How to: DIY Wedge Camper

I enjoyed it for the awesome project, but in all reality a standard camper shell fits my needs best!

 

Anyone here have a four legged friend that sleeps with you in the camper?

I also need an idea on how to secure the hatch plate in place so I can use it as some sort of light storage platform.

 

3d Gen folks, has anyone used some sort of gasket or something in order to level up bed rails? There is nearly 1/8” height difference between side bed rail and bed rail under rear window. Thanks in advance

 

Mine sealed but there is a small gap in the middle almost midships (at the tire). I 'm thinking of using a different gasket but have not done the research. I have double bulb down the sides but it's def not big enough. The rail at the back window is fine.
Zim
EDIT;
https://www.mcmaster.com/gaskets/ed...-resistant-hollow-rubber-surface-mount-seals/

 

Couldnt resist clipping the fabric roughly into place to get a look at it before I stitch the zippers and mesh on.

 

Our dog sleeps up top with us. Typically my fiancée just goes up first and opens the zippered back door. Then I stand on the tailgate and hand the pupper up to her (50 lbs German Shorthaired Pointer). We've also done the pass up through the floor opening from inside the camper but the dog seems to prefer the bigger outside door alittle better. On solo trips I've just lifted her up and placed her on the bed before I climb up. She's cool with it but she's also used to being picked up and handled.

Also worth mentioning that I have a movable floating floor out of aluminum honeycomb panels and we always sleep with all the floor panels in so my hatch cover is just as strong as the rest of the floor. I wouldn't want to put much weight on my hatch cover if it was just a piece of aluminum composite panel.

 

My dog sleeps below us, 80lbs lab/retriever. We just leave the back open most nights so he can go chase all the fun sounds at night without getting is up.

 

Two layers of electrical tape. Works great!

 

I used some HD corner braces from Tractor Supply, six per side on my long bed. They are pretty thick.

 

https://www.sailrite.com/search?keywords=Keder

 

What fabric do you go with? Looks awesome!

 

Ripstop
https://ripstopbytheroll.com/products/2-2-oz-hex70-xl?variant=16395660033

 

The middle panel was long enough to support the length of the exped matress, and the rear one just makes up the rest.

Just a simple box frame with a middle brace and then use the remaining portion of the alupanel to make the top sheet. Countersink the screws, and that's it.

It'll be supported with angle track running front to back on the inside of the space frame. Probably some felt/delrin on top to help it slide.

Basically exactly what the Vagabond Drifter does.

 

Cross section for better view:

 

Just something I came across when I was doing mine (similar idea).
Since the angle iron has an inner radius the square extrusion won’t be able to sit flush against the outer edge. I cut my square tube short (so it lined up at the edge of the radius) and lined all contacting edges with an outdoor carpet material. I think it’s the general stuff used to stereo boxes and what not. It filled the gap nicely and got rid of the metal on metal noise.

just something to consider if you haven’t already accounted for it.

Edit: you can see what I mean here. Before the carpet material was installed.

 

Awesome, yeah I left about a 0.25" gap on either side for that. Tough to see in my cross section analysis.

I was thinking the same thing about the carpet, or even some strips of that slippery black plastic from mcmaster
https://www.mcmaster.com/4296A177/

Your carpet idea is probably quieter, I'd hate to hear it clank around all the time.

 

right on. I think I used a 1/8” gap and the carpet fills it perfectly.
Enough friction to hold it in place but can move freely enough with a shove.
Sounds like you have it all figured out though

 

Why angle instead of flat bar? Seems overkill. I used 1/8” flat bar and it holds up great with 400+lbs up there between 2 adults and the dog.


I used these EPDM rubber strips to pad my floor support rails and it works great. Grippy enough panels don’t move and keeps everything nice and quiet.

I just cut them lengthwise to match the width of my flatbar.

https://www.mcmaster.com/8990K62/

Also word of warning be careful bringing your floating floor panels to the very edge of the frame as you have it modeled. Remember you need to account for clearing the keder rail bolted to the inside of the wedge frame when you move the panels. I know at least one member had issues with that and had to reduce the width of his floor panels after the fact and live with a bigger gap to be able to remove his floor with the tent installed.

 

are the panels made with steel for its frame or aluminum and then skinned in alupanel? Thats my main question really. I can weld steel, maybe thin steel if I am careful but Im not setup or skilled for aluminum

 

You can make the frame from 1" steel or aluminum, then the top of it is skinned with the leftover alupanel.

I'm making everything from aluminum to save weight but you don't have to if you don't have a way to weld it.

My space frame will weigh 35 pounds from what Fusion has estimated.