So how critical is a flat frame?

[LDK]

I know on my harbor freight 4x8 frame when I had it welded it warped alittle too. It was alittle higher in the center but I was able to work around it. You can't even tell it now.

[Treeview]

My Dad told a story about his uncle who was a machinist. His uncle bought some land and had local carpenters frame up the cabin for him. Olis would then come up on weekends and do the rest of the work. The carpenters worked during the week and Olis came up to check their work. He saw gaps all over the framing. The window frames were a little out of plumb. Olis was ranting about the poor workmanship. Dad reminded him that they were carpenters not machinists.

Olis finished the build and made a fine cabin...as a machinist would!

Tom

[PSBreen]

Looks like I'm in the same boat as many with a bowed frame. I stood a sheet of ply on the side rail to mark the fender location. I noticed the sheet was rocking on the rail so I checked it. I've got about a 1/4" drop in the last 32" on both sides. Not surprised as that is where my axle is located. Since our walls will be on top of the frame, it's looking like shims are the way to go. If we were building it with the walls hanging over the rails it wouldn't even be noticeable. Oh well maybe on the next one

[afreegreek]

Olis finished the build and made a fine cabin...as a machinist would!

Tom

then he discovered a few years later what all good carpenters know..

[chorizon]

Olis finished the build and made a fine cabin...as a machinist would!

Tom

then he discovered a few years later what all good carpenters know..

Suspense! What?

[Treeview]

Olis finished the build and made a fine cabin...as a machinist would!

Tom

then he discovered a few years later what all good carpenters know..

That putty and big hammers can take care of many mistakes.

Products and projects are a sum of their parts. Some of those parts are tangible, 2x4, welding, etc. then there are the intangibles. Attention to accuracy, doing something just a little bit better, not incorporating slap-dash from the very beginning.

My experience with a HF trailer is bad right from the beginning. The trailer was towed by a John Deere Gator around a school campus, never on the road. top speed, what 15-20 mph? I can NOT imagine taking the time, skill and energy to pour into creating your own camper on top of such junk. There are other places to be frugal, not at the foundation.

[afreegreek]

Olis finished the build and made a fine cabin...as a machinist would!

Tom

then he discovered a few years later what all good carpenters know..

Suspense! What?

that wood moves and buildings settle destroying what you thought was perfection.. that a perfectly plumb and square widow opening is not important because the window never touches the rough opening..

there are three kinds of studs... those that curve to the left, those that curve to the right, and those who have not yet decided..