For those who might be making preparations to become homeless:

[elocs]

http://store.kamprite.com/catalog/Midget-Bushtrekka-p-16143.html

Yes, homelessness sucks, but if it's on the horizon one may as well prepare for it. It beats a cardboard box.

Take a closer look at the BUSHTREKKA and you will find a product that has been developed specifically for bicycle touring. The trailer frame itself has features that set it apart from any other trailer on the market.

Storage is also at a maximum for this trailer. By using every piece of available space, we've created three main storage compartments with over 41 gallons (180 litres) of storage. Easy access at all times, even when set up, ensures you have what you need, when you need it.

Couple the trailer with the remarkable features of the Oversize or Original Tentcot and you are seriously set to travel. The TentCot conventienly folds away atop the trailer with its own waterproof cover to suit.

There is nothing else quite like this trailer. It is the bicycle tourists best companion.

Then there is also the EDAR (Everybody Deserves A Roof): http://www.edar.org/edar.html

EDAR (Everyone Deserves A Roof) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides unique mobile shelters to homeless men, women and children.

An EDAR is a four-wheeled unit, based on a cart design that provides security for belongings, privacy and protection from the elements. During the day, the EDAR is a compact portable unit with sturdy wheels and waterproof protection. The steering is maneuverable and there is a brake and locking mechanism which ensures the unit will not move on its own.

At night, the EDAR opens up easily into "night mode" and provides a comfortable sleeping unit. Unfolding the unit allows it to lock in place as the flat metal base extends. The metal base has a removable mattress and fire resistant cover, providing tent-like shelter. The unit is waterproof, windproof and helps protect from the elements. There is a window that provides light, ventilation and a view of the surrounding area. By refolding the unit into "day mode", the EDAR quickly returns to its compact design and can be pushed around as a cart for use during the day.

We currently have units serving homeless individuals in Southern CA, and in the communities of Phoenix, AZ, Denver, CO and Camden, NJ. With the help of our generous supporters we are able to place additional units in Southern California and continue to expand to cities nationwide.

Unfortunately, this is not a joke and homelessness may be in the future for many of us. I wonder how many of our politicians would consider living like this (especially if you live up north in Wisconsin like I do).

[Taverner]

1. Great idea, however I can see the cops confiscating every one of these

You know, for their "protection" :eyes:

[Donnachaidh]

2. umm, people who are becoming homeless don't have $900 for a camping kit.

Did anyone look at the prices of these things?

If someone had that amount of money to spend they shouldn't be homeless...

[Fire1]

10. LOL!!! Nice catch! n/t

[enough]

13. That is the first thing I thought when I saw this. (nt)

[eridani]

42. If their rent is $900/month and they skip a payment, they do n/t

[WinkyDink]

47. Yes, why not HASTEN the homelessness?

Good grief.

[eridani]

50. I'm asuming that the theoretical person we are talking about has decided that leaving--

--is the only solution. Homeless a month later with no shelter options strikes me as worse. If there is any way to make an arrangement with the landlord, you wouldn't need to make the decision to leave.

[glowing]

3. It would be quite a seen to have these tent/ homes pop up in DC for an extended stay

It's rather hard to ignore when they have to walk past it on their way to work. That's their policies that are failing Americans; not americans who have failed.

[1776Forever]

4. Introducing the NEW AMERICAN DREAM HOME - You saw it here first! Sad so SAD!

[aquart]

5. How fitting that it is named "Bush."

[marions ghost]

8. ya beat me to it

Bush bikes...

[Maine-ah]

15. if I ever landed myself in one of those

I'd change the k in the word bikes to a T.

[elocs]

11. Or, maybe it's because they were really designed for camping, you know, in the "bush".

We just need to find the appropriate English language substitute to use for those 4 particular letters.

[marions ghost]

14. Reference to Hoovervilles

...tent camps named after the pResident who made them come about.

I could see the Bushtrekka maybe being used for a person who has the agility to keep moving. (and a place to park it that is secure). Maybe some rich landowner would allow camping on his land (nah, they never do that--that's only in Hollywood).

But for getting from place-to-place without a car. If you are athletic enough, makes sense.

