Meet "Final Meridian": 7x7x16+2 Cargo Conversion

[stabatha]

Thank you. We're quickly reaching the minimum viability. It isn't pretty, but we want to go take it out for its maiden voyage today to avoid the fireworks. Just a 36-hour run, I think. Getting everything cleaned up and then getting a couple more things it would be nice. Yesterday we did manage to get the air conditioning done and get the toilet just slapped in place. Yes, the brackets are in the wrong position, but it's for deliberate access right now. I'm not sure it's going to live precisely there long term.

If I have time before we bail out of here, I would love to get the refrigerator in too.

But here is the progress as of very late night July 3rd. It's July 4th now, and I'll head out and finish cleaning it out here in a second. The solar isn't in, so we are going to be generator dependent. I need to get that new generator out, oiled, fueled, and broken in for a few hours.

 

[S. Heisley]

Sorry I'm late logging in here, but am caught up now. (Had family problems on the other side of the continent.) You're making good progress! Enjoy your maiden voyage and Happy 4th!

 

[stabatha]

Thank you for the kind words! I took her out for a test run for a few days in the National Forest, which I ultimately got thrown out of, who knew about "demonstration forests", then a couple nights at a Harvest Host. I learned a lot and most importantly got my desk in. Learning to move down to a desk that tiny is going to be a challenge.

But regardless, I was able to get away over the 4th of July and escape the fireworks nonsense.

We'll be heading back up into the Tahoe/ Truckee National Forest tomorrow.

 

[S. Heisley]

Is that a real, live typewriter?! I haven't seen one of those in years! That's a beautiful desk and will be in keeping with your theme. However, it is small and I would suggest you tuck a small fold-down table under your bed or somewhere that you can get at. When you work at your desk, you can set it up on one side and it will give you more work space. Maybe check thrift stores to see if you can find a wooden TV tray or something that you can modify and stain to match your desk. Glad your maiden voyage went well.

 

[stabatha]

Thank you!

It's actually about the world's coolest mechanical keyboard, USB-C, Bluetooth, 2.4Ghz wireless. Even the carriage return and the rollers work! It has a slot in top to accept something like an iPad, although I'm just using it with the laptop mounted under the desk.

I've been thinking about putting fold out wings on the sides of the desk. We'll see how things go. I'm going to have a small server rack. Probably like a 12U under the bed. Electrical will also be under the bed and then on the opposite side will be my closet now. Where I was going to put the carved armoire I've decided that I'm going to put a Soji screen in front of it and put some ugly storage there just because I need a lot more storage. I'm also going to trade my shower for storage too. one of those times I think where I started thinking I should have gotten a 20 foot instead of a 16 foot

Everything is kind of meridian scale, compressed, almost dollhouse.


Thank you for the suggestions and please keep them coming!

 

[S. Heisley]

Fold down side wings is an excellent idea.

 

[stabatha]

I really need to stop running away from the heat and start finishing building the trailer.

 

[stabatha]

So after camping in the sweltering heat, I decided that I needed more insulation. The one inch in the walls without a thermal break was not going to cut it. I took everything out and gutted her again and got another inch in the walls and at the same time two inches in the floor and two inches in the ceiling. So she has two inches of insulation everywhere.

Now doing more trim work. I think that one sheet of discolored wood on the ceiling may drive me bonkers, but we'll see once there's the real lighting actually in place and it's all trimmed out. This pure white lighting is harsh compared to the ultra warm lighting that will be in it.


Alas, the worst-case scenario has come to pass, so my forced exile is a few weeks away.

July 30, 2026 progress:

 

[S. Heisley]

That reads as if you're going to be "hauling butt" on your camper to get as much done as you can before your "exile" Use any personal/sick days you have to work on it, before "exile" so you don't loose them. Looks like you're making good progress.

 

[stabatha]

Unemployed, tough to employ, no more health insurance and rapidly declining health after a serious health event. I don't have to worry about taking days off. I'll be unhoused in about three weeks.

So yeah, in a bit of a hurry.

 

[S. Heisley]

I had written a huge note to you and, somehow I hit the wrong key and the whole thing disappeared. I take that to mean I shouldn't send it. So, I'll just say that I wish you the best and hope all will work out. Sometimes, life throws us for a loop for a reason, maybe to get you to change where you are and what you are doing. Let's hope that's what this is about.

 

[stabatha]

I had written a huge note to you and, somehow I hit the wrong key and the whole thing disappeared. I take that to mean I shouldn't send it. So, I'll just say that I wish you the best and hope all will work out. Sometimes, life throws us for a loop for a reason, maybe to get you to change where you are and what you are doing. Let's hope that's what this is about.

I would have loved to have read what you wrote, but thank you for the thoughts and the kind words.

 

[stabatha]

So there's some more progress now. We're getting to the point of the stuff that I actually enjoy. That said, I am not a finished carpenter, and I don't have time to go back and make this prettier right now, perhaps someday. Sunday August 2nd and we have now crossed a Rubicon. It is time to begin furnishing my little house.

 

[featherliteCT1]

So there's some more progress now. We're getting to the point of the stuff that I actually enjoy. That said, I am not a finished carpenter, and I don't have time to go back and make this prettier right now, perhaps someday. Sunday August 2nd and we have now crossed a Rubicon. It is time to begin furnishing my little house.

Looks good to me!

 

[stabatha]

Aug 9: Now I'm down to just a few weeks before I must move out. There is still so much to do. The punchlist just gets longer.

I'm now rushing to get even the material that I've already purchased into the trailer, so quality is starting to dip, but that'll have to be fixed on the road. I've learned I have to get a black tank system in. That's all I need is one more major project. The trade is that it gives me some place to live for the winter.

The temperature has been psychotic and my body especially just doesn't deal with it anymore. 115°F [46C] is just beyond anything I can take, but I think it's supposed to break the next couple of days, finally, and be under 100 [38C]

 

[stabatha]

Thank you!

 

[stabatha]

Fold down side wings is an excellent idea.

Ultimately, I've gotten one of those garage organizer systems that mounts to the ceiling of a garage, and it hangs down. I'm going to put that underneath the bed and set it for its shortest 11 inches, and that will be the additional computer stuff. Directly underneath it will be the electrical system.

1000 watts of solar panels are on the roof. I just haven't cut the roof for their wiring yet.

 

[featherliteCT1]

Ultimately, I've gotten one of those garage organizer systems that mounts to the ceiling of a garage, and it hangs down. I'm going to put that underneath the bed and set it for its shortest 11 inches, and that will be the additional computer stuff. Directly underneath it will be the electrical system.

1000 watts of solar panels are on the roof. I just haven't cut the roof for their wiring yet.

Looking forward to seeing your electrical system install. Keep up the good work.

 

[S. Heisley]

Aug 9: Now I'm down to just a few weeks before I must move out. There is still so much to do. The punchlist just gets longer.

I'm now rushing to get even the material that I've already purchased into the trailer, so quality is starting to dip, but that'll have to be fixed on the road. I've learned I have to get a black tank system in. That's all I need is one more major project. The trade is that it gives me some place to live for the winter.

The temperature has been psychotic and my body especially just doesn't deal with it anymore. 115°F [46C] is just beyond anything I can take, but I think it's supposed to break the next couple of days, finally, and be under 100 [38C]

Is that vinyl flooring on the wall behind the credenza? If so, that's a clever idea as it looks good and weighs less than real wood. I hope you're enjoying the cooler days now. We're in the 90's for our highs. That should help with your struggle to finish in a couple weeks.