My Path to (No)Madness!

[NoMadYesHappy]

When you get time, can you expand on the tilt out sleeping pods.  Any more drawings?

Sorry for the rough drawing.  The image above shows the "sleeping pod" in the camp position, the platform is lowered with a "ghost image" of the walls that enclose the pod, including window options and ventilation [fantastic fan].  Pipe or wood would be used to support the platform in two or three places from underneath, angled to abut the frame of the trailer.  Entry would be through a 22" X 30" opening just behind the side entry door.  The occupant would crawl through the opening to access the pod.  This keeps the interior wall area free for cabinets / desks / counters / drawers / etc. ... i.e., storage.  Mirror this on the opposite side of the trailer for pod 2.

For traveling, the pod walls and mattress would be stored inside the center isle of the trailer, and the platform folded up against the exterior wall.

The need to assemble the pod to sleep is an inconvenience I've decided I can live with to gain the extra space and privacy the pod idea affords.  In practice, I may find out that I'm wrong, but, such is life. 

We traveled down the mountain to Home Depot today to get 1" R6 polyiso insulation board, flooring material and birch paneling to replace the OSB that was removed during demo.

So, that's the 10,000 foot overview.  Maybe if you post specific questions, I could be more targeted with my answers.  Hope this helps! 

 

[tx2sturgis]

Sort've like these:


http://www.completetrailers.com/trailer/basepopoutsleeper/

Mod edit, the above link shows a pop out bed on a trailer

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Sort've like these:


http://www.completetrailers.com/trailer/basepopoutsleeper/

Yep, exactly.  But I'm going to construct insulated, solid walls that bolt into place instead of canvas.  I intend to used high strength adhesive to laminate 1/8" plywood to both sides of 1" polyiso board, framed around the edges with 1" X 1" pine ... sort of like a standard interior door for a house, but the core made of polyiso instead of air.

It will be a lot more work to set up camp compared to simply driving to a spot and parking.  But, I think my special needs require the extra effort.  I think the solid walls will be FAR less difficult than it was to set up that monster tent we did at Scaddan Wash last week. And even that wasn't too bad to deal with.  The setup time is largely what is driving my desire to be better accepted into LTVAs ... fewer setup / breakdown episodes. 

 

[Motrukdriver]

All folded up like a box top when you travel.  Doesn't seem like much of a hassle to me to set up camp.  You'll most likely be somewhere for 2 weeks or more at a time and setting it up might take you 10 minutes maybe, same for folding it up for traveling.  If you don't have 20 minutes to spare you're doing it wrong.....  Oh, if you like drawing stuff and want to be super accurate there is a free CAD program called NanoCad.  It is very similar to AutoCad if you are familiar with that.  If not it is pretty easy to learn.  I downloaded the simple free version since I don't need all the bells and whistles of 3D.  When you are cutting lumber you just want to make sure things fit and as long as it is more accurate than my tape measure then everything is great.

https://nanocad.com/

I use it and have my Vardo design (in progress) on it.  Hopefully one day I can actually build it.

 

[Motrukdriver]

Might have to go with a larger opening to crawl thru. A twin size mattress is 39" wide. You'd probably want to stand it up on its side to slide it in and out to take the weight off of the panels for disassembly. I'm drawing up some removable walls and ceiling for my outside shower and potty room. Thin birch plywood construction with lift off hinges to attach it to the side walls. A quick setup and take down and no worries about the wind carrying off a shower tent. It is still a work in progress but I think the design is solid. I was originally going to use hollow core doors but I can make the panels thinner and lighter. They'll store under the solar panel mounting assembly on top of the Jeep when traveling.

 

[Motrukdriver]

Don't know if this gives you any ideas but here is how the removable panels on the Vardo will work:

Top left is looking at the rear into the door, removable panels are on the right side of that view
Top right is the side of the trailer with the three removable panels on edge view, there is also a removable plywood roof.
Those things at the bottom are built sort of like pallets for a floor.  You can see where the compost toilet box, corner sink and small wall hanging urinal will reside.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

... setting it up might take you 10 minutes
Oh, if you like drawing ...free CAD program called NanoCad.  
I don't need all the bells and whistles 

https://nanocad.com/

I use it and have my Vardo design (in progress) on it.  Hopefully one day I can actually build it.

Hey, thanks for the link!  I used to use Sketch Up, but found it to be more cumbersome than old fashiond pencil and paper.  I'll give this one a try.  It'd be nice to have something to scale.

Yah, I don't think it's a big time hit to set up to camp ... stealth camping will be out, but that wasn't something I planned to do anyway.

Bells and whistles are too noisy in my book anyway! 

