Hondo Garage's New Thing

We played around with that configuration and didn't like it as much as the transform-a-floor because you can't run a panel sideways in bunk mode. And you lose 5 inches or so of ceiling height. We also liked having access to the fixed front ledge when the whole space was open. Hard to explain but it's something I think people will appreciated when they see these things in person. with the hinged floor you're in one mode or the other. With the transform-a-floor it makes the space feel bigger because it's multi-level. Hard to do it justice in words.

 

I'm wondering what happens after you made the initial deposit and then paid the balance, did you all receive any kind of paid invoice? It has been a while for me and I start to get nervous when I don't have anything in writing.

 

All I got the message saying where I was in the build queue, which you don't get a place without paying but I can where you're coming from with nothing 'official' in writing

 

I received an order confirmation email with an invoice.

 

I also got a confirmation email and invoice when I paid in full. I paid through cc online.

Those that paid by check may have something different.

 

I'm beginning to wonder a little myself. It's been mighty quiet from them lately...............

 

If they have indeed jetted off to their retirement on a tropical island filled with drinks with tiny paper umbrellas after an elaborate hoax complete with visual trickery on par with the production of the moon landings - my hat is off to them and I will feel no shame in having believed their beautiful tale.

Back in reality, I bet they're busting their asses to meet their announced date of Wednesday (Tomorrow!) for completion of the first production camper. When working on projects with this many moving parts, it takes constant vigilance to keep all the deliverables on their independent timelines, and continual re-assessment of what is going to be your gating item from one day to the next. It's like a horse race with 25 horses neck and neck as you approach the finish.

I think they're going to be close, as @inv3ctiv3 has removed his flip-pac in preparation for installing his new GFC.

 

Well I mailed a cashiers check on the March 8th by certified mail. I just wanted a tracking number and didn't realize it needed to be signed for. When 1st delivery failed that put it in limbo for a week or more till I was able to reschedule delivery. Last week I was told they think they got my check and I'd get an emailed invoice but I haven't and as of this morning my bank said check hasn't been cashed. I know they're balls to the wall right now, but that's a lot of my money floating around.

 

I understand - it's a lot of money for me too, and my check has been cashed for a week and I'm still waiting to hear where I am on the build cue.

It sounds like your stress may be more due to the USPS than GFC, as they have no way to ensure your check doesn't get lost in the mail.

 

We are indeed balls to the wall and have been pressing Graeme into shop duty instead of email duty. But that’s a temporary situation so he’ll be catching up on emails real soon. Aside from some steel tariff related sourcing issues things are going really well.

 

I was wondering how that whole business would affect you guys. hopefully not too bad.

 

Bit of a nuisance but we got it sorted out. It just made getting the amount we need tricky through our usual channels. But a truckload of tube is heading our way.

 

^A literal truckload. Like 7000#. That was a whole deal, but we are moving forward!

@blind cowboy, I have your check in a locked box at our shop, I just haven't made it to the bank since it has arrived. I will send out build queue information within the hour, we were waiting to have 15 in the queue to block this next group out, but we got the 15th order in yesterday.

If you have any pressing concerns, please call me directly at (406) 581-7463.

-graeme

 

Technical question for the GFC Hive as i have a fairly good memory however i don’t remember the EXACT figures, which I’m needing.

Can anyone tell me exactly how high above the rails (or actual roof) this will sit on a 3rd Gen?

Furthermore can anyone tell me how much higher the roof racks will go above that?

Finally, is the roof rack like an old school Thule or Yak, where i can get longer bars that stick out PAST the towers (say an additional 3-5”, or if they are more like bars on a modern SUV that the bar terminates right at the tower?

I’m looking at booking a camp site in the Keys that only has 6’ 8” clearance and like to be able to sneak under that with my Lift, Tire, wheel combo with the GFC and rack on, and I’m really wanting to be able to install a Yakima Showdown boat rack but it requires some bar outboard of the towers to work. Thanks so much I’m advance.

-Yota

https://www.yakima.com/showdown

 

On a 3rd gen, it will sit 6.5" above the sharkfin antennae. This is the final exact number for production. There is .5" of clearance above the sharkfin, and the pop top assembly is 6" thick.

The roof racks will be offered in variable height, and accept any 1.125" bars, which are the standard round bar size. The roof on the standard camper is 54" wide, so a 60" bar would stick out 3" on either side.

 

PERFECT!!!!! @gmacmt thank you for reaching out with an answer so fast! You guys are awesome. Keep up the good work. I can not wait to see these first models roll out and see the feedback. Thank you.




For anyone who may or may not care, here’s my estimates on total roof height with the GFC and roof rack installed.

Stock Tacoma height 70.6”
Additional height GFC 6.5”
Guess-Timate for Rack 5”
OME HD suspension 2.5”
Added height from 255 85 R16 1.5”

Total clearance required 86.1” or 7’ 2.1” which means no 6’ 8” campsite. It also makes me wonder what the LOWEST profile roof rack available will be, if i can sneak it back below 7’ say with a low pro rack it makes this a little easier. Of course depending on the roof rack if it’s quick to remove that is always an option for something like a Ferry Crossing at a low height.

 

This is a little confusing since I mailed my check on day 1 and then received an email on February 28 saying it was received and I was #15 in the queue.?.

 

Any deets on height above the roof for 2nd gen?

 

@whitetaco16 Blocks of 15. Based on the communications I've received from them and their website information they're probably over 60 confirmed orders.

 

To quote Graeme's email to me which is now one month old, "Just wanted to let you know you're number 15 in the build queue." He went on to say, "Units 1-15: Built by the end of march."