Winter In An Airstream

[campden]

Hi Everyone

I'm based in the UK, and am hoping to import an airstream to use as a holiday home up in the Highlands of scotland.
(The Isle Of Skye, its beautiful!)

So, will an Airstream be suitable for the harsh Scottish weather?
I would like to stay in it in all seasons.

I would like to get a classic airstream, 1960's, but i haven't pinned down a model yet.

If it is suitable, do i follow standard winterisation techniques?

Lastly, when it rains, are they noisy inside??

Cheers

rashid

[femuse]

Rashid,

for ideas about living in your AS in winter, you can check our photos:

http://www.airstreamphotos.com/photo...r=1847&thumb=1

This winter it went down to -12c and we kept the water on. We have 2 light bulbs in the fridge, to keep the hydrant warm when the temperature outside falls around -2c. (2 bulbs, in case one bulb blows). In the back of the trailer, we have 3 bulbs on a thermostatic oulet that go on when it gets too cold (we have a thermometer we read in the trailer, check temp., reposition bulbs until we maintain safe temp.)
There is a "self regulating heat tape" that you can use on a hose. We have not tried it yet.
The place you want to protect the most is where the water gets in the trailer. This is the most vulnerable.
If it gets too cold some night and you do not want to disconnect (and drain the hoses,... a pain) , get an alarm clock. Get up once or twice to run the water a few minutes. Or else, you need to get out in a hurry with a heat gun to taw everything. (a hair dryer may work, a bit slow).
It is fairly possible that your weather get colder than ours. You may then have to turn off your water.

Chantal

[campden]

Hi Chantal

Thanks for the reply. it certainly looks cold where you are!

I think the alarm clock is a good idea to begin with, and hopefully as i get more experienced i can try some other methods.

cheers

rashid

[Rickk48]

Lastly, when it rains, are they noisy inside??

No, it's not noisy inside when it rains. Airstreams are made with two layers of aluminum, with insulation between. You can hear the rain, but it is a pleasant, lull you to sleep sound.

[RoadKingMoe]

Click on the search button in the upper right of this page, leave the subject blank and search by username on Rubyslipper
Lots of wintering in an Airstream perspective.

[Silvertwinkie]

Well, if it's worth anything, we were loading the ol Bambi up last night in about 10 degrees. Turned the heat on and it got warm pretty fast. Only problem is that is cools down pretty quick too. I can now see why the 30# tanks only last about 3 days on cold winter days.

Don't get me wrong, a bad day in the Airstream still beats a good day at home!

Eric