Phased TD Building

[IslandStorm62]

Hi all,
Here I am again, trying to get my TD built Quick, Cheap and Good...Phase building a TD. Please let me know what you think.

1 - Srart it as a woody, stained and treated without a lot of trim. Build it kinda plain, until I can decide how best to dress her up. With Aluminum, FRP or wood trimmmngs.
I haven't priced this out, but it would save a few days and some $$$, while giving me a functioning TD to start camping...sooner rather than later.

Kinda like a Harley, you buy what they got and then you trim it out as you go along.

I actually think I would like the woody style, but being in Washington, I'm worried about the water damage.

I am also considering not finalizing the interior. I can run all my wiring and add the lights and fixtures when I find what I want.

For instance, I want a main cabin light that is 12v LED that can have a dimmer. I also want all the lights on the 12v side to be LEDs (reading lights, porch lights, galley lights, etc...) This would (I think) help my battery last twice as long. I am going to install a converter so I can have a 110v side as well. Just a couple outlets (frig, tv, etc) that will only be hot when shore power is available.

Comments? Suggestions?

Thanks

[doug hodder]

It's just my opinion, but if you are going to "phase" build a tear, you need to think about your long term storage situation over the winter. If it starts out as a woody, and you've done a "quick" finish job on it....you're going to probably have to do some repairs to it prior to any finish up work like you would like to have it. Chances are, a blue tarp isn't going to protect it over the long wet months. I'd suggest going for what you really want long term and avoid the short cuts just to get it camping, as you will have to undo some of what you have already done and that can cost you additional dough. Others opinions may vary. Doug

[Wolffarmer]

As we computer builders say. "There are 3 goals in building a computer, Cheap, Fast and Good. Pick any 2."

I would say to build the shell to the finish you want to end up with. Like Doug says if you have a woody for a bit with a fast cheap finish you may have some repairing to do. Also if you cover with aluminum then your under finishing is going to coast more than is what is need for the AL. Build it slow, cheap and good. Can do a lot of camping in a shell and seeing just how you camp. How others have solved their wishes and collecting supplies.

Randy

[IslandStorm62]

Thanks for the comments. I've actually decided to make it a Woody and forgo any additional exterior "skins" are concerned. So now I have to figure out the staining and proper way to treat and protect the wood. No phasing going on here