Do it now? Do it later?

[elcampo]

Hello! I'm a newbie. I'm in the planning/dreaming stage. I have created a long/expensive list of bells, whistles and essentials that I would like to include in my proposed Cub style teardrop. This will be a slow build due to lack of time, money, and skill but I'd like to be able to use the camper, in some capacity, before my daughter goes to college. She is 4 now. So I'm wondering what items, tasks and projects the knowledgable folk of this community think could be put off and what should not. I'm basing most of my thoughts on the things I lack. Will it cost me substantially more money and more time to do a project down the road. Safety is also a consideration. For example, would it be a huge pain to leave the galley unfinished, just have shelves until I can get to it. Or, mounting a storage utility box on the front. Or having only one door at first. Do I have to have wheels? . Here's a short list of some things I might want to put off. This is not all inclusive. Maybe some of you had items you wished you had done from the beginning?

Brakes
Stock fenders now, vintage style fenders later
Receiver hitch for bike rack
Mounting a spare tire somewhere
Utility box on front
2nd door
Porch lights on sides
Galley cabinets, sink ect.
Windows other than door window
Generator
Galley
110 hookup
Battery backup system (al la Steven Harris style)
Thank you for your suggestions!
Jason

[KennethW]

Looks like you are going after a higher end build. I would build a low cost simple one first so you can go road tripping with your daughter. Then build your high end when time allows Plus your will find out what you really want or need.
But that is just me.

[Fred Trout]

Brakes depends completely on curb weight, if you need it you will need it at the beginning
Stock fenders now, vintage style fenders later Not a problem but I personally would not bother with the upgrade
Receiver hitch for bike rack put it on the tow vehicle hitch w/ a passthru
Mounting a spare tire somewhere I mounted mine under the floor - see build link in beginning
Utility box on front no problem, you can always buy a cheap plastic one to start
2nd door build at start or forget it - I used one door only
Porch lights on sides build it at beginning or use battery powered stick-ons - you will need 12 volt wiring for LED lights in front, door side, inside dome & reading light / 12 volt lighter plug and galley minimum
Galley cabinets, sink ect. can wait
Windows other than door window build at beginning easy to get at junk yard or use a cheap shed window
Generator bah - use solar panel they are cheaper
Galley can wait
110 hookup do a quick n dirty to start with an extension cord - lookup threads here
Battery backup system (al la Steven Harris style) do from beginning - see lights above

[tony.latham]

Make sure you put all your wiring in during this phase. If you want a stinger hitch for a bike rack, weld it now.

One door? I'll take a different tack. Teardrops can be hot and stuffy. You need maximum ventilation and windows on both sides are important. And if you are ever going to have two people in that teardrop, for gawd's sake, put two doors in. Frame in for a Fantastic fan. (14.25 square with wiring at the 10 o'clock postion looking from the galley)

Galley? Rough it out. Finish it later:



Simple is functional:



Those hatch supports are cheap. Install them while your'e building the hatch. They need reinforced blocking.

Tony

[noseoil]

If you're using an energy hog (air conditioning) you will need a 110v system for power. A solar panel & battery will not provide enough power, so a generator might come in handy later on. If there's already a 110v system in place, it's easy enough to just plug it in. An inverter will work, but for high energy drain, a generator will be what you need if there isn't access to shore power. An AC unit will drain a battery in no time with little in the way of a positive result in cooling.

As Tony already said, make sure to install all of the wiring before you button up the walls. You can always trim it out later on, but you won't be able to add wires inside a wall, floor or ceiling without a lot of time & trouble.

Spend more time planning than building!

[Fred Trout]

If you are going to use an AC unit, you had better be hooked to shore power with your handy dandy pre-wired minimal 120 V system or better. You run a generator all night (and it better be an expensive big one with a large fuel supply) and someone is going to come calling if they are in hearing distance.

Hell, go whole hog with a surround sound home theater system, a 55 inch TV and a passel of dirt-bikes or 4 wheelers (stored on your roof rack) blasting away at all hours. All the cool kids do it but a bunch of folks will be moving down the road. Seems like we choose a teardrop because less is more; you want all the comforts of home, it's hardly camping anymore and a teardrop is probably an inferior choice compared to something larger with all the 'features'.

Anyway, you have the best tool for hot weather - move along to higher elevation or northern climes if you can.

I kind of ignore AC - in Montana we only need it a handful of nights anyway.