We Were Not Expecting This! Our Off-Grid Water Supply One Month After Monsoons

[@foofyastralpunk5875]

Next time, try roughing up the surface of your metal ladder( or whatever project) with a metal file or a box cutter before applying your JB Weld or Epoxy. Gives it more tooth to hang on to.

[@kellieglass1722]

I agree with Jessica Strickland. The “ramp” on the ladder needs to be longer -- much, much longer! - with a subtle and gradual increase.

[@oodoodoopoopoo]

How about the ramp be so long that it's actually flat and just extends all the way to the ground that way there is no transition 🤷

[@faelanuafintan4332]

I guess you could extend it with just 2x4 to the ground and bypass the transition

[@meowskiers5111]

Exactly what I thought 😺

[@honthirty_]

@@oodoodoopoopoo as the dome walls get higher, they will extend the ladder. So Jim needs a gradual ramp or an incremental extention system as they use more of the extended ladder.

[@ripstop5082]

Rather than 45 degrees, it needs to be less than 20 degrees. I am positive that would solve their problems. The 'machinery's handbook' would have vast amounts of information beneficial to all aspects of their needs. I'm speaking as a retired machinist after 43 years.

[@Dr.Gunsmith]

Ha ha the look on your face when she slapped that bug off you 😂

[@freedomforever1962]

😆 It was funny but understandable. Been there!

[@Pedro-fr8tz]

I don’t get why the heck you have that gigantic tray!!! You should built something like a shelf allowing to pile/stack up the cans, that way you will keep all the weight close to the stair.

[@blue_boy8621]

longer ramps!!! smoother ride!

[@ghosttheoremproductions5469]

Instead of those ladder ramps you could just extend the outer ladder rails with lumber or cheap steel framing studs. Couple holes and a couple recessed bolts to attach/detach without getting in the way.

[@enriquelaroche5370]

Exactly Or he could have built the whole thing from UNi strut

[@Pedro-fr8tz]

Exactly same thickness all the way up and that would allow to have a locking rail from behind

[@monoshock57]

What the ghost said.

[@PatricesProjects]

This was suggested by several people last time. I am curious as to why Jim didn't address this in the video.

[@cynthiamoreno5771]

Question for your 📖 book. Would you have done anything differently what would it be? The would of should ofs

[@JessiFayS]

My experience for ramps are with my husband's wheelchair. So consider the source. I kept looking at your "ramp" for your DDS thinking it would work better if it wasn't so short. The top part and the ramp section. Putting too much weight / stress on such short piece of metal. The longer the piece of metal, the more it's spread out.

[@PeggyLeeSebeni]

@Jessica Strickland good point about angle of the ramp, however, as you know not all situations allow so to take your wheelchair analogy a step further, perhaps and extention of the top lateral supports with an elbow "bumper wheels" positioned an inch or so under the ladder would work as an anti-tip precaution yet smoothly aid in transition over the ramp areas as well.

[@williamhuntington1397]

On the brackets which go along the sides, try adding some material that comes around the underside of the ladder. It wouldn't need to be tight to the ladder, just enough as something to catch it before the platform tries to tip over. Otherwise, it is looking great!!!

[@kurt16950]

I suggested that a week or so ago. . . it would increase safety and function.

[@kuzinit989]

I thought the same thing , maybe a piece of garden hose and make it loose so it dont hang up

[@timmathis18]

Extend the small side rails at the top so you can attach a board behind the top supports that will encase the ladder.

[@timmathis18]

You can place something between the top of the ladder and the building to provide clearance for the board on back You could probably just use a strong wire to encircle the ladder at the top suppofrt

[@joe-n-texas8747]

Literally just a small piece of metal that can ride the ladder and is attached to that 2x4, it would definitely stop that wobbling: Spot on

[@Jaantoenen]

Glad you guys are doing well. You deserve it. You're good people.

[@tomrausch7014]

Instead of making a ramp between ladder sections, just add wood to lower section so there isn’t a transition. Grease with wax.

