Wedge Campers & Assorted Oddities

Can't deny Seinfeld. -C

 

Shameless self promotion; also a good way to answer some of the questions/speculation/wild guesses being bandied about...

https://youtu.be/xzk0r0YhUVw

Apparently, I have posted this video once before in this thread... oops. Carry on.

 

Thanks for posting this Brian and clearing up a few things.

It was actually in this wedge thread, and replies with facts based on experience isn't really a crucifixion, but potato, potato.

Construction

As far as construction goes, I can't articulate this as well as @dman100 :

Dude is smart.

I've had a few fully welded aluminum campers. Well, 3 actually. And that fiberglass one. Two if you count the Snugtop. Those things did alright. Not sure if that's average for most people providing groundbreaking facts about camper construction in this thread or others. There's a company in Woodland that's been churning them out for decades with a large price tag. Not sure how they stay in business if welded aluminum is always failing. My guess: magic.

I didn't really get to test it out though. Just some fire roads.



And trying to keep up with this guy a few hours later. I'm older and more cautious, so I only went 65 - 70. With my right blinker unintentionally on, of course.



@jberry813


Thermal

The aluminum roof has 1" thick laminated foam insulation with an R-value of around 4. The composite ceiling adds some R-value, but I don't have those figures. The roof appears to stay fairly cool. I've continuously tried to fry eggs on the roof, for science, but they keeps sliding off because of the popped-up wedge angle. The results of my experiments are inconclusive, for now, until I can find a way to keep eggs from sliding off.

As far as temperature goes, the aluminum roof doesn't seem to get as hot as my truck, which is steel and painted white. If it does feel warm, the huge side or rear windows can be opened (fully or partially), the standard cab window can be opened, or the optional 900 cfm Fantastic Fan can expel hot air. You don't have to run it on high (3-speed) for long, but if you really want to, we can switch back to the battery discussion...

Wood

I wish there was more wood around here, but we're a pretty small team. I mean, the quantity is small. The quantity of people... nevermind.

And we are definitely having the panels laser cut on someone else's $1,000,000 self- feeding laser and formed on someone else's $250,000 CNC brake. If we had purchased that equipment for only building campers, our prices would probably be way lower... The math definitely works out. Carry the "1", right?

We actually use composite (polyethylene sandwiched between thin aluminum sheets) for the sleeping platforms. We offered the first 4 bamboo. Just that cheap stuff that is used for cutting boards and high end furniture.

All in all, we wedgies can all get along. Each one is different, like snowflakes. If you would like to know more about why ours is super special, please DM me and we can go over the details by email or phone!

Edit:

Full disclosure: We do not mix our own sealants and adhesives. Just elbow grease...

 

Prizes for all of us special snowflakes.

 

From the Drifter Buildout thread I’d anyone was wondering what the shadow awn looks like on a Drifter.

I got one of these mounted up. We had to make custom brackets but it’s easy to setup and break down. It’s mounted right to the sides of the drifter so it’s extremely stiff and well positioned. It’s also flush with the roof so it doesn’t add height to the whole camper.

 

SPF 100

 

Thanks for posting this Brian and for correcting my error about wood/bamboo on the Drifter. Your comments were also shared in the other forum (while I was sleeping) by @YOTA 4X4 so that group is aware as well. Great to have such options for getting outdoors available and glad to see such interest in the wedge campers, also glad that correct information is being shared. My apologies.

 

Looks like Alu Cab is coming out with another (simpler than the Khaya) wedge camper: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn6gHarBQVc/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1kkxezvrz78si

 

They must have seen how popular these wedges are getting and at a better price point. Be interesting to see how this falls into the market.

 

Alu Cab offers that kind of camper (canopy wedge camper or whatever it‘s called) since a long time. The main difference I see right now is the shorter sleeping platform. Looks nice though, I like the size and the rear entry door.

 

@DoorDing
I know these really don't count as they are out of production but heres an informational thread I've begun for the FlipPac:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/the-flippac-info-thread.569656/

 

I swear to god I saw an aluminum flippac the other day in Bozeman. Not a Habitat, but a Flippac made out of aluminum with a side window. Anyone ever heard of something like that?

 

Those too but they've been out of production a lot longer than the FlipPac has... Haven't really researched them but I do know a TW member who still has one. It's pretty awesome.

Maybe a home-made unit? I toyed with the idea for a while... Using a CVT RTT as the basis for a wildernest style setup.

 

Wow! Looks like Phil’s V1

 

That's pretty damn cool.

 

I used to have a shell with barn doors that replaced the tailgate, and while they were nice for camping - it sucked to no longer be able to throw 4x8 sheet goods in the back occasionally.

Just something I didn't consider initially. Now that I have a tailgate again, I notice it is nice as a spot to sit and work on - and wouldn't want to go back to the barn doors.

 

I agree with you. If your truck isn‘t a dedicated camping rig, keeping the tailgate makes absolutely sense.

I just completed a five-month camping trip with a shell and single rear door. I‘m glad I got rid of the tailgate. I personally would have been annoyed by climbing over the tailgate several times every day for five months straight.

The other big benefit I see is the usable space left and right of the door. Plenty of space to mount a propane bottle holder and gas can holder.

 

More pictures of the Alu Cab canopy camper. I‘m very curious about the weight of that beauty.

 

Not quite sure what you mean by rear corners. Like on a rear hatch such as a regular camper shell?

 

Yes I meant the exterior For the folks that don‘t want to use a swing out rear bumper.