FEMA Trailer Evacuations - What's in your AS?

[2airishuman]

Originally Posted by bredlo

...put a simple warning label on it....

yep they use LOTS of warning labels already,

read 'em here and the cali/cancer label is in post 2...

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...bel-18080.html

what has and is happening to the fema village people and those huts they were given to live in....

has got very little to do with rv's or rv travel and living....

as for the safety of newer a/s trailer products, we are gonna cover many of these issues eventually, here......

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f353...afe-39545.html

cheers
2air'

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

That is a shame that people are still living in slapped together trailers. I'm sure it's the same materials as other trailers are built of, but certainly not meant to be lived in. It's a shame people still don't have better options than to stay in a hastily slapped together tempoorary trailer, but I guess any roof over your head is better than none. Maybe this attention being given to the chemicals in them will push efforts to build permanent homes for people to move into. I don't buy into that thing about people just need to buck up and help themselves. I can't imagine what you're supposed to do if you have almost nothing (like the people you say prefer the FEMA trailers to the home they used to have), and then you lose everything.

I do. Been there, down but not out. Just do something about it. It's not easy but can be done, no excuses. That mentality is what keeps so many people down, there have been thousands and thousands that were poor living in Louisiana who have rebounded and are doing good now, some of them now live in my area. You dishonor all of those that stood up from the wreckage and said okay now we start over and rebuild our lives and have succeeded and you do people a disservice when you tell them they can't possibly help themselves, that they need more help than others to achieve the same goals. I know I wouldn't like it if somone told me you can't do what these others have done, you can't stand on your own two feet and start over and maybe this time do even better. There is nothing wrong with giving people a hand up but hand outs damage the human spirit in the long run until eventually people will believe that they can't do anything for themselves, that they aren't capable of succeeding. Just my humble opinion though, others will surely disagree.

[Stefrobrts]

I don't mean to dishonor anyone who's made the crawl back up from the bottom, but I can also see that not everyone may be able to do it on their own. People all have different abilities. If you can just barely afford to eat, you may not be able to afford to rebuild a house. Building a home is trying enough for people with lots of money who are doing it on purpose, to suddenly find yourself with a wrecked home, no posessions, starting from scratch, I can see why I'm still hearing stories about entire neighborhoods abandoned.

I don't believe people who get a handout when they really need it will necessarily expect it from then on. When the going gets tough people band together and help each other. That's what being a community is about, and as Americans we should all feel part of the same community, and we should be disturbed to know people in our own country are suffering. It's only natural to want to help.

[mrmossyone]

Originally Posted by Stefrobrts

I don't mean to dishonor anyone who's made the crawl back up from the bottom, but I can also see that not everyone may be able to do it on their own. People all have different abilities. If you can just barely afford to eat, you may not be able to afford to rebuild a house. Building a home is trying enough for people with lots of money who are doing it on purpose, to suddenly find yourself with a wrecked home, no posessions, starting from scratch, I can see why I'm still hearing stories about entire neighborhoods abandoned.

I don't believe people who get a handout when they really need it will necessarily expect it from then on. When the going gets tough people band together and help each other. That's what being a community is about, and as Americans we should all feel part of the same community, and we should be disturbed to know people in our own country are suffering. It's only natural to want to help.

We just disagree as to what helps. Helping each other should be a part of what makes us human. I have been remodeling houses for the poor through a local ministry/benevolent foundation and some people are helping us help themselves they just need a handup right now, while others we have been helping expect others to do for them, their human spirit and dignity have been mostly destroyed by the handouts. I'm all for helping our fellow man, helping them but not hindering or harming them in the longrun. I do respect your position and your compassion I just have a disagreement as to what actually helps and how to implement it.

Take care.

