Offroad Camper Top thread

[eternus]

I'll be getting my Gen 2 GFC that just got released this week within the next month and I can post pictures, or start a new thread, to help answer questions anyone has.

I watched their reveal for the new V2 and they made some very legit updates... I can't wait to see it on a Gladiator! (I'm still leaning towards a SuperPacific because it's a little bit roomier inside and I like how they've optimized the extruded aluminum for wiring. No shade on the GFC though, they will always be the innovators that brought such a thing to life.)

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[Mjolnir]

I'll be getting my Gen 2 GFC that just got released this week within the next month and I can post pictures, or start a new thread, to help answer questions anyone has.

What number are you? are you sure you are getting a V2? Im 1081 and mine will be done in a month and its a V1 still

 

[Skullivan]

I watched their reveal for the new V2 and they made some very legit updates... I can't wait to see it on a Gladiator! (I'm still leaning towards a SuperPacific because it's a little bit roomier inside and I like how they've optimized the extruded aluminum for wiring. No shade on the GFC though, they will always be the innovators that brought such a thing to life.)

Well SuperPacific doesn't actually use aluminum extrusion for their canopy, only the tent portion. Also the canopy isn't a space frame and isn't as stiff as the GFC because it doesn't have any triangulation. (but not an issue if you are going slow and not worried about the product flexing to potentially contact the cab. The other issue with flex while driving is it may cause the frame to flex into the panels and therefore break latches or just scratch paint, etc.) Another thing to add, the tent lateral movement (top moving relative to bottom frame) is stiffer on the GFC vs. SuperPacific when the tent is open because of the extrusion design at the front. Really can't wait to have it, I'm actually finalizing the Gladiator design it as I write this.

 

[Skullivan]

What number are you? are you sure you are getting a V2? Im 1081 and mine will be done in a month and its a V1 still

No number per say, I'm the Senior Design Engineer for GFC and V2 has been what I've been working on the entire year so I'm just finally getting the design finalized for the Gladiator.

 

[Mjolnir]

No number per say, I'm the Senior Design Engineer for GFC and V2 has been what I've been working on the entire year so I'm just finally getting the design finalized for the Gladiator.

Well shit then LOL. Maybe I'll see you in a month or so when I pick mine up

 

[Mtpisgah]

I am so glad this thread was revived. We have an RSI topper on order but have started to seriously consider an AluCab canopy camper. I will need to check out these other options.

edit: in looking at the options listed, the AluCab may still be the best for what I want. It is pricey but I like the Vertical door access for getting in and out.
I do hate to lose the lift gate so I can carry things longer than the bed, but I have a trailer if I just plan a little.

 

[eternus]

Well SuperPacific doesn't actually use aluminum extrusion for their canopy, only the tent portion. Also the canopy isn't a space frame and isn't as stiff as the GFC because it doesn't have any triangulation. (but not an issue if you are going slow and not worried about the product flexing to potentially contact the cab. The other issue with flex while driving is it may cause the frame to flex into the panels and therefore break latches or just scratch paint, etc.) Another thing to add, the tent lateral movement (top moving relative to bottom frame) is stiffer on the GFC vs. SuperPacific when the tent is open because of the extrusion design at the front. Really can't wait to have it, I'm actually finalizing the Gladiator design it as I write this.

Good points, all of them. I forgot the base was just riveted aluminum and had the mental picture of the cross section of their upper portion with extruded aluminum.

That really only leaves "size" as the big sell... I want to put the Exped Megamat Duo in, which seems slightly too wide for the GFC. I'd also like to have an open area at the end (back of the truck bed) where I can easily stand while the bed is fully assembled.

Now, this is all "on paper" calculations, I've not stood in either nor even seen either in person.

I REALLY like the new designs for the V2 and the new improved lead times. I can't wait to see your truck!

Side request; the video said you guys are doing this all "in house" does that mean you have an aluminum extruder? I'd love to see the actual extrusion process... is it just like a play doh extruder pushing out aluminum?

 

[Skullivan]

Good points, all of them. I forgot the base was just riveted aluminum and had the mental picture of the cross section of their upper portion with extruded aluminum.

That really only leaves "size" as the big sell... I want to put the Exped Megamat Duo in, which seems slightly too wide for the GFC. I'd also like to have an open area at the end (back of the truck bed) where I can easily stand while the bed is fully assembled.

Now, this is all "on paper" calculations, I've not stood in either nor even seen either in person.

I REALLY like the new designs for the V2 and the new improved lead times. I can't wait to see your truck!

Side request; the video said you guys are doing this all "in house" does that mean you have an aluminum extruder? I'd love to see the actual extrusion process... is it just like a play doh extruder pushing out aluminum?

In my opinion, I dont think theres a really good reason you have to have the sleeping area fully assembled and be able to stand up at the same time. If you have the long edge of the removable rectangle floor parallel with the truck length then you can just move one small square out of the way at any time while the person next to you doesnt have to move, even wake up. Also, I don't know that people know this but the intended sleeping orientation is to have your head towards the wedge. I know it seems silly to some and maybe that's how others just do it anyways, but its definitely the better way to go. More cozy, amazing when the mornings get hot you can control the air flow with the small windows pretty well, if you're camping in the cold and the other person opens this big door to get in and out while the other is already in bed then you dont get a blast of cold air in the face. And when you go to use the removable floor to get in and out you bother the other person less because you got less body to watch out for, just feet (or none if that person is short like mine ?).

As for the Exped, I too want something like that and am going to be finding a similar solution whether its DIY or we actually get something GFC branded. So not all hope is lost there I'd say.

