How to: DIY Wedge Camper

So far so good! I have only camped with it twice so far, once in freezing rain/snow and the water all beaded right off. I love that its not translucent (the PVC backed stuff) so its pitch black inside. But like @81435 mentioned, its bulky and hard to work with. Also will be less forgiving if your measurements are off as wrinkles and such wont stretch out as easily as a thinner fabric. There is trade-offs for thinner vs heavier fabrics

 

@Woodylz

 

has anyone sourced 5x10 alupanel in Seattle/Oregon? Ideally with some CNC? I found someone in Seattle who has them but can only CNC 4x8. I'd rather not split the roof. Any recs?

Also, we're doing ours a bit different and closer to an OVRLND or Project M. Do you all still think the Alupanel is the best or would you rec aluminum sheet? Aluminum comes in too many configurations and I just don't know what would be best!

 

I'm in Tacoma. Got mine local but didn't even ask if they could cut it. It was Signarama.

 

Nice Job. I followed your steps and can tell you that I understand what a big job this is. Honestly, I am impressed at how clean yours came out and admit your superiority as a fabricator! Have a look at the DIY RTT I built - the biggest lesson learned was the weight. It was heavy. I would use lighter materials for sure if I ever do a version 2. Thanks for sharing - I wish we were neighbors!

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...-top-tent-scratch-build.502893/#post-15688222

 

what'd you pay per sheet if you don't mind me asking?

 

Don't remember exactly but it was around 150 a sheet

 

I’m sure you could find someplace in seattle that’ll CNC them. If you wanna drive down to Portland myself and a few other members got them cut out at multi craft plastics in Tigard.

https://www.multicraftplastics.com/advancedwebpage.aspx

don’t limit yourself to sign shops. You might have more luck looking for plastic suppliers and they also tend to have bigger CNCs.

 

I live In Seattle and used https://www.grimco.com/ and had them delivered ( I think it was next day since they’re local office, but are a national chain). You have to create an account but the sheets were around $90 per. definitely check them out.

 

Wow. Finally able to take this thing out, but have a few minor things left to do. This was the most fun project I’ve done, but did also cry once (trying to attach space frame to the top). Well over 100 hours of work and around 4K (tools included). Don’t underestimate how much time the latter half of the project takes..

thanks to everyone here who answers questions. It definitely takes a village.

 

is your bottom section shorter? It almost looks only 3” tall in the photo

 

did multicraft do alupanel/max metal for you? Do you remember the price per sheet?

 

yes they CNC’d out my panels. It was $660 total for materials and labor. If I remember correctly it was $65 per panel labor to cut them (so worth it!) and then the materials were around $270. I can’t find my quote for the exact breakdown.

 

yep. I went with a smaller bottom section of the tent. Just liked the look of it more.

 

Did you go with 1.5" or 1" 8020? Looks good!

 

3 inch on the bottom and 1.5 on top. both 8020.

thanks! It passes the 10 foot test (looks really great from 10 feet away..)

 

No problem that’s enough. Did you just give them dimensions? Or did you give them ripcord files?

 

How’s the mattress and tent fit with less room? Did you still go with the exped?

 

I just have a self inflating mattress in it now. You definitely can’t keep as much up top, but didn’t bother me.

I can share more once I get it fully loaded and let you know, but I cared more about how it looked.. #neversacrificestyleforspeed

 

@plurpimpin