[Cracker]

The use of formaldehyde-bearing materials is certainly nothing new in the construction of camping trailers but several questions need to be addressed: First, how long does it take for the "gassing" to become a non-issue - healthwise? Second, are there equally inexpensive materials that could replace formaldehyde bearing materials? Third - and with respect to our Airstreams - how do the materials used to build Airstreams compare to those materials used to build SOBs? This last question may be one for Jackson Center to respond to. I know that with my 2000 30' Excella I can hardly detect any formaldehyde odor when I first enter - even if it's been closed up for several weeks. Once we're set up and camping - air conditioning or not - the only odors come from normal camping smells - like fresh coffee brewing, sausages frying, soup or chili cooking - or a whiff of campfire smoke! The odor of formaldehyde doesn't have a chance! Truth is, a case could probably be made for inhaling too much campfire smoke - but I want to die happy!

[joe3957]

The CBS news made it sound as if these trailers were by a single manufacturer, does anyone know if that is true? When we hear 35 times the acceptable level of toxins many months after manufacture, that seems like particular trailers perhaps had extreme levels to begin with (they have been outgassing and vented at some level all this time right). So my question is who are the manufacturers, and although I have no interest in any SOB, which ones should we have our friends, ok associates, avoid.
Friends don't let friends buy SOBs.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by joe3957

The CBS news made it sound as if these trailers were by a single manufacturer, does anyone know if that is true? When we hear 35 times the acceptable level of toxins many months after manufacture, that seems like particular trailers perhaps had extreme levels to begin with (they have been outgassing and vented at some level all this time right). So my question is who are the manufacturers, and although I have no interest in any SOB, which ones should we have our friends, ok associates, avoid.
Friends don't let friends buy SOBs.

I watched the news conference, the trailers were from various manufactures. The sample size was 519. Trailers in Louisiana and Mississippi were sampled.
Link to news conference:
FEMA, CDC Talk Trailer Safety - Video - WDSU New Orleans

[2airishuman]

as suggested already, these ARE NOT TYPICAL RVs regardless of maker...

there are other threads on this...

especially post #12, which if factually correct, is important.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f161...ers-30693.html

and lots of background reading to understand why and how these units were developed.

don't be a fish and get hooked on a trotline here or go by any one news wire...

cheers
2air'

[Jim Clark]

2air is correct. I have friends who stayed in these units they are more like the office trailers you see on construction sites, no tanks nothing. Some of the very first units were rv units but only the very first. Apples and Oranges.

[A/SimpleLife]

Originally Posted by Cracker

Truth is, a case could probably be made for inhaling too much campfire smoke - but I want to die happy!

And a good case at that! Campfires are beautiful but smog-like. But back to topic, does anyone know what '70s trailers interiors are made out of? Specifically, that ugly, plastic-y, sort of wood-looking laminate stuff that lasts forever looking just like the day it was made? Just curious about its toxicity, although I suppose there aren't much fumes left after 30 years.
Thanks,
Gwen

[norsim]

FEMA bought 40,000 of the first trailers from dealer inventory.

I have seen many of the FEMA trailers close up, did not see any Airstreams but saw a lot of nice double slide trailers from Holiday Rambler, Sunline, Jayco etc.

Many of the plain White boxes are from Gulfstream and interior is about all particle board.

I bought one of the auction trailers, it is Sunline Solaris with NO particle board and no noticeable smell. Trailer has all normal travel trailer fittings including awning.

Contrary to what you read on these forums trailer was spotlessly clean with very little sign of wear and tear.

Did see some that were totaly trashed out and were sold for salvage but majority were in fairly good condition for trailer that had been lived in for year or more.

[Jim & Susan]

Originally Posted by overlander63

I am wondering if this question is going to raise a "cloud", but I remember this being publicised maybe a year ago. Why is it again being dragged through the public mudhole? I would hope the answer is not purely political, and it was genuinely the resident's best interests that were the cause.

Me thinks he's on to the truth. This is just one of the early salvo's in what is going to be a very ugly election year. Just by way of example, since the broadcast news media has essentially turned into "entertainment" hiding behind the First Amendment, does anybody really trust these people to act as if they are actually exercising that right in truly good faith for the people? Not a chance.

Terry, if this is too political, please delete it.

