Wedge Campers & Assorted Oddities

Is that the V1?

 

Yeah! That's the V1 that started it all.

 

it's like i'm studying Russian spy pics.

 

Solar panels on the wedge portion is something I've seen in Death Valley. There's a guy with a FJ-40 and a Maggiolina tent up top. The wedge style maggy. He's got solar panels on the top. I have pics somewhere and may have posted them in the DV thread.

I like both the GFC and the Vagabond. Excited for the future of both. There are aspects of each I find attractive. Thanks for taking the time to give indepth explanations here.

Not sure I like the idea of a translucent top. I understand the ability to have light inside during the day but one thing about my FWC I like is my ability to keep it fairly dark if I want to sleep late. With the arctic liner it keeps more light out than without it.

 

I'm a fan of translucent, but if you put a solar panel up there or just some vinyl, you'll darken it nicely. If you don't want it permanently dark, a nice tarp would be a good temporary solution?

 

Yep.

 

personally wouldnt tarp my new $5,000+ investment. Seems a bit short sighted.

 

Point missed, possibly?

Just giving ideas, if the translucsent panel is the only drawback for that one day that ETAV8R wants to sleep in. Seems like longsighted planning?

 

Translucent roof? I don't know much about it. I hope it doesn't create a greenhouse effect.

 

i like the idea of the translucent roof. I just thought tarping it would not be my first choice of "fix" if its something i didnt like.

 

What's the point of the translucent panel? Not being flippant, I'm genuinely curious. I could understand if it was clear (would be cool to see the stars at night, but I'm also blind without contacts in) but if it just diffuses light I'm not sure I get it.

My Alu-Cab is basically a blacked out cave. I'll wake up at 8-9 thinking it's like 4AM until I zip open the windows. It's nice being able to sleep in.

 

Thank you both for taking the time to come here and clear this up. Super helpful discussion! I can see that you guys aren't about concerned about winning, or saying "mine is better!" but each have a different angle and are totally stoked to have competition, I love it!

 

Yea agreed. Hopefully this thread continues as it is - giving information out so people can make decisions based on their needs. I'm hopeful that there's a market for both (or more) of these campers.

 

Just to let light in. I think it was noted that it's like back of a box truck / UPS truck.

I'm usually up before dawn when camping and have no trouble getting a couple extra Zzzs in my ground tent in daylight. So, the translucent panel would be a nice to have for me.

I can see how others would feel differently and it seems that there are many options to deal with it.

 

I like the translucent top. Dawn is one of the best parts of camping. I am not so patiently awaiting my GFC preorder.

Glad to see both platforms. Hopefully both can find a market. For my wants, the GFC seems perfect.

 

The translucent panel makes it an awesome space when you're hanging out and don't want to feel like you're in a cave. So when being used as a camper, not just a sleeper. It also lets a bunch of light in to the downstairs area when the roof is popped and you are hanging out downstairs.

The roof doesn't let light in like a greenhouse but it does let in enough ambient glow to see by inside if there is any light outside. It has insulative properties as it is a honeycomb panel with trapped, still air. Because it is a double walled and honeycomb panel, it probably doesn't let as much light in as a standard trailer translucent roof.

Adding a blackout curtain to the panel is also something we are working on for folks that may want to have the option, but I would recommend trying it out before making a decision. It's amazing how much of a difference the extra bit of light adds to the usability and cheeriness of the interior.

 

Also part of the reason besides safety/visibility mountaineering tents are bright colors.

 

I am also not so patiently awaiting my pre-ordered GFC! I'm excited about the translucent roof, and can't sleep in to save my life anyways - so I'm not worried about trying to black things out. If I was wanting to sleep in pitch black conditions - I think I'd just address the problem at the source and wear a sleeping mask.

It could also double as a fun accessory in either the drifter or the GFC while in "netflix and chill" modes....

 

This must be a very exciting time for you guys over at GFC, seeing all your ideas and hard work come together in real life. I am excited for you and to purchase one in the near future. Best of luck guys!

 

Looking forward to seeing the specs on the Drifter, but in the meantime here's my use/assessment and a few questions at the end. What do you guys think?

Use: I camp with family - need kids to sleep below and I also go on a number of Baja trips per year with a lot of off-road and heavy washboard shaking everything hell. I tend to be moving pretty quick as I want to get there. Drive a Tacoma DC LB and the wedge style camper that opens up to the truck bed is the perfect design for me. Light weight and strong are crucial. Here are some differences I see with Drifter and GFC:

Pros for Drifter:

• looks good plus has the side windows option which I think looks much better. Can get side windows or windoors. (Big plus)
• Window between cab and topper folds down.
• Can walk on the roof, which is helpful when strapping things down.
• Can get in and out with the bed fully deployed.

Cons for the Drifter:

• Weighs more, but we don't know how much?
• Doesn't seem to be as strong - see question below.

Pros for GFC:

• Looks good - maybe better due to the custom hardware and better looking hinges on the front.
  
• Weighs less
• Appears to be stronger
• Sides open all the way up
  
• Translucent top material - I think this is a plus.
  
• Tracks all around the edges for attaching things, moving the roof racks around, etc. This is a big plus as it lets everyone attach their unique stuff to the camper and to easily rig up things while out and about.
  
• Transform a floor is good. I like the options/flexibility to move things around and to use the cushions to make a couch down below.

Cons for GFC:

• No side windows
• Can't walk on the roof
• Window between cab and topper doesn't open...but will have as an option in the future - "a sealed boot on our list though. So rather than a slider in the camper, there'd just be a hole with a flexible gasket that attaches the the cab around the truck slider."

Questions:

• Strength? - I am thinking the steel frame with the panels is stronger than all aluminum, especially with hard washboard shaking. I'd like to hear peoples thoughts on this - Is the all aluminum model more prone to cracks or breaks along welded seams or in other places when loaded down and getting hammered on washboard?
• Both look like really great campers and one may work better than the other in certain situations. Would you say the Drifter more of an overland model, mountain use, etc and GFC better suited for someplace like baja?
• What's the "decker" people have been talking about? Is this a platform for the truck bed?

Thanks