Full time in winter (insulation)

[Bill in Pittsburgh]

Originally Posted by ShelbyM

Today is Thanksgiving and I'm grateful that housing isn't one of my worries. Hopefully OP's situation will improve.

OP's situation may not require improving. I have met over the years several people that have chosen to live full in their trailer for many reasons that we cannot begin to guess with mobility be most frequent.
One in particular that I think of is a man that retired from an excellent career with the US government. His primary meal was dry oatmeal mixed into a can of sardines. He said this allowed him his nutrition for under a dollar. He would go for free food handouts designed for the homeless justifying it by saying he was homeless. He awoke every morning and got on a computer to count his money. He looked for clothing in the "treasure chests" or bought at a second hand store. He was not always comfortable but it was cheap.
His nickname was "Millionaire _ _ _".

[Lemmy man]

Hi OP, you got this!

I am in northern Michigan and we just had first snowfall. Finally purchased a 1994 scamp (10 year dream), but did not anticipate it would happen so soon ~ and that I would be living in a cold winter full time.

I am on a buddy’s property with electric hook up. The furnace in here was taken out by previous owner, so currently living with a space heater. Also a lot of work to be done and I go to work (as a professional,lol) and then come home and it’s dark.

I’m not miserable but it’s challenging, I don’t have many skills but I’m learning and it’s so awesome. My buddy is in the process of building a shelter over the scamp. I bought a canvas carport for $350 on Amazon and that **** blew over in a day, so don’t make the same mistake I did!

Currently realizing I need to insulate windows (overthinking- someone please share a link to what I should get)!

Also need suggestions/ links for mini split or rooftop ac/ heat. PLEASE.

Since you and I are in a similar boat, feel free to reach out! Also I didn’t intent on going the hay barrel route, but times ticking and definitely going to do that this week.

Best of luck, you got this!!

[Obinja]

Advice I get is to insulate around the base. Hay bails, skirting whatever to help keep cold air from circulating undderneath.

[ShelbyM]

Hay bales are probably the best insulation for the $. Stack them as high as you can w/o covering heater vents, etc. Got snow yet?

[Obinja]

A little snow but we def need more. And it's been very warm for December.

[computerspook]

Originally Posted by ShelbyM

Hay bales are probably the best insulation for the $. Stack them as high as you can w/o covering heater vents, etc. Got snow yet?

Straw is better than hay. Hay can get wet even if it is baled and can actually start biological processes and start getting hot and can under the right conditions catch fire. In the open unlikely but it can happen. straw does not have enough "food value" to have this happen and is generally cheaper.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by computerspook

Straw is better than hay. Hay can get wet even if it is baled and can actually start biological processes and start getting hot and can under the right conditions catch fire. In the open unlikely but it can happen. straw does not have enough "food value" to have this happen and is generally cheaper.

You are right, and I see I said ”hay” in error when I first mentioned it. Yes, straw is what you want.

[Jon in AZ]

Originally Posted by Obinja

Hello everyone. I'm considering buying a Casita I saw posted for sale. Does anyone know if a 2004 is insulated? If so, would it withstand below freezing temps?
TIA

Here you go. Great price, and not far!
https://www.fiberglass-rv-4sale.com/for-sale/2009-175ft-bigfoot-travel-trailer-18500-st-george-ut

No personal knowledge of the trailer, so use due care in checking the trailer and documentation.

[texastall]

Maybe you should warn him that his mailbox is likely to get a lot of business inquiries as many of us like to do that kind of improvement?