Version 2 vs. Version 3
Differences between V2 & V3 of the Ripcord DIY Wedge Camper:
The TLDR summary is that the V2 camper has a welded steel spaceframe while the V3 camper has an all aluminum 8020 spaceframe. There are a few other changes associated with this revision, but that is pretty much it. While the V3 version is more robust, the cost of that version is increased from V2. Any part explicitly labeled for use with one version will NOT be interchangeable with the other version.
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Spaceframe:
- Materials:
- V2 spaceframe is a welded assembly made from 1.5in square tubing. This required building a fixturing jig to align the frame and maintain dimensional accuracy.
- V3 frame is instead made from more of the 8020 extruded T-slot aluminum that the rest of the tent is made from. This version also uses some custom brackets in the corners to achieve the correct shape and size. V3 also gets rid of the diagonal crossbars used on V2. This material change saves ~33lbs vs V2.
- Forward lean:
- V2 has a slight lean forward in the lower frame (spaceframe), to maintain a tight profile with the rear window of the truck. This is easily done with the welded steel frame.
- V3 does not have this forward lean, the complexity it would add with the all-aluminum construction was not worth it.
- Viewed from in front/behind the truck, both versions have a tapered profile to go from the width of the truck bed to the width of the camper.
Wedge Tent:
- Width
- Tent width increased from 50 to 52 inches to better fit the Exped Mattress which are 52 in wide. The lower frame changes accordingly.
- Tent width increased from 50 to 52 inches to better fit the Exped Mattress which are 52 in wide. The lower frame changes accordingly.
- Floor to spaceframe interface
- Only minor differences in the floor interface with the spaceframe due to V3 needing a different fastening scheme.
- Only minor differences in the floor interface with the spaceframe due to V3 needing a different fastening scheme.
Lower Panels / Side Doors:
- Materials
- V2 was designed to use 3mm composite sheet. This sheet requires extra stiffening ribs to be riveted onto the doors, which also function as the gas strut mounts. The process of adding those ribs was tedious.
- V3 switched to 0.120" 5052 aluminum sheet, bent around the edges for stiffness. This change adds ~36lbs vs V2, so in total they are about the same when factoring in the lower frame weight reduction.
- The doors are not interchangeable due to the forward lean mentioned above.
- Hinges
- V2 was designed to use off the shelf hardware store hinges for low cost.
- V3 switched to using "hurricane hinges" for improved sealing and weather resistance.
- Latches
- V2 was designed to use the SouthCo basic compression latch, which is designed to clamp onto one of the tubes of the spaceframe.
- V3 switched to the larger sealed version of the SouthCo compression latch, which clamps onto separate "latch catch brackets" that are fastened to the aluminum frame.