Tarleton
117 square feet  Ready made: $49,997 Build it yourself: $21,250 |
slideshow |
| House width: | 8′ | Porch: | 7 ½’ x 3′ |
| House length: | 19′ | Main Room: | 6 ½’ x 6 ½’ |
Trailer Size:  |
7′ x 18′ | Kitchen: | 6 ½’ x 4′ |
| Road Height: | 13′ 5″ | Bathroom: | 3′ x 6′ |
| Dry Weight: |
5400 lbs | Ceiling height: | 6′ 3″ |
| all measurements are approximate | Loft height: | 3′ 8″ | |
The Tarleton features the largest kitchen of the teeny houses on wheels. The great room has vaulted ceilings which are accented by the pine interior finishing. Stainless steel counters show off the kitchen, and the bathroom has a full shower, toilet and sink. The sleeping loft is upstairs and accessible by a ladder. Two full size closets flank the front door on either side.
Learn more: Connecting to utilities, Purchasing a house, Building a house
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Comments
262 Responses to “Tarleton”
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Does this unit have to come with metal siding on the exterior ?
Are there other options for exterior finish ?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 3rd, 2008 4:46 am:
There are 3 choices for siding:
1. Clapboard - Wood siding that runs horizontal
2. Board & Batton - Wood siding that has strips running up and down every 16 inches.
3. Metal siding.
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Kat reply on January 21st, 2009 10:50 pm:
I like the metal siding on the Tarleton. I know I want a metal roof. However, I’ve been wondering how a house with metal siding in the Pacific NW would do as far as moisture issues were concerned. Black mold is a problem for me.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 25th, 2009 2:56 am:
I don’t know, but you might want to coat it with some marine metal sealant, just in case.
BJ reply on August 5th, 2008 8:03 pm:
Ok,
great plan thats defintley good for the environment, but one problem I encountered. I built a similar version and had a small housewarming party during football season, well needless to say after a few hours of chili dip things got pretty bad!!!
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Jay Shafer reply on August 20th, 2008 2:27 am:
It’s all about the cross venting and Beano shots.
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Are any of the older plans available for sale? I remember a 2-story wood house with about 500 sq. feet that had a flexible upper floor for as many as 3 bedrooms.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 4th, 2008 7:10 pm:
The older floor plans are no longer for sale. Our new and updated plans for the larger houses are designed to meet the International Building Code. We have a couple models with 2 rooms on the top floor. We are designing 3 bedroom models currently, and the first one should be posted to our website within 1 week. Check back for it.
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Daniel reply on June 5th, 2008 3:47 pm:
I remember seeing the plans for the Rockport. I thought that would be great for something small but not transportable. I liked the open look to the plan and the loft looked to be situated very well too. Is that one unavailable too?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 5th, 2008 4:04 pm:
The Rockport has been slightly modified and is now called the Bernhardt. The Bernhardt is smaller than the Rockport so that it squeezes under the 120 feet limit, but looks almost identical.
JR vanLienden reply on September 13th, 2008 8:21 pm:
I saw you talk about a 120 foot limit when discussing one of your models, what limit is this referring to and why?
Jay Shafer reply on September 15th, 2008 2:50 pm:
It sounds like you must be thinking of my reference to the fairly universal code that says you don’t need permits for anything under 120 s.f.
Is there a particular brand of trailer that is recommended as a platform? Like any home, a strong foundation can not be over-emphasized, especially when that home may be headed down a bumpy backroad. Also, for the largest trailer designs, would anyone have an approximate weight (without furniture, etc.)?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 5th, 2008 6:50 pm:
The approximate weight is listed with the dimensions on this page. Just click on the text where the square footage is listed at the top of the page. We don’t have a recommended brand. A typical flatbed trailer is used. Usually, they come with sides rails that will need to be removed. Here’s an excellent sample picture.
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Nate reply on June 30th, 2008 5:49 pm:
On the topic of the houses on trailers… I currently live in a reasonably hilly county, and I’d probably stay in the area after I switch to a Tumbleweed home. How would a house like this fare in a Hilly area, or any land that has inclines, declines, etc?
Can you only Park and use a house in valleys or 100% flat area, or are there jacks you could use to level the house out if you’re on a hillside?
I looked around other comments on the site, and unless I missed it, I couldn’t find this topic covered elsewhere. If it ahs been covered elsewhere, you can send me the link and I’ll check it out.
Thanks a lot!
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 1st, 2008 3:41 pm:
You can level the house with jacks. In fact Jay lives on a slight incline now and has done that as well.
