Firefighterjeff - I think the point is, you could probably stick with "most people," instead of "most women." I really doubt 50% of men in the US would choose to live without plumbing. Then again, you may have to limit it to people in industrial societies - since around 40% of the world population has no plumbing.
Tumbleweed Tiny House (/RV) Village + Group-Build of Tumbleweeds
-
jacob
- Site Admin
- Posts: 15996
- Joined: Fri Jun 28, 2013 8:38 pm
- Location: USA, Zone 5b, Koppen Dfa, Elev. 620ft, Walkscore 77
- Contact:
40lbs of tools doesn't take up that much space. It's metal and wood and I built my own toolbox (actually a tote) so it's very closely fitted.
It costs $3500 to have the house hauled coast to coast. I remember we paid something similar when renting a medium-sized uhaul for our relocation from IN to CA. Most of the cost is gas. It thus makes sense, given the price to build is $11000, not to build them too far from their destination.
I've heard 18' trailers quoted far higher than firefighter's number(?!). If the trailer is the priciest, maybe this is where the group-deal effort should be concentrated.
It costs $3500 to have the house hauled coast to coast. I remember we paid something similar when renting a medium-sized uhaul for our relocation from IN to CA. Most of the cost is gas. It thus makes sense, given the price to build is $11000, not to build them too far from their destination.
I've heard 18' trailers quoted far higher than firefighter's number(?!). If the trailer is the priciest, maybe this is where the group-deal effort should be concentrated.
-
The Cricket
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Tue Oct 25, 2011 6:19 am
CHIRP!! [That's a cricket roar.] I live in a tiny house of my own design, stick-built on a utility trailer. These are my "credentials" for what follows.
1. DESIGN: I live in a HOUSE, which is my HOME, and its foundation is a trailer. I drew three plans for Cricket Cottage and actually chalked to scale my first plan on the driveway. I observed many changes to make sitting on a folding chair "in" that first plan. I spent time asking and answering questions about what I need in a house for my lifestyle: I cook [I don't eat out]; I sew [sewing machine & serger]; I read [150+ books plus Kindle]; I've always had a home office; I like simplicity without severe lines; I like light from windows, but skylights leak in time; I don't like wood everywhere and I like color; I like ambiance in my surroundings, etc. My designs developed by means of overlays for different options. After settling on a design one plans locations, numbers and kinds of outlets and switches, including exterior outlets and lighting. Also, the location and size of windows, interior walls and storage, etc. And there are still 1,000+ decisions to go. Seriously, you are thinking of building a "garden shed" in which to live?
2. FOUNDATION: My trailer is from Trailers Plus: 7' x 18', heavy duty equipped, 10,000 GVWR. I was given credit for the fold up ramps. Trailer price [June 2009]: $2,736 plus lock hitch, sand pad, documentation fee, DMV fee and sales tax OR $3,050 off the lot. From my research tiny houses finish at about 7,500-8,000 pounds. They pull like a brick [no aerodynamics] at about 8 mpg by a 250 or 350-engine equipped truck.
3. CONSTRUCTION: Yes, one can install the floor, frame the walls and get the roof up quickly, especially if one ignores certain factors inherent in small homes like moisture/humidity, heat loss/gain, squareness of the structure [the house can torque when moving it], etc. You will live with those problems for the life of the house. There are details in general construction of a tiny house that take more time. How much? Maybe 5%, maybe more, depending on your knowledge and expertise.
I have had six men help me build over two years. They are all in the trades and have enabled me to build better than I could have on my own. I built the floor and helped with the framing. The men did the rafters and roof. As a woman I simply cannot handle 4'x8' sheets of lumber. I cut for the windows, built the facia/soffits, built the rain wall, cut and installed all the exterior trim, and did all the exterior painting. Likewise, the interior is a shared build. [Two years? Well, first I broke my ankle and foot laying down my Vespa-a five month recovery. Weather. Life, both mine and theirs. Weather. Unexpected health expenses. You get the idea. However, don't put down the number of hours to build and COMPLETE a tiny HOUSE.]
4. STORAGE: I have a good amount of storage in Cricket Cottage, highly customized to exactly what I own. I may yet add a "garage" for my bicycle on the rear end. However, most tiny house owners have external storage. I have a "shed" which is 24"x28"x38". I made it from leftover materials and it matches my house. It was my am-I-going-to-make-my-own-kitchen-cabinets project. Whereas the shed turned out well, I also decided not to make my cabinets. I also have a 2'x7' creeper which slides under the trailer [fabric storage].
