Superlite roof tent

[Heavyduty]

Seriously thinking about getting a Superlite and wondering if anyone actually got one. I would love to get your feedback.

Initially I thought I could install this on the factory double crossbar, but it looks like I would have to get an aftermarket roof rack to accommodate the Superlite which obviously sets the total cost back another $600+

 

[ScottR]

From their March manufacturing update it seems doubtful anyone has received one yet from the first batch. Current price is $1,299 (plus ~$250 shipping) with estimated delivery no sooner than January 2022. Fubar global supply chain for the win!

 

[Heavyduty]

There are some SL in the wild that I’ve seen on their IG. A few months ago the expected delivery date was Aug, then it kept getting pushed back as I’m sure more orders came in. Looks like a great RTT but I usually like to get more real world feedback before making a final decision.

 

[rageandlove]

If you follow their social feed closely, they have actually shipped out a first batch and are in the process of sending out a second batch.

The problem is simply that supply << demand given there is no other tent that compares to what this one offers, at least on paper.

There's been a number on IG.

But clearly it's supply chain issue, because the parts and assembly in-house is simple.

From their March manufacturing update it seems doubtful anyone has received one yet from the first batch. Current price is $1,299 (plus ~$250 shipping) with estimated delivery no sooner than January 2022. Fubar global supply chain for the win!

 

[mrblah]

"first batch release"--as in to those who are instafakers and boobtubers. The rest of us peasants have to wait.

While interested in their product, i don't believe in companies that don't put their real customers first. I rather give my money to CVT or some other company who will probably end up developing something similar.

 

[sn_85]

"first batch release"--as in to those who are instafakers and boobtubers. The rest of us peasants have to wait.

While interested in their product, i don't believe in companies that don't put their real customers first. I rather give my money to CVT or some other company who will probably end up developing something similar.

I have mixed feelings about GFC. While their products are innovative and I appreciate that everything is made in the US it seems their after purchase customer service is lacking and they do cater a lot to social media influencers. Initially when they were releasing the GFC camper they were heavily involved on the Tacoma World forum. Well as customers got their hands on the campers problems came up. Leaking campers, failed hinges, water getting into the front tube, rivets coming apart, fabric issues, seals not working letting in water, wind, dust etc etc. They all but disappeared off TW and there was just a continual thread of complaints. That didn't stop the wait list from getting longer and them releasing new products even when there were still customers awaiting fixes. It also didn't stop influencers from getting hands on their products first as well.

Also if you notice a lot of people are selling their GFC campers. You can't store bedding in it, the floor system requires you to move panels around to get in and out, it's not very well insulated, and the few QC issues mentioned above. You rarely see anyone sell a Vagabond, AT Overland, or Alu-cab canopy camper on the used market. As a camper the GFC doesn't excel in anything other than being light.

Still, the Super Lite is something I have my eye on. I'd order it but I would certainly not expect it in a timely manner.

 

[YellowSnow]

I looked at the GFC RTT for my 16 Trail and decided to pass for the reasons mentioned above. I’ve been running the roofnest falcon which is essentially the same tent as the CVT from China, for months now and it’s been excellent. I have doubts about the GFC superlite and it’s durability as the cover is a soft shell and is already prone to tears and scratches as seen on social.

 

[rageandlove]

Initially when they were releasing the GFC camper they were heavily involved on the Tacoma World forum. Well as customers got their hands on the campers problems came up. Leaking campers, failed hinges, water getting into the front tube, rivets coming apart, fabric issues, seals not working letting in water, wind, dust etc etc. They all but disappeared off TW and there was just a continual thread of complaints.

That is true for every single vendor out there, including several I have purchased things from and some that are much newer. They all view these places as a way to generate initial business and then vanish as soon as they have a consistent pipeline of sales. There are plenty of rack vendors, armor vendors, etc. that you can find that were chatty as heck initially then died out. Hell, even Baja Designs used to answer a lot of questions here and no more.

So I don't think that would influence my decision to buy something or not, since every vendor is the same.

WRT social media - companies (all of them) focus there because it is an effective sales channel. That's why Facebook makes un-godly amounts of money every quarter ... they can target you far more precisely than a "forum" so again, it's not these guys - it's any vendor. They all pump out IG stuff daily if you are into that.

 

[rageandlove]

I have doubts about the GFC superlite and it’s durability as the cover is a soft shell and is already prone to tears and scratches as seen on social.

Got any links? I've seen reasonably positive reviews from the few posts I've seen.

 

[YellowSnow]

Got any links? I've seen reasonably positive reviews from the few posts I've seen.

I don’t have the time or desire to provide hot links or spend hours archiving information. I stand behind what I said, and what I’ve seen/read. If anyone in here thinks a fabric wrapped RTT will hold up as well as a conventional aluminum version, nothing in here will do anything to sway their opinion one way or the other.

