A boondocking Airstream

[KellySLC49]

Originally Posted by kidjedi

I would LOVE to use Aerogel for the thermal break, but I think it's going to be cost prohibitive, so I'm doing some tests comparing 65 mil EPDM rubber left over from a roofing job and the rolled, closed-cell, light blue poly that you use between a concrete foundation and the framing sill plate on a house.

I came across this stuff at AutoZone this weekend I'm going to look into. It's made of pulverized lava rock woven into a carbon-fiber-looking fabric. They sell it in a 1" x 50' roll for $45.00 to use for wrapping motorcycle headers to protect against heat burns. It's called DEI Titanium Header Wrap. If it can protect your legs against header burns, I wonder how it would work on the ribs of an airstream?

[kidjedi]

Looked up what you're talking about and found it here: Amazon.com: DEI 010127 2" Titanium Exhaust/ Header Wrap - 50': Car Electronics

Interesting. I'll have to check into it!

[wilsotr]

Here ....

[cwf]

I would not put a "stone"/ abrasive around the AS ribs... Why do you want that?

[Caroyl]

Your composting idea sounds a lot like the cassette toilet we had in our Coleman popup trailer 15+ years ago ;-)

[djarrett]

Originally Posted by wilsotr

Here ....

I had one of these (the only one in the US). Don't get me wrong, it is a fantastic trailer, but it is certainly NOT an Airstream. Yes, we were able to put it on a ferry and camp on the beach with no hook ups for a week, BUT ... it was roughing it. No bathroom (popup privy with wag bags). No air-conditioning (which really makes it a two season camper) and only cooking outside (no indoor kitchen).

I sold it to a family in MOAB and now own the 25' Eddie Bauer. We have been out more in the 4 months we have owned the Airstream than we did in the 3 years owning the Conqueror Commander ...

[Brett - TTT]

Originally Posted by BoldAdventure

I too wouldn't buy a new one. Just because. Doesn't make sense to me. Even with cash, I'd still buy one that took the depreciation hit.

But there could be a unique niche market here. We've got companies like Timeless & Hoffarc that do resto-trailers. Maybe someone could get into the boon-docking upgrade business.

At Timeless we do a wide variety of new and vintage Airstream custom upfits including off-road and long term boondocking. We are the oldest and most experienced Airstream factory authorized upfitter.

[JamuJoe]

Brett,
It would be of interest to see some of the off road or boondocking mods done by Timeless. The website primarily showcases commercial jobs.


Safe Travels,
Jamu Joe

[andreasduess]

Originally Posted by Caroyl

Your composting idea sounds a lot like the cassette toilet we had in our Coleman popup trailer 15+ years ago ;-)

I know you were joking, but modern composting toilets are nothing like a cassette toilet. With normal use for two people, they don't need to be emptied more than once a month, if that, and the process is far less disgusting.

[BoldAdventure]

Has anyone ever installed one of the lift kits on a larger Airstream, say a 25 or 27?

[Greenfire]

Necroing an old thread here... Blue sky option for now, but maybe one day this will exist:

I think much like an incinerating toilet can burn up all your liquid and solid waste, it would be great to have incinerating waste tanks. Obviously, this doesn't exist yet, but it would be a lot nicer to press a button to burn the contents of the tank rather than go to a dump station. You could run it once a week say, when you're not intending to be home. (even the incinerator toilets stink when they burn after each use, so I would prefer to collect a week at a time and then get rid of it all at once, instead of little mini burns)

Of course, the thought of fuel costs for a propane fired incinerator tank, and the risk of burning your stream down will need to be worked on.

The other option is to have some kind of high speed fan that evaporates things, like one of the better compost toilets does, maybe you could do that at least for the grey tank. It might not keep it from filling, but maybe it would fill it slower.

Motion sensor lights for the exterior could be handy too, in case you have critters wandering around outside, to scare them away. And the ability to run your running lights off the battery, just for a little outside light at night out in the wild. Do the new ones already do this? I know you can get a kit for this, but it seems it would be easier to just flip a switch for it.

[J-Dog]

Hey Photobum

Originally Posted by Photobum

... 4 6v Lifeline batteries...

Where did you end up having your 4 batteries located? Are two in the factory box and two located elsewhere?

[Photobum]

All four batteries are under my bed....

[Tn Traveler]

Originally Posted by Photobum

All four batteries are under my bed....

That's definitely an advantage of the front bedroom.