GFC Vs. Harker Exo

[chuckburt28]

Ok, I have posted on here for a long time and you all have been very helpful. We are ready to pull the trigger before the end of the year after tons of research. I have gone from top of the line overlanding trailer to wanting to build my own, and of course as happens, reality sets in and the money available is enough for a fairly decent truck camper build. I have countless hours of research hours put in, but I'm hoping for one last ask for any of you willing to weigh in between:

GFC V2 Pro and Harker Exo

For me, weight is key because I have a lot to bring and some build dreams, and the payload in my 2019 Colorado is 1488 lbs. Add family and occasionally a very small trailer with 300lb tongue weight, and there isn't much left over. Here are my thoughts the way I see it:

• Harker is 30 lb heavier after I build each the way I would
• Harker is bigger and has more room but probably less mpg
• GFC feels better for everyday non-camping use
• I would need to custom build exterior propane mount on GFC, Harker has great exterior mounting options
• Both are similar in price but I think Harker will be slightly more with my build choices
• GFC has overall best aesthetics
• Neither can be removed with jacks but I think Harker is closest to reality on that possibility with square shape/accessible exterior frame
• GFC includes lights now, I would need to build lighting system as I don't want their Dirt Circuit, instead plan on Bluetti
• GFC is the veteran and I feel like they have things figured out, Harker is very close to my home

Lots more but bottom line I am having a very tough time choosing. If any of you want to chime in with your thoughts I'd love to hear them.

 

[Flyelk1]

I am also local with Harker very close to me. I narrowed my choices down to three when I was going through this same decision. These two and Alucab were my choices. I have a Tundra, so I went the Alucab route with their new (at the time) full size truck option.

That said, between the two, I would go Harker. They are close for customer service dealings, and when I was looking at them, they seemed to be built better than GFC. Lastly, Harker was more willing to work with me on some customization I was envisioning.

Weight is obviously going to be an issue no matter which way you go, but you are already aware of that as you mentioned.

 

[chuckburt28]

Thank you, super helpful. Alu Cab in my opinion is the king of truck campers, and would be an easy choice if I had a bigger truck with more payload. I appreciate you weighing in.

I am also local with Harker very close to me. I narrowed my choices down to three when I was going through this same decision. These two and Alucab were my choices. I have a Tundra, so I went the Alucab route with their new (at the time) full size truck option.

That said, between the two, I would go Harker. They are close for customer service dealings, and when I was looking at them, they seemed to be built better than GFC. Lastly, Harker was more willing to work with me on some customization I was envisioning.

Weight is obviously going to be an issue no matter which way you go, but you are already aware of that as you mentioned.

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

Had a GFC, had an AluCab, watched videos of the Harker…. Those two choices GFC 10000X over the Harker…. The space looks appealing but if you actually spent any time in a pop up camper (I have a couple hundred nights now, or at least damn close to that) all that rear fabric will be hell in any kind of weather and you’ll hate it, I promise.

The GFC is very spartan but they’re good guys and they make a very solid product. TBF my AluCab was actually a Khaya but it was super solid and didn’t really flap in the wind.

I love soft side campers, and the wedge camper’s are very quick and easy to use, I’ve since migrated to a larger soft side pop up for comfort with my wife but if it was me troutbumming the US I’d be doing it in a GFC.

 

[chuckburt28]

Had a GFC, had an AluCab, watched videos of the Harker…. Those two choices GFC 10000X over the Harker…. The space looks appealing but if you actually spent any time in a pop up camper (I have a couple hundred nights now, or at least damn close to that) all that rear fabric will be hell in any kind of weather and you’ll hate it, I promise.

The GFC is very spartan but they’re good guys and they make a very solid product. TBF my AluCab was actually a Khaya but it was super solid and didn’t really flap in the wind.

I love soft side campers, and the wedge camper’s are very quick and easy to use, I’ve since migrated to a larger soft side pop up for comfort with my wife but if it was me troutbumming the US I’d be doing it in a GFC.

Thanks for weighing in. Can you elaborate on what you mean by all that rear fabric? Are you referring to the material Harker uses for the tent or simply the greater amount of tent material since it is a larger wedge?

 

[SimplyAnAdventure]

Thanks for weighing in. Can you elaborate on what you mean by all that rear fabric? Are you referring to the material Harker uses for the tent or simply the greater amount of tent material since it is a larger wedge?

Hello, and Merry Christmas!

So while searching for a picture to circle the fabric I was referring to I learned that the EXO is the newer version and the EDC was the original design.

I FULLY retract my previous comment and will tell you to flip a coin the new EXO design will be just fine! The EDC design was a good attempt to be different but was horrible in practice.

If you’re looking at the EXO I think you’d be very happy. I will still say the GFC definitely looks better (to me) and seems like to would be a little better mileage wise.

 

[RealRigsRattle]

If weight and space are your main concerns, have you considered an OVRLND popup? They generally tend to weigh less than most other options.