/diy/ - Do It Yourself

This is the rough floor plan I have come up with an am working on! Let me know of some ideas!

>>755093
What are your plans with this? Permanent habitation or vacation ventures? Does it already have any plumbing or any sort of HVAC ?

I bought a Raspberry Pi as I'd really like to hook it up to this trailer, but I've never done any electronic work. Does anyone have any helpful links for me to learn about home automation?

>>755100
I plan to live in here eventually. I'm open to all ideas you have about making this habitable.

>>755100
I'm going to live in it, I'm finishing up university and want to live in a small home.

No HVAC however, that may change depending on where I live. Since I am in Michigan it will have at least a space heater. The existing unit has plumbing, but the entire thing is getting gutted and rebuilt. I plan on using steel C channel to build the outside walls. I am still learning about how to wire the thing.

>>755103
Imposter, shame you can't delete posts

>>755095
im...confused
Is the left or right your plan?
How are either of these the original?

>>755110

Left is bottom, right is loft areas. They are original, I took an existing design's graphics and changed it to fit my floor size

>>755112
>loft areas
Have fun bouncing your head off the ceiling when you wake up.

>>755115
Dormers offer plenty of space, anything constructive to add?

>>755093
Watch George clarks amazing spaces.

>>755118
Unless you're planning on having a roommate, which is insane, the second lofted bed is a waste of space. Cut it in half or into a U shape and replace it with cabinets/shelving/other storage - having more open space will make the trailer more comfortable/less claustrophobic and you will have easier access to anything kept up there.

>>755095
Just some stuff that came to mind, in no particular order

How high is that trailer? Are you sure those split-level bed spaces will work? How much height is there under/over them?

Kitchen area seems to be unnecessarily large.

You´ll want a table. For eating, and doing stuff on.

Do you really need two double beds? How many people will live there?

If its your only house you´ll need lots and lots of storage space.

What program did you use for that floor plan? Maybe try SketchUp for planning. Thats a very simple, free to use 3d planning software. Or if thats too much bother better stick to pen and paper. And make a section too.

>>755122
Yea I kind of thought if I wanted to keep a guest the couch could fold out into a bed. Not sure about claustrophobia but yea, I have no idea what to do with that end. Storage I don't think will be an issue, I've lived in a 10x12 room for four years now and live out of three large suitcases basically.
>>755120
Will watch now

>>755123
The trailer surface bed sits about 18 inches off the ground fully loaded. So I lose a foot and a half of maximum height allowance which for my design is 13 foot 6 so it can fit under most bridges.
The split level beds, I don't know if they will work, it is a work in progress and I'll test it out before committing.
Kitchen is large because it acts as the vast majority of my storage for other things like books and what not, not just kitchen stuff.
Two people are dedicated living, I just figured the second loft would be storage with the idea that a second bed could go in for guests if needed. Was thinking about a murphy bed though to make things easier.
Storage shouldn't be an issue, I like in a tiny space already and have been living basically out of three suitcases.
I will make something more professional as I go, my girlfriend is an architecture/design student and I'll see about getting better drafting, I am going to make a physical scale model (I'm a mechanical engineer). This is more of ideas and I would rather digitally throw something together than waste paper with ideas.

>>755093
OP, there's only one thing to do, embrace your true calling; time to break bad.

But seriously, keep in mind that everything should be stable when your RV is rolling and then design from here.

>>755135
In order to design it in any capacity I need a floor plan, can't design a good structure without knowing where doors and windows are going.

OP
Couple things man:
First the roof on that is bound to start leaking. Getting that in good shape should be a priority.
Also insulating it better will be a priority if you're gonna overwinter in it. How do you plan to heat it? And what are you gonna do when it's below freezing out? Your sewer and water lines will freeze.
Where do you plan on putting this thing?
I think you said you're gonna live in it while going to college. What college town has a year round RV park?
Just some things to think about.

