TjMurphy002
Palmer, AK
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Joined: 07/03/2023
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agwill wrote:It is nice to dream. But no running water or flushing toilet at 40 below. You can insulate the trailer by using straw bales all around and on top. You have to cover all with plastic also. You need a frame work on top to carry the weight of straw and the snow load. You need fresh air inlet and real heater. Lots to consider.
One of the reasons I'm concidering the Northwood is for the roof build. They can handle more weight because of the 16 inch centers, so I'm told, so I've been looking into that. I would definitely use hay as an insulator and I'd have to worry about voles because of that, which means using mint oil and irish spring soap to keep my hay from getting pests that could eat into my system. There's a ton to consider, I know. I'm not going into this lightly, which is why I appreciate any and all advice.
Are you saying the hay on top and bottom would need plastic lining? What do you suggest for that, a thick plastic or something just to keep water off?
As for the no water thing, I have family who will let me park on their property for extreme cold months (mid dec-feb), so I can use their washroom, and I dont mind living dry.
I want to give this a shot before giving up on it and getting another cabin. I move every year or so and moving expenses really arent much cheaper when they all stack up. I'd rather keep all my stuff with me and just drive when I'm ready to go. When I'm done with my degree, I'll move to warmer climates where the jobs are more available.
* This post was
edited 07/04/23 08:03am by TjMurphy002 *
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Second Chance
Wherever...
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TjMurphy002 wrote:Second Chance wrote:There is a Facebook page dedicated to this topic. It's called "WINTER RVing - Let's Stay Warm Together!" There are some very knowledgeable people over there. IMO, you will be hard-pressed to find a "normal" RV that can withstand the winter conditions in AK. They're just not designed and built for that. There are a few companies making what are sometimes called "mobile man camp" trailers for the oil field and pipeline workers. They're pretty basic, but have what you would need for a winter in AK.
Rob
Rob
I have seen the man camps made from shipping containers or big rigs. That is a bit out of my price range, but they are very cool. My step dad works up on the slope and some of his coworkers stay in similar setups. I know bigfoot is a beefy enough rv to handle that weather, but getting them in the states, used or otherwise, is more difficult than I'd originally thought these days.
Thanks for the FB link. I'll check that out for sure.
I'm not talking about that type of thing. The units I've seen are built on a regular, towable chassis and can be pulled by a 1-ton pickup without a permit. They just have everything insulated and configured to handle -40F.
Rob
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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You sound like you’re putting serious thought into this which is good. But your future story keeps changing to suit what you think you want it to be to convince yourself this is a good idea. Which it still isn’t. Best of luck.
Love AK. Loved camping in AK. Would have hated both if I tried to do both full time in the depths of winter.
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liamricci
Texas
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Just following. Tons of great tips here. If i think about my future, i always imagine myself traveling the world with my kiddos and a newer RV.
I already found a website where they writing papers for money https://paperfellows.com/papers-for-money and my goal would be to join their team. This kinda of job probably doesn't pay a fortune, still i can provide for my family without spending 40 hours a week in a boring office.
* This post was
edited 08/24/23 12:39pm by liamricci *
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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liamricci wrote:Just following. Tons of great tips here
Like “Don’t do it?” Lol
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JaxDad
Greater Toronto Area
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TjMurphy002 wrote: The biggest questions I have are about insulation, keeping the pipes from freezing, and maintenance.
Thanks in advance!
A pilot friend who lives in a very cold area of northern Canada finally gave up on commercially available RV’s and built his own. He says the difference is night & day!!
It is if I recall correctly, 8’ X 24’, built with a 2” X 4” frame with spray foam insulation, residential windows and steel cladding. Heat is from a pair of diesel-fired truck heaters. Plumbing is all PEX tubing designed to be blown clear on a regular basis.
He says from both a quality and efficacy point of view he has a *far* superior product and at a far lower cost to boot.
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wowens79
Georgia
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I thought the purpose of wheels on an RV was to go south when it turns cold ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile") .
While getting your degree have you thought of a school in a warmer climate? Come down to the south for school 9 months of the year, then head back to AK when it is blazing hot in the south.
Good luck and be careful, the idea of hay and snow on top of a camper seems like a chance to get crushed.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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JaxDad wrote:TjMurphy002 wrote: The biggest questions I have are about insulation, keeping the pipes from freezing, and maintenance.
Thanks in advance!
A pilot friend who lives in a very cold area of northern Canada finally gave up on commercially available RV’s and built his own. He says the difference is night & day!!
It is if I recall correctly, 8’ X 24’, built with a 2” X 4” frame with spray foam insulation, residential windows and steel cladding. Heat is from a pair of diesel-fired truck heaters. Plumbing is all PEX tubing designed to be blown clear on a regular basis.
He says from both a quality and efficacy point of view he has a *far* superior product and at a far lower cost to boot.
I’m sure it’s very cozy! And likely very well built.
But that’s a huge undertaking in the context of the OP and something I don’t get the feeling is a reality for him, on multiple fronts.
Big question is what’s your buddy’s camper weigh? I could see maxing out a 14k 24’ flatbed.
He built a tiny home and a good one by the sounds of it.
There are some good suggestions here, contrary to my last tongue in cheek response.
But unlike some who like to just come here to pontificate or think outside the box or not consider the whole picture when making a suggestion, I try to do none of those things as the most helpful response is the most honest thought out one!
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JaxDad
Greater Toronto Area
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Grit dog wrote:JaxDad wrote:TjMurphy002 wrote: The biggest questions I have are about insulation, keeping the pipes from freezing, and maintenance.
Thanks in advance!
A pilot friend who lives in a very cold area of northern Canada finally gave up on commercially available RV’s and built his own. He says the difference is night & day!!
It is if I recall correctly, 8’ X 24’, built with a 2” X 4” frame with spray foam insulation, residential windows and steel cladding. Heat is from a pair of diesel-fired truck heaters. Plumbing is all PEX tubing designed to be blown clear on a regular basis.
He says from both a quality and efficacy point of view he has a *far* superior product and at a far lower cost to boot.
I’m sure it’s very cozy! And likely very well built.
But that’s a huge undertaking in the context of the OP and something I don’t get the feeling is a reality for him, on multiple fronts.
Big question is what’s your buddy’s camper weigh? I could see maxing out a 14k 24’ flatbed.
He built a tiny home and a good one by the sounds of it.
There are some good suggestions here, contrary to my last tongue in cheek response.
But unlike some who like to just come here to pontificate or think outside the box or not consider the whole picture when making a suggestion, I try to do none of those things as the most helpful response is the most honest thought out one!
It was built on-site by a local carpenter on top of a cut down 8’ park model frame, he said it weighs about half the GVWR of the frame, roughly 5k pounds. He said he was originally go with 8’ X 16’, the largest prebuilt garden shed available, but the carpenter pointed out to him that the over-priced commercial product would actually be more expensive than the 8’ (50%) longer custom built product.
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Grit dog
Black Diamond, WA
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^Sounds quite optimistic on weight, but idk. I didn’t build it.
Is it fully finished inside or mostly a shell with minimal features/buildout?
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