DIY Truck Camper Build From Scratch - Part 1 (Framing)

[@robertgreen8106]

hell of a shop

[@HondroB]

Tour video coming this month!

[@larrychambers9540]

I have a 94 gmc , with a flat bed . Im gonna build an epic Larry's Potatoe Shack !!!!! lol. Watched you guys jammin . I know how to build epic stuff, but you gave me the confidence to go for it. Thanks

[@HondroB]

That sounds like it will be an awesome build! best of luck!! thanks for the kind words!

[@TheeWanderingAlaskan]

Took me a hot minute to find a decent framing video of someone who OVERBUILT their camper frame. You've solved most of my issues I just couldn't wrap my head around without a visual. This is exactly what I needed to find as I am not super experienced in carpentry. Done quite a bit, but never a camper or anything of the like. I think I am going to start building one for my military issued M35A3 vs buying one. I will be going off road and beating the hell out of it in a truck with basically spring ride only suspension, so it needs to be ridiculously overbuilt and withstand the vibration. Hope it's been working out for ya over the years now!

[@HondroB]

I'm glad you found the videos and that they were able to help! Also Overbuild is right! I had no experience framing before this build so i'm confident you can get er done! The rig has held up structurally since the start! my only issue is the camper is too heavy for my truck so i do get a lot of sway on highways and bumps are harsh. I have airbags now and its a smoother ride but a still heavy for the wee tacoma. My only suggestions is keep in mind your payload and try and keep the weight between 50% - 75% of your GVWR! but i've taken my rig up bumpy logging roads, and chained up for snowy logging roads too. Wish you the best of luck hit me with any questions you might have!

[@germanguillen8652]

I recommend you go with those who do business advertisements. The material they have is white plastic sheets, they are 8 feet long by 5 wide, so you have enough material to line your camper inside. It is super light and resistant. I congratulate you on your design 👍

[@HondroB]

Thanks! I have thought about doing that before. It's called 'Fibreglass resistant board' here in Canada. However, you need a special blade to cut it, and it's not cheap. Honestly, I like having my studs exposed so I can mount things and add hooks wherever I like. Glad you enjoyed the video!

[@DBeck-kz5hx]

Did you guys want stir fry or..... 😂 what a sweetheart!

[@HondroB]

haha nothing like moms cooking!

[@ableFarmer-kl7vb]

That's fabrication is always a painstaking process especially in uncharted waters but so worth it

[@HondroB]

haha you got that right. It's a long boring process at the start.

[@glennredwine289]

The curved roof is pretty cool but seems more complex. But thanks for the ideas about the corners with the flashing.

[@HondroB]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@margemargie9891]

they must have been super-charged Tostados your Mama made seeing how fast you worked....thanks for video!

[@HondroB]

haha the tostados were incredible thats for sure

[@KurtKoster-s6t]

Damn dude nice shop,2x4 heavy built,👍

[@laurieedeburn2449]

....looking good....loving your character build.... shared

[@HondroB]

Awesome thank you so much!

[@nutsbolts7974]

Nice Job!

[@HondroB]

Thank you!

[@billblecher9215]

Really looks good but it sure going to be happy

[@HondroB]

thanks ! ya weight is our only issue

[@happykamp789]

Shoe box. Great job on the camper and the video..

[@HondroB]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed!

[@Northwoodscamper45]

2x4s increase weight but it will be sturdy....nice job thinking thru the problems that come up

[@HondroB]

thanks! definitely a but heavy but sturdy for sure (I hope)

[@Pat132]

Nice 1 Hondro, you and Johnny boy doing a grand job, cany wait tae see it finished, hope yer all well. 🥃

[@HondroB]

Thanks Paddy were doing well, hope you’re all good in Scotland

[@steveroberts1292]

Dude, that thing is going to be bombproof but heavyyyyy. Might need a bigger truck or put it on a trailer to tow. Good luck!

[@HondroB]

thanks! and right you are sir, heavy but strong!

[@DirtyBeardsAndMetalShavings]

Gotta let us know how heavy at a weigh station.

[@HondroB]

@@DirtyBeardsAndMetalShavings I'm weighing it this week!

[@ConnorDoc]

I interested to see how you used that type of sheet metal. Post part two!

