Lifting the camper and finishing the frame

The third instalment of our Dirt Turtle mini-camper project shows the moment this steel skeleton finally stands on its own. Using Harbor Freight jacks and fabricated steel plates, we engineered a weld-on lift system that lets us raise the camper off the John Deere AMT chassis for independent work. Once free-standing, we completed the remaining welds and bracing to give the frame the rigidity it needs for off-road abuse.

Key steps

• Installed a custom jack lift system so the shell can be lifted off the chassis. This step is crucial for working on the camper independently.
• Tack-welded the remaining steel tubes and gussets to finish the frame.
• Checked alignment and squareness of the structure before moving to the interior.

Insulating the shell for off-grid living

Once the frame was done, we moved straight into weatherproofing. Foam board insulation was cut to fit every surface – even the bottom – and applied using generous amounts of silicone sealant. Sealing the seams eliminates drafts and prepares the camper for both desert heat and cold nights. After the insulation was in, we began framing out interior walls and cabinetry.

Highlights

• Full-frame insulation using rigid foam board and generous amounts of silicone sealant.
• Interior walls framed with reclaimed MDF and old cabinet doors.
• Planned wiring runs and window cut-outs while the walls were open.

Salvaged interior components and custom touches

A big part of this build is sourcing parts on a budget. We salvaged RV doors, weather-stripping, sinks and even a faux fireplace from online marketplaces and local salvage yards. In the kitchen area, a dual-basin sink was modified to fit and topped with a live-edge hardwood countertop – one of the most eye-catching features of the interior. We also reused MDF and old cabinet doors to build custom cabinets, proving that a custom camper doesn’t have to be expensive.

Budget-friendly finds

• Recycled MDF and cabinet doors for the cabinetry.
• Salvaged RV doors, windows and weather-stripping.
• A dual-basin sink modified to suit the layout and paired with a live-edge countertop.

Key milestones and what’s next

By the end of this episode the Dirt Turtle looks like a real camper. The frame is finished, insulated and standing on its own; interior walls and cabinets are roughed in; and the kitchen layout is taking shape. In the next instalment we’ll start skinning the exterior, installing windows and weather-proofing – bringing this off-grid mini-camper one step closer to reality.

Let us know in the comments whether we should add a full sound system – if there’s enough support we’ll make it happen!