So I used a large square trash can with wheels and a lid like the ones the city picks up at your home. I could pop up the lid and sleep in it at night. During the day I could put my stuff in there and lock the lid closed and then lock it to a pole so I didn't have to pay for storage or worry about someone stealing my stuff. I modified it a bit so that I could tow it with my bike and so that it was more comfortable to sleep in. It worked great for all my homeless needs that I could not get from the local shelter. The I could even fit my folding bike inside when I needed to. Oscar the grouch style. I want to say the trash can cost me $60 and it comes with camouflage for the city. LOL
Another cool idea. I travel on foot way too much to use it but am totally gonna take advantage of cleaner, newer trash cans if I see them. I like the idea of turning it into a locker also.
I like that idea. It could be made long enough for a 6 foot tall person by making a corrugated plastic sleeve that when the bin is opened you could slide it out to almost double the length of it. Alternatively cut the top off a second bin and use the bottom section upside down to extend the first. When it’s not being slept in it can slide inside the first bin for storage and take up virtually no space. The base section could have vent holes, a window and door cut into what used to be the base.
Um I ask this with full respect, but are you a smaller person? I lay my trash bin on its side and studied it. Even curled I a ball I couldn't fit inside it. Also there's no way to lock it.
@@tinsoldier5621 some are smaller than others. I’m talking about the big ones. There are about chest height. You can find them at A lot of different businesses. Or out in the Country or rich neighborhoods. I found them at hotels a lot. There’s also the ones that are like hip height and some they’re about stomach height for residential trash pick up. It has to be a big one. I’m 5’9. It worked great for me. I have not found the tall cans everywhere. I know some business catalogs have some that you can order. Paper shredding companies use custom ones with a slit in the lid and stuff like that. Hospitals have them. Apartments with trash chutes sometimes use them. I bet you could probably get one off Amazon.
@@tinsoldier5621 I found it for you. It’s a 120 gallon Cascade cart. Looks like a residential trash you put on the carb just bigger. I don’t know how to add a photo in here or I would.
"ALL" of your projects...are AWESOME!!!....I actually had cut bubble wrap ...and brought some to a homeless shelter...to hand out ....so that they could be used..to 'lay' on....( like your idea....better : ) they refused to ...take them : (I've been close to being homeless several times ...even as a single working mother.!!...I lived in a 'shed' ...with a portta potty ...and electric...but a portable 'outdoor' sink attached to a hose....for several summer months....lived in a basement...without a frig ( kept food in the snow....)Now living on "my" low income...don't know where.....I would be...if I hadn't worked all my life !! Like your shelters especially the 'voters' one very much....!!!whish there was a way that your ideas...could be massed produced...to help those less fortunate....!!!.... : ) Keep the vision alive :)
kids today lost all there imagination...untill they meet the struggles yet not all of them. u live in a great era ur videos are awesome thanks for your videos
It's a good idea. I been homeless as well. The sweating is a minor issue when you are homeless and cold. Duck tape can be used for the sewing, you just got to be careful. It may cost only a few bucks but some times that is like a million to homeless. However, volunteers can do things as you suggest and could hand these out. Good luck, I am with you brother. I have opened my home many times to homeless folks and will probably do it again. Peace brother.
I never thought about sewing all the sides of the tarp together. I bet for about $10 for a roll of duct tape one could tape it all shut. I just spent 42 days in Hawaii fighting the wind trying to take my tarp at night. This is ingenious! Thank you for this light bulb "duh" idea.
Most seasoned homeless people will tell you to never zip up your sleeping bag cos if someone tries to attack you, you are in a whole lot of trouble. So you want to stay warm yes but also free to get the heck out of there if you need to. I love your ideas just need to keep safety in mind, same would apply if you were camping in the wild. I especially like the idea of a sleeping bag that is super lightweight and easy to fold up. My idea would be a sleeping coat...made with all the padding of a sleeping bag but its a coat down to your feet with a huge hood that has a built in tiny pillow and the back could have extra padding like a very light rubber board like those yoga mats inserted in a back panel into the lining of the coat. I hope you can make a prototype of my idea please...the coat could even have mittens sewn into the sleeves ...so the mits can be taken off but would still stay attatched to the end of the sleeves Id also add zipper pockets on the inside so when a homeless person sleeps he/she can keep things close so they dont get stolen.
I honestly think that people would come together (including myself) and do things like this to help if the cities would designate an area strictly for the homeless and not come and make them move every few days (as if they had somewhere to go). I also think it would have a better impact on some to work their way back into civilization. I've seen the last one You done in camping videos before but it was without stitching and have used it before to keep my things dry. I really enjoy your videos,keep up the good work!
I've used the last technique for when I got myself in a genuine pickle I was half prepared for. I wanted to stay with some people but I couldn't and it got too late so I was redirected somewhere safe, which I thanked them. I brought my food tub for when I was working along with my camo tarp since I was going through weird times just about a year ago as of tomorrow. I didn't have a stick like that so I quickly slung the tarp over a bent tree to make a low lean to-sleeping bag hybrid.
any ideas on how i could insulate my tent for snow camping on Mt. Rainer without using snow as an insulate? may i recommend suggestions to your creativity? and include mesh material. as an outlet for moisture, bugs and mice; under a vestibule. you can collect a good amount of water by means of temperature variances and an unbreathable piece of plastic. warm body and cold ambient outside temp.....you will wake up wondering if you wet your self or had some awesome dreams ;-)
6:09- Low, inconspicuous, blend into the background. This describes homelessness in so many ways. Many homeless are considered low. Blending in and not being noticed is key when you are trying to find a place to sleep. Its also what many cities want from the homeless while they are ignoring the problem.
