{"id":37836,"date":"2020-12-09T12:46:01","date_gmt":"2020-12-09T11:46:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.desfenetressurlemonde.com\/?p=37836"},"modified":"2020-12-14T02:06:02","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T01:06:02","slug":"hiver-en-airstream","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.desfenetressurlemonde.com\/en\/hiver-en-airstream\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter in the Airstream"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/span>#AirstreamLife<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
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If you've been following our adventures for a few years, you may remember that we made the crazy bet of spend the winter in Quebec in an Airstream trailer<\/strong> in 2018\/2019. Looking back, it's time to make yourself a little feedback from these 6 months<\/strong> hibernated in Canada. A review and advice<\/strong> who may be able to help some to spend the winter in a caravan, trailer, tiny house, mobile home, van, campervan, camper van, and any other tin can on wheels.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

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<\/span>In hibernation by -40 \u00b0 C<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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Small reminder for those who did not follow: in the summer of 2018 we were stranded in Central America<\/strong> with our Popo van because of the civil war that was raging in Nicaragua at the time. Our PVT (residence permit) in pocket for Canada, we then made the decision to go up<\/strong> all north and experience life in winter in Canada<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Of course, out of the question to put it in the van, it would have been totally impossible, but at the same time, out of the question for us that it is not on 4 wheels.<\/p>\n

The Airstream which was a real dream for years<\/strong>, so turned out to be a good compromise but you will read it in this other article<\/a>, we had a few surprises despite everything.<\/p>\n

Okay, let's be clear, when we brought up the idea<\/strong> to Quebecers, we were taken for crazy ...<\/strong> They even managed for a moment to make us doubt.<\/p>\n

But it takes more to get an idea out of our heads!<\/p>\n

Airstream purchased (we present it to you here)<\/a>, restored (it's happening there)<\/a> and land to land found thanks to our friend Olivier (thank you again to him for having us\u00a0welcomed here<\/a>), at the beginning of December 2018 we are almost ready to face winter!<\/p>\n

You understand the goal was not to ride in winter<\/strong> with in Canada, which would have turned out to be very very complicated, but to ask<\/strong> in the same place for several months<\/strong> with this trailer being connected to water and electricity.<\/strong><\/p>\n

We will do a more specific article for you on VanLife and winter mobility shortly.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t

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Lucky for us, we did not have -40 \u00b0 C all winter<\/strong>. The temperatures have continued to oscillate with a constant of -15 \u00b0 C during the day<\/strong>. But all it takes is a cloud, a ray of sunshine, for the wind to pick up for so-called acceptable temperatures to become freezing! And believe us, it happens very often! Not to mention that night falls early in the heart of winter (around 3:30 p.m.).<\/p>\n

Not to mention that it is important to differentiate the "Actual temperature"<\/strong> of the " felt temperature "<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe perceived temperature takes into account not only the measured temperature but also the wind speed and the ambient humidity. "<\/em> For example, "A real temperature of -10 \u00b0 C in a wind of 30 km \/ h can be felt as a temperature of -20 \u00b0 C"<\/em>. (www.futura-sciences.com)<\/p>\n

Our daily life in this cold management was therefore keep an eye on our thermometer<\/strong> (outside and inside temperature, humidity percentage,\u2026), presence of wind and its orientation, maintains internal heat and suitable clothing both when we go out and when we stay inside the Airstream.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

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<\/span>Anticipation<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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As with life in a van, that's the key word, but here in Canada with extreme temperatures it makes even more sense<\/strong>. It should be understood that in -40 \u00b0 C and with 2 meters of snow<\/strong> some things are no longer feasible and therefore have to be plan ahead<\/strong>. It's hard when it's the first time that we spend a winter in Quebec to think of everything and anticipate everything, but we tried to the maximum with the wise advice of our friend Olivier, expatriate for several years and who has a few winters behind him. After several discussions and even if we have already experienced very negative temperatures, especially in a van<\/strong>, we realized that there, it could still be a step above and that clearly if we were not well prepared, the consequences could be dramatic!<\/strong> So let's get to the heart of the matter.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>

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<\/span>The location<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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It is strategic, it will influence a whole bunch of parameters to be taken into account, but we did not expect to have so much trouble to find a place to spend the winter<\/strong> with our Miss Alu. It was without counting the winter, campsites are closed<\/strong>, the water shut off outside to prevent the pipes from freezing and exploding.<\/p>\n

The solution of land on private land is therefore the only possible<\/strong> if you're going to get into that.<\/p>\n

In our case, we didn't have a lot of options but in the end it was perfect, we had our two requirements: to be connected to water and electricity and we had a great winter at Ranch Edward<\/a>.<\/p>\n

We quickly realized that the region, the terrain, the location<\/strong> and the position in which to install the trailer could greatly influence certain parameters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

We were in the middle of the fields<\/strong>, with only a sheltered side of the barn<\/strong>, without a tree around us, exposed to the wind.<\/strong>\u00a0Not great so would you tell us to avoid freezing in place but on the other hand great for avoiding heavy snow accumulation<\/strong>. Less snow to shovel, less work and less risk of being blocked.<\/p>\n

If you find a location under trees it can be a good compromise<\/strong>, less snow on the ground and more sheltered from the wind. But the other point to take into account is the sunshine.<\/strong> Being under trees or in the shelter of a hill can be a good thing, except that you have to remember to be exposed to the sun as much as possible during the day! This is really a very important point. On sunny days without wind and in -20 \u00b0 C we did not put on heating. It is therefore essential to think about it for the winter.<\/p>\n

Location can change everything<\/strong>, it can constrain you more than it brings you and vice versa.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

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<\/span>Insulation<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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This is the basis ! Insulate yourself as much as possible from the cold and keep the heat. Airstreams are totally isolated<\/strong> original (wall, ceiling, floor), it is therefore already a good basis.<\/strong> As we mentioned in the article of presentation<\/a>, they are designed to be used down to -10 \u00b0 C without too much trouble for a short period. It was therefore necessary to improve its insulating capacities as much as possible with the means at hand and at low cost.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n

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