6 ms·

Shouldn't all mechanical areas be able to be sealed off from the living area, given enough insulation at the windows? I could see the driver area not being seal

Shouldn't all mechanical areas be able to be sealed off from the living area, given enough insulation at the windows? I could see the driver area not being sealed off, but still having the living area be absolutely safe.

ars 13y ago
The operative word is "Should". And in fact that's how they make them, but they don't always stay that way.....
sliverstorm 13y ago
Not a chance. Vehicles leak everywhere. Through the firewall, the doors, the windows, the roof, the floorboards, the... everywhere. We aren't talking about the metaphorical submarine with a screen door. This submarine was built out of screen. You can seal it! Yes, you can, absolutely. The question, remember, is what happens when you seal it and accidentally miss that one critical leak (of which there are many) through which the exhaust then hotboxes you in your nicely sealed cabin.
- aspensmonster 13y ago
  I suspect this is why so many people that live out of vehicles (Cars, RVs, whatever) have a fire/carbon monoxide detector.
  - weaksauce 13y ago
    I think having more than one for redundancy would be a good idea.
- runeb 13y ago
  *nicely sealed coffin
eksith 13y ago
In many cases, this is why the trailer is still somewhat better if you're thinking totally mobile living area. Since it has no engines to speak of, the only worry about leaks is if you connect 1 or 2 LPG tanks. Need to keep an eye on the gas lines for vibration induced abrasion/breaks if you move about a lot to make sure they're still intact. As an alternative, a heat exchanger ventilation system may work. This way, you can maintain a comfortable temperature indoors for a bit longer while still ventilating.
- jacquesm 13y ago
  If you use LPG / Propane / Butane for anything in a vehicle other than propulsion: - make sure it is periodically inspected - keep a hawk eye and a dogs nose out for anything suspicious - get a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket, learn how to use them - make sure the vehicle is very well ventilated - always ventilate for a few minutes before starting / igniting anything - if you suspect something is wrong check with soap, not with a match Gas explosions in RV's and mobile homes are unfortunately not rare at all.
  - ZoFreX 13y ago
    > - if you suspect something is wrong check with soap, not with a match Would you mind elaborating on this point? I don't know what you're referring to.
    - sparky 13y ago
      If you think the tank or a hose is leaking, rub some soap on it and see if it bubbles.
      - fnordfnordfnord 13y ago
        I use a squirt bottle with dish soap solution, or a cup and a paint brush. I also have a gas detector, which are not too expensive, but I don't always have it when I need it. Soap and water are almost always readily available.
    - fnordfnordfnord 13y ago
      Some people have the habit to use a lighted match or flame to discover small gas leaks. Simply pass the flame near the suspected leak source. It almost never results in a tragic accident, since gas has mercaptans added to cause the unmistakable (rotten egg) smell of a gas leak. There have been a few cases, however, where some fool either ignored the smell of gas, or couldn't smell, or whatever, and blew himself to smithereens, and/or caused a big fire.
fnordfnordfnord 13y ago
It is surprisingly hard to seal the darn things. When you are driving at highway speeds, there are all sorts of eddy currents of wind around the thing and you get drafts from the oddest places. The rear is the worst.

ars 13y ago

The operative word is "Should". And in fact that's how they make them, but they don't always stay that way.....

sliverstorm 13y ago

Not a chance. Vehicles leak everywhere. Through the firewall, the doors, the windows, the roof, the floorboards, the... everywhere. We aren't talking about the metaphorical submarine with a screen door. This submarine was built out of screen. You can seal it! Yes, you can, absolutely. The question, remember, is what happens when you seal it and accidentally miss that one critical leak (of which there are many) through which the exhaust then hotboxes you in your nicely sealed cabin.

aspensmonster 13y ago
I suspect this is why so many people that live out of vehicles (Cars, RVs, whatever) have a fire/carbon monoxide detector.
- weaksauce 13y ago
  I think having more than one for redundancy would be a good idea.
runeb 13y ago
*nicely sealed coffin

eksith 13y ago

In many cases, this is why the trailer is still somewhat better if you're thinking totally mobile living area. Since it has no engines to speak of, the only worry about leaks is if you connect 1 or 2 LPG tanks. Need to keep an eye on the gas lines for vibration induced abrasion/breaks if you move about a lot to make sure they're still intact. As an alternative, a heat exchanger ventilation system may work. This way, you can maintain a comfortable temperature indoors for a bit longer while still ventilating.

jacquesm 13y ago
If you use LPG / Propane / Butane for anything in a vehicle other than propulsion: - make sure it is periodically inspected - keep a hawk eye and a dogs nose out for anything suspicious - get a fire extinguisher and a fire blanket, learn how to use them - make sure the vehicle is very well ventilated - always ventilate for a few minutes before starting / igniting anything - if you suspect something is wrong check with soap, not with a match Gas explosions in RV's and mobile homes are unfortunately not rare at all.
- ZoFreX 13y ago
  > - if you suspect something is wrong check with soap, not with a match Would you mind elaborating on this point? I don't know what you're referring to.
  - sparky 13y ago
    If you think the tank or a hose is leaking, rub some soap on it and see if it bubbles.
    - fnordfnordfnord 13y ago
      I use a squirt bottle with dish soap solution, or a cup and a paint brush. I also have a gas detector, which are not too expensive, but I don't always have it when I need it. Soap and water are almost always readily available.
  - fnordfnordfnord 13y ago
    Some people have the habit to use a lighted match or flame to discover small gas leaks. Simply pass the flame near the suspected leak source. It almost never results in a tragic accident, since gas has mercaptans added to cause the unmistakable (rotten egg) smell of a gas leak. There have been a few cases, however, where some fool either ignored the smell of gas, or couldn't smell, or whatever, and blew himself to smithereens, and/or caused a big fire.

fnordfnordfnord 13y ago

It is surprisingly hard to seal the darn things. When you are driving at highway speeds, there are all sorts of eddy currents of wind around the thing and you get drafts from the oddest places. The rear is the worst.