Hi Paul, The Australian swag is still very popular with low tech campers. It is basically a bed roll like you are making with a foam matress inside as well. "Once a jolly swagman"...etc. The original version uses canvas which breathes but is still totally waterproof. The swagman was a homeless person.
Great ideas. An orange colored version of your reflective sleeping bag has been selling very well online with a few companies. I bought 4 myself on Amazon.
Good idea but unless it's the really expensive industrial Velcro the sticky part usually doesn't stick very great in cold weather. I would probably do a combo of duck tape on the bottom and lower end and Velcro towards the top. PS: If you don't live in a big city, there's no reason to have to run from the cops. If you get a ticket just hit up your local ACLU lawyer for representation
bubble wrap works quite well; however , it doesn't compress well for storage or on the move. I've used it few times for outdoor uses. I have tested in below freezing temps on snow using flooring insulation for shelter. Can fit in a bag. pretty warm for what it is. Very light weight. Repels water but holds condensation as well. Ty for sharing your ideas ... C.R.
+Creative Redundancy Thanks CR. I had the same 'sweating' experience with my bubble wrap 'HOT' pocket shelter. This recent poly tarp bivy is left open at the opening to discourage condensation buildup. Not extreme weather proof, but not bad for this time of year here in the North West states.
+Pianostool I will Ian. Zach just moved out last week. Had a bit of a stay with us. His life is getting back on track. Looking at your google account I see a serious biker. Nice FAT tire bike. The cassette is geared waaay low. Nice! You've taken some great pics. Love where the bike was foreground and the scenery is background. Hope all is well with you Ian. We'll cross paths again I'm sure.
+Paul Elkins Yeah, no doubt we'll cross paths again. Yeah, threw that 38t on the cassette because here in Ellensburg it's either flat or a mountain, also wanted it low for touring and long ascents what have you. Roads out here are rough or gravel so the fat tires are perfect, also snow and sand it does remarkably well. Side benefit is comfort too. If you ever pass through Ellensburg bring a bike, the country's longest railtrail runs through my backyard and it's absolutely gorgeous in either direction. Nice hearing from you man, looking forward to more videos!
+Pianostool Just read up some on the trail. Sounds wonderful! I blew my knees out years ago on an old recumbent, and they haven't been the same since. But when I retire (next year) I plan to get into biking more. Hopefully they've healed. Would love to tour again and come and see life in Elensburg.
HEY PAUL CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE BUILD A "FOAM CORE FIBERGLASS BUGOUT SHELTER". Maybe the size of your coroplast shelters or slightly bigger. Foam core fiberglass is usually used for boatbuilding where you make the project out of foam and cover it with fiberglass. This will be incredibly light, insulated, weatherproof and will last forever. If you will do a project like this I will donate $75 towards the project to help out with materials.
You could use that corraplast for the front and rear panels to really lighten the weight up on that expandable shelter. You could even market it had a new camping item far better then a simple tent. Almost like a pop up yurt.
Design a qunza Hut that is cut in half. That you can expand the base and connect the front and rear panels. Take straight aluminum ladders apart and use them for the inner skeleton along the edges of the front and rear panels. Then have an insulated tarp on a spring roller in base you pull out and cover and secure to the base on the other side of the shelter. Hope this design concept helps. Novartis
Your experience is my experience but my family never gave me money they always took. I like the homeless hot pocket I want to see one of them where you keep warm with tealight candles? I would make a small table that you drove into the ground so you can reach the thing and fire it up also a way to keep your bedding from catching fire. Tinny from Minibulldesign or John Austin had a great way to keep a tealight going he called it a water candle I think. I was thinking of using half inch PVC and a T you could hook them together to make a better frame for your hooch you can hang things from it like your small 7 inch media device or a light or radio if you wish. I would put spikes in the ends to jam it into the ground you would have 6 points in the ground 2 T one quad if the quad is too expensive just make the center a double with 2 T and zip tie them together often the quad hardware is more expensive than just doubling up the hoop. Use your head you can get more done that way.
good. the better the tarp the better the result/ The HH on a tarp is ruined by the pressure of lying on is, so wet grass is a problem. Needs a ground sheet, maybe a Nato protection kit green sheet.
your efforts are to be commended tks . how about bubble wrap with velcro/ gorilla tape with a gusset of nylon mesh( ladies nylons ) for ventilation/ bugs ?
How about tyvek synthetic building paper. It may be semipermable, will be waterproof one way and let out water vapour the other way. Could reduce sweeting. But its not very camouflage.
+Debra Kennedy I have, and find them a great idea. Last I heard the inventor had a small business employing homeless people to do the sewing. Not sure how that turned out though.
well if your gonna walk round in you should have sleeves n pockets to make it kinda look jump suity like thn less harrsment from cops or folks n have a maybe a veilcrow draw string at bottom were your feet r .... jusa a idea sir ...
Something I thought of that I wish you would do is them bags they use for portable dumpsters. Think about it they would make ideal shelter that can be turned into a raft then floated under a tree and hoisted out the water away from the gators (louisiana) or if you just want to be out the water you can. There is power in getting up in the canopy of the trees you conceal it just right you are up away from where people look for things and can be safer. All one needs is some plywood some 1x wood and they can build a good little hooch that stays. It would be some strong too them straps are designed to hold thousands of pounds.www.truevalue.com//catalog/product.jsp?productId=54978&parentCategoryId=2724&categoryId=2725&subCategoryId=2743&type=product&cid=gooshop&source=google_pla&9gtype=%7Bifsearch:search%7D%7Bifcontent:content%7D&9gkw=%7Bkeyword%7D&9gad=%7Bcreative%7D.1&9gpla=%7Bplacement%7D&ctcampaign=4680&ctkwd=%7Bproduct_id%7D&ctmatch=&ctcreative=%7BCreative%7D&ctplacement=176497-43411605939&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt763BRDZx_Xg3-Pv2cABEiQAoDfeGKTzJ8PprzjDoScG2xAxCRGNhoSM21HRngf8n9E-AfIaAg858P8HAQ This one is $31 bet you know how to get her done for even less but you got to admit it is a strong start?
but the body would cause condensation to build up inside and would wet your clothes and body, and person could get hypothermia from being wet afterwards, how do you get around the condensation problem? Can you make a breathable, condensation free model perhaps out of Tyvek?
