Tiny House Build...

[bigfelipe]

So, in an effort to free myself from debt and enjoy my life, the ol' lady and I are selling our house in Raleigh and building a tiny house on wheels(THOW). Now that she's back in Raleigh full-time and we're rid of our apt in Winston, we want to ditch the rest of our debt. The plan is to spend a year in the THOW saving as much as we can. That with the proceeds from our house, will go towards a piece of land outside of Raleigh somewhere. Then we'll move the THOW there and begin building the bungalow @NKD helped me design, as well as some accessory structures. Then the THOW will serve as a guest house. Everything will be out of pocket. No more mortgages, no more credit debt. That's the 5-year plan... Back to the present...

I've had the trailer for a little over a year. It was a 16' camper, but was badly water damaged, much worse than led to believe, so we salvaged what we could from it and scrapped the rest.

 

[bigfelipe]

After scrapping the metal, saving the windows/door, appliances to sell, and keeping the gas/electric fridge and other kitchen stuff, fresh water tank/pump, and power converter panel we got down to the frame...

This is what we ended up with... That's where the copperhead almost got me the other day... So the springs were too light, wheels too small, and the brakes needed wiring and cleaning up... On to the next stage...

 

[Windini]

Heck of a project! Best wishes for strength through the struggle and success at the end.

I'm looking forward to your future posts!

 

[bigfelipe]

Saturday, we finally started putting the trailer in order. 1st we put it up on jacks and stripped the axles out from under it and pulled the axles.



Cut off the old hangers to make room for bigger springs rated for the existing axles and 15" rims/tires replacing the 13"s, then hit up Agri Supply...



2200# 25" springs replacing the 1250# 23" springs



reattached...



New hangers mocked up...



Tacking in place...



put it together to make sure we had it right...

 

[bigfelipe]

Then the rain hit... and hit... and hit... Tomorrow evening we plan on finishing the hanger welds and aligning the axles, repacking the bearings and replacing the seals, cleaning up the brakes, and wiring it all up...

We'll find out if the rims I was gifted from @chrishf12 will work depth-wise or not... If so, we'll put the tires on. If not, to the internet to buy rims!

 

[BigWaylon]

We'll find out if the rims I was gifted from @chrishf12 will work depth-wise or not... If so, we'll put the tires on. If not, to the internet to buy rims!

Or bolt-on wheel spacers, assuming you're needing more room. Since it's a Jeep (among others) bolt pattern, they're readily available.

Although...new basic steel rims wouldn't be a whole lot more $$.

 

[bigfelipe]

Or bolt-on wheel spacers, assuming you're needing more room. Since it's a Jeep (among others) bolt pattern, they're readily available.

Although...new basic steel rims wouldn't be a whole lot more $$.

Spacers would likely cost as much as rims. I can get a whole set of new rims for $130 shipped. Trying to build on the cheap. If they don't work I'll pass them on to someone else who needs them and buy new...

 

[BigWaylon]

Spacers would likely cost as much as rims. I can get a whole set of new rims for $130 shipped. Trying to build on the cheap. If they don't work I'll pass them on to someone else who needs them and buy new...

Yeah, you could buy a set for about half that...but it's only $65 looking at the big picture.

 

[Elenaidan]

Man you are the industrious sort. Looking good thus far. Kind of excited to watch this take off.

 

[bigfelipe]

Yeah, you could buy a set for about half that...but it's only $65 looking at the big picture.

Just did a search. You're right. Found a set for $79 with prime shipping on Amazon. So the THOW will say JEEP on the axles... Don't tell my Ford or Chevy...

 

[BigWaylon]

Just did a search. You're right. Found a set for $79 with prime shipping on Amazon. So the THOW will say JEEP on the axles... Don't tell my Ford or Chevy...

<$60 here: https://jet.com/product/detail/b791af390bfb411097b88350dc373137 (Assuming 1" thick is enough)

And you could get 15% off that if it's one of your first three orders.

I bought mine off eBay years ago, so there's probably lots of options there as well.

 

[BigWaylon]

Yep, plenty of options on eBay. 1.5" or 2" for ~$65, on just the first couple results for "Jeep wheel spacers"

 

[foopid stucker]

I have been dreaming of building one myself, with slide outs and pop ups. good luck

 

[HMP]

Wow, Im into this project a lot, seems awesome.

