Got this email yesterday from the moderators:
This is the message that was sent:
Cedric,
I'm writing to tell you that the moderators have deemed one of your posts (just a small part of it, actually) to have violated our community rules (
http://www.airforums.com/forums/misc...ork&page=rules) against posting on inflammatory political and/or religious topics.
I want to be clear that we realize that 95% of the post contained pertinent information based on your experience with the topic. Because of that, I'm including the text of your post without the problematic part so you can easily repost the non-controversial part it if you choose. Specifically, your opinions about impending societal collapse and the link to your blog are not in keeping with the Airstream focus of AIRForums.
David
-- on behalf of the site team"
I guess my post has been deleted, so I'll re-post it here minus the 'rule breaking parts" and some small additional tips.
HERE IT IS:
Tried to post this last week, but it wouldn't take.
I've lived full time in Silver Streak trailers since 1986 and learned everything through EXPERIENCE. Currently in North Idaho since 1998 and endured all kinds of winters (no two are every the same up here), even a record breaking snowfall a few years back for the area since
1950 where we couldn't find places to pile the snow...about 93 inches!
Firstly, these trailers usually have the un-insulated water lines up against the walls of the trailer allowing the outside cold to freeze them more quickly. I moved mine away from the walls using PEX line and compression fittings. I NEVER USE CITY PRESSURE WATER! I only use my water pump and keep it off when not using it.
This eliminates the possibility of a water line break spreading water under pressure. Most leaks start out with a slow drip, but if you have city water pressure a compression fitting or damaged line can explode and the water will keep flowing flooding your trailer maybe when you are not there. Most trailers have the flooring and carpeting laid down before the cabinets are installed leading to a wick effect from a small leak being absorbed into the carpet and finally spreading out to where you 'may' discover it when it reaches an area where you will feel it if you are bare footed. Usually you can't see it if your carpeting is dark.
I put heating tape on all my water lines AND got access to the P trap under the shower and put a heat tape around it to keep it from freezing the drain and keeping the shower water from draining. Yes...it has frozen many times when I don't plug in the heat tape. Also, you have to put heat tape around all the exposed drain line you can get to, especially the drain pipe that you attach your drain hose to. It will freeze up and you will have to use a hair dryer and chip out the ice before you can drain your systems. It's better to just leave it open and put a large insulation wrap around the drain hose all the way to the dump tank. You can find an insulated heat wrap (insulation with a wire spring around it and wrapped in plastic) at a Home Depot type store. Whatever you leave exposed WILL FREEZE and stop any drainage until you can thaw it out. Letting water out can be more trouble than bringing water IN the trailer. You can always catch your gray water in a dish pan and throw it out rather than putting it down a drain to possibly freeze.
I have had my water system freeze up many times and had to resort to a water bottle for coffee and spit bathes for days at a time until the system would thaw out during the day, sometimes for a week or more. That's because I wasn't using the things I'm telling you to do BEFORE your system can freeze up.
As far as the toilet problem, I have a bad back and have been peeing in a hospital urine bottle for years because it's too disruptive to my sleep and too painful to have to get up at night. I just pour it out in the yard the next day.
Just be careful and not keep pouring it near plants you want to live. I think I killed an apple tree once.
I had the foot pedal on my toilet freeze up frequently so I couldn't flush the toilet. The mechanism is above the floor line so I couldn't figure out why it would freeze. But, I have cats and their water dish would freeze sitting on the floor, so it gets pretty cold on the floor.
That's why you should skirt your trailer if you are going to be stationary for a long time. A quick skirting is black plastic and cold weather tape. Just be sure the surfaces are dry or the tape won't stick. Forget duct tape...it doesn't work and leave glue all over your trailer. Even Gorilla Tape sucks.
As for pooping, I once had the toilet freeze, so I just ran out into the woods to take a dump. Then I got to thinking about a portable toilet until I realized I already had one! So now I just put a 13 gallon plastic trash can liner in the toilet and even leave it for a couple of dumps before I take it out, tie it off and put it in the trash can outside and eventually take it to the local dump where we have to take our trash...no trash pickup here.
It's not gross folks except for those of you who have more than one person using the toilet. You will have to just change the plastic bag after each person's use. I get a big roll of plastic trash can liners at Walmart or Kmart where they are cheapest. You should have a good backup supply before the society collapses and you can’t get these simple supplies easily. A large pump bottle of Febreze liquid is great for any odors. I get mine at Lowe's where they have large bottles unlike the spray cans at the market. I'm shocked how good Febreze is. Much better than other house deodorants I've used in the past.
I don't have a septic system where I am now, so this is a workable solution.
You DO NOT want to have anything in your waste tanks during a freeze as it will freeze solid and you WILL NOT get it to unthaw until you get regular warm weather. DO NOT TEST THIS! You will regret it.
One suggestion to clean a black tank was to put cubed ice in the tank and some water and drive down the highway. It might help clean out crusted on gunk. Better still is to get one of the flexible hose tank cleaners you attach to a hose to clean your tank regularly. I do, and it works. Also, use the tank liquid with coconut oil in it. You can also store the trailer with RID IT bacterial granules to let them eat the gunk out. It will also help the septic tank where you finally dump your tanks. You should not leave your tanks dry when storing as the gunk will dry out and become cement in your tanks.
Living in a trailer is simple if you just use your common sense and don't try to make it like living in a penthouse or try to impress other people who have a distorted perception of how people should live.
Live and let live, I say...as long as you don't 'let live' on, or next to, me.
As long as people can't SEE IT...they won't complain. So don't pollute your area.
Live green and naturally.
I'm glad to give practical advice about any subject.
I'm almost 70 and have lived a full life and experienced much.
You will profit from my advice in the future if you find living the American Dream becomes difficult and wind up in a trailer.
I hope this post is now acceptable to our eagle eye moderators.
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