clashfn

Hi everyone, I posted here a while ago looking for some tips on buying a new trailer to live in for grad school, and everyone was so helpful. So thanks again. Now that I've got the trailer and it's set up on the land... I just need to make it livable. I purchased a 1990 Fleetwood Prowler Lynx, and the first thing I need to do is replace the skylights/vents, and reseal the entire roof. There's plenty of YouTube videos on how to do this but I'm struggling to figure out what type of roof I have, and what type if sealant I should use. I've tried going to the manufacturers website to see the manual but I can't find my model. Does anyone of here own this type of trailer? Or maybe know what the roof is made out of? All I know is that it definitely doesn't support anybody walking on it. I've used some of that super tape to stop a leak in the trim, and now it has a giant tarp on it to get her through the worst of winter rain. But I'd like to get it properly sealed ASAP. Cheers, .Matthew

Cheers! Thanks everyone

Hi all, I bought an Olympian Wave 3 catalytic heater and I have a question. I'm installing it in the space where my propane heater used to be. It's under the refrigerator and there's a pretty big space behind it (where the old heater was), and there's a vent to the outside back there. If I leave that vent open, does that count as venting the trailer? Can the heater draw oxygen from behind it? Or do I need to have a window open inside the trailer? I understand why the heater needs a window open, I'm really just curious if it can get what it needs if the vent is behind the heater/wall. Cheers, .Matthew

@rpsinc Thank you. And I'll look into that as well - vinyl seems easier to mess up. @Kirk W Will do! I've been looking on Craiglist mostly but good to know there's more options @sandsys Phew, I think I should be fine in Portland then. I've looked at the Scamp before; there's a few youtube channels of people living full time in them. Unfortunetly, all the fiberglass trailers I've seen so far are well above my budget.

@Kirk W Thanks for all this! Makes total sense, I didn't think about that. I guess I'll have to go with vinyl. I found these small dehumidifiers online that I'm hoping will help with this problem but I do cook a lot so we'll see if they're enough. I've lived in a lot of alternative housing situations over the years and think I can manage with quite minimal electricity. I'm actually at my nonprofit in Ethiopia right now and while heats not an issue, I've gotten pretty used to living with just an outlet or two. I've been looking at the catalytic heaters and am hoping that will get me by without the need for electric heat. I'm okay without a microwave and AC but the lights are a good thing for me to think about. The owners said we might be able to upgrade the garage's electricity in the future but for the start, I'll have to manage on 10amps. This would be great. The top end of my budget is $6000 (maybe a little more if I find something out of my dreams). On top of that is the composting toilet (1k), the catalytic heater, gravel, skirting, security camera, prepurchase inspection, transport, insurance, greywater system, utility connections, furnishings, etc. I think all the extra things will add up quite fast so I'm trying to keep the trailer itself under $5,000 or $6,000. I wrote one of the inspectors from the website above and he mentioned that prices will drop drastically come September so that was a bit of good news. *I'll quickly add that I would HAPPILY spend much less than that. I'll be studying for my Master's in Social Work and will be stuck in unpaid internships for two years so I'm more than happy to sacrifice some comforts to save money. Also, for the space I have I need a trailer 18ft or under.

@rpsinc Cheers, thanks for the info about liquid roof. And I'll definitely look into the catalytic heaters. Since I plan on this being home for a few years I'm okay with investing a bit more upfront. @Will B. Awesome, that's exactly what I was looking for. There are two in Portland I'll reach out to. @JimK Yeah, I grew up in Portland but moved abroad when I was 18. It's definitely not midwest winders or anything too bad, but I'd say we dip below freezing pretty often some winters. I guess that's what I was wondering - if it only hits 30 degrees on occasional nights, do pipes freeze/burst? Or does it take a longer time at a much lower temperature for that to become a real worry? It sounds like I'll be okay with heat tape/pipe wrap so I'll give that a go. About the electricity, I'll be hooked up to the garage and the owners said that's 10amp. I saw some 10 to 15 amp converter things online so I guess that's what I'll end up using? I'd appreciate any tips on electric stuff as I'm still a bit lost. For the greywater, I've been researching branched-chain systems. Depending on how big you want to build, they can handle a full house's grey water. I don't plan on making more than 5-10 gallons daily so I have a small system in mind. It's essentially just PVC piping that splits(branches) off into multiple drain sprouts. They're buried a little underground and covered with mulch in a small garden. I think I should be okay with this but like all things, we'll see.

Hey everyone, I'm new here and will definitely dive into all the existing posts - just wanted to throw my story out there and see if you've got any tips. I'm starting grad school in August and am going to be living full time in a friends backyard in Portland, OR. I don't have a trailer yet but I'm looking to find something around 16' and will have a composting toilet and a (somewhat) legal branched graywater drain system. I also won't be moving it for at least two years if that matters. The biggest questions I have are about surviving a wet and cold winter (though I'll take all the tips you have): - I obviously can't tarp/cover the trailer for winter, but do I need to do anything special to the roof? I don't think I can build a proper carport either but is there something else I should do for the constant rain? - I plan on skirting the trailer with plywood, think that's enough? - For under the trailer I plan on digging down a few inches, laying some landscape fabric, and putting down gravel. Then some large cement squares for under the wheels/supports. Would this work? It will be going on a lawn so I want to make sure I don't sink. - The electric hookup I have is a 10amp circuit. This is pretty foreign to me. I won't have many electric things so I think I can manage, but what kind of converter would I need? - I'll buy a heated water hose so I think I'm set there. - Do I have to worry much about pipes freezing/exploding if I'm living in it full time? - Are there trailers that are a better fit for winter living? Like more insulated or something? I've seen posts mention 'four season' but I'm not sure what that really means. - Are there places where I can hire someone to come look at a potential trailer with me before I buy it? I've studied up quite a lot on what to look for when buying a used camper but I don't really trust myself. Is this something people do? Anything else massive I'm forgetting? Cheers and thanks in advance, .Matthew