5. DECK/SKIRTING: I used cinderblock steps for many months, but I like my tiny "deck" [which I hope to enlarge as I live in Northern CA]. I want to skirt the house with lattice as well. [I'm well-insulated in the floor.]
Bottom line: In my opinion, you all are a bit cavalier about this project at this point. You haven't sufficiently defined your finished product. How many of you are Amish and able to just show up for a barn raising out of previous experience?
Yours for good success!
1. DESIGN: I live in a HOUSE, which is my HOME, and its foundation is a trailer. I drew three plans for Cricket Cottage and actually chalked to scale my first plan on the driveway. I observed many changes to make sitting on a folding chair "in" that first plan. I spent time asking and answering questions about what I need in a house for my lifestyle: I cook [I don't eat out]; I sew [sewing machine & serger]; I read [150+ books plus Kindle]; I've always had a home office; I like simplicity without severe lines; I like light from windows, but skylights leak in time; I don't like wood everywhere and I like color; I like ambiance in my surroundings, etc. My designs developed by means of overlays for different options. After settling on a design one plans locations, numbers and kinds of outlets and switches, including exterior outlets and lighting. Also, the location and size of windows, interior walls and storage, etc. And there are still 1,000+ decisions to go. Seriously, you are thinking of building a "garden shed" in which to live?
2. FOUNDATION: My trailer is from Trailers Plus: 7' x 18', heavy duty equipped, 10,000 GVWR. I was given credit for the fold up ramps. Trailer price [June 2009]: $2,736 plus lock hitch, sand pad, documentation fee, DMV fee and sales tax OR $3,050 off the lot. From my research tiny houses finish at about 7,500-8,000 pounds. They pull like a brick [no aerodynamics] at about 8 mpg by a 250 or 350-engine equipped truck.
3. CONSTRUCTION: Yes, one can install the floor, frame the walls and get the roof up quickly, especially if one ignores certain factors inherent in small homes like moisture/humidity, heat loss/gain, squareness of the structure [the house can torque when moving it], etc. You will live with those problems for the life of the house. There are details in general construction of a tiny house that take more time. How much? Maybe 5%, maybe more, depending on your knowledge and expertise.
I have had six men help me build over two years. They are all in the trades and have enabled me to build better than I could have on my own. I built the floor and helped with the framing. The men did the rafters and roof. As a woman I simply cannot handle 4'x8' sheets of lumber. I cut for the windows, built the facia/soffits, built the rain wall, cut and installed all the exterior trim, and did all the exterior painting. Likewise, the interior is a shared build. [Two years? Well, first I broke my ankle and foot laying down my Vespa-a five month recovery. Weather. Life, both mine and theirs. Weather. Unexpected health expenses. You get the idea. However, don't put down the number of hours to build and COMPLETE a tiny HOUSE.]
4. STORAGE: I have a good amount of storage in Cricket Cottage, highly customized to exactly what I own. I may yet add a "garage" for my bicycle on the rear end. However, most tiny house owners have external storage. I have a "shed" which is 24"x28"x38". I made it from leftover materials and it matches my house. It was my am-I-going-to-make-my-own-kitchen-cabinets project. Whereas the shed turned out well, I also decided not to make my cabinets. I also have a 2'x7' creeper which slides under the trailer [fabric storage].
5. DECK/SKIRTING: I used cinderblock steps for many months, but I like my tiny "deck" [which I hope to enlarge as I live in Northern CA]. I want to skirt the house with lattice as well. [I'm well-insulated in the floor.]
Bottom line: In my opinion, you all are a bit cavalier about this project at this point. You haven't sufficiently defined your finished product. How many of you are Amish and able to just show up for a barn raising out of previous experience?
Yours for good success!
A friend of mine noticed me looking at 7 foot utility trailers for a tiny house. He pointed me in this direction.
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/2703783664.html
It is an interesting starting point versus a 7 foot wide utility trailer.
http://louisville.craigslist.org/cto/2703783664.html
It is an interesting starting point versus a 7 foot wide utility trailer.
-
FreeUrChains
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:44 pm
- Contact:
Can't 13+ people just find a big abandoned warehouse full of "junk" material, and work initially to form a self sustaining system for life for their soon to be Luxury Warehouse? lol, all without spending a dime, only labor time.
Greenhouse garden, rainfall showers, filtered water from local streams or storage tanks, even rechargable 120V power systems for tools from Solar panels, or gasifers and 12 used Car Batteries in series.
Then when it's all complete they can live there indefinitely, and Retired Early, and scare away the tax collector saying it's a religious thing.
("The Colony", a great mini series on learning how to survive together without spending a dime!)