>>755143
The roof on that trailer right now? Not a concern, the whole thing is getting torn off down the the trailer steel and I am building completely new on it. But the roof is fine, the side has some holes in it though. Yes, a large amount of insulation will be used to keep it either warm or cold through the seasons.
Heating for first will just be a space heater and I'll see if I need something more serious. The space heater I have os good for up to 300 square feet or about 25 square meters. It is -19 degrees celcius here right now so there is no water in it a the moment. As far as later goes, not an issue because I am getting a small 20 gallon boiler which will keep everything up to temperature. Putting it? No idea yet to be honest. It is staying in my driveway for now. I am finishing University so that doesn't matter, I am leaving to go elsewhere.

Right on.
I think if you do a good job insulating it a smallish space heater will be OK. A cheap way to go is to get a big ass propane tank and heat it with that and you can also run the stove and fridge off propane. Some trailers are already set up for it.

Good luck an keep us posted.

>>755163
Well this one has a working stove and fridge that run on propane. Also has a dual hook up for two propane tanks. But I want the whole thing to be electric because I will be installing a solar system later in the year.

how much meth are we talking?

>>755178
Thirty-eight pounds, ready to go at a moment's notice.

>>755093
I am interested in tiny/affordable house solutions, but never thought of tearing one down... then upgrading... sounds easier.

>>755103
I like Raspberry Pi and think it has much potential... never thought of this.

fuck yes

>>755147
RV trailers use light-weight construction, so the underlying steel trailer won't be able to take the weight of 2x4 studded walls with lofts. If you're re-building from scratch, you might be better off buying a heavy duty flatbed trailer, and just using the RV for donor parts like the water tanks and toilet.

>>755120
>>hasta open the whole side of the trailer just to get out of bed or wash your hands

AMAZING

>>755093
Get your gf to do a section view of the bathroom / bedroom loft area, thats where I see you running into the most problems.
Also, maybe look at adding a bit of area into the bathroom / toilet area as I have shown in the pic. As it stands your knees would be pretty much touching the wall while you are taking a shit, and if those white rectangles indicate the wash basin / vanity unit then it's going to be ridiculously cramped.

Also, how do you access loft area? Retractable ladder?

And lastly, as another anon pointed out, you should get rid of the second bed and make it storage space.

>>755510
agree with this anon

I was shocked when I seen these things buiult with 2 by 1s.

Shit my loft bed is 4x4

>>755115
Granted I've only had experience with one loft, but I've never had this problem, and it wasn't a huge loft either. Lofts save a shit ton of space.

>>755529
No, you open the side to double the size of your trailer during good weather.
Close it all up and it functions like normal.

>>755124
I'd probably just open the space up and put in bigger windows or skylights, then, but if you don't need the storage and don't mind the low ceilings then I guess the seconds bed makes sense.

>>755131
You are planning to drive this unit around? If so, you will need to make sure it is roadworthy

>>755691
Look at the photo... With the door closed there is about two inches between the door and the bed.

METHLAB
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T
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L
A
B

>>755894

>not living in a trailer

trailers are comfy as fuck and make 7/10 poorfag housing. Only issue is finding a reliable vehicle to pull it.

>>755895
I wonder if any non poorfags do this and just horde money by the millions and nobody ever knows

>>755896
I'm far from a millionaire but I'm not poor either and I live in an RV because I want to.
If or when I decide to buy land I'm still going to live in this RV.

>>755120
For a one man project like OP, where (to be safe) I'm assuming he doesn't have a lot of experience, don't cut into the out side or fuck with structure, you'll just create more headaches. Especially when you have something like an RV which (in theory) should be livable from the start

But from your plan, OP, this >>755510 is a good idea, especially since with a scratch build you won't run into problems of unknown deterioration of the trailer, or over estimating the loads it can take
Just speaking from experience, trying hard to squeeze life out of old materials can sometimes cost you more than just getting something newer that you are sure will fit together as intended.

