I have a cabin in Vermont which has only about 1 or 2 feet of
crawlspace underneath it. Last year we put in a well over a spring up
the hill and ran a blue plastic line (buried) down to where we hoped to
build an addition with a basement for a bath and kitchen. We also
installed a septic tank. Now a financial problem has come along and we
can't afford the addition. However, having invested in the water and
septic we REALLY REALLY want a bathroom and kitchen. One idea was to
buy a used camping trailer, park it in back of the cabin, put a roof
over it and connect it to the cabin with a passageway and hook our
water line and septic pipe to it.

In winter, we'll be gone mid-week. I know we need to drain everything
and use antifreeze. I hear there are pumps that enable you to pump out
your septic line. What about the water supply line? Even shut off, part
will be above the freeze line. Should we make a small basement just for
that one pipe? can you cover over a line with enough dirt to alter the
freezing line?

Any ideas would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Joan

On 13 Apr 2006 09:26:53 -0700, "Joan" wrote:

I have a cabin in Vermont which has only about 1 or 2 feet of
crawlspace underneath it. Last year we put in a well over a spring up
the hill and ran a blue plastic line (buried) down to where we hoped to
build an addition with a basement for a bath and kitchen. We also
installed a septic tank. Now a financial problem has come along and we
can't afford the addition. However, having invested in the water and
septic we REALLY REALLY want a bathroom and kitchen. One idea was to
buy a used camping trailer, park it in back of the cabin, put a roof
over it and connect it to the cabin with a passageway and hook our
water line and septic pipe to it.

In winter, we'll be gone mid-week. I know we need to drain everything
and use antifreeze. I hear there are pumps that enable you to pump out
your septic line. What about the water supply line? Even shut off, part
will be above the freeze line. Should we make a small basement just for
that one pipe? can you cover over a line with enough dirt to alter the
freezing line?

Any ideas would be most appreciated.

If you can afford a used camper, you ought to be able to
afford materials for an addition. Is it that you don't
feel up to doing it yourself?

At lot of people seem to want to unload campers right now and they are
available for under $1000 even with all the parts working.

And re DIY - we know nothing about construction!

"Joan" wrote in message oups.com...
I have a cabin in Vermont which has only about 1 or 2 feet of
crawlspace underneath it. Last year we put in a well over a spring up
the hill and ran a blue plastic line (buried) down to where we hoped to
build an addition with a basement for a bath and kitchen. We also
installed a septic tank. Now a financial problem has come along and we
can't afford the addition. However, having invested in the water and
septic we REALLY REALLY want a bathroom and kitchen. One idea was to
buy a used camping trailer, park it in back of the cabin, put a roof
over it and connect it to the cabin with a passageway and hook our
water line and septic pipe to it.

In winter, we'll be gone mid-week. I know we need to drain everything
and use antifreeze. I hear there are pumps that enable you to pump out
your septic line. What about the water supply line? Even shut off, part
will be above the freeze line. Should we make a small basement just for
that one pipe? can you cover over a line with enough dirt to alter the
freezing line?

You could use a freeze-proof hydrant to feed a hose to your trailer.

http://www.plumbingwarehouse.com/woo...dhydrants.html

Bob

"Joan" wrote in message
oups.com...
I have a cabin in Vermont which has only about 1 or 2 feet of
crawlspace underneath it. Last year we put in a well over a spring up
the hill and ran a blue plastic line (buried) down to where we hoped to
build an addition with a basement for a bath and kitchen. We also
installed a septic tank. Now a financial problem has come along and we
can't afford the addition. However, having invested in the water and
septic we REALLY REALLY want a bathroom and kitchen. One idea was to
buy a used camping trailer, park it in back of the cabin, put a roof
over it and connect it to the cabin with a passageway and hook our
water line and septic pipe to it.

In winter, we'll be gone mid-week. I know we need to drain everything
and use antifreeze. I hear there are pumps that enable you to pump out
your septic line. What about the water supply line? Even shut off, part
will be above the freeze line. Should we make a small basement just for
that one pipe? can you cover over a line with enough dirt to alter the
freezing line?

Any ideas would be most appreciated.
Thanks,
Joan


Yes, you can bury a pipe with enough dirt to keep it from freezing. Same
amount as the frost line.

A septic line is mostly filled with air, fluids should drain all the way
into the septic tank except for the trap. The tank should already be below
the frost line. You may only need to dump 1/2 gal of diluted antifreeze to
fill the trap or just blow it dry with compressed air and don't worry about
gasses venting the outside.

Unless you can drain the supply line, you will need to keep it from
freezing. Is there electricity on site. A 60W bulb in an insulated box
with the pipe will be sufficient if it never burns out.

You will also need to drain the white, grey and black water tanks in the
camper when you leave (if you have them)