camping without electric?

[Mauleskinner]

I'm still building, but for starters I'm going to have a couple of those AAA-battery-powered lights that you stick to the ceiling and an O2Cool fan that I'll run on 8 D batteries. All rechargable batteries, btw, so either shore power or a solar charger (if I get ambitious) will be required at some point.

During the build, I also put wiring in for ceiling lights and vent fan. Whether I ever finish wiring that up or not remains to be seen, but it's there if I decide to. I've also got provision for the electrical raceway that Mike put into the Generic Benroy plans, with places for shore power and 12v battery power...again, something that may be added down the road if I feel it's necessary.

But for now, I don't anticipate the need...as a couple of people have stated, the teardrop is pretty much a hard-shell tent, and can be treated as such.

David

[Rem]

If I,m in a cooler climate I don't need it. Here in Texas though I can't breath without it Most camp grounds provide it and when traveling in economode (staying at Wal-mart or something don-t need it I do have a small cheap generator though and battery lights

[48Rob]

Pleaase don't go ONLY 110! That will really limit your usability. If you want any power, you will be limited to just those campgrounds that offer hookups. 1) they are more expensive 2) you will miss the majority of the camping experience. Most campgrounds, at least the real campgrounds, don't have hook ups. You will need to camp at RV places with the land yachts. You miss out on the national, state, county, BLM park experiences. 110 really isn't simpler in camping mode, I think it is more complicated.

Amy,

Anything we don't understand tends to be viewed as scary, and if scared enough, we generally are willing to sacrifice that option in order to "stay safe".

Electricity, 110 volts, or 12 volts (house or car) is a subject that is brought up often by new builders.
How much is needed?
Which voltage?

Answers are given by those who have figured it out, and quite often the new person is overwhelmed and says "I can live without it".

We all can of course (live without it)
However, by graduating from a tent most of us are attempting to be more comfortable, to have more convenience.

There are a lot of things to consider when looking at a teardrop or small trailer.
Electric, which kind, or both?
Plumbing, fresh water, drain, or both.
Radio, television, sauna...just joking about the sauna

The questions you're asking are good, but give yourself time to absorb all the info, and then educate yourself about the different options before deciding it is just too scary...

Some people just want a shell, and no amenities.
And that is of course just fine.

But if you want something, don't strike it off your list because it seems too complicated.
There are plenty of people here that will help.

Nothing is complicated or difficult once you understand how.

Since you have less than great credit, and in my opinion at least, a camping trailer is something that you should pay for with cash, or a very short loan, if you start saving hard now, by the time you're ready to buy, you'll have a good understanding of all the systems, which ones you want, and which ones you're willing to pay for.

Reading through the old posts is a great way to educate yourself...and its free!

Rob

[ame8199]

Thanks everyone. I think Im just desperate to get one soon than saving 6 grand for one. I really want a Rascal, with the power package (12v and 110 power) with an AC unit. Thats what I REALLY want, but it'll cost a bit. I just gotta buckle down and save, maybe sell some things

Im also moving within 8 months and gotta save for double deposit and rent. so we'll see.

[mikeschn]

Rob...

I'd love to see someone add a hottub to a teardrop...



Mike...

[S. Heisley]

Hiker Chick wrote:

If there were an EMP while camping which fried all the circuits, I would have to whip out the emergency candles and duct tape one to my forehead so I could read.

Oh, now that is funny!

But, be careful not to catch your hair on fire!

[mikeschn]

If there were an EMP while camping which fried all the circuits, I would have to whip out the emergency candles and duct tape one to my forehead so I could read.

We need a pic of that...

Mike...

[S. Heisley]

Amy,

Here's an idea that might get you on the road sooner without hampering your chances for 110AC and 12vDC in the future.

Ask if the manufacturer will put in the rough wiring in preparation for adding either or both in the future; and, if so, how much that would cost? It may not be that much and, that way, you can easily add the lights as you can and battery and charger when you're ready, etc. Rough wiring means the wires are in the wall but they aren't hooked up on either end. At one end, bare wires would be coming out of the wall, waiting to be connected to a light. At the other end, the wires would be sitting, waiting to be connected to a fuse box, ground bus, etc. and you could have that part done later. In the meantime, a good flashlight (which you should have anyway) and maybe a couple of those stick-up puck lights would be enough.

