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Shipping Container Cabin (Photos Inside)

26,297 Views | 72 Replies | Last: 5 yr ago by nonameag99
RogueAg
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AG
Couple of things... one simple question and another ridiculous perhaps...

First... you have a window unit for cooling.... is there a need for makeup air? I realize those things don't push much air... but then again, it's not a big space either. Wasn't sure if you considered, or if there's even a need for a vent of somesort for makeup air. Didn't see it mentioned.

Second... and I see this was brought up already.... what if someone closes the exterior doors with you inside? You mentioned you lock the mechanism in the open position which is very smart. It's wildly unlikely of course, especially with that precaution... but I guess I'd be a bit nervous about the possibility of some idiot doing such a thing. I guess you could always go out the port for the window unit by knocking it out? Otherwise you're literally trapped in a metal box with no way out.
Todd 02
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AG
I think we're in and out of the door enough to get fresh air inside. Plus I foresee having the door open and the storm door window open many nights to enjoy the fresh air.

One reason I like having the A/C unit in the exterior wall is so that I can kick it out if someone does happen to lock me in. The thing about getting locked in, though, is that it's pretty murderous. If somebody wants to kill me, they'll do it. That's just one of the many ways.
schmellba99
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AG
You could build, rather easily, a framework that would span the middle of the containers and use the corners and walls for support that would hold a tank and solar heater.

And the way I'm reading the rules, you have a single family dwelling that happens to have 3 rooms. A DIY septic seems to fall right within the guidelines.

Besides, this is way out on your land, right? Who has to know its even there? Right now you **** in a hole in the ground (essentially a cesspool) as it is.
EFE
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A motivated and prepared theif will find a way in. Not sure there's much you can do about that unfortunately. We've got cows at the ranch that get checked on at least weekly, plus all the oil field traffic in and out, so it's not a likely target for a prepared guy. Too many eyes around. It's more to keep a foreign exchange student following the rig/well pad lights from Laredo to San Antonio from smashing into the cabin looking for a more comfortable spot to nap instead of a deer blind.
Todd 02
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Storm door, flooring, and beds installed this weekend...



schmellba99
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dman2217
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http://www.kbtx.com/content/news/Bryan-man-allegedly-breaks-into-house-by-removing-AC-unit-390933231.html
Todd 02
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Progress on these cabins took a nosedive with hunting season. I had the opportunity to spend quite a few nights in them and have adapted my plans to accomplish something a little bit different.

First of all, when it's above 50*, we learned that supplemental heat isn't really necessary. The wife, two kids, and I fell asleep with the little electric heater going one night and managed to get it to an uncomfortable 85* inside. We also learned that when it gets down to 7*, the same little electric heater will barely keep up. The top bunk stays warm but the bottom bunk, near the uninsulated floor, is a little on the cold side. Lessons: Insulation on the floor would be superb. Use a heater with a thermostat.

We also concluded that we need a "lodge" instead of three identical mini cabins. I've adopted a plan for the third container to look like such:


It's supposed to be cold and rainy this weekend, so I'm still a few weeks away from getting back in to trim Cabin 1, finish Cabin 2, and start the Lodge.

***ETA: I know, I know. A TV at the farm... We've got a spare and I like college football in the afternoons and evenings.***
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Sean98
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You must be a Clemson or Bama fan. I can't understand how any Aggie could find college football enjoyable.
AgLA06
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Sean98 said:

You must be a Clemson or Bama fan. I can't understand how any Aggie could find college football enjoyable.


You do realize there's almost 130 other teams that play any given Saturday and many of those games are quite good.
Sean98
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I do. I also know Todd02 personally and watched the Ags sheet the bed in the Bowl with him just a few weeks ago. It was more a continuation of our discussion from then than it was anything else.
CanyonAg77
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Wanted to dogpile on. I've got a couple for tool and seed storage. We had a garden nest to them a couple of times and were putting water containers on top. You have to be careful, because as said above, only the corners are reinforced to take weight. I eventually built a water tower out of angle iron. It seems pretty sturdy, but when I do the math, it becomes clear that I have the equivalent of a car up above my head.

I think they could make good cabins, but they would suck for long-term living. No windows and 8 feet wide. Anything you do to overcome these limitations compromises the structural, security and critter-proofing that makes them attractive in the first place.
Todd 02
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Sean98 said:

You must be a Clemson or Bama fan. I can't understand how any Aggie could find college football enjoyable.