Yes so "in house/made in USA" is the GFC Camper. So we dont extrude the aluminum but that's obviously what we are using. Cant give details on our stuff but the play-doh example is almost exactly what it is. If you imagine a huge chunk of Billet being heated up in a massive press and pushing it through a die, then you get the shape of the die on the other side. That's the watered down version of what happens. I'm sure you can find some videos and articles that go into more detail if you wanted to know more.

I'm mostly excited for the removable panels, no panels in the summer is great and removes a lot of weight. I also live where I'm not really worried about people stealing stuff though so that's a different thing to consider...

 

[eternus]

In my opinion, I dont think theres a really good reason you have to have the sleeping area fully assembled and be able to stand up at the same time. If you have the long edge of the removable rectangle floor parallel with the truck length then you can just move one small square out of the way at any time while the person next to you doesnt have to move, even wake up. Also, I don't know that people know this but the intended sleeping orientation is to have your head towards the wedge. I know it seems silly to some and maybe that's how others just do it anyways, but its definitely the better way to go. More cozy, amazing when the mornings get hot you can control the air flow with the small windows pretty well, if you're camping in the cold and the other person opens this big door to get in and out while the other is already in bed then you dont get a blast of cold air in the face. And when you go to use the removable floor to get in and out you bother the other person less because you got less body to watch out for, just feet (or none if that person is short like mine ?).

As for the Exped, I too want something like that and am going to be finding a similar solution whether its DIY or we actually get something GFC branded. So not all hope is lost there I'd say.

Yes so "in house/made in USA" is the GFC Camper. So we dont extrude the aluminum but that's obviously what we are using. Cant give details on our stuff but the play-doh example is almost exactly what it is. If you imagine a huge chunk of Billet being heated up in a massive press and pushing it through a die, then you get the shape of the die on the other side. That's the watered down version of what happens. I'm sure you can find some videos and articles that go into more detail if you wanted to know more.

I'm mostly excited for the removable panels, no panels in the summer is great and removes a lot of weight. I also live where I'm not really worried about people stealing stuff though so that's a different thing to consider...

Thanks for that perspective. I recently watched a video of someone that opted for the AT Atlas where they said they picked it so they wouldn't need to climb in feet first... obviously they (and most) are using the wedge campers wrong. =oP Your logic for why you'd go first makes sense though. (c: I can write the Atlas off my list now, thats solving a problem i'm not worried about. If I can get in and out without waking my wife OR she can get out for middle of the night bathroom.

I hope you figure out an Exped solution for the GFC. I have a bit to pay off on the Gladiator still before I can make a case for an 8k purchase, but hopefully next summer I can my my name on the list. Please show off your camper and any hacks you do once you're installed., I'll be watching eagerly.

ps I love that the panels are removable as well, it was one of my first asks when I reached out to the GFC sales folk over a year ago.

 

[eternus]

I'll be getting my Gen 2 GFC that just got released this week within the next month and I can post pictures, or start a new thread, to help answer questions anyone has.

Just checking in, did you get yours built yet? installation upcoming? I'm considering when I'll put my deposit down, but definitely trending towards the GFC more and more. I can't wait to see one actually sitting on the back of a Gladiator.

 

[MadManMoheenid]

Here’s an option from a company called Go-Fast Campers up in MT. They’ve been working putting them on Tacos and Raptors for the past few years... this is the first Gladiator I know of... Its a +$5000 price tag... but it’s got a lot of R&D behind it. I looked at them last Overland Expo and fell in love.

Pretty sweet. I think that price is reasonable considering the price of the Alu-Cab and the RSI Smartcaps, considering what you are getting. I like the boxy look, as well.

 

[Skullivan]

Just checking in, did you get yours built yet? installation upcoming? I'm considering when I'll put my deposit down, but definitely trending towards the GFC more and more. I can't wait to see one actually sitting on the back of a Gladiator.

Yes, currently still in the works though. Getting it all machined this week and if everything fits up then I just gotta get panels to powder coat.

 

[Mjolnir]

Good points, all of them. I forgot the base was just riveted aluminum and had the mental picture of the cross section of their upper portion with extruded aluminum.

That really only leaves "size" as the big sell... I want to put the Exped Megamat Duo in, which seems slightly too wide for the GFC. I'd also like to have an open area at the end (back of the truck bed) where I can easily stand while the bed is fully assembled.

Now, this is all "on paper" calculations, I've not stood in either nor even seen either in person.

I REALLY like the new designs for the V2 and the new improved lead times. I can't wait to see your truck!

Side request; the video said you guys are doing this all "in house" does that mean you have an aluminum extruder? I'd love to see the actual extrusion process... is it just like a play doh extruder pushing out aluminum?

There are a number of people that have fit an exped in the GFC. Check out the GFC forums for info on it. I am still unsure of what route I will be taking for the bedding. As of now I most likely will be placing a 1" latex topper on the bedding that comes with it. That way I still have the ability to move around the panels.

I have an official install date of April 13th now. I wanted sooner but selling my house takes priority over the next month.

 

[2020 SCRAMBLER]

Glad you guys like and have revived this thread. I've been on sidelines during COVID to see if anything developed. Specifically, I was wanting a fixed high roof but EMPTY shell like in the original pic starting this thread. But no one wants to produce an empty "expo" shell and the RSI, Leer, and other tops are too low for what I want to do.

So for now I'm going to have a custom bed rack constructed to my specs and put a RTT on it for now and see what comes out over the next couple years.

 

[Skullivan]

Just checking in, did you get yours built yet? installation upcoming? I'm considering when I'll put my deposit down, but definitely trending towards the GFC more and more. I can't wait to see one actually sitting on the back of a Gladiator.

Just finished up the V2 GFC prototype for the Gladiator!

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