My Path to (No)Madness!

[NoMadYesHappy]

...I noticed the prices for solar panels were not great ...

I saw some large lithium batteries for $3500!  Just a little bit past my budget.. :dodgy:

Yah, that matches with what I saw ... but, I'm okay with a little higher cost for the convenience of having good, and close by, service.  The panels I saw were about $1.40/watt ... but I didn't look at the two solar stores in town, just the flea market/swap meet style vendor at Tyson's Well.

Yah, a bit too rich for my blood too.  AGM will do for me.  Renogy has a 400 watt kit, complete with batteries for about $1300/1400 ... but it's out of stock.  I'm going to look local to my father's house in SoCal before I make a decision ... 

Again, thanks for all of the input, tx2sturgis! 

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Today's video ... about 13 minutes.
 - Doing Laundry
 - Meeting Someone in Town
 - Butterflies Stuck in Jelly
 - About My Hobo Grandpa "Bill Bailey Came Home"



Sorry about the focus ...
Looking at a Hero6 for videos.  The Canon works great for still shots, but is too cumbersome for taking movies.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Breaking camp; our bathroom solution; 1st camp thoughts; next steps ...

About 8 minutes.

Started the demolition of the trailer interior today.  Pics will be forthcoming. 

 

[tx2sturgis]

I didn't want to post it over there on YT but keep in mind you can buy 5 gallon METAL buckets (with vertical sides, not a pail shape) that are much sturdier than a plastic bucket.

Also, I would not recommend a black tank hanging under the trailer, better to build up a higher 'false' floor or platform and install the tank in there...keeps it from being damaged from freezing or hanging too low and getting scraped. Not much room under a normal cargo trailer. 

Of course a composting toilet is an option. 

You could also buy a little 'privy' tent...very handy to have (for showers and other 'bidness') out there in the boonies.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Also, I would not recommend a black tank hanging under the trailer, better to build up a higher 'false' floor or platform...

Hmm ... I hadn't considered that.  Just leave the fitting to empty out the black tank inside and attach a hose to run out the door?

In truth, I only want the black tank so I can use the LTVAs, "Yep, it's a 15 gallon tank, sir! May I please come in?"  My intention was to use something similar to what we are using now with a bit more craftsmanship and ergonomics ... I don't want to waste the water for flushing.

Thanks for the input, tx2sturgis ...

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Demolition, man! 

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Pulling the wood off the inside of the trailer to expose the framework and allow the insulation to be put in.

 

[tx2sturgis]

Hmm ... I hadn't considered that.  Just leave the fitting to empty out the black tank inside and attach a hose to run out the door?

Oh heck no....that's a recipe (poor choice of wording on my part) for disaster...either use a macerator pump or a simple dump valve on the left side wall. 

In truth, I only want the black tank so I can use the LTVAs, "Yep, it's a 15 gallon tank, sir! May I please come in?"  

You can use the LTVA's even without a black tank, but you will have to camp within 500 feet of a pit toilet...from what I saw, they are pretty nice anyway...and there is plenty of open space to pick from that's still in range of the facilities.

 

[SoulRaven]

Hey NoMad! Where are you two having fun today?
Here's a really good thread on trailers like yours. The whole buildup from the get-go when new.
 6 x 12 Trailer Buildup Thread
I always wanted one

 

[highdesertranger]

also at the LTVA's there is no gate so to speak. anybody can go in or out as they please and no one is checking for your black tank or anything else at the entrance. highdesertranger

 

[tx2sturgis]

also at the LTVA's there is no gate so to speak.  anybody can go in or out as they please and no one is checking for your black tank or anything else at the entrance.  highdesertranger

Where I stayed, the LTVA did have a little check-in building at the gate that was open from about 9 am to 5 pm, and with the volunteer camp hosts there that take your money, but no one was inspecting the incoming rig's holding tanks...

When I first arrived at the LTVA it was during the government shutdown, so there was no one at the gate even during the day, and no rangers were patrolling the area at all. Even the dumpsters were overfilling. No one at the controls, so to speak.

So, I joined some friends who were camped far away from any pit toilets. 

A few days later, when things got back to normal, one of the rangers stopped by and told me I needed to be within 500 feet of a pit toilet. 

I told him I was breaking camp anyway, which was true, and would be leaving soon. 

So from this encounter, I assume the rangers do enforce it, or at least, they seem to.

 

[highdesertranger]

yes they do enforce it but not at the entrance. nobody stops you at the entrance. I don't like to call it a gate because it's really not a gate. I freely go in and out all the time without stopping to gain access beyond the LTVA's. highdesertranger

 

[Almost There]

There are also some LTVAs that do not have pit toilets on site.

Holtville CA comes to mind.

At that one, no one without a black tank can stay on the LTVA sections at all!

Good thing there's BLM 14 day land right out back of the Holtville South LTVA. You  have to drive an extra 1/2 mile to get to the hot springs each day...

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

You can use the LTVA's even without a black tank, but you will have to camp within 500 feet of a pit toilet...

Maybe I don't need so many options?  I'd just hate to chop off some places to camp long term simply because I poop in a pile of wood chips instead of wasting water to flush it into a tank.  I think La Posa South is the only LTVA with vault toilets ... might be one more?  But, all the rest, you must be "self contained", specifically, have 10 gallons or more of black water storage tank ... at least that is my completely novice understanding of it.

I'm still in demolition mode, making some sketches of layout but not actually building yet ... I'm a gunna think on it a bit.  But, I like your sub-floor idea ...

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Hey NoMad! Where are you two having fun today?

We, my friend, are hanging out in a tiny town next to Arrowhead Lake, California called Bluejay ... rainy/snowy/foggy and cold ... but SUCH a beautiful place!  Today we are pulling out the factory installed wood siding to get insulation in and something a bit more attractive that OSB. 

Thanks for the link to the 6X12 build ... very helpful!

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Holtville CA comes to mind.

Drove through Holtville on the way to my dad's place.  Was tempted to stop and take a soak, but time was burning.  Still trying to get free of that .... SOON!

 

[VJG1977]

Maybe I don't need so many options?  I'd just hate to chop off some places to camp long term simply because I poop in a pile of wood chips instead of wasting water to flush it into a tank.  I think La Posa South is the only LTVA with vault toilets ... might be one more?  But, all the rest, you must be "self contained", specifically, have 10 gallons or more of black water storage tank ... at least that is my completely novice understanding of it.

I'm still in demolition mode, making some sketches of layout but not actually building yet ... I'm a gunna think on it a bit.  But, I like your sub-floor idea ...

I'm sure I have read of others that had a RV toilet and black tank but never used them.  They just used bags in the toilet not a bucket.  I doubt if anyone would be inspecting black tanks too closely.

 

[highdesertranger]

Wiley Well and Coon Hollow LTVA's both also have pit toilets. however I would like to point out other areas require total containment of all waste, black and grey. along the Klamath River in Northern California is one, National Parks are another. highdesertranger

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Wiley Well and Coon Hollow LTVA's both also have pit toilets.  however I would like to point out other areas require total containment of all waste,  black and grey.  along the Klamath River in Northern California is one,  National Parks are another.  highdesertranger

Thanks again for the input, y'all ... very much appreciated.  Think I'll just comply with a contained approach.  I'd rather have the option and not need it than need it and not have the option.  The added cost is not the best, but it's not huge either. 

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Here's a shot of my dad's backyard ...