Composite + 80/20 Wedge Camper Build

No everything worked same as before.

Note that I did add a little stainless wire and epoxied it in place from this connection that gets scrapped. I think that is the AM antenna.

I covered it with a thin carbon fiber skin, but fiberglass would also work I imagine.

 

I might have to try that! I was also looking at the TRP Sideshooter antenna ( https://totallyradproducts.com/collections/frontpage/products/side-shooter-antenna-cover ) but I think they way you did it results in a lower profile. I need every inch I can get with hopes I can fit a camper in a garage.

Thank you for the info!

 

@Taco Camper

I’m going to pretty much copy your tent so would you be able to share how long or how much zipper you ordered? We like how big and open it is. The hinges you used I also went with are probably the best option for this build too.


Thanks!

 

definitely gonna look back on the thread later

 

Good question. Haha. Let me take a measurement this weekend

 

This is about what the zippers measure out to. There are a few inches on the inside so be conservative and round up at least a foot when ordering.

These are those coated waterproof zippers that like mentioned in earlier posts are not really for any curves as they will bunch up. I thought I could get them to lay a little flatter on the slight curve but no. Recommend very straight lines where they work best (or only very slight curves like you see here). There is black fabric at the very front that looks like a zipper (because I messed something up if I remember right, plus I liked the look of that option as a fix).

Note that the bug screen is not perfect and the sun is doing me no favors in these pics, but, you cannot tell when inside looking out. It is still a fantastic view!

 

thanks! I appreciate it

 

Few more pics of the inside details for the zipper assembly.

 

And some pics of the finished hinges, painted doors and lights.

 

Bravo. Looks great!

 

Red rock wilderness

 

Finally getting down to the final portion of sewing, my question to you is, could you provide me a better picture of the rear door and how it attaches at the bottom?
I have the pair of zippers sewn on each side and the gap where I need to fill the bottom, but still confused as to how to attach it all.

 

Will do ASAP

 

I know rain/water ingress has been discussed on others builds, but I don’t live in a damp climate and was not majorly worried about it.

So in these pics, I was in a rush to get it done and could have made cleaner connections, but basically just overlapped everything so water would run off and out sorta like shingles. It works and I have only been in light rain plus testing out with the hose, not full on Seattle January. I have a really big REI 16’x16’ lightweight tarp that I carry and if I happen to camp in a heavy rainstorm I am just gonna throw that over the wedge to not worry about it as you don’t have any of the side/rear doors open in the rain anyway.

 

Thanks for the pics! Much appreciated

 

Talk about a quality build. Just doesn’t get any better than this.

 

how has that waterproof held up on the hinges? I live in coastal Washington, so I am about to rip my whole build apart and try to waterproof it a million times better.

 

Yea same here. The hinges are fully waterproof and working good. I too need to take everything else apart and seal up. I gave all of that very little thought when I built it because here in AZ it was like 100 deg in the garage and I was in a hurry (and was not planning on camping in the rain) but when you drive in the rain water gets in the bed area.

Seal the top of the hollow bulb seals for the doors. I noticed water runs in there and dumps out then you open the doors.

 

Amazing job on this, @Taco Camper. Extremely inspiring work.

 

I've broken it down and repainting, I'll start posting progress photos once I have some, just grinding off all the old paint now. Since there are so many joints it will still be tough to get complete water seal. Here's my current plan for waterproofing/rebuild if anyone sees anything to add or maybe it will also help someone get the juices flowing. I've had it for a year and took some short cuts, so no more messing around.

A big question I could use some help is sealing the wedge when it's closed. I used the push it bulb seal which worked as well blind seeing eye dog. I then used this https://www.mcmaster.com/93085K365/ it works for water and dust, but it makes the wedge close at angle, and I have to adjust where the rain skirt is on the end so it actually repels rain... Not the end of the world but my OCD doesn't approve. Any thoughts/suggestions would be appreciated

1. For all the Frame to extrusion, extrusion to alupanel, and extrusion to extrusion connections, I've decided to go with running 2 strips of butyl tape along the whole connection. Then use silicon to seal all connections inside and out.
2. Grind down the corners of the internal and external connectors so I can use silicon to seal the interior and exterior 90 degree joins.
3. At the end of each rail behind the external connectors, use a piece of gorilla water tape to combat water getting into the extrusion channels.
4. For the hinges, copy your method using some of vinyl tent to gorilla glue to my continuous gear hinges. I have to use spacers so it doesn't hit my extrusions, also will use silicon on those connections.
5. Did I mention using silicon to seal everything yet?
6. Position rain skirt higher on tent.
7. When reconstructing my frame, I am done fighting the nots seizing up and I'll have to do a lot alone which means I invested in some of these bad boys https://www.mcmaster.com/47065T229/
8. I've also decided to go with a more fun paint scheme since my old one was real boring.

if you read this far... thanks.