How to: DIY Wedge Camper

So is the recommended gap for Tacomas 2" between camper and cab roof? Or are you adjusting for a larger gap?

 

Measured mine. It's about 5/8" of an inch from the bolt to the metal. The sign material is 7/8" from the metal roof.

Ripcord has a scuff on his roof from the bolt. Reportedly from some sweet jumps.

 

Wow that is close. I was budgeting about 2” gap from the lowest rail to the metal. I suspect that would be 1.5” after alupanel and bolt heads.

Anybody have a source in SoCal for 1530 and 1545 extrusion? I’m having a hard time sourcing 2 10ft sections of both without having to pay freight from 8020.
Otherwise have also been considering joining two 5’ sections..

 

I would measure how much twist your truck has as every truck is different. The Tacoma has a ton of twist, enough that I've had folks ask me if something was broken when following me on trails, however my Gladiator has at most 3/8 inch of twist. Barely even noticeable.

 

Loving the wedge camper! 1st test and trip was 17hrs from home at big bend NP. How are yall getting the filler panel to stay up top?

 

Turn 5, road america

 

Again, not a ripcord and not quite done, need to finish the tent but was glad after so many hours to get this thing out anyways. Gonna be great when complete.

Vinyl wrapping the roof:



finishing the roof, carpeting over insulation and installing the keder rail:



Test fit to mock up clamps:


first trip out:





Question: any clever ways to be able to adjust tent fabric tension? My shock mounts are not adjustable so I’m guessing just gotta get it right?

 

@scootsmcgreggor is that coyote?

 

First trip. Nothing but good things to say. The exped mat was exceptionally comfortable. My buddy and I both built ones. This was a three night trip in the area.

Photo near Capitol Reef/ Goblin Valley utah, Factory Butte on the left.

 

Good eye!

 

I love that area so much.

 

Great write up and execution of your tent! I plan to copy your writeup exactly. Did you find that the original quantities of waterproof zipper and screen from ripcord's excel sheet were sufficient for your project? Did you utilize any non waterproof zippers? Any modifications that you made to his supplies? Thanks!

 

Finally done with the tent, boy howdy I underestimated how much work and faff that would be.

stoked to head out for a 10 day trip in the sierras with it!



Lights as well, on dimmers. only one not shown is on the inside of the rear door which shines down on the tailgate and surrounding area.

 

I have a few years of use on my V2 camper and am considering some repairs and upgrades.

Has anyone used SendCutSend recently to have the bed mount brackets cut and bent? About how much did you pay? I’m trying to decide if it’s worth upgrading from the removable bed camp brackets I’m using now.

Also, has anyone had issues with water intrusion into the space frame itself? I’m noticing signs of issues on mine.

This is such a great thread. I’m super grateful for all the support and fun times this camper has enabled!

 

I got mine done by Send Cut Send last year and it was around $45, plus the file from RipCord's website.

 

For those of you running basically permanently mounted solar on your roof, how are you bringing the wires into the box where you would have your batteries, fridge etc? Specifically I'm wondering how you deal with multiple panels and their wiring.
How do you secure the run of wires to the roof? It's a power coated aluminium on mine.
Where do you make your connections, inside or out?
What are you using for waterproof entrance into the camper? Entrance glands seem to be the way, but if there's a better method I'd like to know
I'm trying the adhesive ones from Bouge Rv that HoboTech beat the hell out of
https://youtu.be/sjTsq9M-66A?si=f4j3EsBQAtPRTINL
Thanks

 

Running standard solar cables on the roof securing it by zip ties to panel brackets. It's running all the way to the front and going under on the outside. It's running inside the split wire conduit wrapped by electric tape for waterproofing. I combined multiple wires(for solar and offroad lights, but antennas are separate). It's connected to the walls by cable clamps with rubber cushion which are riveted like everything else in/on my camper. I have only standard solar connections on the roof because I use Y-split for two panels. It's wrapped by tape and covered by piece of salvaged treadmill rubber. All other connections are inside, I use Blue Sea stuff. For the entrance I use roof sealant that's used for chimney and in some places standard silicone sealant.