Would a comprehensive build planning guide be useful?

[AdamAyer]

I've been deep in the overlanding YouTube rabbit hole for a while now. I like watching builds come together, but really dig seeing finished rigs out in the field and how people use them. I've put together guides in other industries and I'm considering doing one for this space. Not gear reviews or top 10 lists. More of a decision-making framework covering the full build process: sequencing, electrical sizing, budgeting at different tiers, common expensive mistakes, all the way through to life on the road stuff like connectivity and field repair.

Before I invest the time: does something like this already exist? Would it actually be useful? Anything it should definitely have?

 

[Jim SoG]

Personally I think anything would help some for sure. there are many different types of people/vehicles used for many things, Like some take forest roads mostly, or some just camp with little exploring, others like harder trails and camping. But again I think guide would help......

Jim

 

[AdamAyer]

Personally I think anything would help some for sure. there are many different types of people/vehicles used for many things, Like some take forest roads mostly, or some just camp with little exploring, others like harder trails and camping. But again I think guide would help......

Jim

Good point thanks. Seems forest roads, car camps could be totally different setups than someone hitting harder trails. Wonder if it makes more sense to break it out by how you use your rig? or by category like electrical, sleeping, suspension, etc?

 

[grubworm]

yeah, its a great idea and I think that the field repair would be really nice to have. it seems that a lot of the members on here are very self sufficient and quite a few have a very good skill set and probably rather figure stuff out on their own for the most part. i've woodworked most of my life and have a strong electronics background from the Navy and even did a good bit of machining and field repairs being out on oil rigs in the Gulf. i'd appreciate reading something like you are talking about, but I'm pretty much a do-it-yourself guy and as my wife can attest...i'll spend all day trying to figure something out before I'd even consider reading the directions...

probably why overlanding appeals to me...I like doing things with little input and few resources.

some of the newer and younger folk probably have more sense and would lean more toward using a guide. I think a section on solar would be good...introducing the different components and how they work and how to set up a system using a shunt and the pros and cons of different controllers, etc

a section of different heating a cooling options. I think a section on fasteners would be good. a lot of folk probably don't know about self tapping screws and riv nuts and things of that nature that could help them build/repair vehicles and camp trailers.

I'm ex-navy and we had a manual for everything on the sub, so I do appreciate having good info handy and seeing other options for doing things.

sounds like you are on to something good there...

 

[highboy4x4]

My 2 cents! I took 10 months designing and developing my "specific" vehicle build. Like @grubworm stated, more money than sense.....

Lessons learned is a costly adventure! ask me about wire size mistakes.....In the Army we always had a AAR meeting after a major muscle movement. (After Action Review) we had to come up with a list of the good/bad and the ugly for the entire movement.

Using that mindset, one thing I believe that I would have benefited from would have been practical guides for each component you want to use for your rig. Water, solar, batteries, recovery gear, propane, cooking items, camping items, etc... the list is long..... most importantly, it is personal and vehicle dependent.

Take my use case: I went all in for a self sustaining, everything but Air Conditioning (yet I tried one that was a bust) type of rig. So that meant I spent a lot of time researching what others had done before me. So much reading about what worked, what didn't and then the main factor, can I replicate that in my budget.....A great example for me was purifying water and how much I can store. What is the best way to purify water? And how does that fit into my rig's size constraints or weight limits??? I went down many deep rabbit holes.

Even thought I think your idea is nice, I question the readability of such an undertaking. I am not a writer nor played one on TV, so take my words with a grain of salt. Since there are so many styles of rigs, users desires, it makes me think that a best practice or lessons learned concept would be better suited. or at least a chapter in the book, magazine or a dedicated episode of a podcast.

 

[AdamAyer]

Really appreciate the input. @grubworm good call on solar and fasteners, those are going on the list for sure - check. @highboy4x4 that's exactly the problem I keep hearing about - months researching each component just to figure out what fits your specific rig and budget. Think that's the gap I'd want to fill. Thanks for the feedback. You guys are top-notch.

 

[reaver]

I'm definitely a figure it out kind of person myself, as well. I've been through the thought process of building and rebuilding rigs and layout as needs change. I've of the mindset that when I commit to something I go ALL in. I learn everything I can about whatever it is that I'm trying to do, so I can weigh all the options, and figure out what is the best route, based on what I can afford.

This could be a great resource to the community, especially if you make it as a guide to help build ANY type of rig, from something with a roof top tent, to a rig comparable to an earth roamer.

I'd love to help out, if you'd be open for collaboration.

 

[highboy4x4]

I'm definitely a figure it out kind of person myself, as well. I've been through the thought process of building and rebuilding rigs and layout as needs change. I've of the mindset that when I commit to something I go ALL in. I learn everything I can about whatever it is that I'm trying to do, so I can weigh all the options, and figure out what is the best route, based on what I can afford.

This could be a great resource to the community, especially if you make it as a guide to help build ANY type of rig, from something with a roof top tent, to a rig comparable to an earth roamer.

I'd love to help out, if you'd be open for collaboration.

Man I thought you were talking about me....Shoot...I am all in on this mindset!! Bravo!

 

[AdamAyer]

Appreciate that, @reaver Totally open. Collabing with guys who've actually been through the build and rebuild process is exactly what I'm after.

I'll reach out as the project takes shape. Cool I DM ya when I'm there?

 

[CATCOP]

Well Adam, I think that's a great idea.

Where to start? That could be a huge task, a full time job!

What aspect do you think you'll cover, the equipment list could be endless along with mods for the top 25 vehicles.

Wish you all the best with it.

 

[AdamAyer]

Well Adam, I think that's a great idea.

Where to start? That could be a huge task, a full time job!

What aspect do you think you'll cover, the equipment list could be endless along with mods for the top 25 vehicles.

Wish you all the best with it.

Thanks! A labor of love. Leaning more towards the planning and decision-making side of builds, not a gear catalog.

Think frameworks for choosing components, sizing systems, budgeting at different levels, avoiding the expensive mistakes. Category by category, not vehicle by vehicle. Appreciate the well wishes :)

 

[MOAK]

Thanks! A labor of love. Leaning more towards the planning and decision-making side of builds, not a gear catalog.

Think frameworks for choosing components, sizing systems, budgeting at different levels, avoiding the expensive mistakes. Category by category, not vehicle by vehicle. Appreciate the well wishes :)

Planning and decision making! Yes- that would be the most important part of any overlanding build which many folks overlook. Many people say, “ that’s my personal preference” and throw money at trying to solve a problem they have created by asking a piece of equipment to do more than it is designed to do. Mechanically sympathetic modifications are rarely talked or written about. I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts and advice, not only for newbies to take in, but some of us old timers are still learning and making mistakes as we go along. Thanks!