How to: DIY Wedge Camper

That really dresses it up. Makes it more uniform.

 

Has anyone used gfc tent material on their diy? That is the only part I will have trouble with.

 

Question: how wide have y'all been making the base of the space frame where it attaches to the bed?

I'm just about to start making the space frame for a 3rd gen and Ripcord's schematics recommend 62" from outer edge to outer edge. I feel like that may be a tad wide and puts the camper right up at the outer edges of the bed wall. I'm tempted to go a little narrower, perhaps 61". Wondering if there's a difference between 2nd and 3rd gen beds.

 

In full transparency, I'm only on page 99 of this thread. LOL There has been a lot of reading, re-reading, and researching. That being said, I had a question that has been driving me nuts.

For those of you who made the frame out of aluminum, did you weld it together or rivet it together?

I only ask, because I follow these guys online who take old john boats and turn them into awesome fishing rigs. They rivet lots of aluminum angle iron together, as opposed to welding. I realize boats are different types of force but I'm curious because I want to go with aluminum if possible.

Any thoughts? Could someone point me to a specific post?

Thanks in advance.

JB

 

I welded my aluminum frame.

 

Thanks for sharing. I have someone who can weld aluminum. I just know how difficult it can be. So, would prefer aluminum, but not at the expense of excessive waste. My buddy is a pro with steel, so I may just go that way.

 

If I did it again, I would have just done steel. I saved a little bit of weight but not as much as I expected after adding a bunch of additional stiffening tubes and upping the size of the tubing. I’m the way, it wasn’t worth the extra time and effort. The frame was the longest part for me because of using aluminum.

 

I welded mine as well. It was a great way to get better at TIG welding aluminum.

I would do aluminum again, but I would try Mig welding it with aluminum wire.

I like that I never had to paint my frame, or worry about it rusting. It's still just a touch lighter in the end over steel, but not much.

 

Great input on aluminum guys. I'll take that into consideration as I move forward.

 

Really like that fabric, where did you purchase yours from?

 

Nice! How tall is your opening?

 

What's everyone doing to combat moisture from rainy days? I've had my camper now for a couple of years and I usually air out the camper every few days, but after deployment my tent got a lot of mold. I was able to remove it, but in the process I chemically burned the fabric. Going to make a new canvas this winter.

 

Awesome! Can you share the inside of the camper top?

 

Gotta be like 12ft from the ground to the handle

 

https://fabricwholesaledirect.com/products/ottertex-waterproof-canvas-fabric?variant=39460372283507

Mine is the Mocha color.

 

Oh i meant the camper itself. The wedge portion

 

Mmmm
8ft maybe? Close to 9? I'd have to measure not sure. Super mega head room for my 5'9" ass

 

Gotcha, I only ask because the canvas is 61/60" tall. The material I used on my camper was 71" tall. But took me forever to find and not the best.

 

Not sure I understand what you want to see?

 

I got it now. I didn't realize you posted more pictures on the next page.