Hondo Garage's New Thing

@gmacmt

Any details on the roof vent?

Any details on the roof rack? Any differences from the prototype? Will there be any adjustment to it (height/distance from roof panel)?

Are these the compatible nuts for GFC extrusion? http://www.hondogarage.com/index.php/product/landing/toyota-tacoma-utility-track-t-nut

 

I like it!

 

I did that too and am hoping for a version with side windows of some sort.

 

Same for me! The GFC is far superior to any other design, the only thing I wish it had are side windows as an option - @gmacmt

 

Why couldn't side windows be mounted externaly? A pattern such as a rounded off rectangle with a collar to cover the cut in the aluminum. It be placed even over the tubes. Perhaps it could open. A non opening window would let in the view and light. It could be tinted to your wishes and tempered for security. It would need a custom frame, for sure. IDK. glass would harder to design but plastic could be the first layer of the frame.

 

Just to play devils advocate on the whole side windows idea. Why not just open the side doors? Wouldn’t that provide the same affect as a window?

 

For those of us with dogs, a side window and even better, a windoor is pretty important. A dog can jump out of the current design if you open the entire side panel. Not knocking the product at all, this thing is badass. But for dog owners, which account for a lot of people that put shells on their trucks, windoors are important.

 

Okay, so how about putting a webbing on the inside of the tubing? Something like this https://www.allthingsjeep.com/asp-t...-oGvV-61HydXZ0yb2Bff0vF-MvJLbx6kaAtPLEALw_wcB ?

I’m planning on getting noseeum mesh, Velcro, and thread to make side mesh windows for the sides to allow air and light through, but keep out those mosquitoes. That said I imagine that the windows in the tent area in the opaque roof will let enough light and air in it regardless when tent is deployed.

Again, I’m only playing devils advocate and not saying that windows are a bad idea. I do think more complexity is generally not usually a good idea however. I’m pretty sure the GFC guys have already stated that the thickness, weight, and sealing of the windows is not something they really wish to entertain, but I’ll let them comment on the specifics of all that.

 

With the steel frame, seems like some sort of magnetic screen would be ideal. Anybody played with mesh and some sort of magnetic cord?

 

Very soon. Building one with front and rear windows now.

 

Roof vent is basically the best solar marine vent we could source. We install it in the back corner so it will pull heat out of the peak when the tent is open and when the tent is closed, if you leave a square floor panel open, it will help dry out the lower as well.

Roof rack towers will be very similar to the prototype. No height adjustment but there will be two heights available - low profile and high like the prototypes for surfboards and rockered/longer items. They'll work with standard 1.125" roof rack bars and will be sold in pairs without bars.

Those nuts are not compatible with the extrusion. The extrusion track is smaller than the tacoma utility track. But we'll have extrusion t-nuts available for a similar price.

 

It's not currently a standard part of the build. Doing so required more parts than we could fit into the budget, so it's going to have to be an add-on item. For dog ventilation there are two use cases that could be solved in different ways. We do plan to offer netting for the lower that would also keep dogs from jumping out as @unclewilson proposed. Compared to a slider window this option is great for dogs as it provides tons of ventilation as well as shade over the opening so you don't get a greenhouse effect. If you need extra ventilation while driving, however, then the best option will be the add-on hardware that allows the side panels to be latched open about an inch. I have a rough sketch for this but we haven't built it or tested it, so don't expect availability until summer sometime.

All that said, I can say that if you get no windows, it stays surprisingly cool in the lower since the tent insulates the roof and the lack of windows prevents the greenhouse effect. In Baja I would close my dog up in the back and open the tent with a floor panel removed and the thing stayed very cool. The days in Baja got hot but it wasn't humid so your mileage may vary. But compared to a standard topper, a GFC without windows will stay much cooler inside on a hot day thanks to the insulated roof panel and 3" of mattress foam.

 

Low-profile tower will have about 1" of clearance. High towers about 4".

 

Any updates about the fairing design?

 

I recognize you aren’t designing this thing for dogs, so thank you for even considering this stuff - it sounds like y’all have thought about it. Excited to learn more about future options. I don’t really want to keep the dog in a box with no way to see out, so looking forward to options you mentioned in the future. Cheers.

 

Weekend dreaming of this. Nice Pic @inv3ctiv3

 

Any idea of comparability with prinsu cab racks? Question being able to run both

 

I'm suspecting your going to have to cut the rack, That was one of the reasons I pulled out early one. I wasn't confident there would be enough room to compensate for bed movement. It looked like it would fit above the rack, but taking it offroad with bed shake/movement I was worried about hurting the GFC/Prinsu and truck.

 

We are quite close to the timelines outlined in the build queue email, and working hard to get ahead of that schedule. The steel tariffs definitely threw a curveball at our supply, but 7000 pounds of DOM tube was unloaded at the shop today.


If you have any specific questions regarding timelines, feel free to contact me directly.

Graeme@gfcengineering.com

406-581-7463

 

Hey @gmacmt , how about a build counter here or on your website? That way we don't have to bug you guys with one-offs!