kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Stars,
Through the side door, you can see the window that I've cut in, and the forward end of the trailer that gave me 22" depth to the forward jam of the side door. That was exactly the dimension required for the depth of the tool case, micro-wave and reefer. See how flush they sit? Tom and Beth (above) expressed concern about balance and you can see that the scope and mount ride off center to the left to counter balance the water tanks, etc.
Forward of the window is a five inch space that holds a folding Astro adjustable chair I fabricated. You can see it in front of the scope and mount in the "encampment photo above.
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
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kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Stars,
Under the window, the MaxMount Tripod is strapped to the wall. (I use adjustable junk yard seat belts at lot-free for the removal). Once the tripod is leveled, the yellow cart with the mount is positioned next to it and hydraulically raised so the mount assy can be slid on to it. I have covered the tripod mounting plate with stainless sheet metal to prevent scratching. There are flush floor rings and both carts are tugged down snug to them by electric winches. One winch is mounted to the floor just inboard of the forward bed leg, and one winch is on the scope lift serving both to lift and tug. Each of these pull the scope/mount back into the trailer and provide controlled descent down the ramp. Here is how the scope rides as seen through the side door.
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
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kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Stars,
In the photo above, you can see the folded trundle table. It is a very simple and reliable concept that is available at IKEA for less than $30 US. But it is also easily fabricated beefily using 4 hinges. Two horizontal hinges at the wall studs at whatever height you want, and two
perpendicular at the studs that hold a swing-away fabricated right angle for the single support. If the angle is pinned with a dowel or nail through the top, it becomes a very strong desk and work surface without trip prone table legs in the way.
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
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stars_in_my_eyes
sage
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 453
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Excellent pictures...it makes understanding the design MUCH easier.
I am VERY impressed as to how much attention to detail you have gone to...it shows how well the van is designed.
Congrats on an excellent design.
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kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Stars,
Well, thanks! It's an evolutionary process. Had I paneled the walls, ceiling, etc., I would have been far more hesitant to rip something out and try something else in the adaptation to different needs and scopes over the years.
Be sure to show us what you've done.
Good Luck!
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
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stars_in_my_eyes
sage
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 453
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Quote:
Stars,
Well, thanks! It's an evolutionary process. Had I paneled the walls, ceiling, etc., I would have been far more hesitant to rip something out and try something else in the adaptation to different needs and scopes over the years.
Be sure to show us what you've done.
Good Luck!
Ken R.
Ah yes...interior wall finishing.
I am planning on insulating and paneling...and your comment brings up a very good point.
Finish the walls and ceiling and then one is hesitate to make mods.
What did you do for the floor?
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kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Nothing, I drilled holes and routed it out to sink in stout flush tie-down rings or vents or hinged openings to feed cabling through.
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
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stars_in_my_eyes
sage
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 453
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Quote:
Nothing, I drilled holes and routed it out to sink in stout flush tie-down rings or vents or hinged openings to feed cabling through.
Ken R.
I am planning on finishing the floor with polyurethane and then laying carpet on top of it in the "living quarters". I consider that this will protect the floor from stains and embedded dirt and the carpet will add to the insulation of the trailer.
I also plan on hanging an insulated wall to separate the "living quarters" from the rear equipment hanger. The wall will likely be a foil backed bubble wrap type partition that can be rolled up to allow full access to the rear compartment.
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kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Stars,
That sounds like a plan for a larger box than the one I'm using. There's something about a window also. Even my dogs wouldn't stay inside until I put a slider in. Cargo trailers seal so well that it gets musty and humid rather quickly just from working inside at a computer. Also, if you use a portable air conditioner/heat pump, you'll need at least a carefully located window or intake vent opening, even for heat (consider the draft it creates). Do not purchase a cargo trailer with a seamed roof. (CarMate uses one piece roofs, for example, but Wells Cargo does not) The Pelonis type units, if you fail to vent, create a vacuum that will pull rain through the seams and even cause the roof to buckle slightly so that rain puddles in the hollows. Mildew and moisture retention with the fabric floors or partitions might be a problem if you're in a climate anything like we have in the mid-Atlantic/East Coast areas. I had made up a screen for the ramp door using supplies from Sailrite (sail track, etc.) but I never use it. I just leave the ramp open weather permitting.
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
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stars_in_my_eyes
sage
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 453
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Quote:
Stars,
That sounds like a plan for a larger box than the one I'm using. There's something about a window also. Even my dogs wouldn't stay inside until I put a slider in. Cargo trailers seal so well that it gets musty and humid rather quickly just from working inside at a computer. Also, if you use a portable air conditioner/heat pump, you'll need at least a carefully located window or intake vent opening, even for heat (consider the draft it creates). Do not purchase a cargo trailer with a seamed roof. (CarMate uses one piece roofs, for example, but Wells Cargo does not) The Pelonis type units, if you fail to vent, create a vacuum that will pull rain through the seams and even cause the roof to buckle slightly so that rain puddles in the hollows. Mildew and moisture retention with the fabric floors or partitions might be a problem if you're in a climate anything like we have in the mid-Atlantic/East Coast areas. I had made up a screen for the ramp door using supplies from Sailrite (sail track, etc.) but I never use it. I just leave the ramp open weather permitting.
