Truck Bed Camper Build | Part 1 | Main Structure

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks for watching guys! Please don’t forget to like and subscribe! Check the description of the video for links to products I’ve used, merch and other links! If you have any feedback I’d love to hear it! As well as any ideas you may have for the build! I know some of you probably have some great input! Thanks so much for following along you guys are the best.

[@Keasbeysknight]

Looks great. I think the full panel on the inside will look better than seeing the slats.

[@Adv4x4]

I agree! As of right now that panel is done and I think it turned out great! I post story updates on my instagram as I’m building for sneak peeks into the progress! instagram.com/adv.4x4?igsh=MXJwMm9icjg4cDkwYg%3D%3D&

[@mikemorgan4670]

Nice engineering, John. Very enjoyable build/ fabrication.

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks Mike!!

[@Montana_Outdoor_Adventures]

Remember, there is a risk of exploding grinding disks with aluminum. The flapper disks you are using are significantly safer than the hard disks. Really looking forward to this build!!!

[@Adv4x4]

Absolutely!! Thanks!!

[@jaystewart9947]

I can concur. I’ve got scars on my nose and upper lip to prove it. Safety glasses but no face shield. No bueno. 😮

[@chrisridebike8]

Oh man. After seeing your trailers, I’m excited to see how this comes out.

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks Chris!

[@franktartan6808]

Thanks. Love all the different approaches to a camper!

[@sevynblanes]

Awesome video dude!

[@robert8342-w7x]

Nice work! I'm glad you're still fabricating.

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks Robert! As time allows! I really do love it. It’s fun creating things you envision!!

[@robert8342-w7x]

@Adv4x4 It sure is. I used to build long travel prerunners, and your trailer build got me motivated to start fabbing again.

[@Adv4x4]

Love it! Hearing stuff like that makes my day haha.

[@KeithStarr]

I love your builds, always well thought out and executed. Thx for the content man!

[@Adv4x4]

Appreciate it Keith!! Thanks for watching man.

[@jaystewart9947]

Looking great. Sturdy but light compared to other materials.

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks man! After some feedback in the comments have a few other ideas to sturdy things up a bit further! It’s coming together!

[@MicahBell_1860]

Looking good

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks!!

[@dirttrekking4321]

Really nice work. Those are some monster aluminum beams though, wouldn’t 2x3 or 4 aluminum been enough? Enjoying the build so far, looking forward to the rest.

[@Adv4x4]

With the longer then usual overhang I wanted to make sure it wasn’t going to be able to have any deflection! Also went with 4” tall on the bottom and 3” for the roof portion so I will still have room for bedding + mattress when it’s closed! Overall the portion above the cab will only be about 7” thick!

[@carymartz8762]

A laser welder from China would be a game changer, sir.

[@jordanharris3749]

One suggestion for next time that I have is to bevel your edges of the beams prior to welding. You get more weld in the gap so that when you sand it smooth the weld is stronger. Extra gusseting like you mentioned should help as well

[@Adv4x4]

Absolutely! I did read some conflicting info online on beveling aluminum since it is much easier to blow thru. Which is why I chose not too. On all my steel projects in the past a bevel was always present! I did end up adding some gussets in the next video which you may have already seen by now! Thanks for watching man!

[@jordanharris3749]

@@Adv4x4 the vehicles I make have an aluminum platform on the rear of it, all of our corners for the frame are beveled. We are also using a bit thicker material for a lot more weight so that’s probably the difference for what I’ve dealt with. I’ve caught up on the build series and the camper looks incredible, I’m really enjoying your build series

[@Adv4x4]

@jordanharris3749 thanks so much man! Yeah being new to aluminum welding I was definitely concerned if I was really getting good welds so taking some precautions with gussets was definitely in order!

[@shawnhorton3870]

What is the modeling software used? I love this series and just binged both the micro camper trailer and this bed camper! The thought behind this is amazing and your engineering is simple with amazing function thank you for these series!!

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks so much Shawn! I used the Shapr3D app!

[@Tiptop540]

Excellent illustration and detailed explanation, please can you share the name of software you used to modeling or drawing the camper

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks! It is called Shapr3d!

[@davidj7607]

Did you check if your garage floor is level?

[@nicomcquiston7635]

what cad program are you using ??

[@Phoeff99]

Still watching and enjoying already. What welder are you running with that soool Gun? Titanium 140? 170? 110 or 220v? I’ve a Tit140 which can theoretically run the spool gun even though it’s only a 110v welder so curious what you are using as the welds look pretty darn good considering. Keep it up!

[@Adv4x4]

Thanks so much! It’s en everlast MTS 225 I have it linked in the description as well as the spool gun!

[@Phoeff99]

@@Adv4x4 d’oh should have checked! And that neon green made me think of the HF Titanium series! Anyway that’s helpful. Appreciate reply. The frame is looking good! Did you find or were you concerned about the expanding gases formed during welding potentially building pressure inside the sealed rectangular tubes? I’ve seen folks allowing vent holes for steel tubes for that very thing. Maybe the purposely and strategically imperfect welds (😜) allowed enough gaps here and there to relieve any pressure? If so, smart thinking :)

[@Adv4x4]

@Phoeff99 yes I definitely ran into that on the main frame part! Thanks for bringing that up drilling a small vent hole would be ideal! Always learning!!

[@carsonbird6936]

What app are you using to make the template

[@Adv4x4]

Shapr3d!

[@HLR_III]

***insert Dave chappel crack head meme*** hey man got any more of these 😂

[@Adv4x4]

Hahaha next video coming soon! You can catch other updates on my instagram! instagram.com/adv.4x4?igsh=MXJwMm9icjg4cDkwYg%3D%3D&

[@jasonhouk7939]

One thing i see u not doing is beveling the edges. Specially if ur going to grind it down flush to smooth it all u really need to be doing that. Ur really not gunna have much material holding it all together. Just food for thought.

[@Adv4x4]

I read some conflicting info online about how with aluminum it can be best to avoid a bevel since it melts so easily compared to steel and can lead to blow thrus especially on thinner material. That being said I’m by no means an expert and learning as I go! I will experiment with it! As you mentioned I was also worried about the amount of material left holding it. Luckily I think the way I’m putting it all together it should have plenty reinforcement. Let’s hope! 🤞😂 Thanks so much for watching!

[@jasonhouk7939]

@Adv4x4 thats true. But if u have ur settings dialed in and have good puddle control thats negated. I just have concern of stress risers along those joints. At the minimum on the inside of the camper id be putting fishplates on all the joints that are remotely load bearing to help with the side loads of the camper as ur going offroad. Those lateral forces are the killers.

[@jasonhouk7939]

I really hope im not coming off as a keyboard jerk. I love your channel and enjoy ur content. So if im coming across that way i apologize

[@Adv4x4]

Not at all man! You are 100% right. Constructive criticism is important and very valuable in my eyes! I’m definitely going to look into doing some fish plates for some of those areas that I may be concerned with. Overbuilt is better than under built that’s for sure!

[@jasonhouk7939]

@Adv4x4 right on man. Well love ur content. Cant wait to see how this turns out!

[@frankr919]

Promo`SM