Wedge Life

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I'm in for a peaceful Wedge Thread, I had to check out of the GFC thread for a month or two because it got so toxic in there. I have one of the early GFC's and have been super happy but I won't lie, I LOVE the drifter as well... Really no way to go wrong with these and truthfully when I had paid for my GFC it was the only choice (that I was aware of anyway). Bottom line these "wedges" are game changers for not only the speed to setup and take down but to "chill" inside in bad weather, and stand up to change clothes. I have always wanted a 4WHEEL Camper but didn't want to deal with the weight penalty. These seem to be the best of both worlds.

 

Sub'd. Ill just watch from the side lines

 

+1 on GFC thread going to crap.

Here's my simple set-up. I DD my rig and came from a backpacking background where you only carry what you need. I'm simple. Lots of great ideas here, might steal some. Sorry I don't have a taco



Watching my buddy set up his tent was amusing. Completely validated my purchase after I cooked and ate lunch and he was still fiddling around with things.

 

I used these:

Lepro 12V LED Strip Light, Flexible, Waterproof, SMD 2835, 16.4ft Tape Light for Christmas, Home, Kitchen and More, Daylight White（Power Adapter not Include）

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00HSF66JO/ref=cm_sw_r_sms_awdb_t1_Kx0RCb90CW7Q4

They used to be $6. Damn inflation!

Also forgot to mention my lighting for up top. Another cheap LED bar from Amazon. This is probably temporary because it feels kinda cheap. But it has its own switch so I don't have to worry about mounting a switch anywhere, and I just tapped into the power from the fan.

 

I've been advocating for people to forgo anything that'll raise the floor, but I'm curious how your experience has been with the Decked system. Saw the price tag is ~$1200 . How's it been working so far?

 

I love it. I paid around 1k for mine and obviously installed it myself. It’s bomber solid, makes a great place to mount things since the decks pull off in about 5 mins and it is 100% waterproof. Keeps me super organized when traveling. For instance all my cooking gear and chairs/ table are in one drawer. Recovery and misc in the other.

Not sure you’d want to skip raising the floor. I know my wife would really struggle to get into the GFC without a platform and I’m 5’09” and am no where close to the ceiling standing.

If i had one complaint it’s 205lbs... but most every drawer platform or whatever i looked at was very similar. Having used it for a year i would make the same choice. I think the simplicity and durability is tough to beat.



Must be 18” still above me even with the platform....

 

The first Wedgie that I have actually enjoyed..

 

Yea it would be difficult to jump in bed without any help. I simply stand on one of the benches on either side of the truck bed to hop in.

Ever consider a flip down table on that swingout? Looks like untapped real estate

 

It looks like a wilco swing gate right? one of the 2" receiver units?

 

Can you post some more pictures of the bed? Looks good

 

I could easily see the platform becoming an issue for anyone that might be tall. I know Phil is rather tall and he already has to bend down a bit to get into the back, let alone if there was a 10-12" platform to encroach on that space as well.

Although i do see the usage as a help up to get into bed for the shortys.

 

Subbed and in for a brand-agnostic thread.

I appreciate all camping setups. Previously had an RTT on bed racks, trailer setup and now have a GFC (#200) on the way.

Can’t wait to pick it up and enjoy this years camping season.

 

Hmmm, maybe I'll finally have to do a real build thread.
I always planned to (honestly, for no other reason than to have it documented for my own reference), but I really hate stopping to take pictures and stuff. It's like I have to completely change gears mentally in order to do so, and it just kills my workflow.
I can't be the only one ...right?

 

I don't like the harshness of typically cooler color temp lights. I used these in my build.

https://www.amazon.com/Lighting-OxyLED-Dimmable-Wardrobe-Lightening/dp/B07H4M929C

It uses 24v so I have replace the power supply with a 12v => 24v transformer instead. Works pretty well as downlighting.

 

Same. My BIL is building a FJ on the other side of the country. He sends me a pic of every bolt he removes. I take pics of before and after at best. Most of the time it's just and after pic.

 

With the GFC and the storage system/ gear the tacoma was sagging more than I liked. I added the OME HD Dakar leaf pack. I couldn't be happier with it. Rides better than stock without all the stuff in the back. I'm sure the pack would work well with any of the wedge campers.

 

Thanks! I'm slacking in the interior photo department. I need to make some time to show the different configurations and take a few pictures!

 

Funny you mention the rear swing-out table.... I had two different tables on order, the Front Runner and the Outback Adventures and ended up cancelling both. (This was less than a week ago). To be honest I’m back and forth on them. I think I’d be awesome in theory but in practical application everything back there gets absolutely covered in dirt, grime, and dust. I have the Partner Steel Stove stand which fits easily in the drawer and offers the exact same real estate as the fold down table without having to cook and prep food on surfaces covered in road grime. It does require a little extra time to set up though.

So long story short I use the swing for a Hi Lift when needed, Maxtrax when needed, and the XL Blue Ridge Overland Gear trash bag. I plan on moving the Maxtraxs to the inside of the GFC, up on the interior tubing since they don’t see much use and throwing a couple tube mounted Rotopax cans on there for my 3 week trip to the Yellowstone area this summer. I try not to carry more stuff than I need so depending on the trip I leave a lot at home if I can.

Side note my wife and I have a set of Helinox Chairs (sunset’s) and the Helinox Large Hardtop Table. I think every trip we meet people who buy them afterwards when they see the space and weight they can save. We travel pretty light most of the time.



I will admit it looks a bit more Overland-y with everything strapped on there though

Lastly that is the Hitchgate Max, which might be a bit beefier than you really need on a Taco. It was from my previous Ram 2500 Power Wagon build and held BIG 35’s. I just moved it over when I downsized my truck.

 

It’s a Wilco Hitchgate Max. It is a 2” unit but I have the 2.5” adapter as well since the previous rig had a larger receiver. Been very happy with the swing and it can come off in winter if I need to drive that vehicle in the salty Northeast Roads. This truck isn’t my DD but you never know. Only downside is it’s quite heavy.