Merry Christmas to you as well, Don. I saw your early gift from the Mrs., Nice...Ya know, those girls are pretty nice to have around, sometimes I wonder if we deserve it. But then she gives one of those looks and the eye roll, and I think, No, No I don't deserve that. But I could be wrong...just sayin'...
So hey, on this welding deal, I'm guessin your using a wire feed? Well grab some scraps and just start practicing spot welds. It'll take a little time to get used to the helmet and the feed and angle right. At first you may find it hard to put it where you want it, but you are a quick study. I'm sure you will handle it your usual precision and grace. Get a look at some good welds, so you know what your trying to achieve. When you get to welding up the frame, just make sure the area to be welded is prepped and clean, that the work is held securely where you want it, square and true. Then just start putting down a few spot welds. Move back and forth and around to control expansion and distortion. Just focus on making good, penetrating controlled spots. If you are using 1.5" or similar angle or square, it wont take many spots to do the job. As you get the feel for it you will be able to get a puddle started and push or pull it where you want.
Put in some gussets to stiffen things up, and think about building modular so you can get it in and out of the trailer.
Have fun, you can do this. ..
..
McDave