Jim

[wahoonc]

Originally Posted by A/SimpleLife

And a good case at that! Campfires are beautiful but smog-like. But back to topic, does anyone know what '70s trailers interiors are made out of? Specifically, that ugly, plastic-y, sort of wood-looking laminate stuff that lasts forever looking just like the day it was made? Just curious about its toxicity, although I suppose there aren't much fumes left after 30 years.
Thanks,
Gwen

Mine are all made of plywood, the plastic-y stuff is basically formica (plastic laminate) I think the laminate in my 1975 is actually from WilsonArt, but haven't confirmed that. As far as toxicity, as long as you don't burn it, or eat it you should be fine. Never noticed any out gassing from it either. Particle board is particularly noxious stuff and I can assure you there is none in a 70's vintage Airstream...unless some PO snuck some in there.


Aaron

[Andrew Selking]

Do you really believe all that you here; Maybe this thread should be combined with the problems that the FB trailers of Airstreram seem to have according to some people. I have a FB 25 ft. and love it but some people seem to complain about trailers in general than to tell about the good things that there trailers have . Wally always tried to make it better even if it did't work the first time he improved it may we should to . Just my two cents. Andy

[wingfoot321]

This discussion of formaldehyde in trailers is an old discussion.

I lived in a mobile during college days and new ones had a very strong odor and would burn your eyes when closed up during hot weather.

I think there was a discussion of banning formaldehyde years ago but, apparently the govt caved-in to lobbying.

I seem to remember that it was a discussion surrounding the plywood paneling in trailers. Lots of glue cementing plies together. I don't think cabinets, etc. were every much of the discussion. Just had a new kitchen put in the house last year and there was zero smell of formaldehyde.

I doubt there is much in an alum airstream to contribute. However, mine is 21 years old so it has had plenty of time to vent.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by norsim

FEMA bought 40,000 of the first trailers from dealer inventory.

I have seen many of the FEMA trailers close up, did not see any Airstreams but saw a lot of nice double slide trailers from Holiday Rambler, Sunline, Jayco etc.

Many of the plain White boxes are from Gulfstream and interior is about all particle board.

I bought one of the auction trailers, it is Sunline Solaris with NO particle board and no noticeable smell. Trailer has all normal travel trailer fittings including awning.

Contrary to what you read on these forums trailer was spotlessly clean with very little sign of wear and tear.

Did see some that were totaly trashed out and were sold for salvage but majority were in fairly good condition for trailer that had been lived in for year or more.

That is not the norm. I have seen many of them and still do very few are RV quality.

[Jim Clark]

Originally Posted by Jim & Susan

Me thinks he's on to the truth. This is just one of the early salvo's in what is going to be a very ugly election year. Just by way of example, since the broadcast news media has essentially turned into "entertainment" hiding behind the First Amendment, does anybody really trust these people to act as if they are actually exercising that right in truly good faith for the people? Not a chance.

Terry, if this is too political, please delete it.

Jim

Having watched the FEMA/CDC news conference I didn't get that sense. I felt FEMA/CDC were facing a problem and working to correct it. FEMA has improved since the storm. FEMA/CDC were acting on a problem and certainly not trying to cover it up. I wouldn't cal it a salvo not even a side show.

[norsim]

Originally Posted by Jim Clark

That is not the norm. I have seen many of them and still do very few are RV quality.

I agree that most are the plain White boxes but everyone seems to think that all FEMA trailers are that type. FEMA seems unable to seperate the good from the bad and are going to destroy all of the trailers. I saw picture on news yesterday showing one of the FEMA parks and none of the trailers shown were the plain White box type.

[ROBERT CROSS]

So 'ya think this "bad" stuff is only in your A/S?

DREAM-ON..done any new house shopping lately? They smell so toxic

you'd think them un-liveable.

Go to any urban area during rush hour and take a deep breath..hackhack.

Not really very worried about the A/S, sure it smelled awful on the

dealers lot, so much so that the co-pilot almost bailed out. Open it up,

let it vent...smells like "us" now. Is the crap still there?, probably, do I care?

yes. Will we let it interfere with our Stream'n?, not a chance!!

We're at this point now...WHY WORRY,BE HAPPY

[Jim Clark]

Well said Robert.