[@rc3291]

or find another ladder section

[@islandgardener158]

Liquid dish soap works too

[@tomrausch7014]

@@islandgardener158 Once in a pinch I used my chapstick.

[@thequickbrownfox7289]

On the ladder I would have just added some 2x4's to it. Make a small ladder that would go from the ground to the bottom of the ladder extension. Then you have a flat surface for your platform to ride on.

[@lucarmyfool4800]

Exactly what i was thinking, just some wood on either side that has the same thickness than the ladder would do it, should be easy to remove also. They like things over complicated i see lol.

[@StoneKathryn]

Yay, it's working smooth now. Cool Jess that you are writing a book about building the cistern. Thanks for this guys!

[@antonschutte3548]

add two dooden beams to to "flatten" the ramp step on the ladder, that way the travel is equal up and down all the way

[@claymore2k1T10]

I agree, jus two wood beams to extend the top ladder all the way to the floor, it's been painful to watch the total incompetence on such a simple job.

[@antonschutte3548]

@Johnathan Walker typing in the early morning without glasses on has consequences

[@fraslavko1]

@@claymore2k1T10 some folks just learn by trial and error. not professional builders. incompetent is wrong use of words.

[@niellangner3668]

Turn the trolley around so that the load platform is at the bottom.

[@CreatingASimplerLifeOffGrid]

That ladder idea is nothing short of brilliant! Good job you two.....loving absolutely everything you do!

[@bermudarailway2411]

Oh how I wish that I had Crew's stress level.

[@richardross7219]

The berry at 5:30 we call husk tomatoes. The ones in our yard in CT are edible and good. You need to add a safety bar that goes behind the ladder so that the lift can't tip like it has been doing. If it tips like that when lifting, you could end up with a bunch of cans falling on you. How much water is in the big cistern? Good Luck, Rick

[@amyaguilar3800]

Great job…would love to see how much rain you collected in the cistern…much love and greetings from NYC.

[@DesertNails]

I'm so happy you're catching the rain!

[@AGClaymore]

It's probably been suggested before but I'd put 2x4's along the bottom of the ladder to replace the small angles so there's no height transition for your slide. You could cut spacers to go between them and bolt a longer piece at the back to hold them in place. Glad to see you guys are back at it!

[@theadventuresofbrockinthai4325]

Hey Jim and Jess, it took a while to get it right but you finally got it to work for you. A job well done. My dad would always say "if a job is worth doing it's worth doing right the first time." Trial and error is always a good way to do things if you don't have the knowledge, you try different things until it works. You are lucky you have the time to spend on the project to get it right the first time. A cistern full of water is a great feeling. Knowing you don't need to make a trip to town before you can flush your toilet is a great feeling. Lol

[@coachcrystal1901]

I can’t wait until you finish the house and start the garden. I’m looking forward to being taught about the desert plants and animals by Jess.

[@bondpaz]

So cool! Hopefully that book sounds fun! I would love to see a step by step process of the cistern. ❤️❤️👍

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Thanks Pam! I think the book will be exciting. 😃

[@lionolee5480]

At 5:30 while you pick that berry I saw you have hairy vetch plant it has purple flower and chickens love them free feeds for your birds

[@globalance1948]

Great to see you two "going for it"!!! Great job!!! D

[@cargotrailerkenny]

2 more cents from the peanut gallery .... you maybe possibly could smooth out any friction with rubbing either wax or soap on the surfaces that meet.

[@greendreamoasis9022]

very good Jim😆

[@garypascoe8811]

WW Smackdown Haircut 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣... Always impressed at how you guys work through your situations !!

[@DesertNails]

It's just amazing what you can accomplish.

[@LastChanceTinyHouse]

Jim, it seems to me that you keep trying to get the small ramp to work for you when it seems to me that all you really need to a few 2x4's to raise the rail of the lower part to the hight of the rest of the ladder. you know, a 2x4 standing on end strapped to the lesser level of the ladder.

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Your getting there my friends. Stay safe and have a great weekend!