Curious what you'll do with it, keep on posting pics as you can!

 

[9outof10mms]

I have been dreaming of building one myself, with slide outs and pop ups. good luck

I'm not tiny house inspector, but it seems like you'd be converting into a regular old camping trailer at that point.

 

[fieldgrade]

I've been looking forward to this thread since you told me about the project a couple of months ago.

The most exciting part to me is not just the THOW itself, but your whole long term master plan. That is really something to get excited about.

 

[bigfelipe]

Here's the planned layout... I drew it up and 3-D rendered it so it makes more sense...

 

[Chdamn]

Tagged for interest. Pretty cool project.

 

[bigfelipe]

This is the basic shape I'm going with. Not quite so Rustic looking though. Gonna go for a cleaner mod look...

 

[BurnedOutGeek]

This is the basic shape I'm going with. Not quite so Rustic looking though. Gonna go for a cleaner mod look...

What's the max width you can go on these?

 

[bigfelipe]

What's the max width you can go on these?

8'6" without permits. Over-Width is no big deal up to 10'6", it's the 13'6" height restriction that's the bigger deal for moving it. I'll be 8'6", and well under the height limit.

 

[BurnedOutGeek]

8'6" without permits. Over-Width is no big deal up to 10'6", it's the 13'6" height restriction that's the bigger deal for moving it. I'll be 8'6", and well under the height limit.

You should clear that trestle in Durham just fine than - LOL

 

[trcubed]

8'6" without permits. Over-Width is no big deal up to 10'6", it's the 13'6" height restriction that's the bigger deal for moving it. I'll be 8'6", and well under the height limit.

True. Overpasses and bridges enforce the height limit in a very strict way.

 

[bigfelipe]

You should clear that trestle in Durham just fine than - LOL

I don't intend on pulling it anywhere near there...

 

[chrishf12]

Just did a search. You're right. Found a set for $79 with prime shipping on Amazon. So the THOW will say JEEP on the axles... Don't tell my Ford or Chevy...

I believe those center caps will come off if you wanted.

 

[Slacker]

Folks will come up and try to buy Tacos at all hours of the night.

 

[RockRiver]

Where do all the guns go?

 

[fieldgrade]

Where do all the guns go?

They have their own booby trapped trailer.

 

[CZfool68]

After 24 years of marriage and 2 daughters there is no tiny house in my future. I'd sooner sleep out in the woods in an Eno.

 

[Red Marley]

This is a great project - but that sucker is TINY for two people. I'd need another trailer for storage. On the other hand, like living on a boat, this will simplify your life. We built a small (but not tiny) house 30+ years ago and have no regrets, but at least I have a garage. Good luck, I'll be following with interest.

 

[BigWaylon]

So, raised floor kitchen so the bed can slide underneath. Cool.

No loft area? Not even for storage?

 

[9outof10mms]

Folks will come up and try to buy Tacos at all hours of the night.

...or blue "candy."

 

[DurhamDad]

You should clear that trestle in Durham just fine than - LOL

Lol, and if he doesn't it will be on video.

 

[bigfelipe]

Folks will come up and try to buy Tacos at all hours of the night.

Side biz baby...

 

[bigfelipe]

Where do all the guns go?

That's a secret...

 

[bigfelipe]

So, raised floor kitchen so the bed can slide underneath. Cool.

No loft area? Not even for storage?

Over the bathroom will be a storage loft. That's it. I'm not a little kid. I have no interest in climbing ladders to get into bed or down to piss in the middle of the night. Lol...

 

[fieldgrade]

Folks will come up and try to buy Tacos at all hours of the night.

And if you have followed his food thread, they will be spectacular.

 

[BigWaylon]

Over the bathroom will be a storage loft. That's it. I'm not a little kid. I have no interest in climbing ladders to get into bed or down to piss in the middle of the night. Lol...

Yeah, I wasn't thinking for the bed, as that's when you get into issues with height.

I was thinking of one section where you could store 2-4 of the under bed storage containers. You'd lose less than a foot of head clearance and have a decent square footage of storage. Just an idea.

Something with a small lip to hold either the plastic or fabric containers like these:

 

[Snal~]

Tagged for interest....cool project!

 

[Hammer12b]

It's hard getting away from someone in 300sq feet! Jus sayin!