What is the best way to skirt AS for winter???

[frankfarmer]

My second winter coming.

Last year I used a thick plastic sheet cut & taped to bottom/sides all around & held down with plain concrete blocks, it looked terrible/ugly, but it did fair at blocking the wind. Survival mode back then for my first winter

Any smarter more efficient suggestions to seal the bottom from wind, capture heat that the furnace blows into the lower portions????

[c_lewis77]

I have seen straw bales used around an SOB up in pittsburgh in the winter. The owner said it worked fairly well.

[Fly at Night]

Better yet, use plastic-covered baled shavings. Straw will only become a sodden mess.

When winter is over, you can sell/give shaving bales to a horse person.

[c_lewis77]

A Centaur? Lol!

[K0RRL]

100 gallons of diesel!

[crazeevw]

Just read a post where someone used the foil backed insulation sheets around base of his TT. Cut to fit, as TT was to stay parked year round. Still, he did comment that after 1st winter in a 7300 altitude, he discovered that the best way to keep your Airstream warm all winter long, is to hunt down all of the cold air leaks that come in from outside. I'm certain that there are all sorts of openings for wires, water pipes, propane lines. Even with the underbelly, I'm sure that air would be leaking in all over the place. His comment that when all holes were discovered and covered, he didn't need the skirt the second winter.

[Royce]

Here are a couple of companies that make custom RV skirting. May be someone local to you that can do the same. Snaps or turn buttons could go into the lower rub strip band.

Kimbers Creations: All Season Insulated Skirting and Covers
Custom RV Trailer Skirting Made Tough AND Rugged! Call,Text Or Email US!

[slowmover]

The search function is your friend. Little is new around here on some subjects, so one always has a step up to then ask a question based on older threads.

Skirting an Airstream

Custom RV Trailer Skirting Made Tough AND Rugged! Call,Text Or Email US!

How to Skirt a Travel Trailer

There is more on RV.net and elsewhere.

As to straw . . does the farmer store it in the kitchen? Or a very long ways off in the barn. As a fire hazard and vermin hotel, this should give one pause.

.

[frankfarmer]

Thanks for suggestions. I'm going to have custom skirt made

[Andrew T]

I would not use hay bales. About 20 years ago a customer did that with rather scary results. We think a spark may have come out of the water heater but what ever it was something set the Hay on fire, the Airstream was not lost but it needed a new lower side sheet. A box trailer would have been gone.

Andrew T

[Skater]

Originally Posted by crazeevw

Just read a post where someone used the foil backed insulation sheets around base of his TT. Cut to fit, as TT was to stay parked year round. Still, he did comment that after 1st winter in a 7300 altitude, he discovered that the best way to keep your Airstream warm all winter long, is to hunt down all of the cold air leaks that come in from outside. I'm certain that there are all sorts of openings for wires, water pipes, propane lines. Even with the underbelly, I'm sure that air would be leaking in all over the place. His comment that when all holes were discovered and covered, he didn't need the skirt the second winter.

I've read that post, too. It's a REALLY good post, and funny too.

Unfortunately I can't find it right now. But it's worth finding. I remember there was the initial post (very long but informative and fun to read), and then someone started another thread nominating that post for one of the best posts ever in the forums. I can't find either thread at the moment, but as I said it's very much worth the time for anyone who is going to be spending time in an Airstream over the winter. Even if you don't take all of his advice, or aren't doing it for more than a couple weeks, it gives great advice and insight.

[frankfarmer]

Thanks for all advise. It's such an akward animal with all the curves, still not sure, custom quote, $1,600, doubt my registered Hereford cattle would care, They cost twice that much anyway. Might try plywood, ???? I could install in the fall & remove in spring????

[slowmover]

See my third link above.

[Fly at Night]

It's such an akward animal with all the curves....

Are you talking about cattle, trailers, or women? If it's the latter -
you're absolutely correct!

[frankfarmer]

Fly at Night, way cool. my best to you on using all the runway. Trying my best here to use all mine. I do not fly, but sailed all over, just moved my boat to Lake Guntersville, if ever down this way, we'll go sailing.

[frankfarmer]

Finished Skirt. Used heavy duty plastic sheets, cut all the curves just right to fit on trim area at bottom, used sticky gorilla tape to secure, 99% air tight, used bricks to hold down, it will work, but still looks rather ugly. Acetone will remove sticky tape stuff come spring. New Girard tankless water heater to be installed tomorrow. Guess ready for 2nd winter down on Burgit Hill in NE Alabama mountain area. I have premo view but way cold on top of little mountain. Good luck fellow full timers.

[slowmover]

Hope the mods and work performed the past year or so keeps you comfortable this winter season there in Alabama, frankfarmer. Did you get the furnace and water heater operating up to snuff?

[frankfarmer]

Replaced furnace motor last year, works OK but loud, burns a lot of gas. Installing new tankless water heater tomorrow, hope it works well, little 6 gallon unit gave me a headache last winter. Guess all OK, ready for 30 calves this winter, registered hereford breed, expensive however very proitable when grown/sold. Had tornado damage this spring, real fan crushed into top of AS, 11K insurance, I replaced with a 3 by 4 piece of aluminum sheet & replaced older big fan unit with fantastic fan, it looks good & works better really than old big fan. This limited 34 has taken a beating but keeps on ticking. Have great day down on beach at Corpus Christi.

[jdalrymple]

I am guessing you have grid power at your location.

What ever you chose to make the skirt, I would place a couple light bulbs or maybe a small space heater under the trailer inside the skirt on the colder nights. It can't hurt.

I have some SOB friends that spend some winter weeks in Taos, NM. They have the custom skirt with a heater under the trailer. They rave about how much difference it makes.

Good Luck.

[frankfarmer]

Thanks to all for advise.

All set for winter, after last year, the 2nd winter will be a piece of cake.