Talk me in or out of a GFC Bed Cover / RTT

[SeaSharp]

I've looked at Inca4x4, cheap, made in China, and I've studied GFC religously. What other options should I consider?

Sponsored

 

[chr15m]

My GFC is set for pick up in August, honestly they seem to be the best mix of lower cost and higher quality.

Nicer options, Alu-cab, Super Pacific, cost nearly 2x as much. They are a lot of other options coming out now though, but still too early to tell if they're a reliable option or not. Most of the more budget friendly options would be a choice for anyone willing to be the early crowd, less concerned with durability and first run issues. Ultimately they are within a 5-10% cost variance of the GFC so its not a huge savings.

I considered some others, OVS, Lone Peak, but after seeing how GFC took care of the early adopters on the GFC forums I decided to go with GFC.

GFC appears to be fully 100% American made/sourced as well.

 

[Free2roam]

Check out OVRLND camper. Hand built in Flagstaff Arizona. Jay and Maggie are awesome. Can customize pretty much however you can think up.

 

[chorky]

A very common problem with the GFC is it leaks. It is famous for being light weight - which is fantastic. But that comes at a cost. Not very good dust prevention and relatively no seals so it leaks water pretty bad. Their new version might have solved that so this could be old data.

I think it really depends on what you want and need. If you need/want light weight, GFC is where it's at. But if you are looking for more comfortable camping in a variety of weather, there are other better options, although heavier and possibly more expensive.

SuperPacific is a good option. CampOVRLND is also good quality (although lower on the aesthetics aspect). There are more than a dozen canopy camper options now as everybody and their brother is jumping on the marketing bandwagon.

 

[Jbuff02]

I’m not sure of your personal skills, time, knowledge and what not but I’m currently drawing up plans for a DIY wedge style camper similar to the GFC. There are a ton of plans, resources, and knowledge on the Tacoma forums. Check out Ripcord on YouTube. Lightweight, fraction of cost, less lead time, and customizable. Just a thought! Definitely keeping an eye on this thread though!

 

[MattK]

I've looked a lot at GFC and almost pulled the trigger a couple times. It's a good mix of price and features. However, it just depends on how you want to use it and where you're likely to go camping with it. They have a real problem with condensation as there's no venting in the top area of the fabric. The extrusion on the exterior requires their custom t-nuts, (can't go down the local hardware store and grab a handful). If you have larger items, you want to take in and out of the sides you have to think about that as they have the triangle support on the side openings. Part of what makes it lighter than others I suppose.

Just little things like that. But they may not be little when you're sleeping bag feet end is soaked depending on where you're camping or if you just need a few dang t-nuts to hold something, but you have to order theirs and wait.

If you're only using it a handful of times a year these are probably not worth the annoyances to worry about but if you plan to spend some major time in it, they might be worth considering.

I've still not made up my mind on switching to a GFC or other products. I really like the Super Pacic but as already stated it's quite a bit more, but I like the features. I have an ARE shell on there right now. My Gazelle tent is still doing the job, but it gets old after a while on a long multi-week trip breaking down and setting up.

 

[Adventure_JTRD]

I've had my GFC since 2022. Picked it up at their HQ in Montana and haven't had any problems and no leaks. It has been through snow up in the sierras, rain in Washington and along the beaches of British Colombia without any leaks or any major condensation. The rear panel where it meets the tailgate does have a small hole on both sides. There is some dust that comes through, but nothing bad. I've been down in Johnson Valley during KOH and spent a week done there and had no more than the usual dust that i had inside my JLUR when i took it down there.

GFC is also having a sale right now, so you'll save some money.

 

[SeaSharp]

Thanks for the comments. The one thing I liked about the GFC was the ability to color match the Jeep with a white topper. And the ability to stand up inside, light, etc. The sale doesn't hurt either, but dang, why so long a wait to get it and I have to drive 9 hours to Texas to get it installed. The logistics of it are what is turning me off.

I'll mainly use it for fishing trips and hunting trips. Keep the suggestions coming.

Ripcord - I'm no DIY'er, so that's out
CampOVRLND - too big and bulky for my tastes
Pacific is out - I'm not driving to Oregon for an install

That's my take on those mentioned.

 

[Adventure_JTRD]

Thanks for the comments. The one thing I liked about the GFC was the ability to color match the Jeep with a white topper. And the ability to stand up inside, light, etc. The sale doesn't hurt either, but dang, why so long a wait to get it and I have to drive 9 hours to Texas to get it installed. The logistics of it are what is turning me off.

I'll mainly use it for fishing trips and hunting trips. Keep the suggestions coming.

Ripcord - I'm no DIY'er, so that's out
CampOVRLND - too big and bulky for my tastes
Pacific is out - I'm not driving to Oregon for an install

That's my take on those mentioned.