[aquart]

20. Yah, we got that.

[cliffordu]

6. All of the above complaints, and....

Who the fuck can push a 200 lb canvas camping apparatus down the street?

How you gonna secure it??

A cheap sleeping bag or wool blankets and a blue tarp is about it on the end of that kind of poverty.

( I have not been on the streets for decades, but I can still tie up a bedroll and all my street level needs in about three minutes.)

And by the fucking way - what kind of spoiled ignorant asshole would EVER design these things for use in the Urban Blight here in 'Murka????

Fuck. Camp in one of of them and you'll get Jacked. Or set on fire by someone with a really fine sense of humor.

(I have a VERY prejudiced view of these kinds of things. Jobs and real housing in abandoned suburbs with free transportation to where the fucking JOBS are would be a better idea....But that is just me........._)

[elocs]

9. 56 pounds empty. Better than a cardboard box.

Also, not everyone in America lives in urban hellholes. I don't.

The bike trailer is obviously designed for camping. The EDAR was designed to help the homeless (they are at least trying to do something even though it does not meet your approval), but you would have to read more at the link to find out about that.

[roguevalley]

22. gets to -35 here for weeks on end and this is nice but inadequate.

how did we come to this?

[elocs]

26. True, but to be honest it is not really designed for that.

It also gets very cold and below zero where I live, but even here in the nonwinter weather I would prefer either of these to a cardboard box or lying on the sidewalk.

Some protection is better than none and the EDAR was specifically designed to help homeless people. Certainly they would rather have a real home but I'm betting that the homeless who receive an EDAR are grateful for it.

[elocs]

7. As far as the EDAR goes (if you read the link) they are donated to the homeless, not purchased.

Yes, $900 for the Midget Bushtrekka is expensive, but if I saw potential homelessness in my future I might just find a way to get one. Aside from that it might be a good way to do some bike camping and have something practical as well.

I've read the the EDARs are sometimes formed into little communities in a common area such as a parking lot. They are even used within shelters to give people a sense of privacy and space of their own.

If you pulled the Bushtrekka with a bike and had a sign on the back saying "Support Our Troops" along with an American flag I bet no cop would hassle you.

In my city I see an old van pulling a dilapidated pop up trailer with all kinds of crap tied to it parked in lots of different places. Of course on the back of the trailer there are a couple of overt right wing bumperstickers.

[Capn Sunshine]

12. EDAR is a wonderful charity and those with any spare $ should consider a donation

Check them out.

[RickFromMN]

16. Might be okay in our Red River Valley summers, but probably not a good idea in winter.

The Red River Valley, for those who don't know,
is a valley along the border of Minnesota/North Dakota that stretches into Canada.

[Odin2005]

39. Hey, fellow Moorhead-ite!!!

:hi:

[RickFromMN]

40. Hi!

Was born in Crookston, MN. Lived in Crookston, 18 years.

Went to college at Moorhead State...Moorhead State keeps changing its name.

Spent 2 years in Minneapolis/Saint Paul. That's 24 years in Minnesota.

Moved to California for a job. Lived there 21+ years; worked for many different companies.

Moved back to Moorhead. Been in Moorhead for close to 10 years now.

[Odin2005]

41. I'm originally from Ulen, MN! Moved here after I graduated high school in 2004.

[MineralMan]

17. Cool! A $900 yuppie bike and camper trailer.

Just the thing every person who is about to become homeless is going to buy. It is a joke.

[Liberal_in_LA]

18. yup. $900 would provide a month or more in a motel. Few homeless would have $900 in savings

[elocs]

33. Where did I ever say that the bike camper was ever for the already homeless?

Where?

[Liberal_in_LA]

49. no where. We jumped to assumptions

[elocs]

32. No, it is not a joke. Not for those who are already homeless, but those who anticipate homelessness

in the future. I am dirt poor and no yuppie, but I would certainly consider buying such a trailer if I envisioned true homelessness in my future.

You know, MineralMan, I've considered some of your posts to be a joke as well but I at least had the good grace not to express that. I guess I'll feel free to from now on.

