How to: DIY Wedge Camper

No worries! These are all things I have considered. I can surprisingly still stand in the opening, just not perfectly straight. Standing upright and leaning on the bed is comfortable enough that you could change your pants or maybe work on a laptop, but I don't spend much time in my camper unless I am up in the bed, so this wasn't a huge element for me anyway. I am working on a video project for a class where I show and discuss all of these things, I will for sure post it here to show my findings better. One nice thing is that overall this is a pretty easy thing to try, it did not require any modification, I just flipped the hinges and the roof panel around, would only have to remove the bottom of the tent, unless you have any wiring for roof lights, fans, solar etc. I do have all of that but it was already taken apart so I am just reconfiguring now that I am sure that I like it. I do think it will be a love it or hate it type of thing, just depends on how you use the camper.

 

With a camper on top, my Tacoma original springs don't seem to be strong enough to handle the weight. I did add airbags to compensate. For the most part on the highway and easy offroad, they seem to work. However, at higher speeds offroad the damping is affected and comes to a point where the truck rear oscillates when going over certain bumps. If I inflate the bags to stop oscillation, then the ride is too hard.

What did you guys do to suspension? Should I change my springs? What springs are best and how much lift?

 

depends on how much weight you plan to put in the back. If money isn’t a limiter I’d get custom leaf pack.

I didn’t get a custom leaf pack but went with dakar heavy duty(supports 600lbs plus 2” lift). Im pretty happy with them

I built out the back so there is probably an additional 100lbs

 

I have the Dakar HD and they are sagging, but then I have a lot of weight in the back too.
So I am going to upgrade to the deaver 1000lbs (already have them in my garage).
I am only a little worried that my truck will not fit into the garage anymore.

 

The Dakar leafs are just trash. I have the Dakar HD's, started sagging before I even had half the rated weight capacity on them, and had a "W" arch in 6 months. OME aren't near what they used to be

 

I have an Icon RXT pack set on option 2. We will see if that will work with the camper, or if I should go with Option 3. The flexibility to 'tune' the back depending on your consistent load was the reason why I purchased.

 

So I came across a V1 GFC tent canvas for $250, it's got button snaps and Im trying to think of a way that I could attach some sort of "L" track or maybe a "U" track to the bottom so that I could attach snaps... anyone done something like this?

 

Going to be tough because of the lid. You can't really put anything on the top of the extrusion, or it won't close. If you put it on the inside lip like in your first photo with the U channel you risk water sitting in the U and leaking inside. GFC and other companies use a custom made extrusion that's wider than the top extrusion, or has an offset.

I'm attaching a photo from a bush co tent for reference.

 

@Sub_Par

was digging through some other threads today and stumbled upon this picture. Could be a good way to attached the tent to the shell- either directly or using a section of 8020 and then attaching the tent portion to that

I think this was being used to add 8020 to a bed rack, but looking above with some care and planning with cutting could could be done

 

That could work as well. Are you planning a wedge style or pop up?

 

I would do a wedge

trying to think how I could tweak the cross beams and build it with a modular floor like the go fast campers

 

There’s a few people that have done different variations of movable floors. One just has a gas strut and it lifts the floor, that’s what I’m most likely doing. I like keeping things somewhat simple.

 

Has anyone one of you experienced mold on your mattress and any mitigations?

I have a custom made mattress. I do notice the top alu panel has condensation. I wonder if it’s just the residual moisture since living in the PNW. I do get some water intrusion up top but that will be fixed once I get the rubber siding to install.

 

Hello! Looking into starting a build, before I spend money on the jig materials I wanted to see if anyone had one available for sale. Thanks!

 

Spent today huffing paint.

Interior turned out nice for a rattle can paint and prime

 

@demo243 this is what I am thinking for reinforcing the aluminum and not having to weld. Obviously mine wont have these custom extrusions, but the concept is the same.

 

Looks like the Super Pacific wedge

 

It is, and I believe GFC changed their manufacturing process to mimic SP as well.

 

I too live in the PNW, and had some mold. Mine has gone away though after wiping it off and installing the rubber strip. It's bone dry now, and I just got back from driving over Stevens pass, and two pressure washes.

 

So the rubber strip is working like a charm?