Tiny House EnthusiastsWeek 3 (7/6): Trailers

INTROS1. Objective:

By the end of this meeting we should all have a better understanding of things to consider, where, and how to purchase a Tiny Home Trailer.

2. Intros:a. Nameb. Why interested in Tiny House Movement

Tiny Home Enthusiasts - SD1. Social Media:

a. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TinyHomeEnthusiasts b. Instagram: @tinyhomeenthusistsc. Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/Tiny-Home-Enthusiasts

2. Upcoming Events:a. Monday Meetings: 6pm, Makerplaceb. Tiny House Jamboree: August 7-9th, Colorado Springs: http://www.tinyhousejamboree.

com/

TRAILER OPTIONS

1. Buying New

1. Things to consider:a. New off the lot = most commonb. Generally dozens in stockc. Maybe get a deal on a stock trailer, but

generally expensive

http://tinyhousebasics.com/trailers/

2. Buying Used1. Things to Consider:

a. Has the trailer in its life ever been overloaded?

b. Look for rust on the underside, and worn out components like bent axles, cross members or framing

c. Might be able to get a deal based on the condition

d. Once the house is built you can never go back and change the trailer

e. Are you willing to put future time/ money on the line for immediate savings?

http://tinyhousebasics.com/trailers/

3. Buying Custom

1. Things to consider:a. You can get exactly what you want and leave off

what you don’t (ie stake pockets, loading ramps, side walls etc)

b. If you can find a trailer manufacturer in your state that is relatively close, save $ by going through their Factory Rep

c. Can pick out what axles you want/ opt to not include decking to save $/ lbs

http://tinyhousebasics.com/trailers/

WHERE TO BUY

1. Tiny Home Builders (FL, UT, CANADA)

2. Tumbleweed (Sonoma, Ca)

Website: http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/products/tumbleweed-trailer

3. Tiny House Basics

Website: http://tinyhousebasics.com/trailers/

4. Ronco Trailers (Vista, Ca)

Website: http://www.roncotrailer.com/id41.html

5. Carson Trailers (NV, CO, AZ, CA, WA)

Website: http://www.carsontrailersales.com/

6. Iron Eagle (Fairview, OR)

Website: http://ironeagletinyhousetrailer.com/tinyhomes/

7. Big Tex (Mt. Pleasant, TX)

Website: http://bigtextrailers.com/

CONSIDERATIONS

Trailer Features

1. Drop axles vs. Straight axles - ( can add about 4” to headspace )2. Decking - can build subfloor right into the trailer3. Frame - Wrap-around frame package - wider floorspace4. Brakes - (DMV required) 5. GVWR- Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: Axle ratings (includes the weight

of the trailer) - how much weight can it hold

When Buying?1. What size should you get? 2. Check for rust3. Cash discounts4. Trailers usually have brake lights, plates, and a braking

mech. which attach to tow vehicle5. Different sizes for hitch balls ( almost all = 2” or 2 ⅝”).

Can easily change hitch ball on car/ truck6. Trailer can be roughly 18% of materials cost

Subfloor1. How to attach to trailer:

a. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLD15Nq8u-o b. http://tinyhousetalk.com/bolt-attach-tiny-house-trailer/ c. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E27-OY33oW0 d. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=keLsoxU7sUQ

We Need a Logo!1. Submit vector file (message Eddy on meetup)2. Winner gets a free set of Tiny House Plans3. Entries due by: July 6th, Winner announced: July 14th4. Criteria:

a) Simple, graphically illustrated designb) Can be multicolor but should be able to be reduced to single colorc) San Diego related theme preferredd) Live in Southern California and join our Meetup groupe) Accept releasing the use/ rights of logo for Tiny Home Enthusiasts Meetup groupf) Vector file

g) Initials/ branding can be incorporated

Resources:1. Web:

a. Tiny House Giant Journey: http://tinyhousegiantjourney.com/ b. Tiny House Community: http://tinyhousecommunity.com/faq.htm c. Treading Tiny: http://www.treadingtiny.com/2012/09/19/buying-a-trailer-for-the-tiny-house-my-trailer-hunt-

and-tips-for-finding-yours/ d. Tiny House Blog: http://tinyhouseblog.com/stick-built/trailers-for-tiny-houses/

2. Podcasts:a. Tiny House Chat: http://www.tinyhousechat.com/ b. Lemonhead Press: https://www.lemonheadpress.com/podcast/ c. Tiny House Talk: http://tinyhousetalk.com/category/podcast/

3. Other Trailers:a. Southwest: http://www.southwesttrailer.com/inventory.asp?specific=1480 b. PJ Trailers: http://www.pjtrailers.com/uses/tiny-house-trailers