[@CBsGreenhouseandGarden]

Oh and I see Jess smack you two times! Zup with dat? LMBO...

[@ourselfreliantlife]

She said it was a mosquito but I think we know otherwise. We also know I deserved it as well.🤣

[@OffGridGetAway]

It has been a nice monsoon so far... Love you show. We are getting ideas for our off grid property.

[@duwomaiishgabrielle9498]

😂😂😂 I turned to see just at the moment Jess slapped the mosquito on your head, pretty funny, you didn’t see it coming😂❤️

[@richardlwellington]

Yep you read my mind about using the pop rivets. Exactly what I would have used. Keep up the good work.

[@Tanks-Link]

The ramp on the ladder just take a couple two by threes or something and run it all the way to the ground. you had a good start with the two little wood wedges you put on just don’t use a wedge run it all the way to the ground so there’s no lip for it to try to go over.

[@suecollins5174]

So glad you got your hoist to work!!

[@annewendt8434]

The unexpected slap and “mosquitos” with air quotes was hilarious. OMG! Priceless!

[@SymPlayTon]

I have built a similar ladder lift in the past. Some small casters to roll against the ladder, and building a 2x4 runner extention to make the bottom part flat with the upper part made it work great without the ramp issue.

[@coachcrystal1901]

I just love how you all have encouraged me to not kill off every bug I see, so I can help keep the eco system balanced. My scary 😟 self need to work on my fear of bugs and snakes.

[@hubertwebb9869]

The reason it is flipping over going down the ladder is because it meets resistance at the two points of contact on the ramps eliminate that resistance by grinding off a slight bit of slope on the underside of the bottom of the shelf that makes contact with it. Also it needs a grab to hold it on the ladder, one on each side like todays modern roller coasters.

[@truk5161]

Thanks for showing Crew this video! What a good boi!! I miss my Akita! Makes me want to get another!

[@beachlife9419]

Rad work , 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌😁🙌🙌😁 , you can use wench for fences , hooking on to car onto trailers , ad a hitch receiver to that wench to go in back of your truck , use as to pull logs , or small shed , pull out post out of ground too , tons tons of things , when you clean the outside of your earth bag Dome , use that ladder for that or cleaning out gutters , very useful tools on hand

[@opusydaisy6563]

Just an idea. Add 2 braces to the side of the ladder to create a smooth track for the lift.

[@kristieandjeff2720]

Y'all literally make the cutest couple on the face of the planet, it is so sweet watching the two of you work together on everything 🥰👍

[@kristieandjeff2720]

P.S. looking forward to your book Jess! I also like how Jess explained why they are doing the ladder their own way instead of using everyone else's suggested ways 💪

[@sandywimmer8950]

add a couple of 2x4s to the bottom half of ladder. you my have to rip for the right height. Use some EMT one hole conduit clamps to mount to the ladder rungs.

[@jasontoolan3816]

Sistern Questions How to spell it? Lol Can we build one at our home in Phoenix? Common Building codes, costs and times? Water purification treatment? Small bugs invading issues? Why that design over others? Sutch as? Ever consider adding pipes cooled by the cisterns water to condition the homes air? Earth tubes ran through cistern? Remind readers how valuable fresh water will become. Especially in your region. Some say water will be the new oil. Hope that helps?

[@danqualman1]

Add a section of wood all the way to the ground. Make so there is no transition to the upper part of your ladder. Drill and counter bore so screws are below the surface. Using a couple of small castors on the top to help the lift move on the sides to guide it and on the back to keep in place .

[@PAINFOOL13]

you could cut 2 pieces of wood that go from the ramp area to the bottom of the ladder .then no bump ?? lol loved it when Jess smacked you lol less air resistance hair cut 😱😁

[@simonlaw3151]

Just use two lengths of timber at the bottom of the ladder so that you to can eliminate the the step altogether much safer and easier

[@Chickentendaz]

Jessica, good job on Jim’s hair. Faux hawk is cute but.. to the bone looks clean.👍

[@johnk4617]

Pull the feet of the ladder 1 to 2 feet out away from the dome to help with the downward trip of the lift.