Another idea is, when you're ready, attach the wiring on top of the interior walls, using special wire covers that are made for that purpose (purchased at most local hardware stores) to enclose the wires. This particular option would allow you to purchase the trailer without any wiring except the trailer road lights. (You have to have the road lights for turn signals, stopping, breaking, etc.....It's the law.)

[TheOtherSean]

I'd love to see someone add a hottub to a teardrop...
Mike...

You know, if building a tiny travel trailer instead of a teardrop, it wouldn't be too crazy to build in a hottub. The bed just goes on top, and is hinged. When you're done soaking, flip the bed back down and get some rest.

[BPFox]

Guess I should clarify that I have never had my teardrop hooked up to electricity. Because my teardrop, as I stated, is not wired for electricity.

Yes, my headlamp runs on a battery.

And my car that I pull the teardrop with, has headlights. The electric kind. And now it occurs to me that my teardrop has tail lights. Again, electric.

If there were an EMP while camping which fried all the circuits, I would have to whip out the emergency candles and duct tape one to my forehead so I could read.

I just want you to know that it was not my intent to pick on you. I simply used your post to illustrate the point that there are many levels of electric use and that each individual had to decide what was best for them.

I have to admit that anyone who is willing to strap a candle to their forehead so they can read, has a psssion for reading you just have to respect.....My hat is off. Peace.

[hiker chick]

Guess I should clarify that I have never had my teardrop hooked up to electricity. Because my teardrop, as I stated, is not wired for electricity.

Yes, my headlamp runs on a battery.

And my car that I pull the teardrop with, has headlights. The electric kind. And now it occurs to me that my teardrop has tail lights. Again, electric.

If there were an EMP while camping which fried all the circuits, I would have to whip out the emergency candles and duct tape one to my forehead so I could read.

I just want you to know that it was not my intent to pick on you. I simply used your post to illustrate the point that there are many levels of electric use and that each individual had to decide what was best for them.

I have to admit that anyone who is willing to strap a candle to their forehead so they can read, has a psssion for reading you just have to respect.....My hat is off. Peace.

No harm, thanks.

[Mauleskinner]

Thanks everyone. I think Im just desperate to get one soon than saving 6 grand for one. I really want a Rascal, with the power package (12v and 110 power) with an AC unit. Thats what I REALLY want, but it'll cost a bit.

Patience, Grasshopper, patience!

Look around the board, and you'll see a LOT of comments about our "ideal" vs what we can afford, and either waiting until we can afford it or giving up some of the amenities we'd prefer.

A less-than-ideal teardrop doesn't make it any less fun, and trying some things out to find out what you like or dislike about a particular trailer isn't a bad idea, either. I'm guessing that if you bought a decent used trailer with a few less amenities (i.e., cheaper), and took decent care of it, you probably wouldn't lose much money if and when you chose to sell it and upgrade. If they're anything like cars, the biggest depreciation comes when you pull a new one off the lot.

Besides, you might surprise yourself at with the upgrades you're able to do yourself, or with a little help from other teardroppers.

David

[Rick Sheerin]

Going away for a weekend without 110V power Is called Camping.

Going away for a weekend with 110v Power is something that is associated with Camping.

Happy Trails

Len

[kennyrayandersen]

For most of the year, camping (in a tear) in Texas without airconditioning is uncomfortable at best. But I also like the ease of having lights and a fan without having to hook up to shore power. That's why I have both 12V and 120V (or110) wired into my tear. But it's an individual choice. Like most have said, do what YOU want to do. You are the one that's going to be camping in it. Good luck!

As a couple of folks have pointed out, it REALLY depends on where you are at and how you are going to be using your teardrop. Several of us are from TX and other southern climbs – if you didn’t have AC the tear would basically function as a toaster oven with all of the accompanying results (cooked buns). In TX you could use it maybe 6-8 weeks a year without AC, OK, longer if you have a good fan and screens on the doors.

If you have to delay, by a couple of months, your purchase to get the system you want, then do that., Much better than rushing into something you’ll regret later (something about fools and angels)

[Gerdo]

Most of the time I camp without 120vac. I do have 120vac for my air conditioner that I need when I visit family in Ohio.