How to: DIY Wedge Camper

Thanks for that info! I knew there was some other prep and labor involved but I didn't know how much.

 

Other thing too is that person that gave you the $2k price might have been their “go away” price.

 

That turned out really nice!

I have the same concerns about the gaps in the bearings causing issues with water, but looking at your photos I think that the seals should prevent the water from actually entering the cab. I live in WA where it's not raining 1 month out of the year.

Really nice work with kerfing that panel too! Did you just use a router and v-notch it? What epoxy did you use and how did you apply it?

In your photos, does that portion of the hinge that goes on the top of the space frame simply replace where the composite panel would go? So instead of the aluminum panel having that 1.5" wide strip that runs over the top of the space frame, you're using the flat portion of the hinge instead? Is it the same thickness?

I really want to try and find a way for the A570HD hinge to work ($85), but I just can't see it happening. I think the A410HD would be easy to modify and make work by cutting off the 90* flanges, but that's taking a risk with a $100+ hinge you have to modify.

 

What material is that?

And are you going to be adding the "skirt" to the bottom?

 

@nanserb its cordura 500d. I plan to add the skirt later on. I'm in California so its not a must right now.

 

Has anybody used Ottertex canvas waterproof?

 

These both look amazing!

 

I ordered samples of this and I really like the product. the PU Otterex is really nice

 

I didn't realize GFC's new 'embassy' gear hinges were custom extrusions - theirs don't have the bearings, which is how the panels are removable and waterproof. Oh well - I do think the seal will be enough to keep out the water when closed, so I'm not too concerned. I'm in CO so it really only rains in May and June, and then really short drizzles throughout the summer here and there.

The hinges do replace the gasket/composite panel from @Ripcord's design. And the hinge and panel are almost the same thickness, so the silicone bead will fill the difference. I'm doing a separate sleeping platform that hinges and pivots against the roof with gas struts, just like the AT Summit, which is why my composite panel is deleted beyond the bulkhead rail on the spaceframe. I think another user here did the same.

I kerfed the panel with a dewalt tracksaw. I made several passes to get the depth perfect. Just a standard blade width ended up removing the exact amount to bend the corner 45 degrees, so got lucky on that. And I just used JB Weld ClearWeld that comes with the 'EZ Mixer' tip so I didn't have to mix on a scrap and try to spoon it in - that made it super easy to be precise and not make a mess. Then just used masking tape to hold the bend while the epoxy cured.

https://www.cookandboardman.com/pro...ear-Hinge-Half-Surface-Left-Hand-Clear-Finish
This hinge would be ideal in the way I installed mine - would allow more than a 90* opening like my panels currently are limited to, and then it would reduce the gap between frame and panel.

 

Not the canvas, but I'm using the Ottertex Polyester Ripstop (PU). It's 200D, so was really easy to manage when sewing. I haven't tested it yet, so can't speak to exactly how waterproof it is, but the way the water beads when I've run it under the sink continuously seems promising. We'll see haha. Definitely a fan of the workability though. It was cheaper too. I got samples of the canvas and it just felt too thick to me.

https://www.fabricwholesaledirect.c...2&_sid=d83ab08de&_ss=r&variant=18441014345843

 

I got samples too and they feel very thick… was wondering what others were using since Im not a fan of the colors of the one suggested in the ripcord list

 

I didn’t feel the need to have such a thick tent canvas. This 200D poly should be easier to fold in when closing. And the difference in insulating properties is moot. My rei tent is 70D so figured it’s already more robust than that. BUT I could be underestimating the need for a thick canvas. I don’t know. I’ll just have to see. Worst case I’m out $100 in materials and I can sew a new tent in the off-season. I was able to knock it out in about 10 hours over a weekend.

 

Awesome! It also looks like that hinge would be a little less prone to leaking/dripping inside as well. You'd have to space it outward by the thickness of the panel (3mm) but it would also eliminate the long taper problem you ran into that required the kerfing/vnotch of the panel. The 3mm gap that would be created between the hinge point and the frame could be filled with a big piece of weather stripping to eliminate the drip as well...

For your lifting floor, are you putting the hinge at the cross piece that even with the front of the bed? Or further forward over the cab?

 

I'm going with the ottertex waterproof canvas in a darker (charcoal) color simply for the light blocking purposes. I know @Jarman02 used it and said that it is nearly a blackout fabric inside. I have a sample of it and it is definitely not as thick as you'd expect, super pliable feeling.

 

Yeah my floor is one large platform (8020 frame, composite top), hinging at the very front of the cabover section, just like pic of the Summit below.

 

when going black on the canvas also think about it that black attracts the sun…so it might get hot in there. You might not wake up in the morning from the sun light but because your are sweating

 

That charcoal looks nice. I got a few samples and that charcoal is one of them. The army green and mocha are big contenders as well.

 

Thanks for your feedback. I’ll give it some thought but knowing that an REI tent is 70D gives me peace of mind. I have to check what’s my tent but it’s probably something along those lines.

 

So are you using a taller extrusion for the lid (3"-4.5") as well to accommodate for the increased height of the sleeping platform?

What hinges for the front platform are you planning on using? I'm guessing just attaching them to the inside of the extrusion that hangs over the cab?

 

I wonder if all the carpet helps with condensation