FoamStream...

[Jack B.]

Hey GeeP. Come up here and you can experience those lower numbers with dashes (-) in front of them. Now there's a test for the little foamie that might can. Why, when I was your age I used to walk barefoot, uphill both ways, knee deep . . .

Jack

[GPW]

Sorry , have to Pass on the negative temps. This is Plenty COLD enough !!! ... and no white stuff... we hope...

[GPW]

OK, Tonight is 20F for sure , and with the wind chill ... feels like 12F ... ( wind chill not applicable to the FS test) About as cold as it’s gonna’ get around here , so that will be our “test” ... And I really don’t think camping in temps like this would be Fun anyway ... But it would be nice just to know the FS was capable and comfortable in these temps, just in case ... With 3.5” thick foam insulation , I’m expecting to be nice and toasty inside , but we’ll see...

[Wolffarmer]

If your door and windows are not to drafty I predict you will be well toasted inside. That is plenty of insulation for such a small space. Two people inside will probably keep it livable ( to us from the white weather places ) Do a little cooking or heating of water for coffee, tea, hot coco would ad a lot. A small heater would probably barely be used.

One of the funnest camp out I been to it was 20 degrees when we went to bed and 12 when we woke up. And we where all in TDs with outdoor galleys.

Randy

[GPW]

Randy, I’m anticipating cracking open a window or two just for a little circulation ... Coffee would be Nice too ... Cocoa’s out cause’ I used the last of mine to make a chocolate /rum sauce for a huge Bread Pudding I made for the neighbors new years party ...

Yeah , outdoor galleys sure are Cute ... in Good weather... The FS Mini-galley is more for coffee making and a little “toasting” ... and the cooler ... no major meals prepared inside , which on my diet of “bird food" is no trouble anyway ...

[Wolffarmer]

My next trailer, slightly larger and meant for one person ( me ) and for longer trips, ( one to two months ) I am planning on a place for a hot plate to mostly heat water for coffee/coco/tea during nasty weather.

But when dressed for it cold weather is not bad. Yesterday I drove the 5 miles on the highway between the 2 towns here with the window rolled down and my arm and bare hand out in the low 30's sir. On that camp out in previous post it did not have much wind in the cold mornings so it was not bad. Of course there was that car load of young people that pulled in during the night when it was blowing and cold. They where miserable in the morning and when I offered them some hot coffee/coco/tea that morning they did not refuse.


Randy

[Jack B.]

Around here I do most of the cooking and I end up doing about 80%-90% of that in the microwave and the toaster oven. Run a generator (or the car with a heavy inverter) for 10 minutes and my food prep needs are taken care of. I've got batteries and 120 watts or so of solar to keep the 12 volt cooler running so I'm good to go.

Worst thing would be the cooking smells getting trapped in a small, confined area. Probably an exhaust fan would be in order. There's a reason those outside galleys exist, and why people who live for extended times in their vans don't cook inside. It smells pretty good when it's being made but not so much for days after.

3 1/2" of foam. That's what, R-18-20 or there abouts?

Jack

[GPW]

Those residual cooking smells .... that’s a problem for me ... Years ago we bought a second hand house trailer to use as an art studio , and it came with a particular smell (stink) to it , the walls of the kitchen area were coated with a greasy icky substance, never could get rid of the small , even after thoroughly washing the walls ... so only light warming will be done in the FS .... and yes, we’re working on an exhaust fan , not only for the kitchen odors ...

[bonnie]

Thanks KC, Its funny several years ago I hated my age early 40's but now I am proud of every day I live,and now I have made one more year my anniversary of life!!! I love life so much more and am thankful for every day, grumpies aside I am determined to work on something today and since there are no covers for the outside water faucets I am going to make my own, and mine will be much better!!! Thank you again!!!

Mary C.

Late birthday wishes! Hope you enjoyed your day.

[Mary C]

Thanks Bonnie! just a day older than the day before!!!

Mary C.

[GPW]

OK, the Test is all set up , it’s officially 32F right now , so I might just go ahead and go out there... won’t get in the 20s till after midnight ... long past my bedtime ... so Freezing will have to be "good enough" ...
Got my pocket thermometer ... going to measure the temperature when we first go in , and then turn the heater on and measure every ten minutes till it gets Comfortable ... Be back in a while ...

[Wolffarmer]

Playing Jeopardy music

Randy

[GPW]

... and we’re back !!!  Started at 7:00PM , the thermometer said 30F inside the FS. Turned the heater on to the 1500watt setting (hi) and started . Had the light turned up for indirect lighting and just relaxed on the cushions and pillows while watching the thermometer on the cushion next to me (3’ away) ... It took 38 min. to reach 70F and by then I had already ripped off several layers of winter clothing ... Then I stood up and realized it was Much hotter up by the ceiling So that seems pretty good eh ... wasn’t long before the chill was off and getting tolerable .. around 50 was pleasant (bettern’ 30 eh ? ) I did have one window cracked open 1” for ~ 12sq. in. of opening , facing towards the wind so it could do it’s worst .
The little milkhouse heater was run from a 50’ extension cord and into the FS electrical system/GFI ...Worked fine ... But I’m sure I lost a bit of power over the extension cord length , a 25’ cord would likely be better, providing more power to the heater, and faster heating ..

Sitting there just doing nothing but munching on some leftover bread pudding and a Diet coke (that makes sense huh ? ) , I really noticed how HUGE this thing is inside... Sitting on the floor cushions, felt like I was in a blimp hanger... The thought occurred that I might be pushing the limit of what could be called a Tiny travel trailer ...
Anyhow the insulation works @ 30F ... so that’s good enough for me ... and I’m also “assuming" it will work equally as well with the little AC unit in the summer (EVAC time)
We did notice the uninsulated floor was a bit cold , but the rug helped a lot ... (more rugs )

Next test will have to be a full blown backyard campout ... er, when it warms up a little so we can toss some shrimp on the barbee’ ...outside the trailer ...


... and to all a Good night !!!

[Wolffarmer]

Sounds like a good run.

Randy

[Mary C]

Fantastic report, great experiment, one suggestion, how bout a one inch piece of foam under the rug. I am impressed.

Mary C.