I generally think of RVs as a plague upon the land, but this green-retrofitted RV might change my mind... a little.

There's still not much that's sustainable about hauling tons of mobile house around with you, but the SUV-based EarthRoamer comes with solar panels and a biodiesel engine, which, if you're the sort of person who's into RV camping, is at least some sort of nod to the ecological footprint your vehicle's leaving behind you. In some weird way, I find this an encouraging sign.

Actually, RV use patterns for full-time RV'ers are relatively green-friendly. Most full-timers spend most of their time parked, using far fewer resources than they would in a fixed dwelling. Additionally, passive solar is incredibly popular on full-time rigs. The footprint issue is important too; you have couples living in 300 sq ft that would normally be taking up an apartment's worth of space. And finally, waste disposal and water usage patterns are much more eco-friendly with RVers than fixed dwellers, both from an awareness standpoint and reuse standpoint, as the grey water tanks can be used to wash and flush the black water tanks (which are monitored closely and thus usage-minimized; no one likes to have to pump poo :-)

While not an RVer myself, as a livaboard voater I share a lot of common ground with them, and their eco-awareness may surprise you.

Posted by: Howard on July 14, 2004 6:49 PM

I live in a campervan myself. When I noticed that for the last years I had changed house every 6 months on average, I decided to bring the house with me.

I can assure you that I spend in fuel (Diesel) about as much I would spend in oil with a normal car. It takes a bit og attention, like avoiding steep hills, but drinving around them.

In plus I absolutely agree on what Howard said above. When you live in a campervan you take GREAT CARE of not using up useless resources. In terms of energy, water and LPG. And yes, most of us have solar panel. Of course if the government were more friendly, and we actually were allowed to park in places for longer than a few days we would not be forced to uselessly move the vehicule.

Posted by: Pietro on July 15, 2004 2:45 AM

I see this as the first step towards the creation of a migratory, landless proletariat that lives off of solar power, roadside vegetation and reputation.

Posted by: Jason Cole on July 15, 2004 11:10 AM

Someone page Cory Doctorow, we gots him a new novel here!

Posted by: Howard on July 15, 2004 11:29 AM

Cory's friend Bruce already wrote that one.

Posted by: hopefull on July 15, 2004 5:55 PM

scooped!

Which Sterling novel is it? ISTR a short like that but not a novel, but I am woefully behind reading Bruce's works. I know, shame on me.

Posted by: Howard on July 15, 2004 8:08 PM

hopefull might be thinking of the Storm Troupe in "Heavy Weather."

While Pietro and Howard speak of the mobile dwelling as the sole domicile, the article, and Alex's summary, address the RV as a recreation vehicle, used for camping in (presumably) relatively undeveloped areas by people who also have a "stationary" home.

Posted by: Emily Gertz on July 15, 2004 8:48 PM