I LOVE vardos!  I hope to build one someday.

 

[VJG1977]

This may give you some ideas 
4:13 video
3-IN-1 Foldable Shelter Deployment

 

[VJG1977]

A couple more expendables that could be scaled down.


Expandable E2S2 - Energy Efficient Shelter System - versatile shelter.  3:21




Expandable container house  2:44

 

[SoulRaven]

NoMad,
Could you build the pods from the outer wall of trailer when folded into sides, they are a bit thicker & stick out further so they'd hold the mattresses too? Using pneumatic shocks, like those used on a truck bed's hard shell Tonneau covers. IDK their cost, but it sure seems it would make ease to raise & lower the pod with good 'control' like on those HEAVY tonneau covers. Then again, I don't know what lengths they are available in. But if available, might have to put Marine vinyl boot cover, attached to trailer outer wall around pod and then boot's outer edge would snap onto the outer pod wall (sleeping bed base) when folded up onto wall & locked down with the HD ring clips, like on a giant luggage suit case, or those on heavy steel tool boxes. I can't think of the clip/locks real name.

My thoughts are mainly for you both & better convenience for getting in and out of trailer when you need to while traveling, so you aren't moving 2 mattresses out of the way, or in & out of trailer at a rest stop or grocery store etc. What if it is raining?
Newer mattresses in the Memory Foam types, a 6" is very comfortable. My 6" has 10 year warranty. It could be easily squished down to 5" thick with the pod. Having the mattress enclosed in pod when closed could also prevent rattle & chirpy noises while driving. I would likely hear it, it'd drive me batty too.

I'd heard from a couple others, that some had thinner MemFoam mattresses than 6" & they were quite comfortable. But I'm the proverbial Prince(ss) & the Pea and I "felt" the minimum of 6" is best for me 

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Not much done today ... just the entry tiles installed.  24-36 hour wait for the adhesive to dry. 

 

[SoulRaven]

^ Holy moly Batman! Beautifully planned, great start ! Very soon it will be done. You're a finisher & not a talker. Soon, check out the "rugs" I linked you to. They are gorgeous. Will give you warmer floors & protected well. You could consider to use spray on non-slip for back of rugs for your floors if you choose my type of rug.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

"... check out the "rugs" I linked you to..."

I'm looking at the possibility of using them under the mattresses in the sleeping pods ... thanks for the link, my friend!

 

[SoulRaven]

^ then consider 1/4" carpet pads, typically used under larger carpets, it is a type of heavy non-woven pad, similar to felt but are more "rug"ged for underlay for rugs, typically used to make high dollar rugs, like Persian rugs to last decades longer and to soften your steps on a hard floor, like wood or cement. There are variable thicknesses readily available to order.
Those Apache & Navajo "rugs" linked, are far far too gorgeous to remain hidden under mattresses.


Carry on!

PS: Drawbolt Latches.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

The Build Begins: Cassie gets a hair cut:

7 minutes 25 seconds

 

[SoulRaven]

Oh, and by the way NoMad & Rachel, if we are sure to cross each others path, if you can & *you* will use it, I will gift you 3 yards of 60" wide heavyweight waterproof outdoor sunproof awning fabric in solid colored Burgundy. And I already can trust 100% that you would never look a gift horse in the mouth. We might also discuss my unneeded & fully functional 500 W Renogy Inverter & at a cost which I am sure you'd agree is 99% less than what you'd expect to pay. 

Keep me posted via email where you'll be in the coming days. I don't publicly state where I'll be, at any given time for obvious reasons which you know.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

"...Apache & Navajo "rugs" linked, are far far too gorgeous to remain hidden under mattresses."

Yah, good point.  Maybe I'll use them as wall hangings!  They are beautiful!

 

[tx2sturgis]

Looks good, but I have a concern about the slate tiles glued to the OSB and/or plywood floor.

Trailer floors flex and vibrate as the trailer rolls, there is some twist also. Plus, pressure along the tiles (causing a wee bit of floor 'droop') as you step into the trailer may tend to loosen the adhesive, or worse, it might crack the tiles. Yes, I know there is C-channel under the floor, but still, there is some flex.

I hope I'm wrong and you have no issues....just an observation.

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

Looks good, but I have a concern about the slate tiles glued to the OSB and/or plywood floor.

Yah, I'm having the same thoughts.  But, it was cheap tile and if it becomes a problem, it'll give me something to do between soaks in the hot springs of Long Valley!

I hope we're BOTH wrong!

 

[NoMadYesHappy]

"Keep me posted via email where you'll be in the coming days..."

Will do.  Very gracious of you!