>>755095
>>755093
All those exclamation points...

the trailer you have was designed specifiaclly for the weight that is sitting on it, as well as the height. OP, you have too big of dreams. Just fix up the trailer as is.

>>756051
This anon is spot on. If you are going to add any significant weight back then you'll need to upgrade the axles, brakes, tongue and maybe even beef up the frame. Not really worth it if you ask me.

Not trying to discourage you but leave the shell alone. Gut it and rebuild using similar lightweight materials and keep in mind where the heavy shit (grey/black and fresh water tanks) were originally and try to keep them there as the factory engineers intended. Usually right near the axle.

I've seen some cool refits that were carefully planned out. I've also seen some hacked up pieces of shit demolished on the side of the road heading to burning man because they weren't planned out well.

>>755896

it's become more attractive in recent years thanks to a voltile housing market. For $30k, you can get a high-quality diesel truck and a sturdy trailer and still have money left over for secure parking in a trailer park. And if you ever need to move (for work or whatever) you can just do it.

>>755895
>Only issue is finding a reliable vehicle to pull it.

Not really. Buy a 90's Chevy/GMC C2500, ideally with the 454. Tons available from old people who also used them to pull their holiday trailers but are now too old to travel any longer. The old people take care of their stuff, most never miss a scheduled maintenance item. You can probably find one anywhere from $1000-3000 depending on age/miles/condition, and it'll pretty much last forever. Whatever does break, will usually be fixable if you have any sort of mechanical intuition, a few common tools and YouTube (well, besides perhaps replacing the transmission or something).

>>755467
Yea it is an easier option than building from scratch. Most trailers are very good steel and people just sell old units for super cheap. Buying the trailer I got brand new is about 12 grand. I got the whole thing with everything in it for 1500.
>>755510
The trailer specs are rated for 10400 pounds on the frame. So I am not worried, especially because I am doing steel stud construction and by weight the structure will be 1/3rd the weight of 2x4 construction with the same strength.
>>755541
Still working on the design, we have changed a good deal look at attached picture. Made a laser cut section today, building a model tomorrow. Ladder to loft.
>>755856
Not planning on traveling often at all, it just lets me avoid a lot of red tape if I put it on wheels. Plus, means I can still move it if needed. Unit has 2 x 5200 pounds axles with good tandem leaf springs.
>>755895
Ford F150-F250 with 4x4 package will tow my house. I need a work truck for my job anyway.
>>755904
I figure i'm not sinking that much money into this project, and in the worst case I can sell this home.
>>755917
I am tearing the whole structure off and rebuilding it with my boss who is a retired construction worker and I helped him build a haunted house with commercial steel stud, that is all my building experience.
>>756051
The design I have will weigh 2/3rds of the existing dry design weight. The height needs to be higher for me to be comfortable anyway, I am 6"2 and the ceilings are maybe 7 foot.

I'll keep you posted

>>755093
You'll want to install underpinning/skirting for it, even if you are parking it, if it is cold out.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s8BABwi0kKI
>lightly sand, fill holes properly and make sure the surface is structurally sound
>clean, make sure surface is ready to paint with shit paint that would stick to it and then do paper floor
>this can be done to ceiling/walls/interior

This is amazing stuff. Can probably do the whole interior for 130 bucks worth depending where you get everything. You can stain it too.

Lasts as a surface walked on for years. For walls it lasts longer. Oh that's a split because the wall broke? Just fix the break and then apply another paper over it like it never happened! It's a patchy looking thing that you can patch up when it fucks up. Except easier.

>>756256
I am lucky and my work throws out tons of good lumber so I have literally filled my garage with free materials that I can use. I plan on putting in a hardwood floor.
>>756255
It is cold, but the snow under the trailer has melted away and I am not worried about the moisture doing any damage. The entire steel body is getting worked down to bare steel after the demo job and getting reprimed and getting two-three coats of heavy black metal paint.

Found an exterior I like, the roof I will probably go ahead and do metal shingles.

