GoFastCampers Releases First-Ever Camper, Topper For Rivian R1T

GoFastCampers is today announcing the release of the first camper, and first bed cap engineered to fit the Rivian R1T. The camper brings an eight-foot tall internal living space to the R1T’s 4.5-foot long bed, while the topper doubles the vehicle’s secure cargo volume, and both allow long objects to be carried on the electric truck’s roof. Customer deliveries began the second week of October. 

“There’s a reason why it took three years for someone to develop anything like this for the R1T,” explains GFC Founder and CEO Graeme MacPherson. “From the complex shapes around the rear of the cab, to sensors hidden within the bodywork and the bedrail-mounted control buttons, there’re just numerous features that each require their own custom solution.”

GFC makes the lightest campers, and strongest truck toppers, ever. Each and every GFC camper and topper is custom-sized to the exact year, make, model, and sometimes even trim level of the pickup truck they’re designed for. All GFC products are made in Montana by full-time employees earning a living wage. The agility this brings to the manufacturing process is what enabled the small company, which employs 50 people, to adapt its products not just to the unique requirements of an electric vehicle, but to ensure total compatibility with all of Rivian’s features. 

 

“Electric vehicle range is incredibly sensitive to the smallest changes,” says GFC product designer Ian Sparkman. “We knew we needed to reduce the height of the cabover as much as possible, but the sharkfin antenna is mission critical to many of the R1T’s functions, and it’s 3.25 inches tall. Leaving that big of a gap over the roof would have decimated range, so we created a weatherproof pocket in the floor of the sleeping area, split the mattress to go around it, and brought the fin inside the camper.”

That change brought the cabover portion of the camper to within a half-inch of the R1T’s glass roof, a gap which is enclosed by a wind fairing. To ensure no contact between the camper and cab during extreme vehicle maneuvers, GFC’s engineers took advantage of Rivian’s roof accessory ports, creating aluminum bridges that bolt the camper’s forward frame to the truck, eliminating any potential for movement. 

Elsewhere, the camper and topper’s body panels had to be wrapped around the vertical wind fairings, curved rear glass, and spoiler, unique mounts were fabricated to bolt the camper to the bedrail accessory ports and tactile extensions were machined from billet aluminum to allow Rivian’s gear tunnel, tonneau cover, and tailgate to be operated externally, through the camper and topper’s access panels. And, on the camper, a viewport was added to the cabside panel, which retains total function for the R1T’s Gear Guard camera view. The topper’s low roof prevents the inclusion of that feature.

Vehicle systems like Drive Plus, over-the-air software updates, connectivity features, and the sliding tonneau cover are able to continue to operate unimpaired.. Closing that tonneau cover inside a locked camper or topper doubles the security of any items stored below it, transforming the R1T into a rolling vault. 

 

“You can’t even tell the GFC is there while you’re driving,” says Sparkman. “Both products are so silent that the wing mirrors create more wind noise, and so light you can’t feel any difference in the pedals or steering wheel.”

Across thousands of miles of testing aided by adventure photographer Ben Moon, and as verified in the real world by the 12 customers who have already taken delivery, the GFC Platform Camper for the Rivian R1T has a total impact on range of 7 to 10 percent. GFC has not been able to detect any measurable impact on range from the Platform Topper. Both products compare well to the official Rivian accessory bed rack and tent combination, which users report decreased average range by at least 20 percent. Rivian no longer sells those products. 

“Adding aGFC Platform Camper to your R1T increases practicality in both daily driving and on big adventures, plus a comfortable place to sleep, change or hangout” says MacPherson.

“The camper fits great, works great, and is really comfortable,” says adventure photographer and R1T owner Ben Moon, who along with his dog Nori helped GFC develop the product. “There’s no rattles, no squeaks, and no wind noise.”

Because it leaves the R1T’s bed unencumbered, while doubling its secure volume, the camper allows owners to get more out of their truck. It can also carry 500 pounds of dynamic load on its roof, even during extreme off-road driving. That will enable owners to bring construction materials home from the hardware store, and carry boards or boats to the beach and bikes into the mountains. The camper’s roof can deploy with up to 75 pounds of load on top, and is designed to accommodate additional accessories like solar panels, radio antennas, recovery boards, lights, and awnings. The 80 by 50-inch sleeping area is long enough to accommodate even the tallest humans, and measures out at the same width as a 2.5-person tent. An ultralight modular floor system creates standing height interior space, and allows access to the sleeping area without the need for a ladder. GFC spent two years developing the three-inch thick, dual-density mattress, and is confident it delivers the most comfortable sleep possible. On the R1T, the camper easily fits into a standard height residential garages. 

“TheGFC Platform Topper for the Rivian R1T doesn’t just happen to fit on a Rivian,” explains automotive journalist and R1T owner Jonny Lieberman, who helped GFC develop the product. “It’s a topper designed with both the owner and vehicle in mind.”

By bringing secure cargo volume to cab height, the topper doubles storage space, which remains easy to access thanks to full-length lift panels. As on the camper, those panels also provide shelter from sun and precipitation while open, forming something GFC calls “cabana mode.” A translucent composite roof reflects solar radiation, keeping the interior cool, while allowing diffuse ambient light inside. LED lights make it easy to find your gear at night. And while the topper’s roof sits flush with the rear of the R1T’s cab, optional crossbars are tall enough that they enable owners to carry very long objects on top. Dynamic roof load on the topper is 800 pounds, and it’s also designed for compatibility with all manner of racks, lights, and other accessories. 

“The GFC Platform Camper gives Rivian owners an instant-access shelter that works just as well changing out of a wetsuit at a crowded beach as it does camping in a secluded location,” says Sparkman. “And, thanks to our incredibly strong and durable aluminum spaceframe construction, it’s something you’ll never have to worry about, no matter how bad the weather or how tough the trail.”

“Anyone who uses the R1T for truck stuff will appreciate the GFC Platform Topper,” the designer continues. “With such a small bed, the extra space is incredibly handy, and it keeps your stuff safe from both weather and theft.” 

The GFC Platform Camper for the Rivian R1T weighs 270 pounds and starts at $9,450. The GFC Platform Topper for the Rivian R1T weighs 137 pounds and is $4,999. Both can be delivered to any of GFC’s eight nationwide locations for convenient installation.