Tag: schäferwagen

Five Years and 20,000 Miles Later…

~ George Crawford ~ 9 Comments

The vardo known as the Snail turned five years old a few months ago and shortly after, crossed the 20,000 mile mark.  It’s just an arbitrary number, I know, but it feels like a milestone in our lifelong journey.  Changes have been made, details reconsidered, and minor additions have created a cozy little living space.  We now know how to use the space when traveling, eating, sleeping, or just hanging out.  The dog thinks of it as home and recognizes the signs when we’re preparing for a trip.

DSC_0082
Heading out.

This is a bit of a sentimental recapitulation of some high points so far.

Taking a break.
Early days.
Boondocking somewhere in Arizona.
Lanterns, Kelly Kettle, fuel and fire pan.
One of her awards. I know, it’s just bragging rights.

There are many little wagons that are much more artistic than mine but I have been lucky and have received awards from both Popular Mechanics and the good people at Maker’s Faire.  While at the Faire, the wagon was staged for viewing, allowing visitors to walk through and ask questions.  Thousands of people came inside and checked it out.

The north woods of Idaho, 2014.
The north woods of Idaho, 2014.

Life has slowed down for the Snail but we still take it out regularly and it makes a safe and comfortable home on the road.  In case you missed it, here’s a quick overview of the construction.

First steps.
Foundation.
End walls.
Roof.
First bench.
Table.
Bed frame.
Bay window.
Closer to finished.
First trip.

Heading out on the road.

Taking a break.
Taking a break.
Packed and ready to go.
Packed and ready to go.

I hope to show a few of the recent updates and changes to the living space in the next few days.  Thanks for following.

Sheep Camps are Alive and Well in the West

~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

I have posted quite a few images and links to classic old-time sheep camps here over the years.   If you travel the small byways of the Mountain West you will still see plenty of old sheep camps in use or parked around ranch houses today.  But the sheep camp isn’t just a thing of a past generation, they are still being rebuilt, restored, or made in shops for modern use.

2012-11-09-09-30-54If you aren’t sure how this differs from a modern RV, you may not be alone.  However, there are some subtle but significant differences.  First of all, the sheep camps tend to be built much more sturdily than their recreational cousins and almost always have a wood stove for heat due their use in remote mountains.  The over-built bodies and heavy-duty frames allow them to be dragged into all sorts off-road locations without damage.  As a working accommodation they tend to be more spartan than many new RVs.

img_3415Note the traditional wheel arrangement on the model above. This type of running gear allows the wagon to be pulled into any location and is always set-up.  No need for jacks if you can find a relatively level patch of ground.  However, if the wagon is to be primarily pulled on the highway, a more modern configuration adds to their towability as seen below.

img_3844legend-outlinedThe layout is classic (I modeled my layout, in part, on this style wagon) with the bed across the back and a stowaway table.  The people at Timberline Range Camps, who create the wagons pictured here, have preserved the classic features in a fully modern “camp”.

TRC

I get no endorsement from them but please go and check out their work.

img_3361

Tiny sink, lots of storage, and a two burner stove are perfect for a couple working folks or an cold weather hunting camp.img_3360_0

Nothing fancy required in an off-grid home like this.img_3365Although the wagons have grown in size to accommodate the modern worker I appreciate their dedication to simplicity.  One of the coolest features, I think, is the bed-under-the-bed.

img_3368The lower bunk slides in and out as a drawer to completely stow away with a minimum of wasted space when not needed.  If you want the vardo-caravan-sheep camp lifestyle but cannot bring yourself to build it, explore the many options of the modern builders.  This is just a small sample of what they offer, check out their web page and blog to see many more photos: http://sheepcamps.com/

Blast Off with this Homemade Atomic Age Rocket Camper

~ George Crawford ~ Leave a comment

Home-built camper fans will probably really appreciate this remarkable future-retro monstrosity. Conceived, designed, and built by Bill Guernsey while recovering from a broken back, it took two years to complete. Follow the link below to the short write-up on the Makezine Blog or click here to straight to the Instructable: http://www.instructables.com/id/Rocket-Camper-Revealed/

Camper Bicycle

~ George Crawford ~ 4 Comments

I would love a human-powered world with creatures like this filling our highways, quietly and without belching exhaust into the air.  Maybe we wouldn’t need to expend all our resources and youth expanding the empire to secure our ever-growing need for oil overseas.

bikecamperAs things stand today, there are few roads you could safely travel with this beast. But I’m just a dreamer.  Is that window a subtle Oregon “O”?

Found here: http://mooiefietsennicebikes.tumblr.com/post/87924151197/camperbike

The Micro Airstream Bike Camper

~ George Crawford ~ 9 Comments

Paul Elkins seems to be quite an inventor and a talented Maker.  Here is an ingenious and practical shelter he created that weighs only 45 pounds (20 kg).

profileTiny indeed but I love the low profile.  Wind resistance is everything with human power.

rearobliqueGreat combination of high and low visibility here.  Automobile drivers are the biggest concern for cyclists and it is good to be seen on the road.  When I was a full-time cyclist I was hit several times.

interiorExtremely simple furnishings; lightweight plastic bins, some tiny cabinets, a small stove and speakers.

rearobliquescaleWith the builder modelling for scale, the pod seems rather small.  However, it provides a simple shelter from the weather and a place to keep some gear.  Have a look at the summary HERE and check out his older work on the BLOG.

Winter Wonderland

~ George Crawford ~ 8 Comments

Even on the Southern High Plains of New Mexico, we get some snow.  Real winter seldom lasts for more than a couple weeks here but it can become extreme at times.  With occasional swings of 60 degrees Fahrenheit up or down in a matter of a couple hours, the inconsistency makes it difficult to plan.  Unseasonable warmth has now turned to single digit temperatures at night and 6-10 inches of snow around the property.

DSC_0013A little snow on the wagon this morning as we head into Twelfth Night and back to the work grind next week.

Early Motor Caravans

~ George Crawford ~ 2 Comments

We live in an age of motor vehicles.  Few of us could consider, for safety if nothing else, taking to the roads in a horse drawn vehicle.  When the automobile seemed here to stay, caravanners in Europe adapted to the new technology.

MotorVans1 The earliest models look essentially like their horse-drawn cousins, just stuck onto a truck chassis.  In this era, I suspect they were topping out at 35 mph.

MotorVans2This is the earliest side-door design I have found which changes the dynamics of the interior layout.  Note that in the vehicles above, the driver is still fully exposed to the elements.  A far cry from our modern experience.  Note the “driving coat” worn by the pilot of this beauty.

MotorVans3This French innovation has boxed-in the driver’s compartment making it suitable for foul weather.  Still, I would be worried about those huge, non-safety glass windows.

MotorVans4And finally, a very practical little design; the AEROPLANE.  A cute little beast.  I could not find the floor plan for this one but there is a section profile to help the would-be builder:

MotorVans5This style fold down seat/bed is exactly what I had in my first Ford pickup camper.  Simple and practical.  Maybe these early designs will inspire more modern builders to dive in and get their build on.  Keep it simple, keep it light.