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Post by kevlar on Sept 12, 2021 15:12:49 GMT -6
No this isn’t spam! lol. I’ve been thinking about building a small cabin and want to make it mobile. Not crazy about the tiny home style, something a little bit bigger but not so big it is too hard to move around. I won’t be travelling around with it, there is just so many nice places on our farm to put a cabin, I can’t just pick one place! Likely only move it every few years kind of thing, unless I find it’s nice and easy to move, then move around a little more. I have several different plans made up, been designing for a few years now. Kind of my biggest problem is coming up with something to build it on that’s strong enough and low enough that hydro lines aren’t an issue. I got thinking yesterday about those old stack movers with a number of rails running front to back with a chain. My dad used a neighbour’s years ago to move the house he bought for a cabin. How well built were they? Would they twist and flex too much for carrying a building? I can’t find any locally doing a quick search, but found some that sold cheap in the states. I imagine there’s probably some kicking around somewhere.
My kids a a little too young to really help with the building of it, but want them to be a part of it, and want to have it soon enough that we get to spend a lot of time together using it before they grow up and life gets in the way. The only real rule I have for this cabin is absolutely no tech. Phones will be shut off and put in a drawer. This is my “get away from the crazy world “ place!
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Post by Albertabuck on Sept 12, 2021 18:58:33 GMT -6
Look into a wellsite unit. Can go either skidded or on wheels. Watch for used, save a lot that way, common at Rightous Brothers in Nisku ect. Most newer ones have built in powerplant, AC, propane pigs, fresh and black water tanks and more. All the comfort of home in a modular home type structure. And good for all kinds of weather and easy to winterize. Some are very high end. Consultants and such become quite fussy in later years lol. There is also outfits making such things out of seacans too. I'll post a link just for sake of being able to see what exactly I am talking about. Usually the larger units are skidded, and are normally between 40 to 70 feet long. I have seen smaller skidded ones. Usually the shorter ones have axles. Avoid an older ones especially on wheels. Most were water/vac truck units and got the shit pounded out of them. Even a smaller skidded unit, while you could drag it anywhere with a large tractor, would require some kind of winch or bed truck to move down the road. For that reason I would suggest a wheeled one if that fits your plans better. Forgot the dam link give you a better link www.nationaltrailer.ca/relocatable.html |
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Post by kevlar on Sept 12, 2021 20:15:32 GMT -6
That’s certainly an option, but I’m thinking a lot more rustic. Don’t need power, might put in basic solar power, it’s come a long way in the last few years. Mostly looking for the experience of building it myself with family and friends, and a few drinks along the way! Me, my brother, and a friend built a fish shack a few years ago, what would have taken any idiot with minimal carpentry skills two days at most to build, took us and a few friends a good two months to accomplish! Usually the thinking lead to drinking, and the drinking lead to more thinking! It’s one seriously over engineered fish shack, but it’s a one of a kind! School bus doors and a shitter that bolts on the front of it! lol I like a challenge, probably why I love farming so much. This is something I want to do with my own hands and look back on later with pride.
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Post by Oatking on Sept 12, 2021 20:32:17 GMT -6
I really like the A frame design and have a fireplace and loft above. I have a friend who owns and helps builds timbre frame houses out of kleefeld, mb. A hot tub would be a must. Wow that would be fun to own one. Have fun planning kevlar.
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Post by bob123 on Sept 12, 2021 22:56:37 GMT -6
How nice are you wanting it to look on the outside? Maybe a van trailer?
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Post by kevlar on Sept 13, 2021 0:03:29 GMT -6
I want something that looks like a cabin, with a loft likely. Big enough to fit 10 people or so for supper and cards, sleep 4-5 comfortably. I'll get some pics for ideas when I have a little more time. Maybe 12-14 feet wide, 18-20 long, maybe longer. I have big plans, but a tiny budget! lol
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Post by Albertabuck on Sept 13, 2021 14:25:01 GMT -6
K, I was thinking you wanted something somewhat mobile...with that said, going with an open type structure like I'm getting the idea of, in my experience, such a building will not lend itself to be moved easily without structural movement. Talk to someone who moves houses, they'll explain it better lol.
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Post by kevlar on Sept 13, 2021 14:55:26 GMT -6
Ya somewhat mobile, but not like it’s moving a hundred miles a year like a camper, just moved around with a tractor, a mile or two tops, except for the move from home to our farm by the valley, about 20 miles away. It will just get left permanently on the trailer, so looking for something fairly solid that won’t twist or flex much. I plan on over building the cabin to withstand being moved. Not being taken off the trailer will help stay stronger. My house was built to be moved, has cross and diagonal braces on all the floor joists and between all the wall studs. It was built in the early 70’s before RTM’s became common.
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Post by cptusa on Sept 13, 2021 20:46:14 GMT -6
I know you said you don't need power but I'd sure consider solar with a battery bank. Friends have a sweet cabin by their pond with solar, sure is nice to have lights, and if you're there multiple days it's good to have a phone charged up for emergency only, fully supporting your electronics ban.
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jaymo
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Post by jaymo on Sept 13, 2021 21:11:45 GMT -6
Compost toilets actually work and don't smell at all. My brother has a compost outhouse at his cabin. Full disclaimer, I was pretty sceptical when he mentioned he was going to install one, but it works great!
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Post by Beerwiser on Sept 13, 2021 23:34:47 GMT -6
Jaymo, post a link please. Kevlar, wire ther sucker like you wire a house, trust me. More to come when I am in a better mood.
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jaymo
Full Member
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Likes: 89
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Post by jaymo on Sept 14, 2021 8:26:06 GMT -6
Jaymo, post a link please. Kevlar, wire ther sucker like you wire a house, trust me. More to come when I am in a better mood. There's a comprehensive breakdown of compost toilets on wikipedia. If you just do a google search there is more info about the subject then you will ever care to look at. The setup my brother has looks like a basic outhouse but instead of just a hole in the ground he uses a 5 gallon pail and uses wood shavings or sawdust. It's very simple and honestly the outhouse smells like wood shavings, that's it. None of that rancid outhouse smell  at all. |
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Post by generalchaos on Sept 15, 2021 19:22:02 GMT -6
Go to candlewoodhomes.ca and scroll down to “Tiny homes”. That might give you some ideas.
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Post by kevlar on Sept 15, 2021 19:39:46 GMT -6
Ya I am pretty sure I have checked out that site, have spent a lot of time looking online for ideas and such, drawn up a few plans. Have a pretty good idea of what I'm wanting.
Going to do some solar power for lights. The reason I don't want full power is after time it will lead to TV or other electronics. If you take away the chance of there being TV etc, it won't become an issue. I want to get away from the modern stuff. I find the more rough it is, the more I enjoy it. Wood heat, but might plumb in propane for a burner for coffee or summer cooking, then when I get older maybe a propane heater for backup. Dad put a propane fireplace in his cabin a few years ago, he really likes it, keeps it warm enough that he doesn't have to get up to put a log on the fire.
Come on! A compost toilette??!! An outhouse without the smell?? That's half the experience!! lol Have a couple ideas for bathrooms.
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Post by bob123 on Sept 15, 2021 22:30:45 GMT -6
If you dont put in propane make sure you have a big firebox. We built an ice fishing shack that sleeps 4 and it starts getting pretty cold in there by 5 or 6 am unless someone wakes up to add wood
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at all. 