Small Woodland Owners' Group

Living Van

Topics that don't easily fit anywhere else!

Living Van

Postby Bearwood » Sat May 31, 2014 7:08 am

Some of you may remember that I purchased an old hay trailer that had been built on a second world war Brockhouse fuel bowser chassis (some of you probably won't! ), but here's a photo of the blank canvas:
uploadfromtaptalk1401519445055.jpg

Although the trailer has been sat outside for an age becoming, rather fetchingly, part of the undergrowth, my old grey matter has been working overtime on the construction of turning this lump of rust into a space for seasonal work and also a place to have a brew in the dry. In light of this, I wanted to build something akin to a shepherds hut or, possibly more inkeeping with heavy forestry work; a contractors living van, similar to those towed in halcyon days by traction engines.

Armed with five days annual leave, a delivery of timber, some kingspan, breathable membrane and some 'wriggly tin' I set about the build...

I had already set about extending the length of the trailer by approximately four feet (making it a total of 17 feet long) by welding some taper flange channel to the existing chassis at each end. This stuff, although relatively puny in comparison to the main chassis, is solid stuff!
uploadfromtaptalk1401519516857.jpg

Starting from the chassis, I attached twelve cross members of treated 4x4/4x3 to the base by way of bolts through welded and drilled angle.
uploadfromtaptalk1401519551448.jpg

From this point on, things really moved fast, as the base/floor was constructed using a membrane under sheets of OSB3 to sandwich a frame of 2"x2" with an infil of Kingspan insulation.
uploadfromtaptalk1401519744098.jpg

uploadfromtaptalk1401519698830.jpg

At the rear end of the base I attached a few lengths of decking for a bit of a porch/veranda area, which you'll clearly be able to see later on.

The following day was occupied by getting the base into its new location within a clearing we've been using to process wood etc. On the way in, the trailer had a minor disagreement with a Scots Pine on a corner, which had to come down (the stump still needs tidying up). This resulted in one of the cross members snapping, but it was swiftly replaced by unbolt ing and unscrewing it from the base and sliding a new one in.
Last edited by Bearwood on Sun Jun 08, 2014 6:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bearwood
 
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:04 pm

Re: Living Van

Postby Wendelspanswick » Sat May 31, 2014 7:15 am

Looking good, how wide will it be?
Wendelspanswick
 
Posts: 351
Joined: Tue Oct 22, 2013 10:03 am
Location: Somerset

Re: Living Van

Postby Bearwood » Sat May 31, 2014 7:17 am

Currently it's us over 7 ft wide by 17ft long. More pics to follow if I can figure out how to put the photos into the text as opposed to at the end!
Bearwood
 
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:04 pm

Re: Living Van

Postby Bearwood » Sat May 31, 2014 7:22 am

Once in position, the structure was started using 3"x2" with Kingspan insulation infil as used for the floor. The beams were added once the walls were up, and were cut from 12"x2" with a circular saw (it was nearly glowing when I'd finished).
uploadfromtaptalk1401520739269.jpg

uploadfromtaptalk1401520839567.jpg

The frame was basic in terms of construction; just CLS 3"x2" set to accommodate the insulation sheets that measured 18" by 4'. It really is surprising how fast the frame goes up once the cutting has been done, and the rain holds off
uploadfromtaptalk1401520797947.jpg
Last edited by Bearwood on Sun Jun 08, 2014 6:53 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bearwood
 
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:04 pm

Re: Living Van

Postby Bearwood » Sat May 31, 2014 7:26 am

As mentioned already, Kingspan insulation board was my choice for two reasons, firstly I got it at a bargain price, and secondly because it requires minimum space compared to fibreglass or Rockwool type insulation.

Each one of the boards was pushed into place, often requiring a little more 'persuasion' with a fist or palm to get them into their final position. I was impressed by how rigid the structure became once these were added.
uploadfromtaptalk1401521199528.jpg
Last edited by Bearwood on Sun Jun 08, 2014 6:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bearwood
 
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:04 pm

Re: Living Van

Postby Meadowcopse » Sat May 31, 2014 8:42 am

Here's one I prepared earlier (also a Brockhouse trailer, with an insulated army stores box on top).

(I think you got the better deal on steering - Ackerman steering is a pain)
Attachments
caravan.jpg
Brockhouse trailer
Meadowcopse
 
Posts: 207
Joined: Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:13 am
Location: Cheshire

Re: Living Van

Postby Dexter's Shed » Sat May 31, 2014 9:50 am

looking great, can't wait to see the next stage
Dexter's Shed
 
Posts: 748
Joined: Thu Aug 15, 2013 5:29 pm
Location: essex and kent

Re: Living Van

Postby Bearwood » Sat May 31, 2014 12:38 pm

I very nearly purchased one of those before I set about this one Meadowcopse. It was cheaper than the timber cost of this build alone!
Bearwood
 
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:04 pm

Re: Living Van

Postby Bearwood » Sat May 31, 2014 9:18 pm

After the frame had been erected (much quicker than expected given the weather) the inner roof was added by laying 6mm ply over the beams to provide some structural support.
[attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1401570831827.jpg[/attachment]

The outer skin of the hut was comprised of 9mm exterior plywood nailed into place and battened on all four edges.
You can also see the salvaged stained glass window that we picked up for a few quid; it sheds a stunning light in the late afternoon in the current position.
[attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1401570878548.jpg[/attachment]

Once I'd got this far, I was concerned about making the whole thing weatherproof, so I hastily attached the longitudinal roof joists and added 4" rockwool between them.

[attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1401570990913.jpg[/attachment]

Shortly followed by the knackering job of adding the wriggly tin over a layer of breathable membrane.

[attachment=-1]uploadfromtaptalk1401571086237.jpg[/attachment]
Attachments
uploadfromtaptalk1401571086237.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1401570990913.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1401570878548.jpg
uploadfromtaptalk1401570831827.jpg
Last edited by Bearwood on Mon Jun 02, 2014 6:56 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Bearwood
 
Posts: 161
Joined: Sun Aug 19, 2012 7:04 pm

Re: Living Van

Postby Rankinswood » Sun Jun 01, 2014 6:30 am

Hi,

I am loving this post and am amazed at the rate of progress. I think that you might well have a business idea here with lots of woodland customers ready and willing to join the trailer club.

Rankinswood
Rankinswood
 
Posts: 79
Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2013 9:14 am

Next

Return to General

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest