Off grid cabin

[flybynight]

Down the rabbit hole I went.
   So I was reading a news article today about a bow hunter finding the remains of a bow hunter missing since 1968. I pulled up a google map of the area to get a better idea of what the terrain looks like. I then noticed the nearest  town was Salmon . I thought I remembered that Elmer Keith lived there.  Looked it up and yes ,his ranch was nearby and he and his wife had moved into town when they grew older.
   I then wondered what real estate looked like there . Looked on zillow and found this really off grid cabin

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1048-Silver-Creek-Rd-Shoup-ID-83469/126778750_zpid/?


Pretty cool. If only I was younger

[Raptor]

The problem with a lot of these types of properties is that they may in the future have to be brought up to code. This indicates that while the property is currently in non-conforming compliance if any substantial alterations are made to it the locals will require conforming to hygiene codes.

There is an outhouse on the property, no well or septic and they do have certificates of Non-Compliance filed by the building department.

This one is in a flood zone and when (not if ) Silver creek washes it away if you want to rebuild it will likely have to be brought up to code.

https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/1048-Silver-Creek-Rd_Other-Idaho_ID_83467_M14861-69808

[Raptor]

Here is one in AZ
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3-County-Road-N3365_Vernon_AZ_85940_M90930-77552

Not as picturesque but still out in the boonies with 75 acres.

[flybynight]

Here is one in AZ
https://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-detail/3-County-Road-N3365_Vernon_AZ_85940_M90930-77552

Not as picturesque but still out in the boonies with 75 acres.

Well , won't flood there . Ever     Not a fan of the desertm but look at those elk

[Crosscut]

Do it, only as old as you feel FBN.  My parents built one back in the early 70's, great memories vacationing there growing up, and it's now our "guest cottage down the street".  Hoping to pass it on to my grand nephew once he's old enough if he shows any interest.  Plus, your build/upgrade thread will be epic 

[flybynight]

Do it, only as old as you feel FBN.  My parents built one back in the early 70's, great memories vacationing there growing up, and it's now our "guest cottage down the street".  Hoping to pass it on to my grand nephew once he's old enough if he shows any interest.  Plus, your build/upgrade thread will be epic 

Nah. I just thought it looked cool.  And Raptor is right. That will get flooded away one day.

[Crosscut]

Do it, only as old as you feel FBN.  My parents built one back in the early 70's, great memories vacationing there growing up, and it's now our "guest cottage down the street".  Hoping to pass it on to my grand nephew once he's old enough if he shows any interest.  Plus, your build/upgrade thread will be epic 

Nah. I just thought it looked cool.  And Raptor is right. That will get flooded away one day.

I understand about that one but I was talking about you getting an off grid cabin in general. 

Your post was just timely personally, I had a small group of old friends staying at my place last weekend and now two of them are talking about going in together on an empty lot across the street (bordering Federal land) to build on.  I pretty much know that'll never happen even though there's nothing stopping them, except themselves.

[woodsghost]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=bOOXmfkXpkM


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=k2ejcEddQt8


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=g-B_9Xzy9ds


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PSRWAIn4G88&t=1173s

My wife feels we need a flush toilet if possible, but said I can use the design elements to inspire my next chicken coop. And I can make a home office using this pattern and have an outhouse if it makes me feel better.

I guess my wife is just not a 10x12 ft cabin kinda lady.

[flybynight]

Yea I plan to use that design for a outdoor kitchen. I had hoped to build it this summer, but between price of materials going stupid high, unexpected other projects and expenses. It's not looking too likely til  sometime next year.

[Asparagus]

I guess we are lucky like that over here, there are plenty of off grid cabins around and they can be had for reasonable prices as most people want on grid comforts nowadays. Here is a quick search i set up on the larger classifieds site if any of you want some inspiration: https://www.finn.no/realestate/leisuresale/search.html?leisure_situation=1&price_to=500000&property_type=12&sort=PUBLISHED_DESC

You could not legally live full time in most of these, but for a vacation home or BOL they are great.

[superduder]

On the flush toilet thing, Travel trailer parts are a Godsend.
I found an Apache Roamer pop-up with major damage to the sidewalls and pop-up mechanisms.
Afaik it's one of the few pop-ups with a shower and commode.
Using camper appliances to convert a shed saved me a ton on the b.o.l. cabin.

If nothing else Travel Trailer Homesteading for $5K
is on Internet Archive, and has schematics on how to build a septic system. (link below.)

I have a super old version of 3d home architect for win3.11 that I do layouts/floor plans on.
Screenshot of a 10x12 shed/cabin plan below as well.
The plan may, or may not be useful at all, I can handle tighter spaces better than some folks.

Hope this helps, at least a little.
J

Travel Trailer Homesteading for Under $5K
https://archive.org/details/travel-trailer-homesteading

[Crosscut]

On the flush toilet thing, Travel trailer parts are a Godsend.
I found an Apache Roamer pop-up with major damage to the sidewalls and pop-up mechanisms.
Afaik it's one of the few pop-ups with a shower and commode.
Using camper appliances to convert a shed saved me a ton on the b.o.l. cabin.

If nothing else Travel Trailer Homesteading for $5K
is on Internet Archive, and has schematics on how to build a septic system. (link below.)

I have a super old version of 3d home architect for win3.11 that I do layouts/floor plans on.
Screenshot of a 10x12 shed/cabin plan below as well.
The plan may, or may not be useful at all, I can handle tighter spaces better than some folks.

Hope this helps, at least a little.
J

Travel Trailer Homesteading for Under $5K
https://archive.org/details/travel-trailer-homesteading

Thanks for the book link, went right to the septic section but going to read the rest later.  We live in a rural resort area with many hunting shacks/off-grid cottages, for 2-4 people for a few weeks a year that 2-55 gallon barrel system will last a long time.  A neighbor had one that lasted 30 years at least under those conditions.  The last few DIY septic systems I've seen installed around here have been using a single IBC tote (250-300 gallons), but there's a local seller that sells used ones cheap so that's at least part of the reason I'd guess. 

We used a single 55 gal plastic drum with a short perforated line as the drain field for 1-2 guys, for max 30 days each year, and it worked fine for almost 10 years.  But when the place got more popular with friends, including ladies, it just couldn't keep up.  No offense ladies, but you produce a lot more waste water than guys do.   We upgraded to a 250 gallon tank in 2002, with dual perforated lines of about 30' each and haven't had a problem (or a clean out) since.  We DIY'ed a design with the tank similar to this:



using a 6" diameter PVC "T" inside the tank on the drain side as in the pic to keep the scum/sludge out of the drain line/field.  We extended the drain-side "T" up through the top of the tank and above ground to act as the clean out/access port but haven't needed to use it yet.

20 years ago:


20 minutes ago:


I'm no expert, but I attribute its success to the "T"'s keeping the scum/sludge out and a longer (sloping downward) perforated drain lines.