Doors discussion

[Alan_H]

I'm debating, 1 door or 2? Has anyone built with only 1?

I'm considering pre-made, for time savings as well as ease of establishing a good seal. As such, 2 doors at almost $300 each really stretches the budget.

So, I'm thinking 1 door, not sure of side and a small window on the other side. The window could be placed where a second door opening would be, and I can do the internal framing in the wall to accommodate both a possible future door, and the window for the immediate future.

What say you? 1 or push for 2?

If 1, the better side to mount it?

I would lean to driver side, due to I would be the primary user of the tear, and that's "my side of the bed". However, I come seeking advise as to the better side, and/or more used once it's operational.

[tony.latham]

Assuming this is a two person teardrop, absolutely go with two doors. Imagine a queen bed, that sleeps two, pushed into a wall where the "wall person" has to get up in the night or is first up in the morning and has to cross his or her partner to get off the bed.

Even when I take a summer nap in our teardrop, I crack the windows on both sides. Two doors with screened windows really help.

I think TC Teardrops is now selling doors. You might check their prices. http://www.tcteardrops.com/home_page.php

Tony

[Graniterich]

If you do only one it is normally on passenger side for safety

[halfdome, Danny]

I know 2 couples who have or had a one door teardrop, they wished it was a two door.
If you ever sell it, a 2 door will be easier to find a buyer than a 1 door teardrop.
Making the bed with two doors is got to be easier than with one door.
You'll soon forget the extra cost, but will enjoy the ease of access from both sides.
Danny

[KCStudly]

There is a survey thread asking what would you do different on your next build. The two most common answers are building 5 wide instead of four, and having two doors instead of one. Do it now while you are building. It will be more efficient that way. $300 should only be about 10/ct of a typical build budget (or less). Most budgets go over by at least 20/ct, so... just saying, you have to plan for these things.

Also, if you build your own doors you should be able to get two for the price of one. Just a thought.

[aggie79]

Two doors are must for two people.

If you build with one door, frame for a second door so you can add it later.

[kookenotes]

If there's any way to stretch your budget, I would definitely go with two doors for all the reasons mentioned here. I thought about building with one to save the money and now feel like it was some of the best money I invested in the build. Two doors are a must for two campers, but are very convenient even when solo camping. It allows you to set up the campsite on either side. You need to be a contortionist to make the bed even with two doors, let alone trying to do it with one. The few owners that I have met who built with one door nearly all wish they had gone with two. It's easier to do it in your initial build. Good luck with your project. Teardrop camping is the best.

[Jdw2717]

Most campgrounds around here have the drive on one side so when you back in, the gravel site with the table and fire ring are on the passenger side of the vehicle with the power and water hookups on the drivers side. Frame for a future door like you said for future expansion because you will want it. Trust us. Plus, I have had some open sites where it was better to set up on the drivers side for shade.

[daveesl77]

For a short (very short) period of time I considered doing just a single door, then I thought back to my previous pop-up slide-in truck camper. 1 door. That settled it and 2 doors got real simple. Yes, I did make my own and they work like champs, not a single leak. Nice part is that I have access to different things from different sides, but primarily is the massive amount of ventilation they provide.


dave

[booyah]

I was at the same spot when I was planning on building mine.

That second door was right about 10% of the budget.

Totally worth it. A second window, second way out, added light/ventilation. No one has to climb over someone else (unless they are on the kid bunk) to get in or out. Totally worth it. If you're looking at saving a few dollars by going with the smaller doors, DONT DO THAT EITHER.

I got these (http://teardroptrailerparts.com/26x36_F ... _Door.html) when I started the build, and just did it. Its only been on one trip, and I dont regret it one bit.

If you want to only buy one, you can use that one to model both doors as you build it, then spend the extra $300 at the end that can be done. Understand though once you've built it you will need to outfit it (battery, mattress, sheets/blankets, curtains, storage bins, etc) and that will add to the end cost.

[Treeview]

Ohhh...those doors...

I thought the thread was about Jim, Ray, Robbie and John...The Doors.

Like Snaggletooth...time to exit stage right!

Tom

[Alan_H]

I will probably go with 2 doors, due to all the suggestions here. Thanks for the feedback!

Even if I don't build with 2, I will;

• at least have the first on hand before framing, and frame both walls for a door.
• scribe the inner wall to easily cut out the door along the framing.
• have a window with a screen for cross-ventilation.

I won't build my own, as I have to count my time for something, and if you count the following;

• 10-15 hours for a door (correct me if I'm wrong on the time estimate here) @ $10/hour(being very conservative) is $100-$150
• plus a window $50-85
• extra wood for the door seal $5
• the door seal $5
• the hinge $15
• latch and handle $42..

that works out to... $217-$299 per door, that all adds up to at least the price of the prefab.

Biggest advantage to a home-built door (IMO) you pick the shape, instead of a rounded-off rectangle.

Yeah, if you don't count your time, it's cheaper, but working 50-65 hours a week, having a family with 2 children, having to keep up with yard work, house keeping, house maintenance, and spend some time with the family... time is valuable. If I were a retired empty-nester... different story.

Just sayin'

[kookenotes]

Alan - I am that retired empty nester and still chose to go with the prefab doors. They are very quick to install, offer good security and give you a great water tight seal from the start without the trial and error process. I was in a rush to "get er done" and get camping. The only way I would build them from scratch is if I wanted a unique or unusual design on the doors. The only thing I would do different would be to locate the doors a little closer to the axle to make it easier to sit down and rotate into sleeping position. By-the-way, the reality is that even when they are out of the nest, parenthood is forever. They still need you to help with DIY projects, watch their dogs, babysit your grandchildren, etc., etc. I get up in the morning with nothing to do and by bedtime, I have about a third of it done. Good luck with your project. Bill