple trips. My home insulation project is thankfully finished at this point.

 

It was not designed to be open while moving and any damage caused by that would not be covered under warranty. And sure, we do have to watch what we say for liability reasons but even if there were no such thing as lawyers, I'd tell you that it's a really bad idea to drive on a road with it open, and an even worse idea to have a person up there while driving. Nothing about the open popup was designed for driving loads.

 

For those with long beds and Front Runner roofracks those could be an option. Front Runner can sell this tray or just the new side pieces to make it from your current tray. I measured my shortbed and if the overhang extends to the middle of the doors then this probably won’t fit. I’ll be waiting to see how the GFC looks on a DCSB to see what the actual measurements will be.

 

So long as the windows are closed, AND the camper shell remains closed, too, law enforcement will leave you alone.

An open tent on top of your truck will get you pulled over all day, every day. A passenger on the mattress while driving would be an exercise in Darwinism.

 

You say that but be c'mon, be honest, how far can we drive with it open in REVERSE with two strippers on the roof and a few kegs of beer in the truck bed? I know this was tested in Baja. Are we limited by the payload rating, so no fat chicks, or ?? This corner case must have been factored into the engineering.

 

Any measurements

No fat chicks is a given.

 

Hey @wileydavis what do we have here

 

Pretty sure it’s a kitten stretcher.

Or it’s the machine that’s about to cut up a bunch of tube frames.

 

I see a tube axis in that mysterious delivery.

 

I see the top of a sideways 5th wheel hitch.

 

definitely would be cool to check it out live. keep us posted

 

Newbie here. (I hope this is an okay thread to pose this question) I have a 2000 tacoma, extended cab, 4 cylinder, 5 speed 4x4. Daily driver. 198,000 miles. Completely stock.

I was in the early stages of researching to put together a truck camper combo when I stumbled across the GFC website the other day. My original plan was to sell the Tacoma and buy a used 1/2 or 3/4 ton and outfit it with a very simple shell model used four wheel camper or something similar.

Now that I'm aware of the GFC I'm wondering if I actually need to ditch the 4 banger. In the summer I would be using the rig for longer trips with two humans, two mountain bikes, camping gear and the GFC. We would not be packing super light. We would be putting in some miles on dirt roads. During the rest of the year, it would still be my commuter vehicle 15 miles each way to work and back

I've driven it with a heavy load before and I don't mind going a little slower, but I do mind prematurely killing the engine or transmission.

Two questions:

1. Can the 4 cylinder stand the test of time with a heavy load?

2. If so, what are some recommendations for suspension upgrades that would suit my needs for both summer trips and daily commutes without the heavy load?

 

It's obvious these GFC guys are pro's. Seal the tailgate and looks like your golden.

 

I think the man himself @wileydavis has a 4 banger Tacoma, of course his is a little newer but I would doubt there would be any problems running it. I plan on commuting with mine on for about 8 months of the year, I'll take it off late Nov to keep the salt off it, my commute is 25 miles each way 6 days a week. Should be just fine.

Also if you look back at the photos you'll see linked off @DoorDing signature you will see the attachment point looks super simple, on the Gen 3 anyway. I can't imagine it would be terrible to disconnect the GFC for a month of two if you were between trips and wanted to save weight/ aerodynamics. I would keep in mind though that an extra 200lbs of camper (weight wise at least) is really no different than having a good size buddy in there sitting next to you. So I think your Tacoma would be fine.

As far as suspension goes I'm actually going through this same process for my own build, as truly I'd like to keep my geometry/ lift height stock. My plan as of right now is to use a set of Sumo Springs 500lbs in the rear and the boosters in the front. I'm figuring 500lbs of extra capacity for my rear suspension should be ideal, 200lbs for the GFC, 100lbs for my Hitchgate/ Spare tire, leaves me ~200lbs for my gear/ spare fuel, water ext. Obviously give or take. I think these will be a pretty good option to give the lacking factory suspension a little boost. I was originally thinking about using bags, but the Sumo Springs seem a bit more durable overall. Good luck!!

Come to think of it, since Wiley may be the ONLY person on earth to have run a GFC on an expedition (month in Baja) it could be argued that a 4cyl Tacoma is the ONLY proven platform that a GFC has been function tested on

-Yota

 

Oh and I see that was your very 1st post, welcome to the addiction!!!!!!!