Holy Rollers

In his essay on peak oil, Future Scenarios, David Holmgren describes the American highway as, “the classic symbol of automobile dependence in the USA where personal mobility in private automotives consumes about 60% of total oil production and imports.”

Knowing this, I realize that my plan to do a “green” renovation of a trailer must take into account the fact that it’s typically pulled by a vehicle that consumes gas & oil. So at the end of the day, how sustainable can this project be? Since I’m just getting started, I don’t have all of the answers (and even when I’m done I’m sure I still won’t), but I do believe that a green renovation of a vintage trailer can do more good than harm… depending on its use and context.

Early on in my research, I came across this sales pitch and the tag line, “Silver is Green” from a California-based RV company. It describes a number of ways in which the vintage Airstream “has been green as long as it has been silver.” They present a few nice points, but none of the counterpoints, for example the environmental impact of manufacturing the aluminum in the first place. So any real exploration of sustainability must delve further into the depth & complexity of these issues (or opportunities, depending on your viewpoint).

As I’d mentioned in an earlier post, I’d originally considered buying a vehicle that I could convert to run on waste oil. And then I’d considered a hybrid vehicle. But the more I looked into the logistics (speaking with a couple of people I respect that had done veggie oil conversions), considered my current life circumstances, and the current towing capacity of hybrid vehicles, I haven’t yet been able to justify making either choice. In the meantime, I keep my eye out for other options, and am happy with my used Toyota Tacoma pickup truck, which I chose in part because it was rated with the best miles per gallon in its class.

Although I don’t see the examples that follow as particularly practical options, what I love is that they’re lighthearted methods for towing an Airstream with a low or even positive impact on the Earth (and the body). They demonstrate what can be done with an enthusiastic spirit and a bit of brute force:

Classic photo of Alfred LeTourner towing an Airstream Liner using a Schwinn Paramount (and plenty of leg power!) back in 1947. – from the WBCCI archives (via Airstream Life online)

This video is of an Airstream being pulled in the modern day, using a tandem bicycle:

…and last but not least, a personal favorite:

Kansas Couple Delivers Gospel from Horse Drawn Airstream

So, until a better option for a green tow vehicle presents itself to me, I’ll keep an open mind and keep this project focused on making the construction and ultimate use of the trailer as sustainable as possible.

 

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