6x14 Build Log

[tylerjd]

Have been traveling for a week, now I'm back for a week, then another week away.

I got the composting toilet 90% built yesterday.


Rubber seal around the top to keep it airtight.


Latches to keep the top snug against the seal.


Had to chisel out grooves for the toilet seat hinge, then once it was flush screwed it down.


Had to special order this thing from the UK, couldn't find it anywhere else.


The urine diverter is on a runner so you can slide it forward and back a bit.

I need to add the vent fan, seals to the top lid (on the way, I didn't have any tall enough on hand), an actual bottom, and then whatever I decide the finish will be.

I have some ideas for both modification and for finishing. Seems it would be nice to cut the corners off the front end and have the box angle in. Also I'm thinking about finishing with Aluminum to make it easier to keep clean. We'll see how much gets done now and how much is saved for "future improvements"...

[fourbtgait]

Very nice.
We simply use a luggable loo, but I do need to build a base for it.
Yours gives me some ideas.

[tylerjd]

Very nice.
We simply use a luggable loo, but I do need to build a base for it.
Yours gives me some ideas.

Thanks mate. It's too bad that 5 gallons is really too small for "true" composting to occur before it fills, so when we're going full-time it'll be the old bury it in the woods in a deep hole, or bag and dumpster, routine. I'd like to figure out a system where I can have a larger, separate composting bin, so we can get real composting to take place before dumping it. That'll be a later endeavor though.

Yesterday I finished the wall cavity insulation:


Next up is putting the original plywood back on, then furring strips offset from the studs, more insulation, and paneling. Aiming to get that all done be the end of the week.

Also I determined that the problem with my trailer lighting was in fact the old corroded plugs. I snipped 'em, twisted the wires together, and the trailer lights came right on.

[tylerjd]

Was in the Canadian Rockies all last week, riding bikes along the Icefields Parkway with the girlfriend's family. Really want to make it back sometime with the trailer (and my mountain bike!).

Got the rest of the original plywood on, and started tacking the inner insulation and paneling on. I'm using 2" scews every 6" on 16" center to sandwich the panel and insulation onto the original plywood walls. It feels real sturdy, with minimal "warping" or curving of the panel. Good enough for me, anyway.


Original plywood going back on.


Tacked up the insulation with a couple short screws.


Sandwiched on.

Also got my trailer plug "installed" on my truck:

Overcranked the nut and bent the bottom angle a bit. Told you I'm a rookie with metal. :-/

I also did wind up ordering a straight axle (and brakes), which I'll be picking up tomorrow. Also tomorrow my ladder racks arrive. And Tuesday I pick up my floor. Should be a fun week!

[tylerjd]

I finished the interior walls:


And swapped my old drop axle with a straight axle, with electric brakes:

Old axle:


New Axle:


New ride height:


What else:
I picked up my floor, 3/4" beetle-killed pine tongue and groove. No idea if putting a real wood floor in a trailer is dumber than my usual, but I'm going to give it a go. I'm thinking of nailing/screwing it in vs. glueing...
Went on a caulking frenzy, made sure to seal up the subfloor/frame crack all the way around, as well as my fenders, the door, anything else I could find.
Got my ladder racks for the solar panels and other bolt-on roof equipment, which I'm going to install soon.
I swapped out my taillights with some nice LEDs. Real simple swapout, the plugs were universal and everything.

[RandomAbstract]

I like what you are doing.

[fourbtgait]

What did your axle run you?
How much did it raise it?

[tylerjd]

What did your axle run you?
How much did it raise it?

Axle beam: $103
Labor to weld on my spring mounts: $32
Backing plate assembly: $87
Hub/drum $129

$400 out the door.

I actually haven't measured it, will do that tomorrow. Just visually, I think the height is perfect for what I want.

We're moving out in 2 weeks, going houseless again, so I'll get an opportunity to test the trailer brakes and feel it loaded since I'll be using it to move all our stuff into storage. (Moving all our stuff into storage and hitting the road is a repetitive theme in our lives...)

I got the brakes wired up to the plug today, will wire up the truck and see if I can get the brake controller (Tekonsha P3) working tomorrow.