Just curious, but how do you come up with the names for your homes? I found you through a friend of mine, and was completely surprised to find that one of your houses shares its name with ME!:)
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 13th, 2008 3:28 pm:
They are named after people who have helped us in one way or another.
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Would it be possible to use a used travel trailer frame to build one of your houses? I’d rather recycle a used frame than order a new one. What Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR) do you recommend? Thanks for designing such wonderful tiny houses!
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Robin Bobula reply on July 5th, 2008 1:16 pm:
Recycling an old travel trailer frame is a great idea. There are sure plenty of older, dilapidated camping trailers around. Does anyone know if those frames are heavy enough to work well?
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i’m looking at the Tarleton and i wonder if the front porch is actually sitting on the trailer bed or is it a seperate entity, and if so can the porch be attached to the house while driving it down the road or is built after the house reaches it’s destination…
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Kim reply on December 19th, 2008 11:20 pm:
I have the same question. If it is seperate, I think I would consider a different model. If it is attached this would be nearest to perfection for my needs. Could someone from tumbleweed please respond.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 20th, 2008 5:07 pm:
It’s all connected except for the 25 pound steps which can be easily set on the porch for travel.
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I am looking at the beautiful trailers in awe. I live in a tiny holiday trailer right now and hope to have a Tumbleweed in the future.
Questions:
I would like to know if the houses can be designed with a pointy front /sloped roof to be more aerodynamic?
I would like to know if the interior design could be tweeked a bit so that the kitchen isn’t directly under the access to the loft; I don’t want to sleep with my cooking smells.
I also have a cat and would like to know if the stairs could be made more easy for my him to walk up as he is a terrible climber.
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 24th, 2008 11:18 am:
The Lusby model has the kitchen in the main room, so it’s not directly under the loft. I don’t know about other options for stairs. Maybe someone else has a good suggestion. Perhaps some climbing furniture for the cat can be used to help it get up to the loft. We’ve never designed the houses with an aero-dynamic roof, and they travel just fine as they are. It’s something you could modify on your own, however, it will really reduce the loft space.
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M Groesbeck reply on November 16th, 2008 12:56 am:
I’m also a cat person, so I’ve been thinking about the same issue — it might be possible to design a series of shelves/bookcases which could double as a “cat staircase” without taking up so much floor space. One of my cats is a climber; I keep my housetruck arranged so that the jumps from couch to dresser to short bookcase to tall bookcase are manageable even for an older cat — and that’s in a less-well-designed space than the Tumbleweeds.
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Ryan reply on June 25th, 2008 5:57 pm:
Hey I don’t know if you could find narow enough spirail stair cases but those would be easier for your cat and not take up to much room.
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joe nichols reply on July 7th, 2008 5:24 am:
How about a basket with comparable rope or cloth material to pull your cat up. maybe a pully would make it easier.
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Crystal Heshmat reply on July 19th, 2008 2:54 am:
From the pictures, I think you could slip a few shelves in along the wall and around the window to create more comfortable steps for your cat.
In fact, you might want to put a shelf by the window anyway so that kitty will have a pleasant place to sit in the sun or just look out the window. You will probably want to make it big enough to hold an enclosed cat carrier and add a safety strap to be used while the vehicle is in motion.
Thanks for the question! I hadn’t thought about how I would transport my two kitties!
~ Crystal
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What would it cost aprox to build this unit on my own?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 26th, 2008 10:21 am:
The materials are approximately in the range of $18,000 to $23,000. We also suggest hiring a professional to install the electric and plumbing.
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The idea of extending the sleeping loft over the front porch in the Lusby or Tarleton is wonderful — something I’ve been thinking a lot about. I would be very interested in a supplemental design along those lines for the Tarleton, especially. It would even make sense, from a storage perspective, to have a full loft, as in the smaller houses on wheels, with the square loft opening in the center of the house, and the side loft closets forming partial dividers upstairs. A curtain could be hung across the foot of each bed, separating the two loft areas for a bit of privacy. Let’s face it, sometimes you might need to have someone stay over, and this would give them some space that was their own. The only drawback would be losing the cathedral ceiling effect. But you can’t have everything…
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gerrie r. reply on July 27th, 2008 3:29 am:
Hi Robin, You might be able to have everything! I love your double loft ideas. Scroll down and check out my ideas.
Gerrie
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Is the cost on your website how much it would cost for someone else to build one of your homes?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on June 26th, 2008 6:34 pm:
The price of $46,997 for the Tarleton (for exmample) is the cost for us to build it. When people build it themselves we suggest estimating about 40%-50% of the cost for building materials.
