I Thought My Husband Was Nuts...Until He Did This!

[melindamcmul]

We recently headed out on a six week Airstream caravan from Delaware to Jekyll Island and in the winter we'll be heading to Florida, Louisiana and Alabama.

My husband is highly allergic to mosquitos, so he was quite keen to get a tropical porch for our Airstream. They were cost prohibitive, though -- about $1,300 --so he vowed to make one.

We set off to Delaware with about 42 feet of noseeum netting for the awning of our 30" FC (cost: $6/foot). Honestly, I thought this was a project that would never see the light of day, but on week two we landed in a mosquito heaven as we faced the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Those little buggers were everywhere.

Within an hour, my husband had constructed and installed the awning using canvas grommets, parachord and the netting. From this point forward, believes it will take 30 minutes to install in any campground.

Last night, we enjoyed a cocktail in our new "patio room" which cost less than $300. The grommets are installed about every 12 inches with a triple fold. He made three panels with an overlap that helps keep those little buggers out. For extra protection, we can toss a towel over any gaps. Importantly, he also put insulation along the base of the Airstream to keep them from coming in from underneath the rig.

We didn't keep every last little bugger from our space, but it's our campground was crawling with them and we were successful in attacking about 95%. We made the space less attractive through the use of citronella candles and bug spray.

I thought my husband was nuts when he embarked on this project, but he is now my hero. Three cheers for innovation!

[Lily&Me]

Great idea, and good job!


Maggie

[AWCHIEF]

OP, Very nice. Handy guy you have there.
My trailer came with a ZD sun room that had never been installed. It was missing all the attachment parts and pieces. Contacted ZD and they sent everything I needed, gratis. I have only used it a couple of times but well worth the effort it takes to put up and take down when the sketers are swarming. As you said expensive. I probable would not have bought one if it had not come with the trailer.

[Paddledipper]

I am impressed. Great job!

[NoResults]

Another option might be to try a winter in Arizona, Nevada or another dry climate without the bugs.

Chance to see another part of the country.

Enjoy yourselves. Dave

[i2oadRunnei2]

Whoa, you just one up BaseCamp and betcha it's jealous now Great job!

[banderabob]

Great innovative thinking!

[InterBlog]

That's a wonderful innovation. The grommets and paracord are the key to the idea. That's an approach that had not occurred to me.

Myself, I don't battle post-hurricane apocalyptic mosquito conditions most of the time, just the natural mosquito and black fly densities that characterize lowland portions of Nova Scotia. So I may be trying something similar.

[paiceman]

Huh, nice job. I like it, thanks for sharing.

Bud

[StrmyWeather]

Nice Job on both counts! I only get an incredulous look with the announcement of any project.

[lovetokite]

thanks for sharing... cheers

[polarlyse]

SO, what do you think of the caravan ??? We are on the schedule for the 2018 Caravan with several friends. Looking forward to enjoying a lot of seafood along the way.