My DIY Overlanding & Camping Trailer

[Benbean66]

Hopefully in the next few weeks I'll update with what I ended up doing with the (2) 11 gallon water tanks, the Joolca water heater shower/faucet setup, and Redarc Manager 30 I have for this build.

Sponsored

 

[Caraholic]

I love this thread!!!!

 

[Benbean66]

I love this thread!!!!

Thanks. I'm loving this project.

 

[gecko_rubi]

well done!

 

[BaliMawr]

This is really cool stuff. I have a buddy who wants to do a small trailer with my help, but my experience is with steel. Could you give a few examples of the dimension and alloy of Aluminum that are using? Also, what's your welding method? Thanks!

 

[Benbean66]

This is really cool stuff. I have a buddy who wants to do a small trailer with my help, but my experience is with steel. Could you give a few examples of the dimension and alloy of Aluminum that are using? Also, what's your welding method? Thanks!

Thanks! And it is a lot of fun. I went with aluminum because I wanted to keep the weight down as much as possible. I honestly don't know what alloy I'm using. I have gotten alot of my material from a neighbor's scrap pile, and some from a local metal material supplier. As far as what I use, I picked up a Harbor Freight Multi-process 220 after selling my MillerMatic, and so far I love it. The prep work is a little more involved than steel, but I feel it's easier to work with, especially if you have the proper equipment.

 

[BaliMawr]

Thanks! And it is a lot of fun. I went with aluminum because I wanted to keep the weight down as much as possible. I honestly don't know what alloy I'm using. I have gotten alot of my material from a neighbor's scrap pile, and some from a local metal material supplier. As far as what I use, I picked up a Harbor Freight Multi-process 220 after selling my MillerMatic, and so far I love it. The prep work is a little more involved than steel, but I feel it's easier to work with, especially if you have the proper equipment.

I am ignorant about welding aluminum. You say it's a multi-process welder, but what process? Mig with a spool gun? Tig? Also, if you could even give me dimensions of material- for instance what you used for that top rack, that would be helpful. Like, 2x2 square? What's the wall thickness? Are you seeing any flex or having to reinforce anything? I appreciate the perspective!

 

[Free2roam]

Slick idea on the slide out along with the fridge and sink setup.
I've also picked up a multiprocess welder. I have a Lincoln SP135 I believe. For mig welding with either gas or inner shield wire. The other welder I have is a stick, Tig, plasma cutter. It's an Everlast 205S. AC DC so aluminum, stainless steel, and pretty much anything I can think of.

 

[Benbean66]

Slick idea on the slide out along with the fridge and sink setup.
I've also picked up a multiprocess welder. I have a Lincoln SP135 I believe. For mig welding with either gas or inner shield wire. The other welder I have is a stick, Tig, plasma cutter. It's an Everlast 205S. AC DC so aluminum, stainless steel, and pretty much anything I can think of.

Thanks. I was looking to get a Tig welder for aluminum, but they were a little out of my price range at the time. My Vulcan does Tig, but it is not an AC/DC, so I can do aluminum. That, and I've never done it before. I figured I'd try my hand at Mig welding aluminum first and if I want to start getting fancy, I'd look to upgrade then. A plasma cutter is definitely on my radar, too.

 

[Free2roam]

Thanks. I was looking to get a Tig welder for aluminum, but they were a little out of my price range at the time. My Vulcan does Tig, but it is not an AC/DC, so I can do aluminum. That, and I've never done it before. I figured I'd try my hand at Mig welding aluminum first and if I want to start getting fancy, I'd look to upgrade then. A plasma cutter is definitely on my radar, too.

It is possible to do aluminum on DC. Just not as clean. Also depends on how thick. Helium sure does help in the process. About 3-5 PSI and 25-30 argon. Helps heat it up.

 

[Benbean66]

I am ignorant about welding aluminum. You say it's a multi-process welder, but what process? Mig with a spool gun? Tig? Also, if you could even give me dimensions of material- for instance what you used for that top rack, that would be helpful. Like, 2x2 square? What's the wall thickness? Are you seeing any flex or having to reinforce anything? I appreciate the perspective!

Oh yes. Sorry, I was distracted when I wrote my first reply. Yes, my welder will do Mig, Tig (DC only), and stick welding. I did purchase a spool gun for doing aluminum, and a separate argon-only tank for the shielding gas. I switch between regular Mig and the spool gun depending on which section of the trailer I'm working on. It is nice having one machine rather than multiple units taking up space.

As far as material, the top rack is made from 1 1/2" square 1/8" thick tubing. The angle on the "counter top/sink rack" is 3/16" 3/4" and 1" angle. The flat plates I used for the backsplash and fridge bottom are 1/8".

 

[Benbean66]

It is possible to do aluminum on DC. Just not as clean. Also depends on how thick. Helium sure does help in the process. About 3-5 PSI and 25-30 argon. Helps heat it up.

Seriously? That's awesome. I'll definitely check that out. For what I'm doing right now, I'm fine with the look of the Mig, but if I do some small stuff I might try that.

 

[RCKLNDR]

That is an awesome build. Great fab work! Thanks

 

[BaliMawr]

It is possible to do aluminum on DC. Just not as clean. Also depends on how thick. Helium sure does help in the process. About 3-5 PSI and 25-30 argon. Helps heat it up.

How do you run different pressures on the gasses? Separate bottles? I've only run Argon/co2 mix for steel. Looking for knowledge!

 

[Free2roam]

How do you run different pressures on the gasses? Separate bottles? I've only run Argon/co2 mix for steel. Looking for knowledge!

Purchase a Y for a two bottle setup and have two separate regulators. Y goes between the bottle and welder single hose going to welder.

Sponsored