Aluminum Popup Camper

Metal is the not the expensive part, it's all the other small crap

 

The only access is from inside the bed platform moves, there are 3 panels.

 

Excellent design and fab! I can’t make anything worth a darn, but I’m a retired mechanical engineer who has designed gas spring assisted lids, so one piece of feedback: ideally, the cylinder should be tipped down towards the rod in the closed position, to allow the damping oil to run down to the seal and keep it lubed. https://www.asraymond.com/gas-spring-proper-orientation.html
Just flipping your struts 180 degrees will accomplish this, assuming the mounting style is the same at both ends. Not only does this help with seal life, but when the seals start to leak gas, they may also leak oil and leave residue, so you get a heads-up before they lose their “oomph”.

 

Thanks for the tip it takes just a second to flip the struts, I will do this tonight.

 

Love watching his thread! Awesome man

 

Paint is all finished. Time to start installing the windows and weatherstripping

 

Wow! It's looking really good! What did you paint it with?

 

Sherwin Williams ATX . Don't think I'll be attempting a painting task like this again in the future took me all day Sunday and I got a few spots that need to be buffed out.

 

Two questions for you. What do you think it's doing to weigh and how do you plan to weatherproof between the top and base?

 

1. Approximately 330lbs
2. 2 different section of weather striping / D shaped hollow weather striping on the top inside, and flat strip on the bottom where the vinyl meets.

 

Looking good. Wish I had your skills, that's the camper I've mocked up in my head

 

I’m really interested in the sleeping area you’re going to put in. Are you doing a kitchen too?

 

Well I've got all the cushions sewed up for the moveable platform, I'll need to install foam insulation before I install the inside roof liner and start sewing up the vinyl tent material.

 

Sub’ed

 

How many hours do you think you have into it?

 

I've logged every day and hour.

Started Feb 3.

At 114 hours spread out through 26 days. I'm getting exhausted from working my job and then working on the project. I am very close to the finish line. Insulation went on this morning and I will start to cut and sew the vinyl tonight.

 

That's a pretty quick build for this thing. I can see how you'd be exhausted.

 

Awesome! You wouldn't consider a back window too Ryan?

 

Very cool. Another Westfalia Wedge.