How to: DIY Wedge Camper

Quick tip, you can use a box cutter and score it until you are about half way through the panel and then snap it on the edge of the table. Super clean lines.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=biD_7yWJdLM&t=66s&ab_channel=TheAIRspace

 

@Bassshreddin I had a similar gap problem(but not as bad). Before I painted I mocked up and saw the gap at the top and ended up fiberglasses it to reduce the gap. However I still ended up with a gap. I ordered small rubber strips to put on the frame to make a complete seal. I agree with others, if anyone wants to get in they will. Im not keeping too many expensive things in the back so its not a huge concern for me.

I also reviewed Ripcords videos because I had this concern and it looks like he used extra gasket on the frame as well. If you go to 4:17 of the video on the first page you can see a gasket on the frame.

Although I will say the closer the better as I noticed when I go 80+ mph(highways in Idaho/Montana) it rattles a bit.

 

interesting. Can I see your hinges and how you mounted them.

 

I talked to Ripcord, he said that he used a short section of gasket on the frame in that section to help fill the gap with good results.

I'm going to see if a piece of the double bulb gasket will work well as an option too.

 

I'll have to get a photo of mine because It isnt that bad on mine. Sure it's not perfect since the top of the frame goes from a 90* to the angle of the side so there is a bit of a gap.

 

I believe from all of the above comments that I will just have to add a gasket. Which is what I did to begin with. Ordered the 6mm panels which should be here today. Not worried about the weight, just wanted a bit more strength. The hinges will be placed on the 8020 bottom rung and on the outside of the aluminum composite panel. And I will not use the L shaped stiffiner. Will be using 1515 L brackets for the mounting of the struts with a modified support. I will post pics when completed. Hoping the trim lock for the 3m will still fit the 6m lol. If not I'd be willing to ship to anyone since I would have no use

 

My side panels and gap aren’t too bad. I’d like to make side panels like super pacific one day.

 

I see you ran piano hinge, do you have a seal or something that goes across the top?

 

oh no sir that is not just any piano hinge. Its an aluminum aircraft hinge thing.... I copied @Taco Camper ( https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/composite-80-20-wedge-camper-build.681480/)

He later on put a wrap of tent fabric over it to water proof it, which works. But the ottertex fabric only has a 500 hour UV exposure rating, which in FL would probably mean after about a year I'd have to redo it. So for now since I do not have anything I need to keep dry in the bed, I have nothing. I need to experiment with small bulb seals or wait and see if a snail hinge someone else found a few posts back ever comes back into stock so I can then drop $300 on three of them.

 

Ah I did that same thing he did:
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-diy-wedge-camper.604686/page-109#post-26080570

 

NICE FIND!!

 

This might work too, if you cut the long bottom section off or at least trimmed it.

$98 Rv Teardrop Tear Drop Trailer 5' Aluminum Flat Hurricane Hinge for Galley Hatch Door

https://www.amazon.com/Teardrop-Trailer-Aluminum-Hurricane-Galley/dp/B013NM2BEE

 

Did all of you had a winch to mount the camper once built‽

 

Sorry for the late response. Got it from good old Amazon

 

haha, I left the top portion of the wedge off and hoisted it with 4 dudes. Wasn’t bad.

 

Yeah, I might need to do that

 

Myself and 6 neighbors got it on.

it’s been discussed and I considered it but didn’t want to go through all of the effort to modify it.

 

Dude I considered doing installing just the space frame and then bolting the top on but it was such a pain to slide them on since I went with that method. I also had a slightly out of square cnc when I cut the big roof and floor panels so I had to make adjustments

 

I tried this method and couldn’t get more than 2 screws in and it took me so much time… flipped it and it was sooo much easier. Still a pain in the butt. But now I can’t get it back on

Anybody wanna come and help me

 

I have to say building this without a garage living in an apartment has been a feat to say the least… given I didn’t welded the frame but even then… just figuring out where to store things and putting things together in such a limited space…