Perfect for the 'Makerspace Moving store/learning center' (once it's fixed up?)

[David Piercey]

I just saw this ad on usedvic - anyone need a free 25 ft. trailer?

http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/free-25-ft-fifth-wheel_18520285 

[Randall Wright]

That would be good for a mobile maker space! Park it at down town events and at fairs etc...

[David Piercey]

It's....free. :D  Anyone have a vehicle to pick it up? Place to store it? 

I need an 8-12 foot one, not a 25 for my pseudo-teardrop down the road.  

[David Piercey]

I hope it turns out as glorious as Homer's ( http://michaelmusgrove.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/HomerMobile.png?84cd58 )

[Randall Wright]

I called the fellow - He is in Cowichan Bay. He has had a million calls about it and I made a bit of a plea for it and he really likes the idea of where it would go and what it would be used for. It is not is terrible shape as there are people living it it but it would make a better workshop. There are no papers for it, we would need to register it as a U-Build - he said to confirm this with ICBC because he knows this is the case with smaller trailers but he doesn't know about 5th wheels. The trailer needs to be out of there on Dec 18th.

If we did get it, we could paint it to look all Maker spaced out... I have airbrushes that we can all use... we can solar it all out... setup cnc, 3D printer, laser cutter, a whole bunch of stuff. A mobile learning center!!!  We could go to schools, rec centers, other maker spaces like Vancouver, etc... so on....

We would need a place to store it... should not be too hard... I had places in Vancouver that stored stuff like this for stupid cheap. Just need to look. Someones house or a bit more space or? would be better and more accessible.

[Randall Wright]

Oh, sorry... if this is a go, he wants a few of us to come take a look within the next few days. I will go as well if needed or wanted.

[Richard Lewis]

Is it possible to store at the makerspace in the field, close to the fence? Derek, how much would the landlord charge for that?

[David Piercey]

[DrElektron]

have a look at it.. keep in mind, if its like ANY other beat up trailer ive seen, at a minimum lights, brakes and bearing. sometimes it needs springs, depends on abuse.

look at the axles check for bends.  make sure the tongue hasn't rusted through, or where the tongue bar connects to trailer frame. These are big stress points, and if the trailer is going to crack, it'll crack there. 

 

 just things to look for. or if you want company give me a jingle, I'll ride along and have a look.

V

[Randall Wright]

Well, sounds like we need an inspector... I was hoping you would offer.

[Derek Jacoby]

Talked to Gord about this today. We didn't talk price, but he said it
is possible. He charges $900 a year for the covered parking spaces (of
which there are none available, currently), so I suspect he'd let us
put it out there uncovered for a few hundred a year.

I'm still not completely convinced we should do this, btw. I'm worried
about the amount of resources it would take (time and money) to
restore and make use of the trailer space. I'm really slammed this
week and saying "no" to anything I can just to keep my plate clear,
though, so take my cynicism with a grain of salt. (not that this is
within my purview to say "no" of course! That extends only to my
personal time and money involvement in the project. I'd urge some
caution in jumping into it, though. I see comparable trailers in the
free section from time to time and they don't move too fast...)

--Derek

[Randall Wright]

In that case we could wait until we can find something that would not need a whole lot of work and even pay for it. I can't see them being too much $$ as Derek said there are a ton of them around for free.This one does not have papers as well so it may be a problem and could cost us some $$ so we may as well buy a trailer with papers if it costs us close to the same as getting papers with a free trailer. If we are going to look for something like this, maybe we should look for something other than a 5th wheel as well. (Thoughts)??

[DrElektron]

5th wheel is nice if your hauling highway or big loads, it allows you to put more weight on the front, giving the trailer better tracking. and big loads, it distributes it a little better. 

what is the intention for the trailer? long haul? if not we should just use a normal T or A frame depending on weight. Trailer frames are not much to them. running gear you can get cheaper than fixing an old one. its whats from the deck up that costs you. 

so the purpose is (A) storage? or (B) portable containment/organization of a subset of tools along a theme or set of themes?

if B then we need to define that subset so we can determine loads, balance, stability etc. From there we can develop the boundary conditions for our design.. allowing us to create a plan, that includes costing and make a proper presentation. I have a few ways we might spin this for funding. 

V

[David Piercey]

I think what's great here is that it's got everyone thinking about growth, new ways to do thing, and of course something to make/build/do.  Another freebie or cheap option will come along, I'm sure - or, as suggested, one could be build from scratch to exactly match needs.  Let's not forget to add growbeds on top and a fishtank so that it's also a portable aquaponics demo ;)

[Randall Wright]

Does everyone agree? Should I call the guy back and tell him that we will not be taking a look at it?

[DrElektron]

well for my .02, id rather build new. that way you get what you need, and you know going in what you are going to pay, rather than chasing gremlins in old equipment on a new design. .

v

[David Piercey]

Besides, this may make a better starting point:  http://www.usedvictoria.com/classified-ad/26--T-Ford_18327875

;)