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[azmojave]

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[Alaskantinbender]

Looks pretty sweet!
https://gofastcampers.com/pages/topper

Pretty funny video but they have a terrific product at the same price point as less durable options. Lots more bang for your buck with the go fast topper. On another note this type of construction lends itself to do it yourselfers using factory extrusion's and fittings. Probably not as strong as the go fast design but still much better than the flimsy overpriced fiberglass.

 

[dcmdon]

Very nicely done. The video and the topper.

I've just poked around their web site and would definitely have given this a hard look before I bought my RSI.

I really like the translucent roof and perimeter rail.

 

[chorky]

but that man bun. just can't get past that lol

 

[InvertedLogic]

I am very interested in one of these. With plans for kids on the horizon, a topper might be the move to gain some more space in the Glady.

 

[briscoelab]

Getting mine installed early Feb. I’ll be sure to post up some pictures and impressions. Out other Gladiator has an RSI SmartCap installed, so I can give some comparisons.

 

[Jaydebe]

I'd love one of these and willing to pay the $2k premium to save weight of 70lbs over other systems. But... How is it $2-3k for shipping to your door when it's so compact compared to other systems?

Especially when you can buy a Westin or OVS shipped to you for $2400-3000 and it's not as compact and weighs more?

 

[AustyPosty]

I'd love one of these and willing to pay the $2k premium to save weight of 70lbs over other systems. But... How is it $2-3k for shipping to your door when it's so compact compared to other systems?

Especially when you can buy a Westin or OVS shipped to you for $2400-3000 and it's not as compact and weighs more?

GFC charges more and offers less than most competitors. They claim to be the "first" with a lot of their products, but I don't really see how they can claim to have invented the pop up camper shell, roof top Tent or bed cap.

There's no denying they make quality US made products(plenty other MFGs do too!), but they charge WAY too much for everything they offer. I remember when they first started offering products a few years ago and positioned themselves as affordable, simple and lightweight products. Well two of those things still exist today.

 

[InvertedLogic]

GFC charges more and offers less than most competitors. They claim to be the "first" with a lot of their products, but I don't really see how they can claim to have invented the pop up camper shell, roof top Tent or bed cap.

There's no denying they make quality US made products(plenty other MFGs do too!), but they charge WAY too much for everything they offer. I remember when they first started offering products a few years ago and positioned themselves as affordable, simple and lightweight products. Well two of those things still exist today.

Not to mention, there's the Venturous Tops product, also made in US, that's lighter and has a similar roof payload, for less $ and less leadtime...really took the wind out of the sails for GFC for me.

 

[Jaydebe]

Not to mention, there's the Venturous Tops product, also made in US, that's lighter and has a similar roof payload, for less $ and less leadtime...really took the wind out of the sails for GFC for me.

I'll look into this. I was just about the purchase a OVS topper since they have 15% off

 

[JTdiRtyD]

GFC charges more and offers less than most competitors. They claim to be the "first" with a lot of their products, but I don't really see how they can claim to have invented the pop up camper shell, roof top Tent or bed cap.

There's no denying they make quality US made products(plenty other MFGs do too!), but they charge WAY too much for everything they offer. I remember when they first started offering products a few years ago and positioned themselves as affordable, simple and lightweight products. Well two of those things still exist today.

Agreed.

I wish someone would make a good, AFFORDABLE platform topper that has a removable tent. I don't want the tent on all year, and a lot of folks can't fit in their garage with one. Give us the option to remove the tent and still have a topper.

 

[AustyPosty]

Agreed.

I wish someone would make a good, AFFORDABLE platform topper that has a removable tent. I don't want the tent on all year, and a lot of folks can't fit in their garage with one. Give us the option to remove the tent and still have a topper.

I've kind of had the crazy idea of building my own bed cap, mounting a hard-shell RTT directly to it, cutting maybe a 20" passthrough in the RTT and cap and calling it a day. That's essentially what these pop up campers are, just a bed cap with an RTT that is directly mounted to it that has a pass through.

Then I could take the RTT off and put a top roof panel back on the bed cap when I just want a topper.

That's what OVS is doing with their newest pop up camper shell, its literally just their existing bed cap that they sell with a hole cut in the roof and one of their RTT's mounted to it that you can pass through into. Except I don't know if you can take the RTT off with their design

https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/excursion-camper-shell-roof-top-tent-combo/

 

[JTdiRtyD]

I've kind of had the crazy idea of building my own bed cap, mounting a hard-shell RTT directly to it, cutting maybe a 20" passthrough in the RTT and cap and calling it a day. That's essentially what these pop up campers are, just a bed cap with an RTT that is directly mounted to it that has a pass through.

Then I could take the RTT off and put a top roof panel back on the bed cap when I just want a topper.

That's what OVS is doing with their newest pop up camper shell, its literally just their existing bed cap that they sell with a hole cut in the roof and one of their RTT's mounted to it that you can pass through into. Except I don't know if you can take the RTT off with their design

https://overlandvehiclesystems.com/excursion-camper-shell-roof-top-tent-combo/

I started building one for my Tacoma, built the topper portion but never finished the tent before I got fed up with the poor performance of the Taco and traded it in. I've thought about building another one for the Jeep, but decided on a half rack and clamshell tent instead so I can fit in the garage.

You could just cut a hole in a RTT and mount it, issue is the length. These platform campers are usually 90+ inches long to allow for the pass through without taking up sleeping space. If you cut a hole in the floor of a regular RTT you'll lose sleeping space. You could use a piece of floor to cover that hole while sleeping, but then you're limited to using the tent doors to get in and out if theres two of you, or having to move bedding and open the floor to get out every time.

The OVS camper looks like it removes a large portion of the floor to get in and out, which would get old over time. Ideally, you want a 20in passthrough thats available all the time, and then the remainder of the floor able to lift up out of the way if you want to stand up in the bed.

 

[AustyPosty]

I started building one for my Tacoma, built the topper portion but never finished the tent before I got fed up with the poor performance of the Taco and traded it in. I've thought about building another one for the Jeep, but decided on a half rack and clamshell tent instead so I can fit in the garage.

You could just cut a hole in a RTT and mount it, issue is the length. These platform campers are usually 90+ inches long to allow for the pass through without taking up sleeping space. If you cut a hole in the floor of a regular RTT you'll lose sleeping space. You could use a piece of floor to cover that hole while sleeping, but then you're limited to using the tent doors to get in and out if theres two of you, or having to move bedding and open the floor to get out every time.

The OVS camper looks like it removes a large portion of the floor to get in and out, which would get old over time. Ideally, you want a 20in passthrough thats available all the time, and then the remainder of the floor able to lift up out of the way if you want to stand up in the bed.

Oh thats awesome, any pics of the topper you made?

And yeah you're right, most RTTS will be way to short to allow for a permanent pass through area...

 

[JTdiRtyD]

Oh thats awesome, any pics of the topper you made?

And yeah you're right, most RTTS will be way to short to allow for a permanent pass through area...

1.5" steel frame
.125 alum sheet for the enclosure panels

It worked really good, but my second design was going to use extruded alum for the frame. Theres a thread on TacomaWorld about building your own GFC. Would need to adjust dimensions for the gladi, but still easy enough to do with the right tools and a little know-how.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diy-wedge-camper.604686/

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