About a week away (hopefully) from putting deposit down on a GFC for my long bed Chevy. As most of you probably also did, I have been researching a lot on forums, camper sites, classifieds, etc to see what’s out there for options and in what price ranges. I have noticed a lot of GFC for sale compared to when I was looking before. What gives? People changing setups, don’t like them or just flat out not what they expect? I have messaged a couple to see but don’t want to waste someone’s time when I can’t use the product they’re selling.
Seems like there’s always a steady flow of people looking to buy or sell a GFC. I don’t think it’s anything specific to the product necessarily but rather just people’s situations whether financial or what.
I’d say for the young person agility you need to have to manage yourself and another inside of the tent plus the typical younger buyer age range and likely “without kids yet” families who get one, once a baby is in the picture that $7500 sitting on you truck must feel like it’s burning you a bit more then you’d like to admit…
Both of those things are very true. One thing I’ve noticed is that you can get a clean used pop up cab over (Palomino, Northstar, etc) for about the same price as you can get a GFC and accessorize to your liking. Granted not the same thing, but for most people, either could work. I wonder how many of the for sale GFC are the kids thing coupled with that.
I would think lots of people who want all the bells and whistles that buy a GFC with plans to build it out realize they bought the wrong thing. They can buy what they want, ready to go and more comfortable and functional than a truck bed build-out will ever be. But yeah, they are also making lots of them and that will relate to the numbers being sold.
The major pros of GFC for me is their weight, if ones prioritize weight saving over others, there is really not a competitor out there other than super pacific maybe but still, GFC is the lightest weight camper out there.
I’m in the market for one and if money was no object I would be leaning towards an AT then a super pacific. The construction techniques and materials appear they would be more durable long term. But maintenance on the Gfc looks straightforward albeit needing the proprietary parts when things wear out. I’ve seen the GFC up close and it looks well designed. the only other camper at a similar price point is the topo toppers camper. I think a comparison with that one would be more fairly balanced.
the GFC is a great design but 10 months in and powder coat was peeling and a latch exploded(can’t forget freezing latches). GFC stepped up quick to fix but… really? if it weren’t for those easily preventable issues, and everybody else’s leaking issues, they would be top tier campers. I’m still enjoying mine, use it 1 way or another EVERYDAY and won’t give it up.
I definitely think SP has a leg up in the design department. Their campers just seem to be constructed better. However, their price is crazy, and wasn’t overly thrilled with their customer service.
I think a big aspect is things “getting back to normal” and the economy being how it is.
If you were work from home or not able to travel to your dream destination, a lot of folks were getting into camping, the outdoors, and new hobbies. Bikes were impossible to buy, etc.
Now if you’re back in the office or on site, maybe you’re just not able to travel and camp as much. Part of the whole overland thing was a fad, you still have some committed folks but it’s nowhere as popular as it was for that couple year moment.