Where are you going to have sexy time? On the loft?

>>756258
>It is cold, but the snow under the trailer has melted away and I am not worried about the moisture doing any damage. The entire steel body is getting worked down to bare steel after the demo job and getting reprimed and getting two-three coats of heavy black metal paint.

It isn't for moisture prevention, though it does that to some degree. It is for draft prevention under you trailer/RV. It helps hold heat and lower you heating costs.

Been thinking about this kinda thing too.
I imagine a transforming tiny house yurt hybrid.

Trailer parks, walls fold down into expanded deck space/insulated flooring, yurt pops up around and on top of center trailer frame.

Towable, quadruple floor space + decent second story. The layered walls of yurts can hold up to Yukon winters and are lighter/cheaper than traditional walls.
Maybe quilt the lower walls with chainlink fence for added security.

$.02

>>756323
Everywhere, girlfriend doesn't care. Plus, there is a queen sized pull out couch going in, and a murphy queen size that could out of the floor if you look at the cad plan I put out. Still working on the cad plan, will be building a proper model tomorrow of my house. Should be posted by the end of the day at the very latest.
>>756449
It isn't in use, it is just sitting right now and getting torn out inside today when I get out of work. I'll be sure to post some photos.

Alright! Gutting work has started!

Posting these cause it's related. Good luck OP.

>>758509
>>758510
Nice stealth van

>>758509
>>758510
>>758520
>>758522
>>758523
Thats kinda neat, but I need to ask something. Don't take it as an insult because i really don't intend it as such but, what do you even do with something like this? It seems like sophisticated hobo living or camping in a parking lot. Is there something I'm just not getting?

>>758548
50/50 chance between meth and krokodil

>>758548
i'm another poster

I used to sleep in a van and now I live in an RV.
Couple reasons:
I do it because I can't stand living with people. It's the noise that bothers me mainly.
>why not build a house somewhere quiet with soundproofing
I need to be near my workplace and I can't really afford it without a fair bit of debt.
Though I would love to build a concrete walled soundproof house to be in total peace and quiet.
There are a ton of obvious drawbacks to living in a metal box, like fighting off the cold of winter, and the small square footage, but I prefer this to being tied down, in debt, or living with someone else.

Also, I'm cheap.
Also, I can move if I don't like my neighbours, which I have done, because they were too noisy.

>>758551
What are you posting from and what do you do for showers(or did, if your current vehicle has one)/running water/electricity/gas to cook on(if you do cook)?

I'm seriously inclined to give this lifestyle a chance. I feel like I'm locked up in the town and house I live in currently. Just the freedom of the idea of going "Nah, I don't like it here, I'm packing up and moving" sounds like heaven to me.

>>758566
I've been at a few RV parks, right now I'm in a buddy's yard in an RV.
He helped tow me here with his truck.

We ran lines for water and electricity.
Water comes in on a pair of lines in a loop, and it's insulated, I use a heater+/diy/thermostat and a circulating pump to keep it from freezing.
I use a tankless propane water heater for showers/doing dishes. Propane to cook.

I bought a macerator pump to discharge sewage in his septic tank, but I haven't installed it yet, so I use his bathroom when I need to take a shit.

My water for showers I just dump into the rocks/weeds, but when I get the pump hooked up I'll discharge that in the septic tank too.

Normally people don't put up with this hassle but it's real quiet and lonesome out here, just how I want it. I'd rather be here than in an RV park (too loud, too much coming-and-going, too crowded)

>>758624 me again
Buddy also ran UV rated cat5e for me for the internets, he's got miles (literally) of cat5e so it was no big deal to him.

I also want to emphasize the point about the tankless propane water heater.
Many RVs come with a gas+electric water heater with a 6 gallon tank. Mine did. This is *just* barely sufficient for anything longer than an army shower.
So I got an instant water heater and life is much better.

