How to: DIY Wedge Camper

Just build it as a RTT, get/make some low profile bed rack like the BillieBars and run those above a tonneau cover. Tent/ bed rack would be relatively easy to remove when you don't want them. Accessing the tent through the floor is pretty pointless in this configuration in my opinion.

 

@92se-r Its probably leaking from the seal between the top extrusion panel and bottom. People ran a rubber strip along the whole circumference. It's several pages back in this thread.

 

I've looked at the Billie Bars. One of my concerns is putting weight on the bed sides. On a previous small truck I had a bed rack and with about 300 pounds of stuff on it, one of the sides bent down. I'm not sure if it bent while sitting there or while driving but it's still a concern as I really don't know what those sides are rated at for weight on top, especially without stabilizers. I know a lot of people do it without issue but I'm the guy that if 1 out of 100 parts are known to fail, I'll be the one to get the 1 bad part. And when I send it back in, I'll get another bad one.

Tnx for the tip! It's not out of the question, just not the immediate solution yet.

 

that small truck wasn't a tacoma was it? what matters is flex appeal. if the weight is up high and rack isn't laterally stable despite being fixed to the rail, it'll pendulum its way to fatigue _eventually_ but get a rack that has some solid corners and it will last.
the wear and tear is not much different than the heavy old fiberglass shells people have put on trucks for decades

 

Can you point to where exactly you are talking about?

I think what I am finding is cork is terrible at sealing. Mine was saturated with water and you could see water coming out of it when you poked it. I have basically tried to seal all around any exposed cork, I think it is wicking water into the bolt holes.

 

Yea. The cork is terrible. I’m thinking about taking my camper completely apart and replacing the cork with something else.

 

I used the cork/rubber on the frame to lower extrusion, but on the top skin to lid extrusion I just ran two beads of silicone.

 

The cork is unnecessary. Just lay a bead of silicone down on the perimeter of the spaceframe before setting the extrusions on it - just like setting a window on a house. I haven't had any leaking in 2+ years.

 

What did you do to seal the corner brackets of the extrusions? I’ve sealed mine multiple times with various types of silicone and other caulk and it continues to leak

 

I used the 3d printed pieces instead of cork and then used exterior sealant. Leak free for me. I still have issues with condensation but I’m addressing those as well.

 

I should have done that

 

Can you point me towards that?

 

What exterior sealant did you use?

 

Also do you have pics?

 

Along this edge. People put a rubber seal around the whole thing. I havent done mine yet, but I suspect water is getting in from there.

 

I have a bulb seal all around extrusion except the corner brackets. I will be cutting a bulb seal up and gluing it to the corner bracket.

 

@92se-r on page 126 is another example of the seal. Or you can add another bulb seal to double it up

 

I used this:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DAP-DYN...indow-Door-and-Siding-Sealant-18220/306283455

 

I gotta find the files, and yes I can snap some pics too.

 

Rainy season is upon us. I decided to cover the extrusion channels because I hated how they collect water. If anyone is interested in them, I got a roll from Amazon part number 2877, 15 Series, Rubber T-Slot Cover, 150 Foot Long Roll. Its from 8020 but sold through amazon. I just pressed them in. Hopefully they will stay in without glue.