It really bugs me to see homeless with just a piece of cardboard to lay on. There has to be a better way of caring for indigent people in our communities.
Paul... do you ever hand any of your inventions out to the homeless. I know you have a ton by now.. just curious what you do with them all or if they ever make a home. Whatever happened to the ratbike project? Did it ever go anywhere or is it sitting untouched. - Brian
+WoodenCreationz I keep all my ideas. Some coro shelters are spread out on my property to see how long they'll last in the elements. Still have the ratbike. It' patiently waiting for me...
Paul Elkins Awesome man! Well if you ever decide to donate them to people.. film it.. it would be a great series! Hope to see the rat bike again one day... It looks it will be a fun toy when you get done! Thank you for taking the time to reply. You have always been great about replying! -Brian
HEY PAUL CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE BUILD A "FOAM CORE FIBERGLASS BUGOUT SHELTER". Maybe the size of your coroplast shelters or slightly bigger. Foam core fiberglass is usually used for boatbuilding where you make the project out of foam and cover it with fiberglass. This will be incredibly light, insulated, weatherproof and will last forever. If you will do a project like this I will donate $75 towards the project to help out with materials. Thanks for all of your cool projects!
+Camz316 Hah! That's one material I avoid. I cut fiberglass and carbon fiber sandwich board all day long at work. Nasty stuff, but light. Thanks for the offer but I still like coroplast. Especially when tons of it are thrown away every election cycle. Might as well make a shelter or boat with it, eh?
+Paul Elkins Hey thanks for getting back to me so quickly I am really interested in doing a project like this that I can take to a location on a truck or trailer and drop it off. I was hoping to make it easy on myself by using a design of yours since your so good at it. However I understand that you don't like the material. Could I possible have your email so I can ask questions about it as I work on the idea? I have been a big fan of yours for a couple years now and like the tiny shelter concept a lot. I would like to create something big enough to haul on truck or trailer, that has the following qualities, insulation, low maintenance strong shell, camouflage, standing/ sleeping room, cooking, heat, water, outdoor shower (solar or propane), off ground (4"min), solar lighting, storage, fold down awning that doubles as cover for doors/ windows for extra security.... That's where I'm at so far.
Good looking out my friend while you see one thing most homeless people live in camps around other homeless people and what happens is it becomes dirty and trashy and with that you get Vermin and bugs so if you want to really help make a shelter for homeless you need to make something where bugs and even ask can't even get in thank you for your efforts
Have you ever played around with using aluminum foil and plastic film Viet plastic bags or whatever polyethylene in wraparound cardboard boxes and sealed the Box in with heat shield polyethylene material so you could make something that you could actually fold into a triangular shape to put on the on the ground and they were it's doubled up you could use that what you sleep on for more insulation
the reflective bubble wrap and gorilla tape one was the best.... its the least crinkly overal , has heat reflection and insulation, requires the least number of materials, least amount of materials ( by yardage, im guessing), least requirement for tools and skill, can be made pretty much any where, and the materials are pretty common., and the material might have substitutes ( if you cant find gorilla tape, get duck tap, no rolls of bubble wrap, buy a car sun shade), also, im guessing its water proof, or resistant.
maybe you could try some cloth or other breathable material around the edge, with the bubble wrap on top and bottom,.... ice cream sandwich style, cloth is the ice cream, bubble warp the cookies..... should allow venting out the edges, but keep the insulation on the top and sides.
I would use duct tape over sewing any day for 2 reasons; 1: It's waterproof. There's nothing like water inside your shelter to make for a miserable night. 2: It's easier. You could spend quite a while with a thread and needle working on this, but even then you would still have to go over it with some kind of waterproofing which can be expensive and have iffy results.
i might be homeless soon my dad has stage 4 cancer i was wonderin could the homeless shelter be built on a x lawn trailer i own n have it the shelter made from the plastic wall stuff huh mr. paul...
I'm so sorry to hear that. *hugs* The plastic stuff is very light. The trailer would only have to carry the weight of you and your stuff. But explore all of your options, even going to school and living in a dorm. Best wishes.
Paul Elkins Not trying to be a smarty pants. :) I live in Norway, where the government provide housing for all citizens who are not able to provide it for themselves. Here it's considered a human right to have a roof over your head, food and health care. So all Norwegians have access to that no matter what their situation is. Some drug addicts still choose to sleep outdoors. But they usually move indoors before the winter. We also have Rumanian gypsy’s visiting to beg on the streets in the summer. (They usually sleep in tents.) But they leave the country before the winter to return to Romania. Some people claim the housing politics makes us lazy. But we have one of the highest employment rates in the world (#3 in the world after Iceland and Switzerland). Living in government housing is considered very shameful, so it's not something you choose to do just because you are lazy..But it keeps people dry and warm. But I am aware that the situation is very different elsewhere in the world. My husband visited a friend in Framingham (east of New York) just a few weeks ago, where this guy runs a charity feeding 2000 homeless and poor every month. And my husband and I run a charity in South Africa helping people living in extreme poverty. So that is where my interest in your videos comes from. I enjoy watching how you make small scale off grid housing and cooking facilities with cheap materials. So keep doing what you are doing. :) If you have some ideas/designs how to provide more permanent housing for homeless, please contact our friend in Framingham. He is now in the proses of buying land to build small scale housing for homeless people. www.danielstable.org/ Greetings from Norway. :) - Helen
Martin Heermance Source? My guess is that the number includes people that are not Norwegian citizens. For instance Romanians come here every summer to beg on the streets, and they usually sleep in tents, or sometimes under bridges and so on. The salvation army has some shelters that they use as well. Everyone with Norwegian citizenship however have the right to social security - no matter what their situation is. This includes housing. The few that still *choose* to live in the street usually move indoors for the winter.. (Drug addicts and alcoholics)
how bout a flaps down were your feet r n the flaps r velcrowed in place on inide so if your home less n sum tell u , u have ta go summ werfe else ta sleep u can undo the foot aera n not lose to much heat .....
