How to: DIY Wedge Camper

It doesn't even budge! I have to make the cuts for the other side, as well as get more brackets before I can finish. And I'm going to be pining where the two halves meet, using a qrp.

I'll get more pics once I get the other side done.
It's 30inches total, from hinge to hinge. The pivot point is at 15inches, using a though bolt.

 

very curious how it feels when both sides are up. For me, mine feels great with one side, and adding the second side I get lots of this:

 

Ripcords way of attching the extrusion to the space frame...looks brutally hard...any reason your not using t-bolts from the top down?
Is it just for the cleanness effect?

Also 3m makes great sealing products for boats. I highly recomend using some of that as alot of it is made specifically for flexing and keeping a seal.

 

others have put the extrusions on with the space frame right side up and just slid them on. I will be attempting that this coming week. Provided I can drill all 25 holes out for the space frame to extrusion mount. Already snapped one drill bit.

 

I did mine with the big t nuts. About 20 of them? 5 or 6 in back, 7 on each side, then riveted the bed platform to the front. Did my bolts internally but couldn’t fit washers very easily without huge holes in the bottom. Plan on checking them frequently!

 

Yeah... it seams like a bit frustrating. I haven’t done it and welcome tips from people that have

 

Here it is. Basically from the hinges, the length is 20in. 1.5 extrusion then 17in, then 1.5(for the rectangular portion. The top portion is just a u shape, 1.5 then 18.5 in. I measured 15in from each hinge, made a mark, then drilled and installed a lag bolt as a pivot point. There must be overlap and both must be attached at same length from hinge, or else it won't work right.

Waiting on parts from tnutz next week to finish other side. This doesn't even move and I don't have the struts on either. But, I think my strut weight is overboard at 100lbs each. So I need to utilize my hatch door struts.

 

Making progress on my "receiver" design for listing the roof vertically. Will be going into work tomorrow to machine the delrin(black plastic parts) to fit inside of the receivers.



I do know if this idea doesnt work the way I'm hoping it to work I'll propably ditch it for now, go wedge, enjoy the weather while its here and work on a 3rd plan when I have time and money. As much as I dont want a wedge i really want to go camping!

 

I feel like there should be a sub forum in this section dedicated to DIY camper builds. Ripcords thread is great but lots of good info is getting lost to the noise in here. Thats just my opinion, I like separate builds and crisp documentation

 

You mind sharing more pics of your topper? really like the ALU look.. been debating on doing alluminum or 80x20... also what demensions of rectangle tubing are you using?

 

I made one! https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/homebuilt-camper-thread.720367/#post-25646492

 

this looks good! How’s the wiggle? And how tall is the lift?

 

Sure, is there anything specific your looking for? I just did alum because it’s lighter and cheaper. (Made a previous camper out of stainless....not so light) Also quick and easy to get a hold of compared to the extrusions.

Lower Frame - 1 1/2” square
Upper frame - 1”x4” and 1”x2”

 

Thanks, it moves. Haha. Probably about 1-2” haven’t measured it. It should be fine with fabric but I might mess with the hinge design a little more to take the play out of the bottom hinge. (Where all my side to side comes from) if all else fails I may just make some braces that swing down from the ceiling and clip into the lower frame just to completely eliminate it.

Total lift is 29” frame to frame. I think it gives me about 6’ 3” standing height in the bed to my ceiling height. (I’ll have a 1” insulated roof)

 

How are you insulating your roof/ what’re you making it out of?

 

The extrusion fits well. Not too terrible off center. Not noticeable at least. If I were to do this again I’d skip the drilled holes on the cnc and do it by hand on the frame and the. Transfer to the floor panel.


primed and will paint tomorrow. I do need to prime the underside of the space frame. Still need to drill holes for the front panel and figure out side panel hinges.

 

I’m going to be doing the panels soon.. Why do you say you would drill the holes by hand? I’m making my own drawing for the cuts and was debating what to to about the holes...

 

Got my receiver's made today, will be bolting them to the camper tomorrow. With the delrin liners on the inside they slide with zero effort. Man I hope this plan works...

 

I cut the floor panels straight from ripcords cut files and unless you are a robot and can cut and weld the top of the space frame to be exactly square and exact to dimension its going to be slightly off.

What I would do is CNC cut out the exterior profile of the floor and access hole and omit the mounting holes and instead measure and mark on the space frame and drill those out. Then transfer to the floor panel. I'm not sure how exact the extrusion width matches the 1.5" steel square tube but I would experiment first before making that commitment.

 

Here is what I ended up doing to try and combat condensation. Some simple insulation from Home Depot and outdoor carpet. Glued the carpet to the insulation, then insulation to the top of the wedge. 1 can of 3M spray adhesive did it all. Even did 2 coats of adhesive to make sure I got a good seal.

I totally miss aligned when installing it though, will have to fill in the gap on the right.