[@dannyray1950]

Maybe I'm just missing something, but have you tried building a short set of steps so that you don't need to lower the lift past the end? I'd rather walk up a few feet with a load than trust ramps on the ladder.

[@slamboy66]

My chickens love scorpions.

[@kenlane9402]

I love how you used gabions around the top. I've been thinking about gabions for corners for our fencing. I put them as post's for my gate, and we love the looks and the stability of them. In our part of the dessert, we have lots of rock. We have so much we could build a wall around our property. But loading the gabions is a lot of work.

[@diydarkmatter]

looks like you got it under control .

[@carlnelson7358]

Great job on the ladder, however I see one tiny thing you should try. Take your eye bolt from the front of the platform and put it on the top of the platform about 12" from the ladder. This should cause the platform to hug the ladder more, and not bounce around so much.

[@norm5785]

Great improvement to the lift

[@18twilliams]

forget the ramps and just add a 2x cut the the width and screw it to the ladder! just bring the bottom out to meet the upper part all lined up from top to bottom!

[@danje748]

Some questions; you guys changed the size of the cistern and made it smaller then originally intended. Maybe go in depth on why you chose the size you did and the benefit/drawback with changing to a smaller one (as well as why you changed it). A second question would be why have part of it be below ground. Why not have al of it be below ground or above ground?

[@tomrausch7014]

“Final change” to the ladder lift……..Hahahaha! (Reminds me of the at fault insurance company’s auto accident offer.)

[@christiancelticwarrior1222]

God bless you 🙏

[@jfinnall]

Maybe consider a safety chain at the top of the platform around the underside of the ladder. Might help when different loads are on the platform to keep it on the ladder and not dump to the ground. L shaped brackets might be better when the ladder is fully extended.

[@jerryyoungblood9998]

You could create a homemade wooden ladder that extends your top slide part of the extension ladder to the ground. That way there would be no transition and the platform wanting to fall off. It would like from metal to wood on the way down and then from wood to metal on the way up, Smooth action both ways. Just a thought.

[@theupsideofdownsizing]

Have you considered making the ramp out of wood? A longer, wedge shaped piece of wood would perhaps offer a gentler ride over that transition. It would along allow for more attachment points to the ladder. It's almost there.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

I'm not sure if wood is the way to go. I did it before and the metal gets caught up on it. The metal ramps are working pretty well.

[@ourselfreliantlife]

Did you make it back yesterday before dark?😬

[@laurascherle930]

As some have mentioned before…extending the ramp length would hugely reduce the force needed to climb it. Try maybe even as much as 112-16” in length. Just like with stairs shorter risers are easier to climb than higher ones.

[@debbiemoore4228]

DDS - What about roll up garage door track & rollers ? I don't know about the cost. Can handle some weight. Persistence pays. Love what you're doing out there. Thx 4 sharing.

[@ZonDog]

Looks like you will fine tune lift to work for you! Great job guys!

[@marthavojtko6268]

Hooray!!!!! 👍😀 🎉🎉🎉

[@Bernie5172]

I would just forget all about the platform on the ladder. Just make your ladder vertical and winch up a few steel buckets at a time . You can hook them up easy and jess can get them off easy

[@Darth_SurgeYo]

Yes, a How to book on how to build yalls cistern would do great! Plenty of off-grid and survival people would definitely buy it! I know I would what are you what are you TT

[@jackforeman3687]

Because you're going up with weight on the platform and the wait is being held down against the ladder because of the weight so maybe you need more weight underneath the platform near the top to keep the top edge from flipping out or maybe where the platform flips out at on the ladder is where you need to have a reverse ramp to keep it from flipping out to catch it so that it won't tip just a thought

[@harrydavis4250]

How about you spend the rainy day going and getting some garage door tracks and solve your lift problems for good, before you get hurt?

