[rthorntn (Richard)]

Hello you very helpful bunch,

It's been a while since I was last on IIS, I moved to my forever house and have no useful view of the sky now. My Astro gear is gathering dust.

I have started thinking about a mobile observatory, hitch it to the car and go somewhere dark, basically a glorified heavy-duty, cross-shaped steel trailer frame with my EQ6 pier welded to the intersection of the cross (for easy access around the scope without standing on something connected to the pier, for visual work) with linear actuators at each of the four extremities (to lift the wheels off the ground, level and stabilise it). When off the ground it should be stable enough for basic astrophotography.

........hitch
...........|
wheel--+--wheel
...........|
.........back

Maybe the trailer:

- Should have a lightweight removable floor, sides and roof to protect it from the elements?
- Should have the pier able to rotate when setting up?
- Should have a way to securely park the 10" SCT in a protective cradle during transit?
- Should have great suspension / shock absorbers?
- Should have a battery tray?
- Has a solar panel built into the roof?

Anyone:

- Pros/Cons?
- Done this in Oz?
- Seen anything like this in Oz?
- Able to point me in the right direction?
- Have any tips?
- Know anyone that can design/build it?
- Have any idea of the costs involved?

Thanks for looking.

Cheers
Richard