n add a clear rain boot hoodie cover but put in breathing holes to get fresh air ...u could add sleeves wth draw stings so when u find a suitble stop u seal yea feet up n the tie sleeve ends shut n sleep....
Wearable Shelter Homeless -20 Got a 5xl parkaWore layersTucked in themArms to chestFetal positionPray to seeThe sun rise I never even got frostebite Try not to look homelessOut of sight out of mindYou will be ostracizedGo job hunting if possibleEven if to tell your story Avoid drinking problem away That will ruin your life further Positivity is the biggest keyBe the person that can smileEven when you'd in the dumpsCause that speaks real power
+Mickey Xtian There could be some condensation trapped inside, but I would think that would depend on how much you leave the opening cracked. Any suggestions Mickey?
From someone who has been homeless in the winter and plenty of rain, no shelter leads to death. I appreciate the ideas and someone actually doing something about it! Plus they are super cheap and portable! I myself enjoy the bike camper, as I travel by mtb!
+Mickey Xtian I live a few miles from a rural freeway on ramp where I collect about 5-7 full sheet campaign signs after every election. Love hearing people like yourself upcycling this stuff rather than hitting the land fills. I'm still finding new ideas and projects using fluted plastic.
HEY PAUL CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE BUILD A "FOAM CORE FIBERGLASS BUGOUT SHELTER". Maybe the size of your coroplast shelters or slightly bigger. Foam core fiberglass is usually used for boatbuilding where you make the project out of foam and cover it with fiberglass. This will be incredibly light, insulated, weatherproof and will last forever. If you will do a project like this I will donate $75 towards the project to help out with materials.
So I used a large square trash can with wheels and a lid like the ones the city picks up at your home. I could pop up the lid and sleep in it at night. During the day I could put my stuff in there and lock the lid closed and then lock it to a pole so I didn't have to pay for storage or worry about someone stealing my stuff. I modified it a bit so that I could tow it with my bike and so that it was more comfortable to sleep in. It worked great for all my homeless needs that I could not get from the local shelter. The I could even fit my folding bike inside when I needed to. Oscar the grouch style. I want to say the trash can cost me $60 and it comes with camouflage for the city. LOL
Another cool idea. I travel on foot way too much to use it but am totally gonna take advantage of cleaner, newer trash cans if I see them. I like the idea of turning it into a locker also.
I like that idea. It could be made long enough for a 6 foot tall person by making a corrugated plastic sleeve that when the bin is opened you could slide it out to almost double the length of it. Alternatively cut the top off a second bin and use the bottom section upside down to extend the first. When it’s not being slept in it can slide inside the first bin for storage and take up virtually no space. The base section could have vent holes, a window and door cut into what used to be the base.
Um I ask this with full respect, but are you a smaller person? I lay my trash bin on its side and studied it. Even curled I a ball I couldn't fit inside it. Also there's no way to lock it.
@@tinsoldier5621 some are smaller than others. I’m talking about the big ones. There are about chest height. You can find them at A lot of different businesses. Or out in the Country or rich neighborhoods. I found them at hotels a lot. There’s also the ones that are like hip height and some they’re about stomach height for residential trash pick up. It has to be a big one. I’m 5’9. It worked great for me. I have not found the tall cans everywhere. I know some business catalogs have some that you can order. Paper shredding companies use custom ones with a slit in the lid and stuff like that. Hospitals have them. Apartments with trash chutes sometimes use them. I bet you could probably get one off Amazon.
@@tinsoldier5621 I found it for you. It’s a 120 gallon Cascade cart. Looks like a residential trash you put on the carb just bigger. I don’t know how to add a photo in here or I would.
Good man Paul Eakins, I've been there. Makes me happy that you're so considerate
"ALL" of your projects...are AWESOME!!!....I actually had cut bubble wrap ...and brought some to a homeless shelter...to hand out ....so that they could be used..to 'lay' on....( like your idea....better : ) they refused to ...take them : (I've been close to being homeless several times ...even as a single working mother.!!...I lived in a 'shed' ...with a portta potty ...and electric...but a portable 'outdoor' sink attached to a hose....for several summer months....lived in a basement...without a frig ( kept food in the snow....)Now living on "my" low income...don't know where.....I would be...if I hadn't worked all my life !! Like your shelters especially the 'voters' one very much....!!!whish there was a way that your ideas...could be massed produced...to help those less fortunate....!!!.... : ) Keep the vision alive :)
Love this ! I've experienced the homeless before n I love this so much, putting those brain cells to use👍👍👍👍
May Allah bless you for your efforts. An insulated hammock and wool blankets is a very good option for homelessness.
I like seeing how so many people are shedding light to the homeless problem we have all over our country.
kids today lost all there imagination...untill they meet the struggles yet not all of them. u live in a great era ur videos are awesome thanks for your videos
I can't wait to see the coroplast bicycle camper boat hybrid.
Always love seeing your stuff.