The wait is due to them making each GFC specific to your vin and your configuration. So, they do not have stock laying around like others who would just mass produce.

I drove over 15 hours to pick up mine. I know last year they partnered up with several vendors to do remote installations. But not sure if there are any close to your location. However, going up to Montana is an excuse for a good road trip and plus they gave me a tour and talk to the ones who built the camper. And it was cool to see the other rigs getting installations. Check with GFC and see if there are any closer installation shops. If i was to get one now, there are 2 that are in CA now and would have saved me some time, but honstely would have probably still gone to Montana for the trip.

 

[Jaxmax]

A Montana fishing trip is in your future! Sounds like a great fishing trip!…..Jack

 

[chr15m]

The wait is due to them making each GFC specific to your vin and your configuration. So, they do not have stock laying around like others who would just mass produce.

I drove over 15 hours to pick up mine. I know last year they partnered up with several vendors to do remote installations. But not sure if there are any close to your location. However, going up to Montana is an excuse for a good road trip and plus they gave me a tour and talk to the ones who built the camper. And it was cool to see the other rigs getting installations. Check with GFC and see if there are any closer installation shops. If i was to get one now, there are 2 that are in CA now and would have saved me some time, but honstely would have probably still gone to Montana for the trip.

According to GFC, at least when I spoke to them about one of their affiliate shops, the install charge is free in MT but the remote install locations may also charge their own fee not included in the invoice price.

Im trekking 12hrs for mine.

As far as some of the other issues mentioned, I searched Super Pacific since theyre about 30 mins from me, aside from the price being right at 200% of GFCs, the forums indicate that there are occasional leak issues with the SP as well. I've seen a few people mention the early Alucabs leaking too, the Ver 2 GFC appears to leak less than the original.

I think for me price is a major consideration, the other trusted big players in the market are really Alucab and SP, at least in terms of iterations and field testing. Again though, at half the cost I considered the GFC to not be in the market of the former and more competitive in terms to OVS magpak, Lone Peak. My end decision was base purely off how many people are using them and the track record.

FWIW, although the Alu-cab was my first consideration, it lost its appeal when I was quoted 18k OTD from a local very well known shop. They were very firm of install options as well, so I could not opt for the wiring to be left for me to do on my own, so other shops may vary and be cheaper in the end.

I would also recommend a trailer camper as well if you have the space. They can get crazy expensive but there are great options in the 9-13k range.

 

[SeaSharp]

It is a 29 hour drive to Montana for me. I just don't have that much time to devote to this. I also don't want to rack up 4k miles just for an install and be out all that time and money to get there and back.

Closest installer is in Texas, 9-10 hour drive on the GFC. I personally don't know what's so special about the install, I'd be fine if they shipped it to to Outlaw Offroad in Biloxi, MS and I just go there and get it installed.

I did look into the MagPak and I really am liking the price and options for that one. And I can get it shipped and installed locally. I'm leaning towards that one if I had to pull the trigger right now, but those won't be fully available for another month or two.

Thanks to those that have weighed in, you are helping!

 

[chr15m]

It is a 29 hour drive to Montana for me. I just don't have that much time to devote to this. I also don't want to rack up 4k miles just for an install and be out all that time and money to get there and back.

Closest installer is in Texas, 9-10 hour drive on the GFC. I personally don't know what's so special about the install, I'd be fine if they shipped it to to Outlaw Offroad in Biloxi, MS and I just go there and get it installed.

I did look into the MagPak and I really am liking the price and options for that one. And I can get it shipped and installed locally. I'm leaning towards that one if I had to pull the trigger right now, but those won't be fully available for another month or two.

Thanks to those that have weighed in, you are helping!

I'd be interested in your opinions on it if you go that route. It looked nice, and yes the price was a motivator.

 

[SeaSharp]

I would also recommend a trailer camper as well if you have the space. They can get crazy expensive but there are great options in the 9-13k range.

I had a really nice XTR camper trailer that color matched the Gladiator. Very cool rig, I bought it, and wound up never using it because I had to tow things then, boat and camper. Which didn't work. It was a really nice rig though.

 

[Aleph]

It is a 29 hour drive to Montana for me. I just don't have that much time to devote to this. I also don't want to rack up 4k miles just for an install and be out all that time and money to get there and back.

Closest installer is in Texas, 9-10 hour drive on the GFC. I personally don't know what's so special about the install, I'd be fine if they shipped it to to Outlaw Offroad in Biloxi, MS and I just go there and get it installed.

I did look into the MagPak and I really am liking the price and options for that one. And I can get it shipped and installed locally. I'm leaning towards that one if I had to pull the trigger right now, but those won't be fully available for another month or two.

Thanks to those that have weighed in, you are helping!

what did you end up going with and how is it?

Sponsored