We have decided to skirt the airstream with straw bale and enclose it in a greenhouse. The unparallelled R-value and affordability right after Halloween almost made the decision for us. Additionally, in the spring we can use it in our fields as ground cover.
The hoop style greenhouse will provide wind buffeting and daytime temperature increases. At night the straw bales will help keep the heat from being taken quickly from the belly of the beast and the addition of a light under the belly will combat the cold in the bitterest cold temps.
Carbon monoxide is a big factor. The furnace, black tank vent and anything else that might kill us needs to be piped and exhausted outside the enclosure. Although, experimental, we are optimistic about this being doable. The hoop style houses can handle snow-load and will give us a place to remove coats and boots and dry the dog during the coldest part of the season. We bought propane and carbon monoxide detectors and want to be as safe as we can.
We started right away with the construction. Here are some pics of that process.
Hoops go up onto poles to get us height needed to clear airstream.
Offset to one side so everything can be vented easily.
Bales go in and plastic goes over.
Before the furnace venting is installed.
The door with a window that opens for ventilation. This end will come down so we can roll away when needed. It will go up differently next time but the door and window was free and sitting in the barn. So this is what we did.
Free old windows are great and not airtight which is better for this application.
Airstream_Wheeler 