Items you would include ina new trailer to be built

[gene so]

Hello,

I want to build just one of these teardrops. What items would you absolutely add, which you did not consider, when initially you started to fabricate your first trailer?

Thank you in advance,

Gene so

[glenpinpat]

a reading light that would be behind my pillow and one behind my wifes so we can read while sitting in the bed. We have dome lights but they are not great for reading. Everything else we have been able to attach afterwords like cup holders beside our beds.

[Kharn]

Being in a similar position, what I have been told is to think very hard about the sink. It seems many end up using a wash bin and aquatainer even after they cut a big chunk out of their counters as a sink that fits in the galley is usually too small to wash pots and pans and a grey water tank steals valuable space.

Instead of a sink, I am thinking of using a Patrick rail to hang a side table, with cut outs in the table for two bins and panels to cover the holes when using the table for non-dishwashing duties. But a faucet would be a lot nicer looking than an aquatainer in a drawer...

[john warren]

underfloor storage for my spare tire and stuff like that that you don't use often.

underfloor storage in the galley too, for long things like hot dog forks, and stuff like that.

a good system for carrying our two bicycles.

and a little longer so my feet are not under the top galley cabinet.

[Festus]

I made the inside cabin a full 80" long (I'm 6'2'') so I could use a queen size mattress (my tear is a 5x10). I would make the cab length probably around 75" to gain the extra galley cabinet space. I don't have room for my dutch oven in the galley, it goes in the tow vehicle.

I have a front cabinet that has the bottom compartment that is full width so I can store long items like the hot dog forks and my hunting rifle, but I really like the idea mentioned about under floor storage for full width items in the galley.

Mine has a 12v battery and is wired for 12v lights and outlets, but I also have the little LED puck lights as well. I have a 120v hook up for recepticles, but did not include any 120v lighting which I would definitely include next time. Most of my camping is at either primitive or basic campsites, but having the 120v lights when hook ups are available would sure be nice and wouldn't cost much more.

I did not include a sink in my galley and instead use a 7 gallon Aquatainer. I have a Sterilite plastic storage container I keep in the galley cabinets for storing dish soap, scrub pads, etc. along with my cooking oil (just in case the lid comes loose it will be contained). I use the same storage box to wash my dishes in, so it serves double duty. I like this setup just fine and it works great for me.

My walls are 1/2" plywood, then 3/4" furring strips with styrofoam insulation between the strips, then wood paneling for the finish. I debated on running a furring strip near the top of the wall running parallel with the floor so I could have a solid backing to attach hooks etc. I left it out thinking I was saving weight. The few ounces I saved didn't make any difference overall and I have regretted it ever since.

I would also consider putting in the under floor drawers that open from outside the tear for storing your shoes etc.

My tear? Nope it's perfect... wouldn't change a thing..... until the next one!

[bobhenry]

Heating and air conditioning under floor duct work.
After fighting with fan cords, heater cords, and trying to find somewhere safe to set or hang the actual heater or fan , they need a permanent home. The frustration of trying to use an A/C unit adds further to the comfort delima. I have decided they all need their own home. A tongue box dedicated to HVAC is in order. Heat, venting, or cool would then be power vented to the interion via a input duct and return to be further conditioned via a return duct. The duct work I have in mind is 4" pvc with a tiny powered fan to help move the air in its appropriate direction.

A roof rack would also be nice but to make it even more user friendly I would like to include in the base of it a simple radiant tube hot water heater. For those that have water on board and a pumping system of any type simply route the pumped water to the radiant panel and hot water could be delivered. Some simple valving or a diverted valve would be required.

I did not install outside 120 volt outlets on my 1st build and regret it. On each of my 3 builds since I have included them and they have proven to be a great asset when camping for ez up lights, or a fan.

Electrical conduit runs. I drilled and ran all 12 volt and 120 volt wiring thru the wooden members. This proved to be a real bad move in that the 12-2 electrical wire I ran for my 12 volt was an old vacuum cleaner cord. And while it look great on the outside the inside insulation had deteriorated. I had not yet purchased my on board battery and was so excited I didn't test the 12 volt wiring but simply installed the interior paneling. I later learned after getting the battery installed I had a direct short SOMEWHERE??? Sorted wire out of the connection boxes and looked for literally hours and finally found a section in the box that the insulation that coated each wire was brittle and flakey. Well long story short off came tha paneling out came the wire and it was replaced. I decided a much better plan would have been to run conduit to each box straight to the "Basement" by having each conduit to box run exit thru the floor to weatherproof pull ells. With their access panels repairs or replacement wire could be simply pulled in. They could travel under the trailer to the power input area and be connected by reemerging to the galley to be connected to the 120 volt power port or battery.

[ssrjim]

Jacuzzi tub

[chorizon]

Make it 5' wide so we could put a queen-size mattress in it.
Gosh I really wish I would have done that...

[2bits]

Not only what you would add, but now, with experience, what you would not do.

For me, the non-tinted moon roof was requirement. I wanted to lay back in bad and see the stars.

I would not bother wiring for ANYTHING. After camping, I realized I used battery powered lamps and what more do you need if you are dry camping. If I was at a park, I could easily plug in my A/C and other 110v goods without having to wire up the whole trailer. You can conceal a couple of cords much easier than wiring like a house.

Lastly, imagine yourself camping. I mean from the garage, to packing, to driving, to setting up, to activities, to meals, to fires, restroom breaks, sleeping, and exiting. Fantasize a weekend trip and make notes of things that you want for storage, etc.

[atahoekid]

For me, the size of the trailer frame dictated a fairly large trailer. So... I didn't leave too much out. I included the wiring, the fresh and grey water tanks and the queen mattress. I also have a fairly well stocked galley and it includes a tap beer system. I have room for my 50# dog and my wife"s 6# dog, a stereo, heater and I also left a lot of room under the platform for the bed for storage use.

I did not include a toilet... just don't want to mess with sewage.

Did not include a TV/DVD, I don't want to watch TV when I'm camping, I'd rather sit around a campfire

[bobhenry]

For me, the size of the trailer frame dictated a fairly large trailer. So... I didn't leave too much out. I included the wiring, the fresh and grey water tanks and the queen mattress. I also have a fairly well stocked galley and it includes a tap beer system. I have room for my 50# dog and my wife"s 6# dog, a stereo, heater and I also left a lot of room under the platform for the bed for storage use.

I did not include a toilet... just don't want to mess with sewage.

Did not include a TV/DVD, I don't want to watch TV when I'm camping, I'd rather sit around a campfire

MY HERO !

[wired]

Make it 5' wide so we could put a queen-size mattress in it.
Gosh I really wish I would have done that...

I'm with CHORIZON on this. My wife and I drop up to a TD dealership in Northern California just to be able to compare a 4 wide and a 5 wide before deciding. Glad we did as the 4 wide was just too small for us, and would not have been comfortable. It was amazing how much space that extra 1 foot added!