The following steps are what I took to build one side of the homemade camper tent.
1) Square off the edge of the canvas. I ordered 15 yards and one spool of red canvas thread for this project.
2) Measure 62 inches in length
3) Cut the 62 inch length
4) Make a second square the same size
5) Lay the two pieces on top of each other with the plastic side of the canvas touching each other.
6) On the outer edge of the material, there will be roughly a 0.5 inch that does not have the plastic material. Trim this off both sides. This will make the width of the squares roughly 59 inches (original canvas was 60 inches wide).
7) Using a sewing machine, sew the two pieces together. This will make a 59 inch wide by 124 inch long rectangle. I used a stapler to hold the pieces together while sewing it. The sewing machine I used was a lower cost unit that didn’t have a problem with this material.
8) Cut the sides of the tent. I used the first as a pattern. Make sure to make them mirror images of each other to ensure the plastic material of the canvas is on the inside.
9) Sew the sides of the tent to the long side of the 59 inch wide by 124 inch long rectangle. This will be done with the materials inside out (you can see the plastic material of the canvas).
10) Once completed, stick the “hook and loop sticky back tape” across the top edge of the tent and the sides. I recommend sewing these on as well.
11) Repeat the above steps for the second side.
12) Mount the tent onto the trailer by installing “hook and loop sticky back tape” on the inside edge of the Darwin shell. You will also need to cut small holes for were the ratchet straps connect to the bed floor. Straps will be inside the tent.
Go back to step 8.
Tools required:
Sewing machine, scissors, stapler (optional), square/straight edge, measuring tape