It's a good idea. I been homeless as well. The sweating is a minor issue when you are homeless and cold. Duck tape can be used for the sewing, you just got to be careful. It may cost only a few bucks but some times that is like a million to homeless. However, volunteers can do things as you suggest and could hand these out. Good luck, I am with you brother. I have opened my home many times to homeless folks and will probably do it again. Peace brother.
your Tipi concepts from years back is still the clear winner...love your channel
Super job. Keep up the good work. I like the way your mind works.
i like your integrity and thank you for your creativity ideas and time spent making this video
Another great video. Thanks Paul!
Great stuff. Gives me some camping ideas as well.
I love these ideas. I have been wanting to design a portable shelter myself. Thanks for the inspiration!
I always enjoy watching you progress from one incarnation to the other. My favorite is the campaign sign cabin.
Prototype #5 is the same idea I had for a camping tent back when I was a kid. Nice to see that idea had actual merit.
Gravel Sack works great, weather proof, warm, strong. You buy it and can use it immediately.
These are such wonderful ideas.
I camped with a friend and he used building wrap tyvek as a shelter, worked great, Paul keep the vids coming,
Fantastic. Muchas gracias amigo.
I spent many a night in my 5 dollar orange tube tent in Hawaii back in the day. I like your video!
Thank-you Paul!!!! Wonderfull!!!!!
I like yours most! Hjj
Thanks for your film.
Paul, I love how you use the word “design” when explaining a plastic tarp. Comedy gold
You're an awesome person 💛👍
just love your shelters Paul..../
interesting ideas! I liked your bloopers at the end.
I never thought about sewing all the sides of the tarp together. I bet for about $10 for a roll of duct tape one could tape it all shut. I just spent 42 days in Hawaii fighting the wind trying to take my tarp at night. This is ingenious! Thank you for this light bulb "duh" idea.
nice job
Most seasoned homeless people will tell you to never zip up your sleeping bag cos if someone tries to attack you, you are in a whole lot of trouble. So you want to stay warm yes but also free to get the heck out of there if you need to. I love your ideas just need to keep safety in mind, same would apply if you were camping in the wild. I especially like the idea of a sleeping bag that is super lightweight and easy to fold up.
My idea would be a sleeping coat...made with all the padding of a sleeping bag but its a coat down to your feet with a huge hood that has a built in tiny pillow and the back could have extra padding like a very light rubber board like those yoga mats inserted in a back panel into the lining of the coat. I hope you can make a prototype of my idea please...the coat could even have mittens sewn into the sleeves ...so the mits can be taken off but would still stay attatched to the end of the sleeves
Id also add zipper pockets on the inside so when a homeless person sleeps he/she can keep things close so they dont get stolen.
I honestly think that people would come together (including myself) and do things like this to help if the cities would designate an area strictly for the homeless and not come and make them move every few days (as if they had somewhere to go). I also think it would have a better impact on some to work their way back into civilization. I've seen the last one You done in camping videos before but it was without stitching and have used it before to keep my things dry. I really enjoy your videos,keep up the good work!
Great job & vid as usual Paul !
Your channel is one of my many favs ! TY
ENJOY....THE SIMPLE LIFE
i just think they are great ideas thanks
What you do is absolutely the correct living way exactly ! Hjj
I've used the last technique for when I got myself in a genuine pickle I was half prepared for. I wanted to stay with some people but I couldn't and it got too late so I was redirected somewhere safe, which I thanked them. I brought my food tub for when I was working along with my camo tarp since I was going through weird times just about a year ago as of tomorrow. I didn't have a stick like that so I quickly slung the tarp over a bent tree to make a low lean to-sleeping bag hybrid.
Cool ideas.. :)
any ideas on how i could insulate my tent for snow camping on Mt. Rainer without using snow as an insulate? may i recommend suggestions to your creativity? and include mesh material. as an outlet for moisture, bugs and mice; under a vestibule. you can collect a good amount of water by means of temperature variances and an unbreathable piece of plastic. warm body and cold ambient outside temp.....you will wake up wondering if you wet your self or had some awesome dreams ;-)
6:09- Low, inconspicuous, blend into the background. This describes homelessness in so many ways. Many homeless are considered low. Blending in and not being noticed is key when you are trying to find a place to sleep. Its also what many cities want from the homeless while they are ignoring the problem.
That's deep
Hi Paul, The Australian swag is still very popular with low tech campers. It is basically a bed roll like you are making with a foam matress inside as well. "Once a jolly swagman"...etc. The original version uses canvas which breathes but is still totally waterproof. The swagman was a homeless person.
Did you know "swag" means secretly we are gay!?!
Great ideas. An orange colored version of your reflective sleeping bag has been selling very well online with a few companies. I bought 4 myself on Amazon.
maybe instead of sewing together do heavy duty velcro (on the inside) incase someone needs to get out quick or run from the cops.
HaHaHa.. That's Funny
Lmao cops
Good idea but unless it's the really expensive industrial Velcro the sticky part usually doesn't stick very great in cold weather. I would probably do a combo of duck tape on the bottom and lower end and Velcro towards the top. PS: If you don't live in a big city, there's no reason to have to run from the cops. If you get a ticket just hit up your local ACLU lawyer for representation
Don’t run from the cops, they may feel threatened and execute you.
bubble wrap works quite well; however , it doesn't compress well for storage or on the move. I've used it few times for outdoor uses. I have tested in below freezing temps on snow using flooring insulation for shelter. Can fit in a bag. pretty warm for what it is. Very light weight. Repels water but holds condensation as well.
Ty for sharing your ideas ... C.R.
