lacofdfireman
Adventurer
Just getting ready to build a GFC style wedge camper to go on top of my 24 GMC 2500. I’m hoping before I get started to get some ideas from some of you on here about ways to keep it light but strong. I’m thinking of 2x2 construction glued and pocket holed screwed. Not sure if i’d be better just buying 2x4’s and cutting them down to 2x2’s or just buying 2x2’s. Sometime‘s it’s hard to find straight 2x2’s. Or do you think I should go smaller dimension lumber and if so what type of lumber? For the exterior I may sheet it in 1/4” plywood and glue screw it all to the frame for strength then use 3mm ACM as the exterior skin held on by trim. That how I built my last Off-road Squaredrop trailer and it worked well. But it was way heavier than I wanted. Also planning on all square sides as I prefer that look and no side swing up doors as my truck bed is very high and I won’t be reaching anything in there anyways. I may however put in windows for ventilation On the sides..
I will keep my tailgate on as it has a built in step for getting into the truck that is pretty nice and most likely just secure the camper down to the bed rails with camper clamps. But will consider drilling through the top of my bed rails if necessary If needed to make it more secure.
I have a tendency to overbuild when I build so hoping some of you can help me with ideas to keep it light and strong. Also being 6’5 I’m planning on doing a full queen size bed up top with a total length of 10 ft for the total roof length. I’m planning on about 7’6“ for the bed length from front to back. Gives me some room for my size 14 feet to fit under the lower wedge area.
This will be my first Camper build but I’ve built 3 Off Road Squaredrop trailers that I have documented the builds threads on this site. But like I said I always tend to overbuild when I build. I need to learn how to keep it light and strong.
Any tips appreciated before si get this started. I’ll document this build also.
Pic of my last squaredrop build.
I will keep my tailgate on as it has a built in step for getting into the truck that is pretty nice and most likely just secure the camper down to the bed rails with camper clamps. But will consider drilling through the top of my bed rails if necessary If needed to make it more secure.
I have a tendency to overbuild when I build so hoping some of you can help me with ideas to keep it light and strong. Also being 6’5 I’m planning on doing a full queen size bed up top with a total length of 10 ft for the total roof length. I’m planning on about 7’6“ for the bed length from front to back. Gives me some room for my size 14 feet to fit under the lower wedge area.
This will be my first Camper build but I’ve built 3 Off Road Squaredrop trailers that I have documented the builds threads on this site. But like I said I always tend to overbuild when I build. I need to learn how to keep it light and strong.
Any tips appreciated before si get this started. I’ll document this build also.
Pic of my last squaredrop build.