>>758485
get inside me

>>758624
>>758630
Thanks for the info. Especially on the water heater and insulation/circulation to keep it from freezing. These are things that I didn't think of as yet. Although freezing isn't that big of a problem down here but better safe than sorry.

>>758551
>>758624
>>758630
When you slept in a van was in converted like the above, or was it just a van?
What all did you use for insulation and such? Overall cost?

I'm considering building something similar

>>758814
I wasn't a true van dweller.
No conversion it was just a plain empty van.
I only put a carpet and mattress in, no insulation.

I actually put in a fireplace I welded myself but I didn't run it much, I didn't feel comfortable going to sleep with it burning.

To stay warm at night I ran an extension cord and used an electric blanket under one or two more thick blankets.

It was toasty warm even in freezing bitter ass cold, cold enough to freeze my water bottle overnight.

>>758630
Cool is it possible to hook up a wireless internet somehow via a satellite connection or something if you install the relevant hardware?
>>758704
Lumbersexual?
>>758818
We have that in the house I live in, the water in my room freezes, but I'm lucky and actually have a condition where I have a permanently elevated core body temperature and a single duvet does me just fine and I sleep in my underwear. My trailer that I bought is more livable than my house and it is 25 years unused.

More photos!

It is really getting cleaned out at this point and it feels much more spacious! I am pleased with myself just working a few hours everyday. Hopefully I can have it totally cleared out in three weeks. Then when it gets warmer start buying and assembling the steel c channel walls in the garage. My chickens were really funny to watch today, they run all around and under the trailer and I can see them now much better since removing all the blinds and drapes.

Hello from all of us!

>>758907
hello OP and chickens

I never even thought about this until I saw other people doing it, I was trying to figure out how to be close to work on the cheap and that may work, I'm not sure I'd have space anywhere near work for a trailer / RV but starting off with a van may help me be closer to work (OilField/Truck Driver)

Gotta start looking for a nice 4x4 van and give this a try! any vans that are better than others for living? I assume a large cargo van is best, also what about adding an APU to the van to use all of it's regular power usages, plus running 12v appliances?

>>758904
what are you going to do with that couch and whats is that thing attached to the roof?

>>759400
Here's some ideas to get you started.
From a previous small house thread >>746221.

>>759400
I know a guy who refurbished a sprinter as a stealth live in van. Has no plumbing, but it does have electrics. I think he installed three extra car batteries in order to run the van without the engine. The batteries get charged when he drives around. I figured it is a good deal, but you do need to find a place to shower and go to the bathroom. Maybe a gym membership?
>>759468
The couch is a pull out mechanism. I am going to strip the upholstery from it and see if I can reuse the frame. The thing on the roof is an HVAC, it can heat and cool the camper. Still works really well, so I will see about saving it and refurbishing that as well.

The attached photo: I like the window idea on the end of the house. If you can get somewhere nice with something good to look it it would be great.

>>759566
nice, that is a good amount of info, I probably can't afford to get my hands on a newer sprinter van, so I may have to modify those plans for a ford/chevy cargo van, you know the ones with the swing out double side doors, but all that info looks invaluable. especially the electrical plans.


I wonder how I'd ever market this thing for resale if I get tired of living in the van.

>>759601
A lot of those Chevy vans are already modified to camper vans. So just label it a camper van.

>>759601
Craigslist, someone will buy it.
>>759601
Wiring something like that is not especially hard. Then again, if you haven't worked with electronics before it can be daunting. Definitely find someone who is more knowledgeable if you're doing something like that with no experience.

>>759618
thanks for the ideas and help, gonna start saving now, any idea what a good budget to save up for before i start would be? I'm thinking probably $10k, looking at 5-6k for the van itself and 4-5k for the work to put into it.

Sorry for quality, laptop camera is shitty, started building my model house so that people can get a better idea of what is being built.

>>759667
I've been looking around and I think 8-9k on the van and indeed some 4-5k on the work.
Or you could look into getting an RV and reduce the work budget since it'll already be fitted with a lot of what you need. but it's not as subtle as a van.

