Image: ElfLoveBaby
I’m not sure about you but I think I’d rather have a foundation based tiny cabin in the woods over one built on a trailer. The reason, for me, is that I wouldn’t want to move my little cabin around very much. So I would rather wait a little longer, buy my own land, and build there. But we’re all different, so that’s just me.
The other reason I like building on foundations over trailers is that you’re not limited on size as much. And since I’m a family type of guy I just know that I need something a bit wider than 8’6″ and taller than 13’6″. Something like this, for me, would be absolutely perfect to start with and enjoy for years to come.
How about you? Will you build on a foundation or on a trailer so that you’re mobile? And why?
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Hi Alex,
I’ve found 6′,10′ and 12′ are the best widths with around 8′ just not getting it unless you have to for towing. You can do most anything in 6′ wide you can 8′ and 4-6x’s as much flexibility to design with in 10-12′ wide.
Nor do you need to put it on wheels to tow as just rent a flatbed trailer the few times needed.
But if you build it on a trailer that is cool as you can just use that as your foundation, just pop off the axles and block it up.
I’m getting near done with my 6′ wide 24′ long cabin on my 34′ trimaran has a lot going for it, storage, seating for 13 inside with 14′ of work/desk space along with kitchen, bath. Many looking for tiny houses might want to go to a boat show for ideas.
Very nice cabin example. I especially like they went with a second story than a loft and good use of windows. I use large glass like 2’x6′ similar to this one on my 12’x12 TH.
Alex:
I want a (basement) foundation, too, A. It will be the fruit cellar that stays at 55* F year round. MORE. Storms. During a hailstorm in Aug, a large barn blew into our baby goat pen. Even though many structures blew east, the barn blew west. However, the NWS said we did not have a tornado(?) If my house (big or tiny) is tied down to a foundation, I’ll know where to find it after the storm.
TZ
Or at least where to start looking Tom!
Building on a trailer does not mean you have to forego a solid foundation. It just means doing it later.
Build the trailer home first. Then when you have the land, build a foundation. Pour a concrete pad and use blocks to stablize it. The home will be solid and permanent, but still movable if necessary.
And since other commenters mention a basement, nothing says you can’t have that either. Incorporate a basement into the pad, and build a trap door in the floor of the trailer during construction. Nothing says that good construction can’t be modular or in stages.
I like the high pitch roof on the cabin shown above. At Ragsdake Homes, we are nearing completion on our 1900s Sunday House. Our house is only 8′ by 8′, however this model features 160 square feet of space….the most in the industry, Our prototype features one of our patent pending ” Room Roll Outs ” which has 28 square feet added to the square footage of the single loft, and overhead extension. This will be our first collapsible high pitch roof. When up righted the home becomes a 1 and 1/2 story. We also have 380 square foot model on a 8′ by 20′ trailer and 480 square foot model on a 8′ by 28′ trailer. See our 3 videos on YouTube or contact us at [email protected]. Caio Jay