[@bobtobb9292]

I think you should select a tight piece of pipe to drive inside the top ladder tread for extra support. The weight of the platform will increase with the soil and put a lot more stress on the ladder step. A longer ramp would smooth the platform performance too. Be safe.

[@sharondagostino3348]

Glad you finally got the dirt lift concord 😁 hopefully you can start making progress on your home. You both must be over it. I'm sure you just want it done. Crew will love for it to be ,done, before next summer 🐶😍

[@akocbibbo]

if you could lengthen the side guards for the wood and attach small wheels like for skate baords or for moving furniture beneath at the corners or edges underneath, that would smooth out the ascending & descending

[@devanh8592]

use wood beams or steel square tube much stronger than aluminum and if your rail is one piece you wont have the issue with the joint step that your ladder has

[@christelting1359]

Congratulations...

[@theycallmesocks1369]

💥 boom 💥

[@MommaOG]

Couldn't help but laugh at the look on your face when Jess smacked ya😂🤣😂

[@mourningdove4040]

Thank you for sharing your ideas. It works! Question: Did you ever consider installing something that measures the amount of water in the cistern and quality of water?

[@honthirty_]

Like a stick. Every inch is ~ 150 gallons.

[@jimh4167]

Maybe replace the front sled legs with longer 2x4s so that a cross piece can be added so the sled can't rare up and off

[@cindyhill5970]

Cistern question.... does the water quality change when it's stored???

[@cindyhill5970]

@@honthirty_ excuse my stupid question. Sorry I asked

[@makarovkid9696]

How to maintain it and how often

[@michaelharris3765]

Have you thought about using 2X4's as long as you need in place of the ladder? The winch should be strong enough to pull the load up on your cradle. Just have to put a few cross braces to to keep it from coming together.. Does that make sense?

[@jacoventer3219]

Put 2 pieces of wood in from the top loaders legs to the ground to level out your runway. BTWI love your story, well done!

[@NewMindGarden]

Beautiful

[@VibrationsfromMirror]

I missed some too, but fabulous Success!!

[@hhopowerboy]

I suggest you mount a set of boards on the bottom end of the ladder to make the rails even so you don't need the ramp thingys

[@Chickentendaz]

Crew is so cute! He sleeps well knowing his bone is right there.

[@PHANTOmIND8]

A better and quick solution would be to do a small tweaking to the pulley system by hooking the wench to a rode and doubling the wire with a split distance at the ends of the carriage platform and changing the hook position to the bottom horizontal 2×4 with the wires leaning against the top horizontal 2×4. I hope you understand my idea cuz my english is not good.

[@gloriaa5060]

THUMBS up to this video!!!! Stay positive and POSITIVE!!!!! You all will get it done!!!! With your brains and thought of figuring things out!!🤔👍👍👍👍👍🎉💐🎆

[@Maskwest4]

i love yalls videos jims laugh is the best!!!!

[@wildmanofthenorth1598]

Part of the problem besides the ramp is that the center of gravity changes when you take the load off at the top so it comes down unbalanced. It goes up balanced by the load.

[@juliansisneros6897]

Hi guys,that looks like it's going to work good job and good luck👍

[@waynekomprood7093]

You need to extend your side pieces on the top of your carrier then put a board under the ladder so it doesn't tip over backwards going up or down

[@jbostondesigns]

Please stop the rigging those ramps just use wood material cut to the exact width/height & length need to extend the top rails down to the bottom … your going to hurt you or your lady…

[@tomrausch7014]

Hey that’s what I said.

[@honthirty_]

@@tomrausch7014 except you said "you're"

[@kevinwilliams8662]

Enjoyed the show

[@patrickjobling8676]

Very good yes .. ya could glue a bit of wood ether side of ladder ..😁pip pips and carryon pilgrims

[@BR1967FE]

Awesome, working good

[@StaceyHerewegrowagain]

Hey you guys! It's so great to see you! Wow, you have changed so much since I last visited your channel. I love using that jb weld lol. Keep it going out there! It's amazing how much you've accomplished.