>>759772
Looks like you have put a lot of work into that model OP, looking damn nice so far. Also the loft area for the bed makes more sense now I realise you are using an A-frame roof.

I have to admit, when I first saw this thread made and you only had up those original images of the layout (Muh house.jpg) I thought you were just some kid with overly high expectations of your abilities....... but you proved me wrong and I'm pretty damn impressed.

>>759684
>>759772
now i get it.
so youre basically just keeping the metal frame of the trailer with the wheels and everything

>>760072
I'm an engineering student and am dating an industrial designer heh. She helps me with ideas and layouts and what not and I work in a woodshop as a carpenter and we have some great tools. Mind you that is completely hand made, I'll get better photos. The loft area has a dormer that you can see on the left end, but it is actually supposed to go on the right end over the bathroom, what happened was I paneled the wrong side of the roof so it is on backwards lol. This is just a rough draft, when I have the finished structure I'll make another mini house, probably turn it into a mailbox or something.
>>760077
Yep, and our neighbours the metal shop will help me refurbish the trailer. Going to strip the paint and rust with wirebrush and angle grinder and then reprime, and paint the whole thing to make it look new after we test the frame. Then I'll start building on it. I think that should all be done in 8 weeks when it warms up a little. Then construction can begin

Anyone have good bathroom ideas for a 5x7 foot area? I'd like a roomie shower and was thinking of an open shower with just a hanging glass plate to keep the toilet from getting wet, no sink because there will be one right next door in the kitchen.

>>755093
watch out for asbestos

nasty shit

>>760087
Aye, I am opening the walls tomorrow to see what is inside, but judging from the little damaged walls where there is insulation sticking out, I think it is either fiberglass or batting...I'll get a photo to get a second opinion.

>>760085
sounds like you live in some kind of movie

>>760089
What do you mean?

>>760159
Looks overbuilt to me... pretty easy to get to that 5 ton weight rating of the frame. Seems the sheeting would be structural enough to eliminate some of the cross bracing. You could also add some steel tube columns in the corners with trusses; welded to the frame.

>>760358
Yea I over braced it, but the studs are steel c channe which are like 22-26 gauge and are fairly light. I am confident that I can be under 4000 pounds on the frame by my estimates, and that is doubling up on ever other stud in the roof too. I think I posted that I did a CAD plan and the estimated weight is 3920 lbs not including the trailer, which I think is between 1000 and 1500 pounds. So that brings me around 5000 pounds. Then with all the siding and insulation and roof covering, appliances, piping and furnishings the estimated weight is 8200 lbs. which gives me a good safety factor.

>>760182
>>760159
That's gunna be cozy as fuck

>>760885
I hope to post more photos tomorrow after the whole thing is cleaned out a little more, couldn't work today, went a NAIAS auto show in detroit with my girl and we took the day off to just eat and have fun and relax, hadn't played backgammon or UNO in a long time...more pictures tomorrow

>>760159
Did you laser cut those roof and walls?

>>761099
Aye, but our laser can only cut 1/16 inch...so using 1/8th inch material, I ran it three times and it still didn't make it through so I went ahead and cut it all out as cleanly as I could being patient. The next draft I'll do a different easier to cut material like basswood instead of birch plywood and double it up. I make a bunch of laser things for people =]

>>759600
That looks cool, whats this?

>>760093
i mean your life sounds like a movie

>>761223
My complete life story pretty much is...it is insane.

Awesome shit OP, best of luck to you!

Great concept OP, can't wait to see what you do with it!
Have you allocated an area for the electric components that will come with the solar system (battery bank, inverter, etc.)? And are you trying to go all electric from the get-go or start with propane/electric and ween out propane eventually?

>>760085
Get that toilet wet, nothing like having a shit and shower.

>>755093
I think it would be interesting to build one on a pontoon boat.

bump