The Urabus Scuttlebutt from PA *Update 10/11/2011 PAGE 23*

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Hey, us should not need a heater! Ya got FRED!!!

Fred is great for keeping my feet warm... he's soooo spoiled that he insists on sleeping INSIDE the sleeping bag, at the very bottom!

I had to work until about 6:30 last night, but was able to finish the insulated ceiling panels in the lighted parking garage at my office. A few people gave me really funny looks when they were walking to their cars.

Can't wait to go camping this weekend! Temps are going to be mid-upper 30's at night, and mid-upper 50's during the day. Man is that stream gonna be cold to jump in!!

[toypusher]

Hey, us should not need a heater! Ya got FRED!!!

Fred is great for keeping my feet warm... he's soooo spoiled that he insists on sleeping INSIDE the sleeping bag, at the very bottom!

I had to work until about 6:30 last night, but was able to finish the insulated ceiling panels in the lighted parking garage at my office. A few people gave me really funny looks when they were walking to their cars.

Can't wait to go camping this weekend! Temps are going to be mid-upper 30's at night, and mid-upper 50's during the day. Man is that stream gonna be cold to jump in!!

Where are you camping? You probably have said and I just don't remember!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

the place in northern PA that I always go... Rock Run... up in the mountains north of Williamsport. Its gonna be me and probably 7 or 8 other people, + 3 dogs!

[kirkman]

I like you tear it looks great Zack!! Is the Rock Run you go camping at the same one I go to between Canton, Pa and Towanda, Pa? Off of I think it's Pa. Rt.414?

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thanks! Yeah the Rock Run I go to is south of Canton, on Rt14.... Ralston, PA

[kirkman]

Cool, next time you go over there shoot me a PM. I will come down with my tear and we can hang and look each others tears over!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Definitely! We had so much fun this weekend, that my friends and I were talking about making a mid-November camping trip to Rock Run!

The weather was beautiful! We had a little rain Friday night, but yesterday and today were perfect! Overnight low was around 39-40, and daytime high was about 55 yesterday, and about 60+ today. I woke up both mornings and was very very comfortable. Inside temps were 55-60! I didn't bother doing the with/without insulation comparison, but I'm definitely happy with the way it turned out!

And now for a little eye candy (before my memory card filled up)

My friend Ashlee entertaining the dogs...



My friends dog, Oktober, and another friends military style yurt in the background

[Ratkity]

Great job insulating!!

I went to the Wine and Balloon fest in Virginia this weekend. No balloons cuz it was way too windy, but rest of festival was fabbo. I was toasty with the golden duo and even had to turn on the fan (well, really cuz Buffy started farting due to the bacon people were feeding her). It was also 60s in the day and low 40s at night. We had electricity, so all of us had electric blankets (5 tent campers and me.. all were jealous of the LG).

Too cute that Fred is an under-the-cover foot warmer. That picture of your friend entertaining the dogs is a CLASSIC!!

Hugs,
Ratkity

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Wine and Balloons sounds like a good time! Im sure your trailer stayed nice and toasty with the dogs!!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

I feel like the Scuttlebutt is now complete!! (for now)

If you've ever seen my trailer in person, you may have noticed that I sealed the vinyl roof around the fantastic fan using white duct tape. Thats because I didnt have a better idea to make it "waterproof" and still have the top easily and fully removable. Its been that way since the maiden voyage back in May of this year.

It finally came to me the other day! How about clamping the vinyl roof to the spars somehow?

Well this is what I came up with....



Its a trim ring "clamp", made of oak boards (because they're stiffer than pine), with four bolts that will stick through the roof spars, and be can be drawn tight from the inside of the trailer using wing-nuts. Instead of using regular bolts that could be seen on the top, I used 3" dowel screws (wood thread on one end, machine thread on the other)

And it was all done, in my storage unit, by the light from my lantern







The wood isn't stained/sealed yet, but after it is I'm going to put some rubber weatherstripping on the underside of trim ring that will hopefully give it an even better seal.

[Hikerjohnd]

Genius!

Your tear is awesome! I like the "convertable" style! I can't wait until mine's that far along!

[absolutsnwbrdr]

:thumbsup: Genius!

Your tear is awesome! I like the "convertable" style! I can't wait until mine's that far along!

Thanks John! You'll get there!

[Ratkity]

Totally genius solution!!

It looks fabbo!

Hugs,
Ratkity

[Miriam C.]

Great idea! Have you considered using some draw down latches? You can get them with locks. Might make it easier to remove and still keep it safe.

[absolutsnwbrdr]

Thanks Aunti... but I'm not quite sure I understand how the drawtight latches would be applied to this?

I do really like the latch that you posted though!! Do you have a link for those? My galley hatch uses similar latches from the big box store, and they've already started to flex a bit after 6 months of use. I haven't been actively looking for a replacement latch, but the one that you posted looks PERFECT!