 

[TheJokingExplorer]

Whats up everybody?! I thought I would chime in here. I have a superlite on order. I placed the order back in November and new that it would be a minute before I actually received the product. A few days after placing the order I received an email from GFC telling me I was slotted for a May delivery. Sounds good not a problem. At the time I was running a frontrunner 3/4 rack on my 4runner and I contacted GFC to see if the overhang would be a problem. The response was "we will check with engineering a get back to you". I never heard back after about three weeks of waiting so I emailed them again and still never heard back. Ok, I ended up switching to a full length Prinsu anyways. There has been one production update along the way which was March 3/9/21. It's now May and I have yet to hear anything from GFC in regards to an update. I reached out to them on Instagram as that seems to be their main communication platform and haven't heard back. Anyways, I will post updates along the way and will most definitely post a review of the tent on Youtube once I receive it...whenever that may be.

 

[rageandlove]

I don’t have the time or desire to provide hot links or spend hours archiving information. I stand behind what I said, and what I’ve seen/read. If anyone in here thinks a fabric wrapped RTT will hold up as well as a conventional aluminum version, nothing in here will do anything to sway their opinion one way or the other.

Question - why are you here - this is about the third thread I've read today where you are just trying to be super negative.

 

[YellowSnow]

Question - why are you here - this is about the third thread I've read today where you are just trying to be super negative.

I’m here to give my opinion on the GFC superlite...which I did. Why are you here? Are you the chairman of the welcome to the neighborhood committee?

 

[TheJokingExplorer]

I don’t have the time or desire to provide hot links or spend hours archiving information. I stand behind what I said, and what I’ve seen/read. If anyone in here thinks a fabric wrapped RTT will hold up as well as a conventional aluminum version, nothing in here will do anything to sway their opinion one way or the other.

I don't think anybody is trying to compare the superlite to your roof nest falcon. The idea behind the superlite is that it is easily removable as it only weighs 80lbs for when you don't need it.

 

[slprciv]

Whats up everybody?! I thought I would chime in here. I have a superlite on order. I placed the order back in November and new that it would be a minute before I actually received the product. A few days after placing the order I received an email from GFC telling me I was slotted for a May delivery. Sounds good not a problem. At the time I was running a frontrunner 3/4 rack on my 4runner and I contacted GFC to see if the overhang would be a problem. The response was "we will check with engineering a get back to you". I never heard back after about three weeks of waiting so I emailed them again and still never heard back. Ok, I ended up switching to a full length Prinsu anyways. There has been one production update along the way which was March 3/9/21. It's now May and I have yet to hear anything from GFC in regards to an update. I reached out to them on Instagram as that seems to be their main communication platform and haven't heard back. Anyways, I will post updates along the way and will most definitely post a review of the tent on Youtube once I receive it...whenever that may be.

I ordered in November too. I was updated through email my superlite will be shipped on 2nd week of June due to the fiscao of the emblem being upside down. It was originally supposed to be shipped first week of May.

 

[rageandlove]

... due to the fiscao of the emblem being upside down.

Huh? Some embroidery mistake was the delay?

They should just sell those ones too ...

 

[TheJokingExplorer]

I ordered in November too. I was updated through email my superlite will be shipped on 2nd week of June due to the fiscao of the emblem being upside down. It was originally supposed to be shipped first week of May.

This is strange. I have never received any update on my order. No mention of their being some sort of emblem fiasco let alone a delivery date. Every time I contact GFC the response I get is extremely minimal and incredibly unhelpful. I have one final email into them before I file a claim with the credit card company. Have they been keeping you up to date or are you reaching out to them?

 

[slprciv]

This is strange. I have never received any update on my order. No mention of their being some sort of emblem fiasco let alone a delivery date. Every time I contact GFC the response I get is extremely minimal and incredibly unhelpful. I have one final email into them before I file a claim with the credit card company. Have they been keeping you up to date or are you reaching out to them?

I reached out to them a few days ago out of curiosity. Pretty prompt response IMO.

 

[TheJokingExplorer]

I reached out to them a few days ago out of curiosity. Pretty prompt response IMO.

Mind if I ask who you’re talking to at GFC. I reached out the other day expressing that I felt GFC has done very little to keep people
(Myself) updated on their order considering in the 6-7 month wait they’ve only posted one actual update to their site. The response I got was again vague “ we’ve had supply chain issues let us know if you want to cancel”. What kind of customer service is that?

 

[slprciv]

Mind if I ask who you’re talking to at GFC. I reached out the other day expressing that I felt GFC has done very little to keep people
(Myself) updated on their order considering in the 6-7 month wait they’ve only posted one actual update to their site. The response I got was again vague “ we’ve had supply chain issues let us know if you want to cancel”. What kind of customer service is that?

I spoke with Brittany if that helps