[tylerjd]

What did your axle run you?
How much did it raise it?

4". My axle is now 12" off the deck (was 8"), frame is now 17" (was 12"). Not sure how I got an extra inch out of the frame...

[fourbtgait]

Nice, not a bad price complete.

[tylerjd]

Okay, I got the trailer brakes all wired up, and the truck all wired up with the Tekonsha P3 controller all in place. I also wired up my truck and switch to be able to toggle between my truck cam (sitting right over the ball hitch) and my trailer cam (yet to be mounted, but I'm thinking up high at the rear of the trailer).

It was a 3 beer job, so I'll wait to test the brakes on the road for tomorrow. At the moment, when I hit the button on the controller, I can hear "something" happening back there, so I did something right.

I also couldn't stand the slapdash chassis grounding of all the "stuff" I have going on at the back of my truck (two cams, taillights, trailer plug ground, etc), so I ran a 10awg wire from my battery terminal to a marine grade bus bar back there and grounded everything to that. What do you know, my backup cam doesn't flicker when I have my turn signals on anymore...

[m.colley]

Okay, I got the trailer brakes all wired up, and the truck all wired up with the Tekonsha P3 controller all in place. I also wired up my truck and switch to be able to toggle between my truck cam (sitting right over the ball hitch) and my trailer cam (yet to be mounted, but I'm thinking up high at the rear of the trailer).

It was a 3 beer job, so I'll wait to test the brakes on the road for tomorrow. At the moment, when I hit the button on the controller, I can hear "something" happening back there, so I did something right.

I also couldn't stand the slapdash chassis grounding of all the "stuff" I have going on at the back of my truck (two cams, taillights, trailer plug ground, etc), so I ran a 10awg wire from my battery terminal to a marine grade bus bar back there and grounded everything to that. What do you know, my backup cam doesn't flicker when I have my turn signals on anymore...

Yup, those questionable "chassis grounds" will cause all kind of problems, even worse when they start corroding. I had a similar issue on a utility trailer. Like you I ended up running separate grounds to each light and then grounded straight from the battery = problem solved.


Martin

[McDave]

4". My axle is now 12" off the deck (was 8"), frame is now 17" (was 12"). Not sure how I got an extra inch out of the frame...

Spring mount?

McDave

PS. you're doin' some good work there. Keep that stuff up. You might get some funny looks when you drive through Espanola, unless you are parked at Sinners & Saints, anything goes there..

[tylerjd]

PS. you're doin' some good work there. Keep that stuff up. You might get some funny looks when you drive through Espanola, unless you are parked at Sinners & Saints, anything goes there..

Thank you! Ha I still need to get up there and check that out.

Yup, those questionable "chassis grounds" will cause all kind of problems, even worse when they start corroding. I had a similar issue on a utility trailer. Like you I ended up running separate grounds to each light and then grounded straight from the battery = problem solved.
Martin

Cheers to that. Here's a shot of what I did at the rear:



And shots of my controller mount and cam/switch situation:




2000 Tacomas don't have any factory towing setup, so I had to dig all the wires out myself and install a circuit breaker etc. I feel like I'm starting to get the hang of auto electrical systems -- I've learned a ton in the past few days. (Easy to do when you start from zero!)

[tylerjd]

I have a question for anyone with experience on vent placement: I have a fantastic fan sitting in a box waiting to be installed. My thought was to install it directly over the toilet room in the front/left corner of my trailer, and to have some vent/grille in the wall or door between the main space and the toilet cubby so air can flow in. I'm thinking this might be a poor choice, as it might would reduce the airflow felt through the main space. It might be a better idea to put that vent in just outside the toilet room; this would maximize felt airflow through the main space, but also be close enough to the toilet that it'd do a decent enough job of sucking fumes up and out when that room is being stress tested. (you know what I mean).

I will have at minimum an operable window closer to the rear of the trailer, so the fan has something to pull through.

Also, I've read about the strategy of putting one fantastic fan fore, and one aft, and have one suck and one blow. I assume that this is total overkill for a 12' long trailer, but would love to hear corroboration for that theory.

Thoughts?

Original Idea:


Alternative: