Please look at my camp concept

[Josh-n-Cody]

Please look at our camp setup and let us know what you think!



We are using a 1600 pound generator platform as the basis for our camp setup. we will use 3/8 inch plywood for the front back and side. U-bolts to the steel uprights will hold the plywood on, and 9 inch spike will be driven thru holes in the bottom of the skirts to hold them on the ground.



the tarp canopy is 10 OZ cotton duck canvas, held tight thru grommets attached to the plywood sides. Tie downs will be sew into the tarp on the "underside" and tied to the ribs.

The red shade structure would use 2 foot long rebar driven into the ground, attached to the bottoms of the pole. At the top, the 70% red shadecloth would be attaced to a bolt (thru the grommets) with a washer and nut on top on each upright. Cables will guy the pole in two directions, staked to rebar in the ground.

Any thoughts?

[Josh-n-Cody]

[Josh-n-Cody]

if you look in the diagram for setup, you will see that the side panels have a cutout in the to show the wheels underneath the trailer for a "Circus Wagon" look.

Will the wind blow thru and tear them off? or should we "Paint on" the image of the wheel to the solid playwood sheet?

[TomServo]

For stakes, I'd go deeper than 9"...mabee foot and a half.. Not familiar with canvas, but I reinforce each grommet with duct tape. Havent lost one yet! I think the heavier winds come from the north..ish.. look at gerlach, turn around and thats the direction. place your camp accordingly. Your trailer looks heavy enough an anchor, so tie all the light shit..to it. Bring extra rope, stakes and duct tape. Looks solid though! Happy BURN!

[Josh-n-Cody]

For stakes, I'd go deeper than 9"...mabee foot and a half.. Not familiar with canvas, but I reinforce each grommet with duct tape. Havent lost one yet! I think the heavier winds come from the north..ish.. look at gerlach, turn around and thats the direction. place your camp accordingly. Your trailer looks heavy enough an anchor, so tie all the light shit..to it. Bring extra rope, stakes and duct tape. Looks solid though! Happy BURN!

From what i've read other places Tom, if the "open" sides are to the north... the wind would mostly "blow thru" the canopy... do you thing it would flap so much as to tear it apart?

[TomServo]

I think it would weaken the anchors. I think its best to have a solid wind block..ie..your trailer against the wind. I don't see it going anywhere. The winds can get down right mean. I'd try to block them, than ride with them. Your Trailer, is the ..should be the anchor for your camp. Although..it looks simple enough to break down, if you need to move. My advice is let your trailer be the wind block.

[TomServo]

the steep angle side of your tarp....not the open area, I think should point to the heaviest wind

[trilobyte]

Um...

I think Google Sketchup is cool.... and 9" spikes are too short.

Trilo

[Josh-n-Cody]

Tril... what do you think about the wind direction? go with the flow, or... trailer side (steep side of shade cloth) to the wind....

[Token]

I would add more canvas. Take the canvas all the way to the ground and nail it into the playa through a 2x4 or somesuch. Both sides.

The shade area is rather minimal. I'd increase it.

I'd also put in a couple A frames instead of the tensioned poles and hang a hammock.

The strongest wind ever will always blow from the worst possible direction. If your design requires favorable wind direction, its not a good design.

Use longer rebar stakes. Make sure you are at least 18" deep, if not 2'. Canvas is what a sail is made from. You just created an airfoil.

I would park facing north-ish, such that one side of the canvas meets the ground at sunrise, and the other side hits the ground at sunset directions.

[gyre]

Build as if you were in Nashville and a storm was on its way in, as you were setting up camp.

1600 pounds? Really?

[thirt33n]

I'd try something a little looser fitting. maybe a loincloth and a linen blend over shirt. a wide brimmed hat.....

other than that i think you're over thinking.

it's all important and these guys are tellin' you wussup, but you seem smart enough to be able to figure it out without us.

your design "looks" great to me though.

I've had excellent luck putting my biggest windblock(rv/van/skirted with plywood) against the east. who knows? works for me. It's the odd wind direction that fucks with everyone. we were hosting windless parties when everyone had to abandon their camps. tits

[Josh-n-Cody]

here you can see the proposed modifications to the shade structure. Shade Cloth taken to ground, supported with rebar staked 2x4.

expanded shade for sun.

Remember the shade cloth is not a solid material to the wind. it should blow thru with MUCH less wind resistance than a regular tarp.



this shows the setup.... the existing shade cloth is "translucent" so we can see the mods





Also... what kind if winds speeds are "typical" 20 mph with gusts to 30-40? not counting the epic 70 MPH windstorms....

[Josh-n-Cody]

I'd try something a little looser fitting. maybe a loincloth and a linen blend over shirt. a wide brimmed hat.....

GREAT advice on the clothing.. you will notice a bit more "sensible" dressing... working on finding the perfect loincloth......

[Josh-n-Cody]

Build as if you were in Nashville and a storm was on its way in, as you were setting up camp.

1600 pounds? Really?

YES! good old american military steel!

[gyre]

I think it would be cheaper to pick up a lighter trailer and spend less on gas.
5000 miles remember?
It probably has a very stiff suspension too, unless you have modified it.

Have you checked out Lane Motor Museum?
They have some big military stuff among the Tatras.

[Josh-n-Cody]

I think it would be cheaper to pick up a lighter trailer and spend less on gas.
5000 miles remember?
It probably has a very stiff suspension too, unless you have modified it.

Have you checked out Lane Motor Museum?
They have some big military stuff among the Tatras.

We already own the military trailer and if we bought a new one.... thats another 750.00

fuel difference should be about 250.oo we did the math.

[gyre]

That's a third of the weight of my travel trailer.
Seems like a lot.
I have a small trailer I built that two people can pick up.
Independent suspension too.

Extra wear on your tow vehicle to consider too.

[Bob]

I'd stake the trailer to the ground, otherwise looks okay. Bring extra rope & stakes.

[Courtesy Flush]

It looks like the sides of the camper go all the way to the ground. I hope that's not how you build it, because you won't be able to tow it anywhere except very flat level ground, and with difficulty. You need some ground clearance.

[Bob]

Actually, as any truck driver would happily tell you, the coolest spot is going to be under the trailer.

A fifth of whiskey, a fat trailer, and the world is your bitch!

[StevenGoodman]

The normal wind at BM comes from the SSW (Gerlach). Which is why the dust from the entry road blows into BRC! That wind can be very strong.

The strongest wind and dustiest often comes when the wind shifts, and it comes from the NNE. The wind gets 25+ miles of playa to pick up dust and blow it through BRC.

Whatever you do, you want good stakes. 2 foot rebar in a "candy cane" or "L" works well, but there are many other alternatives that work.

Martini Steve

[thirt33n]

....your shade cloth appears to be securely fastened to the ground. no matter how penetrable "blow through" your cloth is, I'd say make it quick release on the north floor. When the wind comes from the south there will be a lot of pressure on your structure if there is no ability to release for blow through.

*******also keep in mind that when the wind does come from the 'wrong' direction, you will most likely be on the other side of town enjoying a frozen margarita and have know idea of the terror going on at your camp.

[phil]

Hi, JnC,

It looks good to me. If I read your description correctly, the 9-inch spikes are for the plywood sides on the trailer? I would be worried about them being too short. The wind _will_ exceed 20 or 25 mph. There will be gusts in the 30s, 40s, probably the 50s, and maybe the 60s. There may even be sustained winds over 50MPH for some periods. You can bank on high winds.

I think Bob is right on his suggestions: stake the trailer, bring extra fabric, rope, and stakes. And thirt33n is right - all those strong winds will come when you're over at frozenmargaritaville, and your plywood and shade poles will be destroying somebody's tent and windshield and banging the crap out of their hood. See
http://civex.smugmug.com/gallery/1871245_4Zrsc
for photos of shade structure damage to a car and truck. (Since we've all got goggles, there's no real problem - just kick the rest of the windshield out, put on the goggles, and drive home - right?)

[Josh-n-Cody]

It looks like the sides of the camper go all the way to the ground. I hope that's not how you build it, because you won't be able to tow it anywhere except very flat level ground, and with difficulty. You need some ground clearance.

ABSOLUTELY! What you are viewing is how we will set up at BM.

The travel mode will have all the panels lashed on top of the wheel wells, and our equipment stored underneath for the drive to BM.

[Token]

Since you have a trailer, why reinvent the wheel?

Get a Costco carport or two and be done with it. Playa proven.

[gyre]

So, have you checked out the Lane Museum yet?

[TomServo]

Carports are great, but its all in how you secure it. In 2005, a carport came flying through the air, and landed on our DJ and camp leader's car. The owners were using 9 inch rebar stakes. If you want to buy a carport. Half the fun, for me is designing my shade structure. You tend to learn more that way.

[EB]

I'm with Token, no sense in reinventing the wheel.

Two costco's rebar'd down at each leg and you'll be fine.

If you don't like the way they look, cover it with some camo netting or stitch some bedsheets together and tie-dye them.

2 10'x20' carports will give you over 400 sqft of shade after about an hour's time (2 people working together.)

[gyre]

They require a very expensive card here to buy anything at cosco.
I have never found it worth it.
And they put the cosco miles out of town too.
Seems like a scam to pay someone to let me maybe buy something from them.
Nice if you can con people into it, I guess.