How to: DIY Wedge Camper

Amazing. Glad I found this writeup. Excellent work.

 

Thanks for sharing. Do you plan to start building these to sell?

Best

 

hell no. way too much work.

However once I finish building the second one I plan to release some of the design files (roof, floor, doors, spaceframe, canvas) for sale. The V2 camper is a far more matured design and is much easier to build.

So stay tuned for that.

 

That would be great! If you ever change your mind, let me know.

Best

 

I think you have an opportunity to make some relatively passive income. If you sell the files, you can work with the fabric people to sell people who build your version of a camper the canvas that will fit. I know in my head the canvas seems like the biggest hurdle. Just a thought!

 

canvas and spaceframe are the 2 biggest headaches by far, yeah.

But im doing the canvas myself this time, not going through a shop.

 

Nice! Yeah the space frame doesn’t seem too bad as long as you can weld. I would just be struck on the canvas. I don’t know jack about that.

curious to see how you do the canvas though! Post pics!

and nice job btw!

 

I will completely overhaul this thread once I finish the V2 camper.

 

Looking forward to seeing that V2 camper build!

 

What would be your thoughts on building the roof/camper top part and joining it to a are dcu camper shell lower? Has crossed my mind many times but not sure how structurally sound it would be.

 

Search around Google and you will find people who have done that before. It's not as strong, not aesthically as nice as the style Ripcord is going for, and doesn't allow the full sides to raise. It's a solid idea but doesn't happen as you might imagine

 

There has been a few people ask about that on this thread.

Only one that I have seen actually do it though, TrekkingTaco on IG (https://www.instagram.com/trekkingtaco/)
He has a few stories of it saved, not quite complete yet. He is mounting it to the top of a fiberglass shell.


I would be concerned about the strength of the shell though, IMO it would need some series strengthening.

 

gotcha. Im surprised hes doing it on a fiberglass shell. Im picking up an are dcu which is aluminum tomorrow. I may order some extrusion and maybe see what i can come up with. Looking forward to your v2 updates. The plans for sale may be something im interested in for sure.

 

I've had a similar idea. I have a DCU shell with the roof cut off and I'm considering building out a 6ft (bed length) version of a wedge to avoid the overhang and hopefully keep the roof line close to current.

 

Would love to buy those files from you!

 

Amazing work!

 

been thinking of doing the same with my leer DCC

just got done re-mounting it with some 3030, and after i get done with the tailgate gap i was thinking of moving on to wedging it. Keeping most of the frame intact i can get a 72 3/8" X 42" opening to play with

 

keep me posted on how this goes!

 

Great build, man. I have a DCLB and was going to draw up a 10' long wedge, but 8020 does not sell 120" extrusions. Do you know of a manufacturer that does? Or any recommendations for attaching an additional 20" at the rear end of the beams? (to retain as much surface contact with the space frame as possible and to avoid stressing a joint close to the fulcrum at the front of the space frame).

 

Grainger has it available in 72" 97" and 145"
and it can be delivered to your local branch
https://www.grainger.com/category/m...-extrusions?brandName=80/20&filters=brandName