Wedge campers information and comparisons

Andy

Adventurist
Moderator
Founding Member
I’ve decided to up my game in preparation for a long trip north when I retire this year. Enter, the GFC:
E571C42D-D839-46B0-8C9F-CF2509576E51.jpeg


Go Fast Campers is a “collaboration between Hondo Garage and Aerocontinental. We're neighbors in the same Bozeman, Montana industrial complex and once we realized we both wanted a small camper that didn't exist, it was hard to ignore the fact that we were the right folks to build it.”

It’s basically a bed topper with a built in pop up wedge tent. The mattress is configurable to allow the bed to be used as a living area, allowing for multiple configurations to fit your needs. The entire system is built on a steel space frame to provide the support structure but without the extra weight.

Screen+Shot+2017-10-19+at+11.06.52+AM.png


Check out the website at
https://www.gofastcampers.com/

So, why am I moving on from my RTT? A few reasons...

1- Living Space. This turns my truck bed into a living area. Inclement weather, cold mornings, and bugs tend to ruin a trip. I’m heading to mosquito country at the end of summer and a sealed area to cook, chill or use the “facilities” is a nice thing. But my ARB and the annex provide that already. So...

2- Ease of setup and take down. Pull the release latch and the tent opens. Pull down and lock in place and it’s closed. The RTT isn’t difficult to put up and down, but the annex adds some steps and time. Also, the annex needs to be bagged and stowed on take down and zipped in and staked down on setup. How much time and effort is this? Not much, but do you need it...

3- I don’t need the space of the RTT and annex. It’s me and Jaxx (if you’ve been to a rendezvous or expo west you’ve met my border collie companion). I bought the annex when I wasn’t single but have no need to sleep 4 now. Setting up and tearing down extra square footage isn’t neccesary and adds complexity for no real benefit. The annex is very useful for an enclosed area to have a warm breakfast, get out of the wind, or do some “reading and thinking” but that is covered by the GFC...

4- Security. On a long trip I’m planning to park the truck for a day or several while exploring or enjoying alternate accommodations. The bed rack and RTT are great but they don’t seal the bed from view or casual theft. A determined thief will force entry and you can’t stop everything, but having a bed topper will keep stuff out of sight and out of reach. The truck is going to be my home for a month so I don’t want to be worried about things walking while I’m in a bar, casino, back country hike or church (most likely those first ones). Speaking of securing things...

5- Mounting stuff. I’m going to be leaving the desert Southwest and I hear about this stuff called rain and snow! Unfortunately I grew to the perfect height of 6’ 2”, and my bed rack system is at about 5’ 11”. I want to add a canopy for rain cover and my rack puts it at forehead level. I really enjoy smashing my head into things (not) and the GFC has extrusions for putting things on that will be above that. Also, there are no rods to hold the window covers open that interfere with a canopy mount on it. Things I got used to on short 3-10 day trips will become really annoying on an extended trip. Also, I will be able to put solar panels on the hard roof without needing to make them removable.

Is the GFC right for you? Maybe. But it’s the right choice for me (I hope since it’s still in pre-order status!). Keep up on this thread for more, and come see the AAV booth at overland expo west to check it out :)
 
Last edited:
Production starts March 1st! GFC has been great in giving updates via email so far and is planning on providing pics as they build my camper. I can’t ask for better service thus far

Now to start paying off my credit card . Did I mention I have a bed rack system and RTT for SALE?
 
Can’t wait to see how this works out for you. It looks like a really cool option.
 
I've been getting the updates as well! On your travels north shoot me a PM I have numerous dispersed camping spots in the PNW. Of course I'd love to see the GFC! Living on the wet side of WA I would like to see how well its sealed. I haven't had great luck with RTT or canopies.
 
I’m looking forward to seeing this in person. I wonder how the dust intrusion will be with all those bulb seals.
 
This reminds me of the Snap Outfitters Treehouse topper we saw at the Great American Outdoor Show in central PA.

IMG_5449.JPG


https://snapoutfitters.com/

Cool concept, Snap prices them from $6200 to $6700 depending on the size of the truck. Comes with mounts for Thule or Yakima racks. They're made in Pennsylvania, owner seemed like a decent guy. But I wasn't real sure about the quality of the seals and the fabric for the top was very vinyly.
 
This reminds me of the Snap Outfitters Treehouse topper we saw at the Great American Outdoor Show in central PA.

View attachment 38180

https://snapoutfitters.com/

Cool concept, Snap prices them from $6200 to $6700 depending on the size of the truck. Comes with mounts for Thule or Yakima racks. They're made in Pennsylvania, owner seemed like a decent guy. But I wasn't real sure about the quality of the seals and the fabric for the top was very vinyly.

Yeah, I think that guy had some of his concepts on display at the Great Jihad Auto Show in Mosul earlier this year.... :D

images
 
Just from the video the GFC is a way better engineered product over the Snap.
 
I think you can find a rack and your choice of RTT's and have $$$ left over for a nice road trip to test your build theory. I have several customers that are contractors that have both a hard shell over their bed and an external to the shell roof rack that they load construction materials on, surely it will hold a RTT. You don't have to be a fabricator to put together a combination that fits YOUR needs rather than a compromise "take this design and like it" at a premium price design.
 
Just watched the GFC video today. Impressed. I will allow its purchase, Andy. Carry on.
 
Looks like it is well built from that video @Andy posted. Well thought out for the application.

It really is. My only concern with the design is all those bulb gaskets and dust ingress. This was a persistent issue on my FlipPac. Try as I might (various highly detailed applications of EPDM bulb gasket), there was always dust getting in at the corners where the tailgate met the hatch.

The Go Fast has a lot more area to seal up since it opens on 3 sides. But it seems well designed and if the tolerances are tight it should seal up well. The FlipPac was anything but square.
 
It really is. My only concern with the design is all those bulb gaskets and dust ingress. This was a persistent issue on my FlipPac. Try as I might (various highly detailed applications of EPDM bulb gasket), there was always dust getting in at the corners where the tailgate met the hatch.

The Go Fast has a lot more area to seal up since it opens on 3 sides. But it seems well designed and if the tolerances are tight it should seal up well. The FlipPac was anything but square.
For any sort of shell like that dust intrusion will always be a problem... just the nature of the bed and shell meeting and the torsion placed upon those structures, twisting at different rates.

But Andy is a Marine... dust is something he's familiar with and part of his daily hygiene. :D
 
Dust: Get a couple helmet fresh air pumps used for offroad racing, and pressurize the shell while driving.
 
^^^^I'm not sure a Parker Pumper has the volume to pressurize an entire pick up shell. A better option might be a bilge blower fan for a boat, we used a couple of those on our Jeepspeed car to help keep the rear shocks cooled.
 
Back
Top Bottom