+Creative Redundancy
Thanks CR. I had the same 'sweating' experience with my bubble wrap 'HOT' pocket shelter. This recent poly tarp bivy is left open at the opening to discourage condensation buildup. Not extreme weather proof, but not bad for this time of year here in the North West states.
Paul Elkins hope to see more variations soon ... enjoyed watching the setups. C.R.
All you ever need, clever,
Paul, love your videos! Keep it up man!
+Pianostool Thanks! I have more in the making, and it's nice to be appreciated.
+Paul Elkins Tell Mary Hi, it's me Ian the guy who "swindled Zaq out of his Legos." ;)
+Pianostool I will Ian. Zach just moved out last week. Had a bit of a stay with us. His life is getting back on track. Looking at your google account I see a serious biker. Nice FAT tire bike. The cassette is geared waaay low. Nice! You've taken some great pics. Love where the bike was foreground and the scenery is background. Hope all is well with you Ian. We'll cross paths again I'm sure.
+Paul Elkins Yeah, no doubt we'll cross paths again. Yeah, threw that 38t on the cassette because here in Ellensburg it's either flat or a mountain, also wanted it low for touring and long ascents what have you. Roads out here are rough or gravel so the fat tires are perfect, also snow and sand it does remarkably well. Side benefit is comfort too. If you ever pass through Ellensburg bring a bike, the country's longest railtrail runs through my backyard and it's absolutely gorgeous in either direction. Nice hearing from you man, looking forward to more videos!
+Pianostool Just read up some on the trail. Sounds wonderful! I blew my knees out years ago on an old recumbent, and they haven't been the same since. But when I retire (next year) I plan to get into biking more. Hopefully they've healed. Would love to tour again and come and see life in Elensburg.
How do you keep the bugs away with that? I was ate up, but fortunately I had my tool kit coat along with a light weight sheet for a blanket.
The last one seems the most sensible.
HEY PAUL CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE BUILD A "FOAM CORE FIBERGLASS BUGOUT SHELTER". Maybe the size of your coroplast shelters or slightly bigger. Foam core fiberglass is usually used for boatbuilding where you make the project out of foam and cover it with fiberglass. This will be incredibly light, insulated, weatherproof and will last forever. If you will do a project like this I will donate $75 towards the project to help out with materials.
You could use that corraplast for the front and rear panels to really lighten the weight up on that expandable shelter. You could even market it had a new camping item far better then a simple tent. Almost like a pop up yurt.
Sharp !
Design a qunza Hut that is cut in half. That you can expand the base and connect the front and rear panels. Take straight aluminum ladders apart and use them for the inner skeleton along the edges of the front and rear panels. Then have an insulated tarp on a spring roller in base you pull out and cover and secure to the base on the other side of the shelter. Hope this design concept helps. Novartis
Your experience is my experience but my family never gave me money they always took.
I like the homeless hot pocket I want to see one of them where you keep warm with tealight candles? I would make a small table that you drove into the ground so you can reach the thing and fire it up also a way to keep your bedding from catching fire. Tinny from Minibulldesign or John Austin had a great way to keep a tealight going he called it a water candle I think.
I was thinking of using half inch PVC and a T you could hook them together to make a better frame for your hooch you can hang things from it like your small 7 inch media device or a light or radio if you wish. I would put spikes in the ends to jam it into the ground you would have 6 points in the ground 2 T one quad if the quad is too expensive just make the center a double with 2 T and zip tie them together often the quad hardware is more expensive than just doubling up the hoop. Use your head you can get more done that way.
good. the better the tarp the better the result/ The HH on a tarp is ruined by the pressure of lying on is, so wet grass is a problem. Needs a ground sheet, maybe a Nato protection kit green sheet.
thnk u sir....
Have you experimented with Tyvek for this? Expensive in store but free when construction sites throw it out.
What material did you use to sew the sides and bottom together on the 5th prototype shelter?
I used a pretty strong nylon thread.
What about condensation?
you're an awesome guy i just sub to you
your efforts are to be commended tks . how about bubble wrap with velcro/ gorilla tape with a gusset of nylon mesh( ladies nylons ) for ventilation/ bugs ?
How about tyvek synthetic building paper. It may be semipermable, will be waterproof one way and let out water vapour the other way. Could reduce sweeting. But its not very camouflage.
Your tarp bivvy bag would not work for me, shoes are waaaaaay to close to the nose. 🤣🤣🤣
love your ideas.
Have you seen the sleeping bag coats that a college student designed for a project?
+Debra Kennedy
I have, and find them a great idea. Last I heard the inventor had a small business employing homeless people to do the sewing. Not sure how that turned out though.
Which ones are the most water proof?
+BUDDY LIGHT
Probably the last bivy shelter.
well if your gonna walk round in you should have sleeves n pockets to make it kinda look jump suity like thn less harrsment from cops or folks n have a maybe a veilcrow draw string at bottom were your feet r ....
jusa a idea sir ...
The one with gorilla tape would be out of a homeless persons price range I think, although other duct tapes are available. ^_^
Something I thought of that I wish you would do is them bags they use for portable dumpsters. Think about it they would make ideal shelter that can be turned into a raft then floated under a tree and hoisted out the water away from the gators (louisiana) or if you just want to be out the water you can. There is power in getting up in the canopy of the trees you conceal it just right you are up away from where people look for things and can be safer. All one needs is some plywood some 1x wood and they can build a good little hooch that stays. It would be some strong too them straps are designed to hold thousands of pounds.www.truevalue.com//catalog/product.jsp?productId=54978&parentCategoryId=2724&categoryId=2725&subCategoryId=2743&type=product&cid=gooshop&source=google_pla&9gtype=%7Bifsearch:search%7D%7Bifcontent:content%7D&9gkw=%7Bkeyword%7D&9gad=%7Bcreative%7D.1&9gpla=%7Bplacement%7D&ctcampaign=4680&ctkwd=%7Bproduct_id%7D&ctmatch=&ctcreative=%7BCreative%7D&ctplacement=176497-43411605939&gclid=Cj0KEQjwt763BRDZx_Xg3-Pv2cABEiQAoDfeGKTzJ8PprzjDoScG2xAxCRGNhoSM21HRngf8n9E-AfIaAg858P8HAQ This one is $31 bet you know how to get her done for even less but you got to admit it is a strong start?
but the body would cause condensation to build up inside and would wet your clothes and body, and person could get hypothermia from being wet afterwards, how do you get around the condensation problem? Can you make a breathable, condensation free model perhaps out of Tyvek?
velcro on bottom of bag to close off for feet
have you seen Zelter Shelter?
