Hi everyone,
These forums have been a great resource for us as we prepare to live in our 25' Excella year round in northern Vermont. Now I turn to you for any advice you may have that is specific to our situation. My girlfriend and I are full-time students at a very small college, and we think we're ready to make the lifestyle changes necessary to live off the grid with a smallish PV array and a woodstove (the Sardine from Navigator Stoveworks) for heat.
Our woodstove will provide heat when we are in the trailer and the propane furnace will serve as a backup for especially cold spells. We will not be using the plumbing in the trailer so we think it is not a huge issue if the trailer freezes while we are away during the day.
I anticipate many concerns from the seasoned veterans of airstream living and I thank you in advance for any advice you have for us. Keep in mind that we know many will think we are crazy people, but we have done extensive research and have been encouraged by experienced people in the area. We are committed to making this happen and excited about what we will learn in the process.
Our pressing issue right now is installing the chimney for the woodstove, so that when the woodstove arrives we can get it up and running right away. We have a pipe boot from www.pipebootexpress.com to weatherproof the seal and we plan on using Pro-Seal 34 clear caulk, both on recommendation by the stovemaker.
How do you suggest we go about cutting the 4-inch hole in the roof, while making sure we don't hit any electrical wiring or other important components? And is there any way for us to know where the studs are before we start cutting?
I'd be happy to answer any questions anyone has.
Wow! Winter in Vermont in an Airstream. Exciting. I've installed a number of stoves over the years (never in an Airstream) and can only share my opinions and observations with you. These are mostly cautionary. I always use triple wall insulated stack pipe from somewhere above the stove thru the roof and up to the pipe cap. A few times I've used double-wall, but these stoves can get pretty hot, especially with a low ceiling penetration point. I love the boot product, and suggest using the silicone- again because of the heat concerns. It's good over 450 degrees F- but the outside of the flue pipe should NEVER get that hot. As far as your concerns about rib spacing, do a search here and you may find a number of pictures posted that show interiors under rehab - hopefully you'll get a good view of an area your considering going thru.
Follow the stove installation directions in regards to non-combustible materials (spacing and covering requirements/codes) to the letter. I'm sure you already have a smoke detector, but also it's smart to install a CO detector. A fire extinguisher is a must-have in any unit whether you have a fireplace or not.
You should be fine - plenty warm, especially if you're going to drain and prep the plumbing.
Best of luck and enjoy - post interior and exterior pictures as the winter progresses - is it snowing yet so we can all celebrate your conquering the elements!
first install the proper safety devices such as smoke and CO alarms and fire extinguishers. (can extinguishers freeze?) second, verify that your emergency escape works and have a back-up exit available such as brick-through-window. safety first!
__________________
Ricky give life. kidney & pancreas transplant 9/9/06
Ingrid - my unofficial '"World's Oldest Airstreamer"
January 1909 - October 2008 R.I.P.
To be young again. Do I understand you will not have an electrical hookup. Gets dark alot up there in the winter. Rivet lines tell you where the ribs are located in the trailer walls. The trick will be cutting a round hole in a bent surface. The flatter the area the better. I like the window swap idea as it gives you the spring time option. If you remove the window find out what the trick is for your particular year. Cann't imagine needing an additional source of heat with a woodstove going in a trailer. You are likly to end up with a sweat lodge and have to sit around with little clothing on.
I've had over 30 years experience with wood burning heaters, boilers and stoves, when I lived up in the snow belt in northeastern Ohio. Dad panicked and put in a wood burning boiler when home heating oil went up over 19 cents a gallon! The first thing I did in our house when we first got married was put in a small wood burning stove in our house. It more than paid for itself.
That being said, from my experience, I would recommend NOT putting a wood burning stove or heater in an Airstream. Many reasons, space required for installation among the first. Clearance from other objects in the trailer. (3' is recommended) My biggest concern is regulating the heat output. I would think that in such a small space you would blast yourself out of there with too much heat. It was not uncommon for us to have the living room at 95*F during the winter, when it was not extremely cold. I can just imagine how hot it could get in a 25' coach. Think this thing out a little more before making cuts in your Airstream. Yeah, I know propane is getting expensive these days.
__________________
CP 9 miles off Exit 399, I75.
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce! Air # 283
Hello and I might add be carefull with the chimney. 90 deegree turns are sometimes a problem. Around here there were a rash of garage fires and that was determined to be the factor. State Farm said, they would cancel my policy if I went thru the wall in either my trailer, Garage or house. FYI.
Make sure you have proper clearances, and there is a rule for chimney heights for Ideal draft. Also consider, When you do the chimney exterior plan on a joint close to the roof,(within 6 inches or so) the reason? If you decide to travel/ move the unit you dont have alot to dismantel, and you can cap it. Good luck.
I've had over 30 years experience with wood burning heaters, boilers and stoves, when I lived up in the snow belt in northeastern Ohio. Dad panicked and put in a wood burning boiler when home heating oil went up over 19 cents a gallon! The first thing I did in our house when we first got married was put in a small wood burning stove in our house. It more than paid for itself.
That being said, from my experience, I would recommend NOT putting a wood burning stove or heater in an Airstream. Many reasons, space required for installation among the first. Clearance from other objects in the trailer. (3' is recommended) My biggest concern is regulating the heat output. I would think that in such a small space you would blast yourself out of there with too much heat. It was not uncommon for us to have the living room at 95*F during the winter, when it was not extremely cold. I can just imagine how hot it could get in a 25' coach. Think this thing out a little more before making cuts in your Airstream. Yeah, I know propane is getting expensive these days.
These stoves are made for even smalle spaces than Airstreams. Take a look at www.marinestove.com
You have already received a lot of sound "sage" advice about wood stoves from many knowledgeable Airforums members.
I would suggest that before you commit to spending a winter up north with out dependable power, water, and indoor plumbing, try living that life style now...during the summer/fall months.
There is one special consideration that weighs heavily on my mind. Wood stoves need oxygen to burn. If your trailer is tight, and you do not have an outside source of 02 directly to the wood stove, you will be burning the oxygen inside the trailer to fuel the fire.
In a confined space during a long cold night the 02 level in the Airstream could be depleted to the point of extreme danger to you and your girlfriend.
Please ask several wood burning stove manufacturer engineers if placing a stove in an Airstream is practical.
Wow - that's all balls, I like it. KeithC brings up a valid concern re: the oxygen depletion and a great suggestion as far as trying it out. That said when you go out the door to use the restroom in the middle of the night you will get a large amount of fresh air and AS trailers are not so tightly sealed. Other preparations like skirting, insulated window coverings, etc. . . will be hugely helpful.
OK...yer gonna haul water, store it where?,go out to the pit when necessary, can you just dig a hole or are there codes to worry about, Lights, batterys,emergency supplies,food,someone be there all day to tend the stove, no..everything freezes. Start now, see how it goes or save the Airstream and build a log cabin.
Great to read your post. You are both braver souls than I. I wish you great success this year.
As the newsletter editor for the New England Unit (of WBCCI), I would love to hear from you over the winter. Let us know how you are making out with being "off the grid".
I just started a new column in our newsletter, "green airstream", which I hope to continue in each edition with ideas and tips on being "green" as Airstreamers. Please send along any ideas you might like to share with our members.
Good luck.
__________________ "travelling as fast in one direction as she can go before she has second thoughts & goes back to doing the same old stuff" Storypeople, Brian Andreas
New England Unit....in Fun, Fellowship and Adventure.
Quick Links
so we can all celebrate your conquering the elements!
Say no to Lawrence Welk attitudes
LOST IN THE SIXTIES
2006 3/4 Burb 8.1
Linear Mode