[@HondroB]

working on it asap!

[@timtim-ef7xu]

Subscribed. I know your on a tight schedule but I would like to know details eventually. That thing looks sweet.

[@HondroB]

thanks! im gonna be uploading lots about this thing soon, its hard to film a build but im stoked to share how far its come, ill be sharing lots from light wiring, to wood stove install so stay tuned!

[@wildwoodtop]

wave catalytic burner yo

[@fastdadgarage-northsouthch4418]

That garage is fantastic! How is the finished weight? I always forget to figure something

[@HondroB]

Can't beat dad's Garage! It's about 1000 pounds but once its on the truck next day or so) I'm going to get it weighed.. ill post that in an upcoming video

[@sleepyglaciers1416]

worlds heaviest camper made with 2x4 and plywood

[@HondroB]

Haha, I never said it was perfect 😂 just here to make my mistakes publicly

[@blakerunyan4756]

Took me 3 months to build a wobbly table! This is next level, hope everything works out too.

[@HondroB]

haha thanks dude! i bet that table is worth a million bucks

[@TruckHomeSwitzerland]

dude thats amazing work! excited to see more videos of the build. cool to see you work with your dad all day. my dad and i built a truck camper for my dodge dakota last summer in around 11 days.. and we really worked our asses off i tell ya ;) having to build in a short timeline helps you staying on it and be busy all the time! thanks for sharing dude and i'm looking forward to see the end product. greetings from switzerland ;)

[@HondroB]

Wow man thats so cool! really neat project to do with your dad! 11 days is sooo short that's really impressive! I'm posting part 2 today and got lots of more videos coming! Glad you enjoyed!

[@Rainman673]

I am trying to figure out how you mounted your jack stands.Did you just bolt them to a stud somewhere .Do you have any videos of that part of the build

[@HondroB]

In this video at 12:20 I show us mounting 1 or 2 of the jack posts. Each post is mounted with one 6 inch lag bolt at the stop and a U-bolt in the middle. Both the lag bolt and u-bolt are Mountain into a reinforced stud (usually 2 or 3 studs drilled together to create really strong mounting points)

[@amandiiitaa123]

hi! I am writing to you from Chile, I wanted to ask you what kind of wood do you use? thank you very much, great job

[@HondroB]

Hey! Thanks for the comment! I just used standard framing wood here in Canada, which is usually pine, that is for building the structure

[@OnlineSlotEnthusiasts]

Hello there, my name is Ryan! I’m trying to build something similar with my dad. Do you have any blueprints of the frame that you could share with me? I’ve watched all of your videos and was inspired to build one for my Tacoma too. You rock dude!

[@HondroB]

Heck ya man! Go for it! Send me a picture of the progress or when your done over on Instagram. I have a couple photos of my drawings I just pulled up, I can send them via insta if you shoot me a message or give your email (send it over insta for privacy if you’d like)

[@amandiiitaa123]

friend, could you tell us how it went with the camper? it worked? didn't it break? how's it going?

[@HondroB]

She’s still standing! She had a couple problems but all is well!

[@timtim-ef7xu]

The plywood floor looks glossy, what was put on it? Also, was there fluid applied protection put on the framing wood as well?

[@HondroB]

I put three coats of varnish on the floor! I didn't put anything on the framing wood. Sorry for the delay on the content I have my next video coming out today so stay tuned!

[@strokerace5468]

Nice build. I’ve been debating on one for my Tacoma. I am curious do you think the framing would be sturdy and doable if you were to frame the shell with 2x2’s?

[@HondroB]

Thanks! That’s awesome man! I definitely think it with be better with 2x2’s but honestly any diy camper this size is gonna be heavy, I’d recommend keeping it smaller to save more weight if possible

[@coryhisey8431]

Hey buddy, how's the build going? Will there be another build update video?

[@HondroB]

Build is going well! yeah im working on a full series! im in the middle of the next video right now hope to post it soon!

[@ChronicSurfer]

What type of lumber did you use for your framing?

[@HondroB]

2 x 4 I believe it was standard framing lumber/pine I would recommend using more 2x2 than I used.

[@Colorado-overland2020]

Hey man great build I just have a question. Have you ever taken your truck on the beach with the camper if so how did it do?

