GFC topper installed on Trailhunter - my review, thoughts & notes

[trailhunger]

believe what you like, makes no difference to me!

if you search this forum, you will see that awhile back (before the Tune install) I posted a spreadsheet of every fill up since the day i drove the truck off the lot. that post was to make the point that my truck got about 23 mpg from mile zero whereas others were noting that their mileage improved over time.

in the Tune community, a 3 mpg hit is pretty standard if the speed is kept down. not sure what mpg hit is in the GFC community, but i am guessing it is about the same. the mpg drop is mostly due to the cross sectional area at the back which is not that different between the Tune and GFC.

as i made the point in my first post, highway speed is a big deal. i drive slow and in a way to gets the battery to engage as much as possible.

this forum is filled with discussions trying to figure out why one 24 tacoma gets 23/25 mpg and another of the exact same build gets 17 mpg. no one has really figured that out. the THs do seem to be on the low side of the mpg spectrum. one truck with a camper getting 20 and another with a similar camper getting 18 is totally in line with what has been posted in the forum over the last six month.

I think that’s cool your truck defies physics, can load a 500-600# camper in the rear (not including gear) and only see a 2-3mpg hit off manufacturer’s top print.
Not buying it. Those Tunes are heavy as f, wider than a spruce goose. Drive a snail’s pace but you still need to reef on the turbo in all but 1 scenario due to the additive weight. Even if your average looks stellar now, 16mpg on the way to a theatre near you

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[is2messiah]

Great looking truck and topper! Sounds like some fitment issues. Did you ever consider the RSI Smartcap? I had one on my Ford Ranger Tremor edition. Super functional, fit like a glove and never leaked. I believe they weigh less than the GFC toppers? I most likely will put another RSI on my 2024 Tacoma.

I checked out the RSI Smart Cap and this is now my leading candidate for my 24 SR5 4x4.

 

[dvrgz]

how’s it holding up? leaning towards GFC after returning my Smartcap

 

[rchrds]

how’s it holding up? leaning towards GFC after returning my Smartcap

It leaks where the front of the Tacoma bed dips, as well as smaller leaks at the top front corners of the wall panels. Weirdly they never attached the brake light to anything, so that still doesn’t work as I haven’t found a good place to hook it in (will be the trailer hitch eventually.) I like the sturdiness of it, and the top that lets light through (I don’t have the camper) but a friend of mine has the camper topper on his 24 base model Tacoma and has the exact same issues. Pretty frustrating over all. Why are you returning your Smart Cap? That would have been my second choice.

 

[dvrgz]

@rchrds bummer to hear. is there anyway to remedy the leakage?

I sent my Smartcap back for this exact issue. Not even a week after install it started leaking. I didn’t even bother trying to do anything with it. Just sent it back.

I was going to go with GFC next. I’m reconsidering now.

 

[Sagebrush]

Not even a week after install it started leaking.

I've had my Smartcap for 11,000 miles, and it's as dry as a bone. I didn't have a dealer install it–I did it myself. I'm convinced some dipshit did yours at the dealer and didn't know–or care–what he was doing.

 

[dvrgz]

I've had my Smartcap for 11,000 miles, and it's as dry as a bone. I didn't have a dealer install it–I did it myself. I'm convinced some dipshit did yours at the dealer and didn't know–or care–what he was doing.

Definitely possible. If I had to do it again, I would’ve taken the time to do it myself.

Also, they somehow managed to get glue on one of the side panels (see photo)

At that point, it was just best to send it back.

Loved the way it looked though

 

[Congo]

It leaks where the front of the Tacoma bed dips, as well as smaller leaks at the top front corners of the wall panels. Weirdly they never attached the brake light to anything, so that still doesn’t work as I haven’t found a good place to hook it in (will be the trailer hitch eventually.) I like the sturdiness of it, and the top that lets light through (I don’t have the camper) but a friend of mine has the camper topper on his 24 base model Tacoma and has the exact same issues. Pretty frustrating over all. Why are you returning your Smart Cap? That would have been my second choice.

How are the bed lights holding up, is this something you could just apply another layer of seals or some cocking to to fix?

 

[rchrds]

I never got a replacement for the terrible lighter plug that came with it, so that hasn't been fixed, but the lights themselves are all still working, so so far, so good. As for the leaks, still leaking. I haven't had the time to work on it, and GFC has not offered any fixes for the bed leak. They said they had a kit for the panel leaks, and I requested one, but no word. I've had pretty poor luck with GFC and their customer service. Friendly people, just really bad at keeping track of customers.

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