It really bugs me to see homeless with just a piece of cardboard to lay on. There has to be a better way of caring for indigent people in our communities.
Paul... do you ever hand any of your inventions out to the homeless. I know you have a ton by now.. just curious what you do with them all or if they ever make a home. Whatever happened to the ratbike project? Did it ever go anywhere or is it sitting untouched. - Brian
+WoodenCreationz
I keep all my ideas. Some coro shelters are spread out on my property to see how long they'll last in the elements. Still have the ratbike. It' patiently waiting for me...
Paul Elkins
Awesome man! Well if you ever decide to donate them to people.. film it.. it would be a great series! Hope to see the rat bike again one day... It looks it will be a fun toy when you get done! Thank you for taking the time to reply. You have always been great about replying! -Brian
HEY PAUL CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE BUILD A "FOAM CORE FIBERGLASS BUGOUT SHELTER". Maybe the size of your coroplast shelters or slightly bigger. Foam core fiberglass is usually used for boatbuilding where you make the project out of foam and cover it with fiberglass. This will be incredibly light, insulated, weatherproof and will last forever. If you will do a project like this I will donate $75 towards the project to help out with materials. Thanks for all of your cool projects!
+Camz316 Hah! That's one material I avoid. I cut fiberglass and carbon fiber sandwich board all day long at work. Nasty stuff, but light. Thanks for the offer but I still like coroplast. Especially when tons of it are thrown away every election cycle. Might as well make a shelter or boat with it, eh?
+Paul Elkins Hey thanks for getting back to me so quickly I am really interested in doing a project like this that I can take to a location on a truck or trailer and drop it off. I was hoping to make it easy on myself by using a design of yours since your so good at it. However I understand that you don't like the material. Could I possible have your email so I can ask questions about it as I work on the idea? I have been a big fan of yours for a couple years now and like the tiny shelter concept a lot. I would like to create something big enough to haul on truck or trailer, that has the following qualities, insulation, low maintenance strong shell, camouflage, standing/ sleeping room, cooking, heat, water, outdoor shower (solar or propane), off ground (4"min), solar lighting, storage, fold down awning that doubles as cover for doors/ windows for extra security.... That's where I'm at so far.
+Camz316
Hey Cam. Email me some time. (paulwelkins@yahoo.com)
Good looking out my friend while you see one thing most homeless people live in camps around other homeless people and what happens is it becomes dirty and trashy and with that you get Vermin and bugs so if you want to really help make a shelter for homeless you need to make something where bugs and even ask can't even get in thank you for your efforts
Have you ever played around with using aluminum foil and plastic film Viet plastic bags or whatever polyethylene in wraparound cardboard boxes and sealed the Box in with heat shield polyethylene material so you could make something that you could actually fold into a triangular shape to put on the on the ground and they were it's doubled up you could use that what you sleep on for more insulation
Have you tried anything made from corrugated cardboard?????
This reminds me of real life Catalyst dda
the reflective bubble wrap and gorilla tape one was the best.... its the least crinkly overal , has heat reflection and insulation, requires the least number of materials, least amount of materials ( by yardage, im guessing), least requirement for tools and skill, can be made pretty much any where, and the materials are pretty common., and the material might have substitutes ( if you cant find gorilla tape, get duck tap, no rolls of bubble wrap, buy a car sun shade), also, im guessing its water proof, or resistant.
Actually the bubble wrap bag, although warm, did not have pores to ventilate the body heat condensation. This goes too with space blankets.
maybe you could try some cloth or other breathable material around the edge, with the bubble wrap on top and bottom,.... ice cream sandwich style, cloth is the ice cream, bubble warp the cookies..... should allow venting out the edges, but keep the insulation on the top and sides.
I would use duct tape over sewing any day for 2 reasons; 1: It's waterproof. There's nothing like water inside your shelter to make for a miserable night. 2: It's easier. You could spend quite a while with a thread and needle working on this, but even then you would still have to go over it with some kind of waterproofing which can be expensive and have iffy results.
Damn I thought I saw Christopher Walken at first :D
Is this a repost?
i might be homeless soon my dad has stage 4 cancer i was wonderin could the homeless shelter be built on a x lawn trailer i own n have it the shelter made from the plastic wall stuff huh mr. paul...
I'm so sorry to hear that. *hugs*
The plastic stuff is very light. The trailer would only have to carry the weight of you and your stuff. But explore all of your options, even going to school and living in a dorm.
Best wishes.
your bag maybe u put sleeves on it with tie shut openings on the sleeves u could get up when needed to huh......
Grateful for living in a country were no citizens are homeless..
Either you're being a smarty pants or you live in a country that I'm not aware of. Which is it Helen, and if you're being honest where do you live?
Paul Elkins
Not trying to be a smarty pants. :) I live in Norway, where the government provide housing for all citizens who are not able to provide it for themselves.
Here it's considered a human right to have a roof over your head, food and health care. So all Norwegians have access to that no matter what their situation is.
