rizartz Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) I thought I might post a few pics of my "ski chalet" project I started about two years ago. It sits on an 88 hilux that I bought for $500. It is framed and sided with 2x6 redwood salvaged from someone's old deck and cut to order. It's insulated well with salvaged styrofoam (I have a hard time passing a dumpster without at least taking a peek). Inside features bamboo flooring, wood burning stove, radiant propane heater, stove top and oven, sink, heated ski boot locker, queen over the cab and twin in back. I just finished my first extended winter trip an was quite pleased with the performance. Here are a few pics.... Sorry I can't seem to get my photos to come out right side up! Edited January 15, 2015 by rizartz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 I thought I might post a few pics of my "ski chalet" project I started about two years ago. It sits on an 88 hilux that I bought for $500. It is framed and sided with 2x6 redwood salvaged from someone's old deck and cut to order. It's insulated well with salvaged styrofoam (I have a hard time passing a dumpster without at least taking a peek). Inside features bamboo flooring, wood burning stove, radiant propane heater, stove top and oven, sink, heated ski boot locker, queen over the cab and twin in back. I just finished my first extended winter trip an was quite pleased with the performance. Here are a few pics.... Sorry I can't seem to get my photos to come out right side up! Nice job! That thing is neat. I'm sure it sheds snow a heck of a lot better then any of the factory-made jobs. I bet it's heavier then H*ll too. Nice job on interior too. I see you used "real stuff" and not light RV materials. Any idea of the total weight? Here's the photos turned around so my head does not hurt looking at them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 It really is a work of art. What kind of modifications did you do to the chassis to support the extra weight? I tried to rotate your pics but can't. Hope you can figure it out cause everyone is going to want to get a good look at this one. Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
linda s Posted January 15, 2015 Share Posted January 15, 2015 Oh good. JD rotated your pics. Not my forte Linda S Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizartz Posted January 15, 2015 Author Share Posted January 15, 2015 (edited) Truck and camper together weigh 4270, putting the camper alone at about 1350. That gives me about 1000 lbs to work with to keep it under gvwr of 5100. The only suspention mods thus far are timbrens which boosted the tail up about 3". I also lengthened the frame about 2 feet to give some support to the back end and give me a better location to bolt the bumper on. Unfortunately, it's a short bed truck, but it's what I had, so it's what I used! Sink, stove, heater, and most of the windows were all salvaged from old campers. The wood burner (about 100 lbs) is really overkill, as the propane heater would do fine all by itself. I saved weight by not putting in other "luxuries" like a forced air furnace, extra 12v battery, generator, hot water heater, refrig, toilet, shower, etc. Only one cabinet, and all the rest of the storage is either on a couple of shelves, or under the bed/couch.... Thanks for the help with the pics! Edited January 15, 2015 by rizartz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TacomaSue Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 This is a fantastic ski chalet! Happy skiing... Happy post skiing, too. Sue Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 When I went to look at my $250 Winnebago Phasar that was back in the woods - I saw this neat houseboat parked along side of it. Also sort of "ski chalet" style. Also has a chimney and woodstove. Not quite exactly the same as your's on the Toyota, but similar in ways. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizartz Posted January 16, 2015 Author Share Posted January 16, 2015 That's definitely a nice little dwelling. Is that a boat sitting on a trailer? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zero Posted January 16, 2015 Share Posted January 16, 2015 Yes, a pontoon boat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kayakthecoast Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Did you paint your wedge wood stove and refinish it. Same with your sink? Very nice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizartz Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 The stove and heater (not pictured) are a matching set reclaimed from an old "canned ham" travel trailer. The sink looks like cast iron, but is actually a fiberglass Kohler bar sink that I found at a Habitat Restore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5Toyota Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 I HAD A 1965 ARISTOCRAT PULL TRAILER THAT HAD A BLUE STOVE SAME AS THAT BUT KNOBS WERE ALL ON THE FRONT 60S ART DECO FOR SHURE THAT IS A NICE WOOD BURNER ALSO WHOLE THING IS SUPER NEAT. IS THAT ONE OF THOSE NEET OLD GAS GRAVITY HEATERS THAT WILL NEVER RUN YOUR BATTERY DOWN. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rizartz Posted February 5, 2015 Author Share Posted February 5, 2015 The propane heater doesn't have a blower or a motor, so it uses no electricity. The wood burner is really overkill, as it keeps the camper super warm. When you go to bed and the fire burns down, the propane heater kicks in and warms things up for the rest of the night. The only electricity I have is from the battery under the hood to power the sink pump and a couple of outlets to charge phones, ipods,etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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