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I’m thinking about building the Tarlelton. I’d like to use salvage materials. Are the doors and windows standard size?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 1st, 2008 3:39 pm:
The windows are standard sizes. The front door is hand made using a standard window.
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Robert Averill reply on November 5th, 2008 11:08 pm:
What are the window sizes and are they bought locally in case of failure????
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Jay Shafer reply on November 6th, 2008 2:54 pm:
They’re all standard factory built sizes that can be ordered and repaired at Home Depot, Lowe’s, etc.
paul reply on January 29th, 2009 8:00 pm:
Curious about the front door…you said it is made from a window? I would prefer using a 30″ standard door. If I could, I would consider a 32″ door. I would rather have an insulated door for wintertime. Also, its hard to get furniture (even a chair) through doors smaller than 30″. I dont think its practical to try to insulate a small old wood door, either.
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Dave reply on December 10th, 2008 2:28 am:
Do you cover the windows with a plexi insert or something like a storm window during travel? It seems like a window would be easily broken by road debris.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 12th, 2008 3:56 pm:
I order only windows with tempered glass and have never had a problem with one breaking. Best not to drive in a hail storm though.
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I LOVE these mini houses! I hope to own the Tarleton one day soon!
It would be really neat if there were a few themed ones. Like a mini Gothic style with a mansard roof and a mini Castle with a turret! You could be Green and super whimsical at the same time. ^_^
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Douglas Scott Haight reply on November 6th, 2008 11:48 pm:
YES! Exactly what I was thinking: I have been sketching a Gothic monastery/hermitage on wheels. Maybe a flip-over or hydraulic bell tower to make the profile a bit more extreme. What do you think, Steve, has anyone tried anything along these lines?
I’ve been a fan for a couple years, but this is my first post. Keep up the excellent work!
Douglas
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Eledaia reply on April 17th, 2009 12:39 pm:
Ha! I was just thinking about designs for tiny houses with Lord of the Rings and Star Wars themes! Awesome….evil grin…
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Tori reply on July 26th, 2009 8:08 pm:
When I get the money I hope to build a Tiny Home-School for my baby! Then we can have our own Tiny Home of our own!
Plumbing?
Are there holding tanks like an RV, or a mobile home type hookup?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 6th, 2008 6:25 pm:
Yes, you can put a tank on the house. However if you’re going to keep it stationary, it’s far more convenient to hook it up to the sewer.
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These houses have really inspired me! I am just now entering college and my dorm room is smaller and definetely not as good looking than these houses and i will be living in a dorm room for at least 1 year, maybe 2. This would be a far more cheaper way to live the rest of my college and early adult life.
I have a question though, is it possible to have custom plans made?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 7th, 2008 5:13 pm:
We can make small modifications to plans such as adding a skylight. Jay’s been too busy to do custom plans, and therefore has stopped taking on new orders.
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These look great!
However I have not seen any information on water heating. Do you use a propane on demand RV water heater?
How does water heating work?
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On your newsletter you said that the new house the Fencl is a combo between the tarleton and the weebee…Is it merging the designs together or is it really adding the sq ft of one to the sq ft of the other? I love your houses and my fiance and I are planning on building one in the fall!
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 11th, 2008 3:41 pm:
It’s a combo, but it’s larger than the rest of the tiny houses. It totals 130 square feet.
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Tom reply on July 12th, 2008 1:37 pm:
When will there be a layout available for the fencl,really interested in what it looks like but I can not find it on your website.
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The description for the Tarleton says “the bathroom has a full shower, toilet and sink”. I can’t determine from the photographs or the plan drawing where the sink in the bathroom is located.
Thanks!
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jl reply on July 15th, 2008 11:55 pm:
http://www.boingboing.net/2006/04/04/toilet-tank-sinks.html
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Ahhh….nifty! The model in the link requires a flush toilet. I suppose if one chose to outfit a Tumbleweed house with a composting toilet, one would just need to use the kitchen sink. Is this so or are there other options?
Thanks for the reply!
-D.
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You’re asking $46,000 dollars for a tag-along trailer with a shed on it??? Dude, I could build that thing without your “plans” or your “help” for under five grand… Where do you get off asking anywhere near the number you have advertised?
Want some advice? I’ll tellya like your my own brother… DON’T go out on the road telling people you want $46,000 dollars for this thing okay? Don’t even tell em you want $20,000 dollars for it. Believe me if you do you might wind up with a fist in your mouth!