Well...I didn't want to admit to binge watching Benny Spies, Jim Shockey, and Gettin' Close.
2ndChanceAg96
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Todd 02 said:



How did you mount the top bunk?
Todd 02
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Two 5/16" x 4" lag screws through the 2" x 6" frame and into the wall studs on three sides. Seven studs total, IIRC. Plus I cut the lumber a little long to make it fit tight. The frame fit tight enough that there was enough friction to hold it in place whilst I drilled pilot holes.
schmellba99
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CanyonAg77 said:

Wanted to dogpile on. I've got a couple for tool and seed storage. We had a garden nest to them a couple of times and were putting water containers on top. You have to be careful, because as said above, only the corners are reinforced to take weight. I eventually built a water tower out of angle iron. It seems pretty sturdy, but when I do the math, it becomes clear that I have the equivalent of a car up above my head.

I think they could make good cabins, but they would suck for long-term living. No windows and 8 feet wide. Anything you do to overcome these limitations compromises the structural, security and critter-proofing that makes them attractive in the first place.
You can cut holes in them, just have to follow basic building practices and add additional structural support after the fact (or before any load anyway).

The 4 vertical corners, two top horizontal corners and the bottom structure on most connex containers is pretty solid structurally - that's where all of the weight on them transmits loads to anyway. If you wanted to put a couple of them side by side and cut a door or walkway through the wall - you need to add vertical and horizontal support to do it. Some HSS, angle iron or even pipe fits the bill great. Easy to cut, easy to weld, easy to modify. Your basic A36 steel is cheap as well.
Corps_Ag12
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AG
Any updates?
aggie_wes
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AG
Looks like your place is pretty close to mine. I'm about 10 minutes south of graham on 1287. Been thinking about doing something similar. But with just one connex.
Todd 02
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Not really. I did get the second cabin wired for electricity back in February, but I've been slammed with other projects and work since. Looking to make it out this weekend to insulate and panel the interior of Cabin #2. I should have a few photos to share next week.

Cabin #2 has a bathroom with a portable camping toilet and a place to shower. I'm looking at a passive solar water heater. The plan is basically to use an insulated water cooler with a portable camp shower and a galvanized stock tank. You can heat water in the solar unit or over the fire pit. The only time I ever use a shower is in the summer, but it's nice to have something to wash the kids off if when they get filthy.
Build It
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AG
There is insulating ceramic paint that will solve some of your insulating problems.
BradMtn346
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These all look cool.
Todd 02
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I continue to make bits of progress here and there. Getting cabin #2 finished up this weekend. This one has a potty room. Looking from the bed back towards the front.



Also got a bedrail and ladder on the bunk.



Edit: More pics. Taking them in small quarters is kinda tough.











SpiderD02
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More pictures. Looks great!
Goose
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Lookin good!
AggieGunslinger
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Looks great, when can I expect a phone call to come hunt?
Todd 02
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Does a bear **** in the woods?


Doesn't have to anymore!!!





Actually...now we're kid and lady friendly. And I don't have to put on boots to piss in the middle of the night.
SpiderD02
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AG
Electric heater under the ac?
Todd 02
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Electric heat. Controlled by a Honeywell thermostat.
Todd 02
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Plugs into a generator with a 30 amp travel trailer plug.
AgLA06
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Todd 02 said:

Does a bear **** in the woods?


Doesn't have to anymore!!!





Actually...now we're kid and lady friendly. And I don't have to put on boots to piss in the middle of the night.


While convenient, I'm not sure if you're brave or crazy to have a ****ter in a small sealed container sitting in the sun without a vent fan that close to the bedroom.
Todd 02
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AG
You ever **** outside in the dark when it's 5F?
AgLA06
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Todd 02 said:

You ever **** outside in the dark when it's 5F?


Yes. We had an out house on our place on South Texas for almost 20 years. It was cold and you had to watch out for snakes, spiders, and scorpions, but it was much better than smelling the drunk abominations of the other guys while trying to sleep.
Cancelled
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Sorry, but is this actually cheaper than moding one of the prefab barns or small manufactured home. Seems like those would be a lot more comfortable.
Pooh Ah
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You need a second means of egress in case of fire. Could be a roof hatch, just a second way out.
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