Ken R.
Excellent comments.
I have been looking at a 18' Pace American trailer.
http://www.paceamerican.com/trailers/cargosport/
Any opinions on that brand?
Thanks
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kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Stars,
Pace American has real luxury fit out upgrades. Harley Davidson dealers like them. Just remember - seamless roof. If you're not worried about logging roads, switch-backs or parking at home base, bigger, especially in the beam, is better. Go for 6'6" interior height. Tandem axles vastly improve the ride, and come standard with electric or surge brakes. My astro-digs, alas, are modest while you're contemplating a trophy mansion.
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
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stars_in_my_eyes
sage
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 453
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Quote:
Stars,
Pace American has real luxury fit out upgrades. Harley Davidson dealers like them. Just remember - seamless roof. If you're not worried about logging roads, switch-backs or parking at home base, bigger, especially in the beam, is better. Go for 6'6" interior height. Tandem axles vastly improve the ride, and come standard with electric or surge brakes. My astro-digs, alas, are modest while you're contemplating a trophy mansion.
Ken R.
Trophy mansion...LOL....no..I "hope" to achieve what you have done...your setup is 1st class.
I do want my setup to be able to be easily converted back to just cargo hauling since I see that as a continuing need.
The heat pump/AC that you have...how do you like it?
Thanks
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kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Stars, It's okay, but I stay alert for alternatives.
The Pelonis unit requires airflow clearance on three sides and I vent it through a 5" circular marine threaded inspection hatch at the floor with the flex tube. It weighs 70 lbs. Compared to a roof unit (with noise amplified by the sheet aluminum roof) it is extremely quiet in operation. It needs 20 amps to start, then runs at a steady 9 amps. On high heat, with the resistance coils lit, it pulls a steady 15 amps at 120 volts. Except for the bubble-wrap silvered plastic pressed into the ceiling, I have no insulation at all and 250 cubic feet. The Pelonis can keep the interior at 72 degrees through temp ranges of about 40 to 90 degrees. If the outside drops to freezing or below,the Pelonis is shut off, the slider window is closed, and then I use one of those little 5000 btu ceramic heaters (I think it's the same brand). One of the startling side benefits is the copious amounts of water the cooling mode produces when it's warm outside. I don't know if this water is potable, but it's handy for lavation.
I'm beginning to fear that other readers of this thread suspect me over being "over the top" with this set up, but my dark site expeditions are week long excursions from a first class city seeking the sublime experience of a rare clear night of steady seeing in unpolluted skies. Kindly indulge me.
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
Edited by kennyrichmond (08/30/08 08:33 AM)
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Tom and Beth
sage
Reged: 01/08/07
Posts: 434
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Can't speak for other readers, but you are NOT over the top with this idea IMO. While your scope is bigger than what many of us could dream about, the trailer itself with all the improvements minimizes setup, take-down, storage and security in one fell swoop.
Keep writing! At least one reader is taking notes 
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kennyrichmond
sage
Reged: 11/29/06
Posts: 382
Loc: Philadelphia, PA
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Well Tom and Beth, Thanks!
The A/C looks like it'll get a workout at Cherry Springs. I'll be there by 2:00 PM tomorrow through the week for the BFSP. The weather is looking exceptional, although a little warm for Potter County, PA this time of the year. I hope to meet some CN'ers there, stop by n' poke around.
Ken R.
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Irish Setters
Max Mount 20"
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stars_in_my_eyes
sage
Reged: 03/24/08
Posts: 453
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Quote:
Can't speak for other readers, but you are NOT over the top with this idea IMO. While your scope is bigger than what many of us could dream about, the trailer itself with all the improvements minimizes setup, take-down, storage and security in one fell swoop.
Keep writing! At least one reader is taking notes
I second that...I find his setup to be an excellent implementation that others can learn from.
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Tom and Beth
sage
Reged: 01/08/07
Posts: 434
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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I debated whether to add this site to this thread, because...welll....I'm not so much for living like this. HOWEVER,
http://stealthvandweller.blogspot.com/2008/05/stealthy-cargo-trailer.html
I've done the Solar Cells for a few years, basically because there's no NOISE while the batteries recharge all day. To me the best camping is where the only artificial noise is coming from the Telescope drive, An afternoon with a hammock between two big pine trees? Heaven.
Anyway, I did find quite a bit of smart ideas here, so passing them on for that reason only.
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