Join us as we rebuild our 1962 22" Flying Cloud in preparation for our cross-country tour.
1962 Flying Cloud "Eco-Friendly" Reconstruction
Posted 01-01-2009 at 11:11 PM by FLYNCLD
Welcome to our blog. My wife and I are in the process of reconstructing a 1962 Flying Cloud in preparation for an extended trip around the country. We are using as many "eco-friendly" materials and systems as possible. This includes a complete solar system, composting toilet, and a variety of sustainable materials in the construction.
As we tour the country, we will be visiting eco-friendly and sustainable businesses, intentional communities and projects, as well as just plain people who are trying to do something good for our planet. Through our blogs, website,YouTube, and other media, we will share what we find with anyone who is interested.
While this sort of tour and the "green" aspect of it is sort of out of the mainstream Airstream (that's a mouthful!) thinking, we thought there would be some of you out there who would enjoy it. In the process we will be sharing as much information as we can on the reconstruction, much of which we hope will be helpful whether you are interested in "going green" or not.
We would like to thank all the members of the forum for the invaluable help we have gotten from all the incredible posts and threads! Being able to see where our fellow Airstreamers have boldly gone has enabled us to move quickly on our reconstruction without having to reinvent the wheel.
As we tour the country, we will be visiting eco-friendly and sustainable businesses, intentional communities and projects, as well as just plain people who are trying to do something good for our planet. Through our blogs, website,YouTube, and other media, we will share what we find with anyone who is interested.
While this sort of tour and the "green" aspect of it is sort of out of the mainstream Airstream (that's a mouthful!) thinking, we thought there would be some of you out there who would enjoy it. In the process we will be sharing as much information as we can on the reconstruction, much of which we hope will be helpful whether you are interested in "going green" or not.
We would like to thank all the members of the forum for the invaluable help we have gotten from all the incredible posts and threads! Being able to see where our fellow Airstreamers have boldly gone has enabled us to move quickly on our reconstruction without having to reinvent the wheel.
Total Comments 6
Comments
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Wow, looking clean! What have you done to get to this point, did you have to fix the floor, new interior skins, etc?
What type of composting toilet will you use? Propane fired?
MarcPosted 01-02-2009 at 12:08 AM by 3Ms75Argosy 
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Thanks!
This was an incredibly clean trailer when we bought it, and we paid top dollar. Other than removing some of the interior, these pictures are "as found". Floor was already replaced. We are replacing some interior skins (postings to follow), and of course with the solar, we will have to make sure that the electrical is very good throughout.
After much research, we have chosen a "Natures Head" composting toilet and we will have more to follow on this as as well, but you can check them out at Nature's Head - Eco-Friendly Waterless Composting Toilets for Marine and RV use. .
Thanks for looking, and we hope you will continue to visit!Posted 01-02-2009 at 12:23 AM by FLYNCLD - Hi, that toilet looks interesting.. just wondering (and not trying to be crass).. if it's waterless, how do you prevent "skidmarks" from building up on the trap door? It looks like the urine goes into the drains, and then the stool down into the composter... but wondering about leaving a mess. I assume you have to dump the urine at a dump site?
Have you spoken to those who have used it? Can that tank really be used for 2 folks for a month? I wish it would work for my family of four... but I don't think it would have time to compost before it filled up.Posted 01-03-2009 at 02:31 AM by 3Ms75Argosy - According to the manufacturer, you can use what looks like a regular paper coffee filter to prevent "skidmarks". Users report that they simply keep the trap open while doing their "business" and this mostly eliminates the problem. Others keep a small spray bottle handy. As far as capacity, some users have reported that they can easily accommodate a family of four and may not need to be emptied more than once or twice per season. Theoritically, the longer you wait, the more complete the composting becomes. Like anything, it probably will take a little getting used to. We plan of course to use the toilets available in our campsite or hookup whenever possible to keep the volume to a minimum. Here are a couple of links that have a bit more info as well as some testimonials. When we begin using the toilet in the spring, we will certainly report the straight poop on it!!
http://www.sustainablechoice.net/nat...s_guidehtm.htm
Nature's HeadPosted 01-03-2009 at 11:59 AM by FLYNCLD -
Thanks for looking at our blog- we will be checking yours out regularly. We are interested in doing things eco friendly too, but we are trying to stay original also so there is a balance. Once our restoration is done we are buying a diesel and planning to turn it into a frybrid and run on WVO.
What other eco friendly plans do you have other than the toilet?Posted 01-04-2009 at 07:16 AM by dreadydreame - We are trying to incorporate as many eco-friendly materials as possible. We are still in the process of picking some of the materials, but at this point, the flooring will either be bamboo or Marmoleum, the interior paint will be low-voc, the cabinets etc. will be a combination of FSC Certified woods and either bamboo or Kirei board. In addition to the toilet, we are installing a complete solar system for battery charging. The upholstery will be done in organic fabrics, and natural latex foam. If you would like any info on these products, let us know!
Posted 01-04-2009 at 01:01 PM by FLYNCLD
