How to: DIY Wedge Camper

For what its worth, I used the sew-in keder cord rather than sew in a hem and feed keder cord in. Works great so far. I sourced the keder cord and alum rails from Sailrite.

 

Your build looks phenomenal!!! Any chance you could post some close up pics of important parts that were tricky to sew for the tent? Anything is helpful!
Thanks, and happy camping!
-Landon

 

If you are on Facebook, the PDX Overlanders group/page is 99% Toyota Tacoma people. You may have a good response to selling this on their buy/sell page.

 

Been lurking for many moons, i dont have a tacoma, this is going on a "gasp" ford ranger. But here is the star of my frame. doing a full pop top, not just a wedge. Just wanted to say thanks for all the help in this thread.

 

Just spent the first weekend in it. I’m gonna give some updates soon.

but in the meantime if anyone is interested in a exped mega mat duo I’m looking to sell mine as I went a little different in my build and it doesn’t work well for me. It’s a bummer as it’s super comfortable.

 

Wicked, this should be cool once done. Hope to see more of this build here.

 

Thanks ill keep some updates coming when i get to them.
The driver side will have a table that folds down instead of a side that flips up. and some other neat features. I have been lurking tacoworld for many moons, as I have worked on some of the members rigs when i had my fab shop opened up. Now i just do things for my self as I dont have much time anymore. I built out a 4wheel campers rig, and thought man, between this, ripcord, and the GFC, i figured i could make the camper that i wanted. This will be my last build of a truck for some time. so i am doing it right and once. The ranger is a great platform. none of the original plans from ripcord really worked with that so i just built it in my head. I have looked at every page of this thread, and learned some does and don'ts. Super stoked on getting it done though. Thankfully both my mom, and mother in law have industrial sewing machines, and my mom has done a ton of sewing for sail boats, so that part is easy.

 

Hi Guys,
Thanks for all the information posted on this forum.
I am trying to build the Wedge camper but using solid 3mm ALUPANEL instead of fabric.
And I was wondering if one of you could have idea how to install the hinge for the side panel?
I think that if I split each side into 2 triangles that I could make it works
i have some trouble trying to correctly install the bottom and top hinge and keeping a working weather seal (water going outside)
This is what I have so far.

Thanks for your help and idea.

 

Good thought process! I was in the middle of doing the same but with a full pop up and was running into same issues. My problem was adding the front and rear panels. Hence why I went back to wedge and fabric and praying to God I can figure out how to sew. Started in Dec last year and was finished a few months back, but couldn't figure out the panels. Good luck! If I come up with something I'll let you know.

 

Hi,
So if the problem was the front and rear, how did you design/attached the left and right panel?
This could give me some idea

Thanks a lot.

 

I researched the hiatus campers pop up and worked on that design, the problem I had was getting the panels. Otherwise I would definitely go that route.

 

Thanks for the idea,
The Fabric does have a lots of advantage.
-Ready as soon as open.


The Wedge Hard side is hard to fit.
But I think that slowly start to get it done.
Have to think of all the water infiltration.
I will have more problem with the back panel.
I check Windows manufacturer and they have product for wall as thin as 1/8


I think that double joint at the bottom will let me close the top panel.





Thanks for your help

 

At the front hinge i will still need some fabric.

 

Those hinges you’ve designed look pretty sweet. I’d go in on a set if they would work with the standard ripcord build.

 

That idea is the best I've seen! That could actually work well. I drew out the hiatus and struggled with figuring out the straps for front qnd rear, as well as the water intrusion

 

Thanks,
I also work on a rectangular pop up and figure out the panel.

 

I design those to fit the ripcord build. (the center of the hinge should match the 8020 hinge)
They are made to match the 8020 hinge and the 8020 1545 on both side.

Not completely done yet, this is work in progress.

I did not send them to a machinist for quote yet, but they will definitively cost more than the standard ripcord corner.




Thanks for your feedback

 

oh for sure. I was going to figure it out in F360 at some point and machine my own to learn how to use our manual mill at the makerspace or the HAAS but havent gotten there yet. Have you seen the Super Pacific camper, they have a beefy front hinge design as well. I'd be concerned about the hinge point on yours not having enough meat on it.

I will say that you will want to load up those corners with silicone sealant. Water finds its way in everywhere

 

Basically same as mine but on cad haha. I sketch alot, though I need to put into f360. But, I made my order for the fabric and materials. The lady's mom has an industrial sewing machine, so I'm going to attempt to do my best. Just one more learning curve. Just wanna get out there and camp. Once this is done I can focus on getting the hiatus idea in f360

 

@Ripcord Finally starting the sewing process, just had a question about sewing the mesh portion. In your photos and directions, you mention you sew the mesh with a zipper as well. Could you please provide a picture or explanation on how you did this with the other canvas and zipper installed? Meaning, i am having a hard time picturing how that portion is sewn with a zipper on the fabric without interfering with the canvas zipper.