utility pole tree fort

[tornadowatchranch]

I finished a horse fence project last year and have 4 -30 foot long utility poles left over. My plan is to sink them 4-5 feet deep and build the decking about 10 feet up. I will use 2x4x16 as cross braces on 3 sides. I plan to make it 10x10. I was thinking 2x12 ends with 2x10 joists and 5/4 decking.

how far apart can I put the joists? 16 vs 20 vs 24

are single 2x12x10 enough on the ends?

I have a friend wil some old metal siding so will quick fab a slanting roof.

thanks for your thoughts

 

[Lloyd_E]

General rule is height of joist equals run.

2x8" = 8'
2x10" = 10'
2x12" = 12'

Of course you could sister and laminate with plywood in between. This would give you a greater run. Plus if you used supports from pole at a 45 degree angle this would increase support as well.

Check your local codes too.

lloyd

 

[radioman]

building a kids fort ? Sure using 12 by's 10 ft apart is pretty good. as long the joists are 16" OC and the same 2X12 is used for ends. After all this is a kids fort and should last for years with that thick wood as long its painted. when i was growing up I had a 2X4 for floor in a tree that lasted until i was in high school.

 

[EddieWalker]

how far apart can I put the joists? 16 vs 20 vs 24

are single 2x12x10 enough on the ends?

Go 16 inch centers for the floor joists. At 24 inches, the 5/4 decking gets kind of springy. It will work, but not last as long because of the added flex and movement. I never hear of, nor thought of 20 inch centers. But for the very small savings on lumber, it's really not worth cutting corners on this.

While 2x10's are fine for your span as floor joists, it will be too small for the ends. All the load of the floor joist will be on this piece of wood, which will begin to sag on you rather quickly. At a minimum, I would use two 2x12's for the ends and attach your joist with metal joist hangers, or put them under your floor joists and attach them to the top so they rest on the ends.

Bolt your ends onto your posts with half inch carriage bolts. Three per end at the least with four being better. Again, don't cut corners here. Spend the little bit extra for the galvanized and use lock washers with flat washers.

Eddie

 

[tornadowatchranch]

thanks for the responses. I am of the mindset to build it right the first time so will probably go overkill. I will post pics once we get started. My neighbor has a full size TLB so will be helping me with the poles. If I can find a suitable end point I may add a zip line too!

 

[Eagleview]

I don't want to be a wet blanket but , if they are CCA (Copper Chromium Arsenate) treated , the splinters the kids will get from them will become infected . And if horses chew on them they can die . I have used them for my pole home , and boy , you know it when you get a splinter . It might pay you to Google the affects of using them .U.S., Canada Groups Sue Over Toxic Wood Preservers

 

[MikeD74T]

I never hear of, nor thought of 20 inch centers. Eddie

Many tape measures now have indicators on 19.2" centers, 5 in 96", for those situations where 24" is too little support & 16 is too much. Usefull in this application where floor loading will never be challanged. MikeD74T