[@HondroB]

Thank you! I have never driven it on sand just yet, But I took it up a few different logging roads in the winter and it did just fine! I have some shots posted in the intro of my camper walkthrough video that show it on a service road, hope that helps

[@paulman54]

tostadas fursurrrreeeee

[@Railking546]

A headache huh? Jeeze are your truck is small. I was thinking on building mine but my truck is a 8 foot bed😂😂😂 idk should I wing it?

[@clipvue222]

How cold does it get in British Columbia

[@HondroB]

it depends where you are of course but most of the winter is below freezing. Probably averageing -5 to -10 degrees for most of the winter in southern BC

[@kenmackenzie8432]

Love the build! I also built a truck camper for my tacoma and from one rookie camper builder to another I have a couple questions for ya. Do you have an IG I can follow?

[@HondroB]

Sounds good! hit me with any questions!

[@LusAhc724]

This is great! I take it you are going to be putting your camper in an F250/350 or 2500/3500 truck with a diesel?

[@HondroB]

thanks! its going on a half tonne lol... not ideal but will be interesting

[@billlolah9154]

Air bags 600 bucks that will help

[@jonasoutdoors]

What is the length of the part that hangs over the front?

[@Skateryanproductions]

Dope build, can't wait to see it completed!

[@HondroB]

thanks my guy!

[@NovaSupernova]

Good music choice. As a guy that has built 6, you are twice as heavy as you need to be using 2x4's instead of 2x2's.

[@HondroB]

I learned that the hard way. This was my first build, and I made the series so that people could learn from the things I did right and wrong haha. I would use 80% 2x2 next time around

[@NovaSupernova]

@@HondroB AWESOME! My next build will be from wood I harvested myself from a property I own. I bought a sawmill and want to build 100% from my own material. Cheers.

[@HondroB]

@@NovaSupernova That's so cool!! make sure she's dry before you start building hahah, wouldn't want it to warp on you after you build it. Good luck! Sounds like a super cool project!

[@zacharymeder4638]

This video is awesome! Really hoping to do something similar in the future. How did you plan out the construction of the frame? any resources you would recommend?

[@HondroB]

Honestly I created my own drawings and followed my own kind of building plan. At any point if something seemed unsupported or not that strong I would add more framing to the area.

[@jessebruno1880]

How hard was it to insure it?

[@HondroB]

I don't have it insured. I just decided if anything happens, I'll fix it myself.

[@AndreasSippus]

What will be the weight of it when it's finalized?

[@HondroB]

The weight is posted in my most recent camper walkthrough video!

[@NovaSupernova]

And I'd bet everything I own that by the time you are done, that will be way over 1000 pounds. Closer to 3300.

[@HondroB]

i'm just here learning the hard way lol

[@emeraldfox7175]

My God how much does that monstrous thing weigh!

[@HondroB]

we did the math and at the end of this framing part it was about 650-700 pounds

[@pegasusteam]

Looks super heavy

[@HondroB]

its between 1000-1100 pounds

[@pegasusteam]

Oh not too bad then. Good job.

[@kurtauerbach5883]

wow really nice ! Can i borrow ur dad?!

[@HondroB]

Thanks! Haha unfortunately I’m gonna need him

[@nateh6713]

Any measurements you could provide for other DIY’rs?

[@HondroB]

It's tough to provide measurements because at the end of the day every truck bed is so different. My camper height is 6 foot 6" at the highest point on the outside. it is 80.5 inches wide. The floor is 6 foot 8" to the door, and the deck is an additional 16". The full length of the camper from the back wall to the end of the cantilever is 12 foot and 4". I hope that helps!

[@timerickson7056]

you are overbuilding it can save the truck in a rollover

[@HondroB]

Honestly, never thought of that! Thanks for watching!

[@LastChanceTinyHouse]

dude, your build is gonna weigh a ton, jesus, all the 2x4's are not necessary. you could have cut the weight in half by using 2x2's and once the wall panels were up it would have been rigid enough to be at the strength you wanted.

[@HondroB]

these are the things you learn on your first build, but at least i can say its built strong

[@supernova7754]

stay still a bit....making me nauseous...otherwise very cool

[@HondroB]

I have to work on that! I struggle to sit still sorry :(

[@chimo1961]

STOP MOVING