Some drug addicts still choose to sleep outdoors. But they usually move indoors before the winter.
We also have Rumanian gypsy’s visiting to beg on the streets in the summer. (They usually sleep in tents.) But they leave the country before the winter to return to Romania.
Some people claim the housing politics makes us lazy. But we have one of the highest employment rates in the world (#3 in the world after Iceland and Switzerland). Living in government housing is considered very shameful, so it's not something you choose to do just because you are lazy..But it keeps people dry and warm.
But I am aware that the situation is very different elsewhere in the world. My husband visited a friend in Framingham (east of New York) just a few weeks ago, where this guy runs a charity feeding 2000 homeless and poor every month.
And my husband and I run a charity in South Africa helping people living in extreme poverty. So that is where my interest in your videos comes from. I enjoy watching how you make small scale off grid housing and cooking facilities with cheap materials.
So keep doing what you are doing. :)
If you have some ideas/designs how to provide more permanent housing for homeless, please contact our friend in Framingham. He is now in the proses of buying land to build small scale housing for homeless people.
www.danielstable.org/
Greetings from Norway. :)
- Helen
Helen E A Google search claims that Norway has a homeless rate of 1.26 per 1000 people.
Martin Heermance
Source?
My guess is that the number includes people that are not Norwegian citizens. For instance Romanians come here every summer to beg on the streets, and they usually sleep in tents, or sometimes under bridges and so on. The salvation army has some shelters that they use as well.
Everyone with Norwegian citizenship however have the right to social security - no matter what their situation is. This includes housing. The few that still *choose* to live in the street usually move indoors for the winter.. (Drug addicts and alcoholics)
Helen E I Googled "norway homeless rate" and it was the first link.
can buy a second hand sleeping bag for 10 bucks ,
how bout a flaps down were your feet r n the flaps r velcrowed in place on inide so if your home less n sum tell u , u have ta go summ werfe else ta sleep u can undo the foot aera n not lose to much heat .....
n add a clear rain boot hoodie cover but put in breathing holes to get fresh air ...u could add sleeves wth draw stings so when u find a suitble stop u seal yea feet up n the tie sleeve ends shut n sleep....
Sorry typo ask was supposed to say ants.
Wearable Shelter
Homeless -20
Got a 5xl parkaWore layersTucked in themArms to chestFetal positionPray to seeThe sun rise
I never even got frostebite
Try not to look homelessOut of sight out of mindYou will be ostracizedGo job hunting if possibleEven if to tell your story
Avoid drinking problem away That will ruin your life further
Positivity is the biggest keyBe the person that can smileEven when you'd in the dumpsCause that speaks real power
burritoe man .... super hero yey ....
what about heavy set people. 400+ with limited mobility because of weight it will not work
+Omega Dragons buy a bitter tarp maybe?
Paul Elkins I'm sorry, but I got to laugh, a Bigger Tarp. (Good one)
+Omega Dragons But it make sense, yes? :)
If you're diy why not make an suit you can walk in/sleep in . When you lay down you slip your feet shoues on into wool.
Homeless can't get what did
Your.designs.don't.make.allowance.for.enough.perspiration.vapor.release...:(..Sweaty.leads.to.damp.and.chills.
+Mickey Xtian
There could be some condensation trapped inside, but I would think that would depend on how much you leave the opening cracked. Any suggestions Mickey?
From someone who has been homeless in the winter and plenty of rain, no shelter leads to death. I appreciate the ideas and someone actually doing something about it! Plus they are super cheap and portable! I myself enjoy the bike camper, as I travel by mtb!
I'm.not.trying.to.be.hypercritical,..I.do.understand.the.need.for.such.things.especially.in.rainy.places.like.Seattle.or.the.pacific.northwest...Maybe.check.out.fabrics.and.techniques.for."Bivybags.used.in.camping.and.climbing.circles...I.know.such.fabrics.would.probably.be.too.expensive...Thing.is,.I've.tried.using.one.of.those.tube.tents.that.were.all.the.rage.back.in.the.seventies.and.was.pretty.much.not.impressed.with.the.condesate.dripping.down.the.inside.of.it...I.love.to.watch.your.videos...You.are.an.ispiration.for.my.use.of.illegal.roadside.signs.that.pop.up.from.time.to.time,.cluttering.up.the.roadways...I.made.an.enclosureto.boost.the.load.capacity.of.my.BoB.trailer.for.when.I.bike.to.get.groceries.and.made.some.containers.for.my.recycling.closet...
+Mickey Xtian I live a few miles from a rural freeway on ramp where I collect about 5-7 full sheet campaign signs after every election. Love hearing people like yourself upcycling this stuff rather than hitting the land fills. I'm still finding new ideas and projects using fluted plastic.
I've.had.a.few.problems.with.my.recycling.closet.containers...The.recycling.collection.drivers.aparently.think.they.are.cardboard.boxes.and.throw,them.into.the.truck.with.the.paper...I.had.to.make.a.new.set.of.them.and.wrote.in.large.block.letters.."THIS.BOX.IS.NOT.TO.BE.RECYCLED!..PLEASE.RETURN.TO.CURBSIDE!..I.can't.get.too.mad.at.the.poor.guys.who.have.this.job..They.probably.get.pushed.and.pressured.to.go.faster.and.don't.have.much.time.to.discern.the.nature.of.everything.they.pick.up.
HEY PAUL CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE BUILD A "FOAM CORE FIBERGLASS BUGOUT SHELTER". Maybe the size of your coroplast shelters or slightly bigger. Foam core fiberglass is usually used for boatbuilding where you make the project out of foam and cover it with fiberglass. This will be incredibly light, insulated, weatherproof and will last forever. If you will do a project like this I will donate $75 towards the project to help out with materials.