Late Night Roof Session

So I wasted some time with the ends and have now come down to the wire.  A storm is coming in and I have a "nice" trailer with no lid.  Time to get the roof on.

I got the center strips cut and placed.  Cover the two ends, which are still not done, with tarp to survive the storm.  Should only be one day of weather.

Flashing and Drip Edge

So I spent a good part of a day putting up the flashing and drip edge.  The flashing I got super cheap and then had to end up doing a little "custom" work to make them fit.

I spent way to much time sucking silicone fumes making sure the outside edge was water proof.

Having a Hard Time with the Ends

I can not figure out how I'm going to do the ends.  I spent most of one day just trying to figure this out.  Getting very little work done.  In the end this is what I ended up doing.

My goal is to run a board up to the peak and put in two triangle pieces of metal to give it a small slope.

Roof is 50% done

Got the trusses up today.

The ends could be very interesting to figure out.

Right now I hoping to be able to keep the slope going to the top of the truss.  

We'll see how that works.  I'll sleep on it.

Redoing the Roof

So my idea is to redo the roof frame and cover.  The goal of doing this is to create an overhang roof line to eliminate water issues.  I would also like to have a pitch for water run off and a little extra height inside the trailer.

I figure since the trailer is 7 ft across I could put a 1 ft rise in the center for the pitch.

I'm planing on doing the trusses like this:

Then recovering it with sheet metal, like the stuff that is currently on it.  It looks like the current roof boards are 2 X 4's that have been cut down to 1 ft at the ends.

Here are a few photos of the current trusses and roof line:

Basic Eletrical

I was thinking about what kind of power I will need and how will I set this all up.

In the long run I'll run a power supply to the trailer, but right now I'm not sure if that's going to be an option.

So I have to figure out how I'm going to do all this.

Here is my basic layout: 

Light Switch 1 will run everything in the "small area", lights and bathroom fan
Light Switch 2 will run everything else, indoor lights & exterior lights


Thinking about power need this is what will be in the trailer:

• LED lights - 2 sets (lower power but is it worth it?)
• Bathroom fan 
• Power for tank pumps, filter, and heaters
• Power for heat and AC
• Extra plug in for "shop" area and outside

The power to run the tank system seems to be simple.  The Samadhi catalog says:

"Standard building current is sufficient. If your country's voltage is about 115 Volts, then the equipment uses 14 Amps. If your Voltage is about 230 Volts then the equipment requires 7 Amps. You need an outlet with 4 receptacles. Tell us the standard current in your country and we will give you the correct equipment. "

 Heating and AC are going to be interesting to figure out given the two room configuration and small space. 

So how much power and how to do it?

Thinking about the Roof

After seeing this photo I started rethinking the roof a bit.

I have found a good deal on some 10 X 4 sheets of aluminum.  I'm going this route for weight and to keep a little of the "camper look" going.

I'll start getting all the supplies together today and hopeful have all the rafters built.

While looking at other people who have done this type of project I came across a great line.

Read the bottom:

The End Goal

As of right now my main focus is on weather proofing and securing the trailer.

But here is what I'm going for in the long run.
This is to scale.

The back area will be used to access the tank pumps, filters, ect.  

It will also be used for for storage with a possible small workbench on the back end.

This will also be where the water and power controls are accessed - on the wall opposite the door.

The key for now are finding good doors and putting a new roof on.

How to get rid of that "old trailer" smell

You take the top off.

But the trusses are ready to go.

Down to the Frame

So I took all the inside paneling off to see what I'm working with.

Here's a view of the front:

And a view of the back:

My main goal now is to get the trailer weather proof and secure. 

I'll start with the roof and then take care of the plumbing lines.

Thanks Mom & Dad

My parents are so happy that I started this project that they bought me a much needed new tool box.

p.s. - you each owe me $20

I had to do a Lowe's run and grabbed some garbage bags, masks (for insulation), and a plastic cover for the top - total cost $30.

Starting Plumbling and Electric

I would like to have the shower functioning, but not until closer to the end of the project. But because I do want to use it I have to figure out what I need to keep.

So this is what I have for my plumbing system here at the start.

And the exterior holding tanks.

The power will be interesting given the fact I'll build the system to be plugged in all the time - so no batteries or generators.

Here is the current electrical system.

Gutted

So I did the basic gutting of the trailer today. Me, three dogs, and bottle of cheap wine, a saw-all, and a hammer. This is what the inside of a trailer looks like laying on the ground.

A look at the front end.

And a look at the back end.

The next step is not going to be very fun. I need to remove all the panels and insulation. I see a few areas where I'm going to need to replace some wood. Prepare the hazmat suit!

The Trailer

So I have purchased a trailer to start my project. This sweet rustic beauty is a 1977 Coach Model-509. Interior dementions are 20'5" x 7'4". The cost was $250 delivered!

In the front section there was thew dinning area, which turned into bunk beds. They threw in the extra tank for free, can you believe that.

Looking down the back of the trailer.

On the left is the frig and a desk area.

On the right is the kitchen and bed area.

And the bathroom with shower in the very back.

The roof is in decent shape.

Not bad for the price, now the labor kicks in. I have to get the trailer sealed up and water tight as soon as possible.

And so it begins

This blog will record my adventure of turning an old trailer into a shed to house a sensory deprivation tank. Don't ask why, because I don't have an answer for you.

It all started after I first tried a tank down in LA. After the first session I was so amazed that I had to try it again. I have now floated an additional four times at different tank location on the west cost (all locations come very highly recommend):

• Float Labs in LA
• Float On in Portland
• Samadhi Tank Co in Nevada City, CA

What amazes me about floating in a tank:

• The environment is like no other place on the planet.
• The Epson Salt seems to strip away the stress from my muscles and it feels like you have just gotten a message when you get out.
• The lack of any inputs seems to "reboot" your brain in someway.
• With this "reboot", your thinking becomes extremely clear and simple (for about 10 hours).

In a way you could call this a "do not give a f@&* box", because that how you feel when you get out. With that said I have been trying to find a way to be able to float more often. The problem is their is not a float tank in Salt Lake. So, I have decided to attempt to build one.

So why build it in a trailer? Due to my current vagabond lifestyle my house is to small and temporary. So a movable exterior building seems to be the best call.

Another key reason for the exterior structure is the great experience I had at Samadhi. When setting up the appointment I was a bit concerned with the fact the tank was at a private residence. "Was it going to be too weird doing this in someone else's house?" Lee put all these concerns to rest the second I arrived. The tank was located in it's own little building, giving you a sense of privacy during the float. I loved this aspect of the experience. Plus she let my dogs hang out while I was in the tank!

And so begins my journey .........