Within 10 years, you could have a City of Luxury, Self-sustaining Warehouses filled with thousands of ERE people educating and teaching themselves every day!
Greenhouse garden, rainfall showers, filtered water from local streams or storage tanks, even rechargable 120V power systems for tools from Solar panels, or gasifers and 12 used Car Batteries in series.
Then when it's all complete they can live there indefinitely, and Retired Early, and scare away the tax collector saying it's a religious thing.
("The Colony", a great mini series on learning how to survive together without spending a dime!)
Within 10 years, you could have a City of Luxury, Self-sustaining Warehouses filled with thousands of ERE people educating and teaching themselves every day!
-
FreeUrChains
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:44 pm
- Contact:
-
FreeUrChains
- Posts: 50
- Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2011 9:44 pm
- Contact:
side Note:
I have a cousin living in Northshore Hawaii, who lives in a Studio house that a retired man built from sractch on his property. Hawaii Real Estate is 3 times mainland. My cousin rents it at $1500/month for only maybe 750 sqft.
This guy was in the process of building another one. I think it only takes him 2 months. Ideal for North shore surfers/ vacation rentals, except for the price tag.
I have a cousin living in Northshore Hawaii, who lives in a Studio house that a retired man built from sractch on his property. Hawaii Real Estate is 3 times mainland. My cousin rents it at $1500/month for only maybe 750 sqft.
This guy was in the process of building another one. I think it only takes him 2 months. Ideal for North shore surfers/ vacation rentals, except for the price tag.
Really considering building the Popomo again.....(that I have paid for plans for!)
So much, that I found this
http://louisville.craigslist.org/for/2919713487.html
It is a good time for me to try and do this as I still have the farm and it would be nice to stay there occasionally.
The other good parts are that I have a covered space to work under with power and water. When its built, I can essentially create an RV hookup for utilities.
If that trailer works out, it will be a huge cost savings. Looking back at FFJeff's Lowes budget, I think there are still ways to save.
Still Pondering.........
So much, that I found this
http://louisville.craigslist.org/for/2919713487.html
It is a good time for me to try and do this as I still have the farm and it would be nice to stay there occasionally.
The other good parts are that I have a covered space to work under with power and water. When its built, I can essentially create an RV hookup for utilities.
If that trailer works out, it will be a huge cost savings. Looking back at FFJeff's Lowes budget, I think there are still ways to save.
Still Pondering.........
On the topic of RV villages...
My wife and I stayed here: http://www.rollinghuts.com/
Now, those are kind of purpose-built, boutique-y type setups...damn cool, but maybe not so practical for long-term living...but the idea is solid.
Basically, you have a little port-a-potty in your unit (or next to it as the case may be) and then you have a community area located on site for get-togethers, showers, more typical bathrooms, etc. They also had an outdoor cooking area, playground and all that.
I think it's pretty much an ideal co-housing setup.
Could be done on a large piece or land in a rural area; or by buying a RV-park and converting it as needed.
Park-model RV's are going for $21K plus these days if you don't want to build your own. And if you have a group of them, they could become very liveable, even for families.
Heck, any of this is a step up from the Tom Joad days of ramshackle shanty's and shared mess-halls...no?
And is this really any different than buying a 4bdr house and getting 2-3 roommates that have similar interests to rent space out to, have a communal garden, chickens, etc?
My wife and I stayed here: http://www.rollinghuts.com/
Now, those are kind of purpose-built, boutique-y type setups...damn cool, but maybe not so practical for long-term living...but the idea is solid.
Basically, you have a little port-a-potty in your unit (or next to it as the case may be) and then you have a community area located on site for get-togethers, showers, more typical bathrooms, etc. They also had an outdoor cooking area, playground and all that.
I think it's pretty much an ideal co-housing setup.
Could be done on a large piece or land in a rural area; or by buying a RV-park and converting it as needed.
Park-model RV's are going for $21K plus these days if you don't want to build your own. And if you have a group of them, they could become very liveable, even for families.
Heck, any of this is a step up from the Tom Joad days of ramshackle shanty's and shared mess-halls...no?
And is this really any different than buying a 4bdr house and getting 2-3 roommates that have similar interests to rent space out to, have a communal garden, chickens, etc?
-
BriarRose111
- Posts: 5
- Joined: Sat Feb 23, 2013 4:15 am
OK, so what was everyone's consensus on the Tumbleweed brand travel homes and cottages? Did anyone buy or build one? I just read about them on Facebook (such an educational place - Hah!), then found this thread here on ERE. They are cute, and would be a plus for people without the skill or tools to build their own. Jacob had a good point about resale value too.
