DIY truck camper build | part 1 ( GFC camper inspired ) 

i did. it lasted about 7 months before my poor welds allowed water into the steel frame and rotted from the inside out. I will be making a update video here soon. just trying to figure out the best format and get all my mistakes in a list for people that want to attempt this.

Thanks for the tips! I don’t claim to be a pro welder. The frame definitely failed due to porous welds.

@@Collindraker It’s great to see people trying their skills to make things. Welding is something that alot of people won’t try because they are intimidated by it. I give you credit just for trying it and making the trailer. If you are interested in welding even as a hobby, check into an area vocational school. Where I’m from the high school vocational schools offer 6 week evening classes. They are usually 2 evenings a week 2-4 hours per class and definitely will give you a much better understanding of how to weld. If you don’t want to do that, there is a guy on RU-vid that is very good at explaining techniques. ( welding tips and tricks ). If your really eager and want to make it a career, there are schools you can get your associates degree and then take the AWS certification test. I’m fortunate, after graduation I landed a good job and after 35 years I’m making a very good living. I also do jobs on the side making a verity of different things for people and repairing broken welds on a verity of things. Just as a hobby I charge 25 an hour ( half as much as I make working ) to make or repair welds. Don’t give up, use your mistakes as a learning curve. Check your welder and under the lid where you put the wire spool there should be a chart that gives you settings for different metals and thickness. Use these as a starting point. Key points to remember: make sure your machine is set up DCEN ( DC electrode negative for flux core wire ). Make sure the metal is CLEAN. Get rid of that Mill scale and oils. Finally your arc gap ( the distance between the wire tip and the work piece) should be 3/8 to 1/2 inch. Use the chart to fine tune amperage and wire speed. Finally PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. if you have questions ask me I’ll help you

@@motoxman541 appreciate the advice! i plan on just using it as a hobby as i need. i make well into the 6 figures as a automotive technician. been doing it for the past 13 years and good at it. i just have a hard time paying 10k and a 6 month wait for a go fast.

it is up now!

just posted part 2!

i agree, my welds are what caused the frame to allow water in and mushroom the steel. more practice is needed or an experienced welder.

Thanks! 👍

1/16 if I remember correctly or possibly 1/8

I am guessing the camper, when finished, weighed around 400LBS. wasn't noticeable while driving the truck, but was noticeable when taking the thing off!

@@Collindraker 3/4" ply get heavy quick, I am actually designing a cargo trailer conversion and found engineered ply that weighs have the weight for that size.

Agreed

i did. it lasted about 7 months before my poor welds allowed water into the steel frame and rotted from the inside out. I will be making a update video here soon. just trying to figure out the best format and get all my mistakes in a list for people that want to attempt this.

I measured them by eye after I made the jig to hold the top frame up at the height I wanted.

You should!

i got it from a local steal supplier.

Another video coming! Hard to film lately with the crazy weather and insane wind here on CO.

sorry for the late reply. i used 1"x2" tube steel at a 1/16 thick. if i had to do it again i would go for 1/8 thick in the same dimension for better rigidity and easier to weld without melting holes through.

I did! I used it once until I found some water intrusion in the steel frame which made it rust from the inside out and caused severe mushrooming. I cut it up and threw it away. it didn't work very well for me and my daughter, unfortunately.

Thanks 👍

it was and used for about 2 months. my weld were not sealed and allowed water into the steel frame and basically ballooned the frame from the inside out. but, after using it with my daughter for a couple camping trips.we realized it wasn't as convenient as we thought. i am planning on making a overland camping trailer for my jeep now.

@@Collindraker Darn good learning experiences though. Excited to see the next vid on a trailer!

yup @brawlincollin