Re: [VAC] Shelters are cool!

[RSmith6368@xxxxxxx]

Sarah,
   Unfortunately, the canvas is heavy, even when dry. 
When it is wetted, "heavy" is an understatement. I've 
built these things, though, that only required a frame of 
(pressure treated) 2"x4" lumber and prestamped steel 
corners. The problem of weight (wetted) is likely too 
much to overcome for a "baby buggy" type setup, although 
I am sure that a "full trailer awning" could be 
engineered (especially out of something lightweight like 
Sunbrella). Shouldn't be too hard to do really, I may 
start fooling around with some ideas for it this weekend. 
Due to it's shape, the Airstream is very likely the only 
RV where this would be feasable.

As far as the "middle of nowhere", yes, the (dry) canvas 
would go in with me as well. Have the solar cells already 
and am soon to begin work on afixing them to the top of 
the AS in an accordian type design so they will lie flat 
(stacked) of the roof in front of the ac, but be able 
swing open when parked.

If I move to the boonies here in the south, I will dig 
out a southfacing "hole" in the side of a hill so I will 
have the benefits of earthsheltering to some degree 
(radiant cooling this time) and also be sheltered fron 
severe weather and the winter northerly winds.

Ambitious? Not really, have been a camper since I was 
four, loved AS since I was about 11, spent many years 
"roughing it" in the military...and am sick to death of 
modern society. So, in 5 years 4 months, I am "dropping 
out" at the ripe old age of 47, with enough income to 
live (frugally) nearly indefinately. My needs are simple, 
my beautiful shelter is already paid for, my sanity is 
currently intact and I have a lifetime of experience at 
"making do". I'll keep up with the world with shortwave 
and "ham" radio, mosey into "town" when I need a 
fudgesicle, and generally just waste my education and my 
talents on living and not on making a living. But, to be 
perfectly honest, I would never even consider doing this 
without my beloved Airstream...what other manmade abode 
could I expect to last as long as I do?

OK, enough of this crap, most of the folks on this net 
probably have no interest in this stuff, but from time to 
time, I'll share something I might have designed (or 
robbed from another field) that could make living with 
and loving your AS more pleasureable.


My apologies for rambling on this net, if anyone would 
like to contact me "offline" about any of the above you 
can do so at:    rsmith@elastic.com