Creating steps

Next was to create a set of steps, to hide both the gas canister and the 12V battery. This was made using a simple frame of wood batons.

That characteristic curve around where the gas bottle would sit was created using metal trim that could be bent into the curve.

The steps were clad again with fence posts, processed in the same way as the rest of the cladding.

 The tops of the steps are made from decking, to match the rest of the base.

Making a drain pipe

So the IBC already comes with a tap and drain however this drains out horizontally. So we fashioned a drainage pipe to attach onto the existing tap so that we can drain the water vertically directly under the hot tub.

A hole was drilled from the underside of the trailer to accommodate the new drain pipe.

Making the top edge of the hot tub

We weren't sure what to make the top of the hot tub out of. We wanted something chunky and rustic to match in with the rest of the build. ?Decking. But then we were pretty short of decking and still haven't made the steps or the seating...

Then Elliot remembered some old boards that used to be used for getting cars up onto trailers... And decided they could be sacrificed as a hot tub top!

We cut the edges at 45° angle and screwed and glued them together using strong wood glue which was left overnight to cure

Once securely glued into one piece, the surfaces were sanded to give the same rustic sort of finish as the cladding

This little hole was filled in... 👌 (Not really sure why this is in here but Elliot was proud of it!)

The edges were cut to form those beautiful curves...

Would make a good picture frame... huh? 😁

Curves were also cut on the inside edges with the jigsaw.

And the inside was also sanded...

The top edge was secured to the rest of the build by way of brackets mounted hidden behind the cladding.

This top edge is looking awesome!!

Trailer accessories

We made a trailer board using a bit of decking, screwing on tail lights, reflectors and number plate that we already had from another trailer directly onto this.

We also installed our new shiny chrome prop stands...

And new shiny wheels...

And the mudguards we already had hoarded... 

Looking much more like a mobile hot tub now!!

Mounting the water heater and doing some plumbing!

Cold-water-in and hot-water-out pipes were made by soldering connections onto copper pipe. The water-in pipe also got a filter installed to keep debris out of the pump/heater system.

Holes were drilled in the IBC tank and the in and out pipes were installed.

The purpose of the underside stick out valve-y bit in the plumbing system is to facilitate filling the tub using either a hose directly attached, or via the pump from any water source.

Next we made a board to mount the heater, pumps and electrics onto. We installed a galvanised steel panel behind for heat protection and to create a flue. The pipes were all connected up to the boiler and water pump.

 

The input for the water is connected with a hose-lock tap, so if we are near a tap or hose point it can be directly connected to this. If we're at a fresh water source, we will use the pump to pump water from the source into the tub. There is a level system to shut off this inlet when the tub is in use so the water circulates from within the tub.

Installing the LED lights

The LED lights conveniently come with a sticky surface so these were just stuck just inside the frame onto the insulation where the hot tub will sit.

We then tested the bubbler and the lights... and WOOO they work! Disco hot tub!