[WingDinger]

19. The fucking pigs would confiscate that in a heartbeat.

[elocs]

27. Not all "fucking pigs" are the same everywhere.

Ever consider that some DUers or their loved ones are what you refer to as "fucking pigs"?

[WingDinger]

35. I had four stick FUCKING guns in my face, cuz I busted a crooked cop and judge corruption scheme.

[Odin2005]

37. Pigs are pigs, fuck them.

[elocs]

46. You make a big show of "Autistic Pride", but have no sensitivity

when it comes to those who are police (because we know all police are exactly the same, right?). The odds are that some DUers or their loved ones work in that field. I'm guessing that you would object to anyone using your terms to refer to those with autism, but evidently you cannot find that sensitivity in other areas. Sad.

Another example of the broad brush used here which paints all the members of one group the same.

Thankfully I won't be able to see any of your broad brush strokes anymore, or the other clever one either.

[snooper2]

48. you'll grow up some day

:) :hi:

[YellowRubberDuckie]

21. If the homeless would get out of the urban areas, they'd have a better chance of survival.

Find a spot in a National Forest and keep moving. Find your own food. Live on the land. And less likely to get your cool shit jacked by the cops.

[elocs]

25. That is my intent when I retire on what little I have--to become a nomad

and live on federal land as much as possible with just my little car pulling a small teardrop trailer.

Yes, I will have money and not really be truly homeless, but then many of the people who do not have a home work full time jobs and do have money.

[McCamy Taylor]

23. A robbery just waiting to happen.

[elocs]

28. That's assuming that everywhere people would be who use them are some urban hellhole.

Not everywhere is that way.

[Rabblevox]

24. Nice idea, but in PDX it would be considered a "structure" and be confiscated...

(and when they confiscate your stuff here, it goes to a storage yard 15 miles outside the city, and not on a bus route)

[elocs]

30. Again, not every city or community is the same in their attitude toward the homeless.

The police in my city of 50,000 are pretty tolerant of the homeless. I have seen several vehicles, one van pulling a camper, with lots of junk tied on them (obviously homeless) that are allowed to park on the streets in various areas of the city.

[Hoyt]

29. Would not want to live in those or a box, but lately I have really been thinking how small a place

would be acceptable. So far, I've gotten it down pretty small, just in case -- which seems more and more likely.

[elocs]

31. Then again, those who have no home, are forced to sleep in a box or on the sidewalk

would love to have either of them. My guess is that only those who have never experienced that kind of homelessness would stick their noses up at such a temporary solution or belittle it.

[Rabblevox]

34. I've slept on the sidewalk, eaten out of dumpsters. You are wrong....

If I was back on the street today, and given that nifty thing, I would sell it ASAP. It makes you a bright flashing target for both cops and robbers, and a 5-lb "dome" tent gives you the same shelter (and drops into your backpack).

Seriously, maybe if you live in Mayberry RFD this would work. (it does look nice) but anyone who's been on the streets in a big city will rate this as an instant fail.

[Jack Sprat]

36. That's what I was thinking.

How long would something as valuable as that last on the real streets? Could you stand a chance of keeping it without it being taken away by somebody or somebodies?

[MineralMan]

44. Yup. And if you didn't sell it, someone would take it from you

and sell it.

[Odin2005]

38. The pigs would find an excuse to steal it.

[indurancevile]

43. now i've seen everything. here, buy this gear for your homeless lifestyle.

"new democrats"

$900? 200 pounds? are you kidding me?

i can get a $26 tent that weighs 4 pounds at our local sporting goods store. that & a backpack is more secure & easier to move, set up & take down than that yuppie monstrosity.

why did this get 40 recs?

absolutely crazy.

i wouldn't donate to that "charity" on a bet. someone's making money.

and if you look at homeless camps (of which there are some about 4 blocks from my home) what they are using is lightweight camping tents & tarps. you couldn't even get that heavy thing to the homeless camps by my house easily because they're up a railroad grade, across the tracks, through a wood & down a riverbank.

[lonestarnot]

45. Do the shock and awers hand these out upon taking possession of homes or is theirs the cardboard

model?