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 18th, 2008 9:06 pm:
Hi Bill, well we haven’t been punched yet. Ouch! I think most people understand that these homes are a quality product, and we don’t cut corners for the sake of a couple thousand dollars. If you were to cost out the materials, you’d find that for $5000 you can buy the trailer and the fireplace. Of course, you’d still need the house… Actually, the material cost on this house is about $20-$22K. It takes approximately 500-800 hours to build. Keep in mind this is a fully insulated and functional home with running water and electricity.
If you take a look at new Airstream trailers, you’ll find our prices to be very comprable.
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I love these efficient homes! I currently rent a 300 square foot apartment and after viewing your homes I constantly think about all the wasted space there is, even though most Americans would consider 300 feet a very small space. God willing, I would love for my first home to be a teeny tiny one. Kudos!
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I want to know if the price on these houses includes sales tax or not and aslo I wondered if extending the roof out to make another bed out of the loft storage space is possible. I would rather buy it pre built since I don’t really trust myself to build it.
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These houses are great, but where do you put them if you live in an urban area? Most cities have zoning ordinances that are slanted against “mobile homes,” clustering them into ratty little parks. It’s just not possible to purchase a vacant lot in a city and park a tiny home on it in this way. What do you do, then? Do you find someone willing to let you park in their back yard? Do you settle on a trailer park (even those places have minimum size requirements, usually)? Do you just keep moving?
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Steve with Tumbleweed reply on July 22nd, 2008 12:43 am:
That a great question. Backyards are a great place to try. In most cities, these houses won’t meet code on a permanent foundation. That’s why they are on wheels. Many cities don’t allow people to “live” in an RV, but they do allow people to “camp out” in an RV. It’s a fine distinction, and you’ll have to interpret it yourself. Some cities require that you move the RV every month. Jay encountered this in Iowa, and he would take his house on the road each month.
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The DOUBLE LOFT idea:
Don’t build inward and lose floor space and ceiling height! Build outward and increase the front porch space.
If you added an additional 12” to 18”, extending the depth of the front porch, you could have an extra, full, sleeping loft (or for storage) and have a usable porch that would accommodate two chairs or rockers, comfortably, and extend the outdoor living space, which, to me, is as important as the inside! The porches on some models are very narrow and I am a porch lover! Extra support would have to be added to the porch to support the new loft but it probably wouldn’t add to much weight, I don’t think.
This idea is for the TARLETON and the LUSBY models.
Another idea:
The LADDER! If you look at the photos of both of the models, that ladder takes up a lot of floor space (I am estimating close to 3’)! Especially, if you have two sleeping lofts with two ladders or WORSE sharing one ladder at night, this could be hard, OR WAR!
Suggestions: Both models have an interior wall (similar in both designs, the TARLETON has a large wall separating the kitchen/bath from the main room and the LUSBY has a tiny, interior wall separating the lower bed and bath from the main room).
These walls could be used to support a permanent, fixed ladder (like the kind that some office buildings attach to the wall for access to the roof) to get to the original lofts. If supported properly and given adequate, larger rungs, one could do away with ladders altogether and gain more permanent floor space. The bookshelf area, on both models, could be strengthened to support a similar ladder to the new, second, “guest loft” side.
These Permanent ladders, that I suggest, take more arm strength and coordination to climb so a portable ladder could always be on hand if needed.
Gerrie
… Your comments?
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Still nothing on the water heating?
how does it heat water? or does it?
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Jay Shafer reply on August 20th, 2008 3:24 am:
We use an RV water heater or, sometimes, an on demand unit.
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I wanted to know if you could put a ‘bump out’ on the Tarleton like the Weebee or is the porch is non load bearing.
Thanks
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Nicole Marie reply on July 29th, 2008 3:49 am:
You’ve got to get the new portfolio. I just got mine and what you are describing is the new FENCEL. It looks really nice!
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Has anyone considered using 20′ shipping containers (they’re roughly 8′ tall, 8′ wide, 20′ long) as a base? Recycled materials are ideal for living “green” and many shipping containers just sit around, which you can pick up for around $2,000-3,000. There is a growing number of people using shipping containers for homes and using one for a Tumbleweed-like house might save a person some money and construction time. Perhaps Tumbleweed could make a design based on the usage of one?
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69WestyLife reply on September 30th, 2008 8:40 am:
David good idea for a shipping container for a home. They are doing it in Rotterdam, Holland. However, shipping containers cold in winter and hot in summer months. I converted a Bread Truck (metal) that was used in Oakland a few years back. Winters were unbearable under 30 degrees. My 69 VW Westfallia is perfect and I have been living in it for 5 years now with no rent. But some day I would like something bigger, maybe.
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Two questions:
1) has anyone ever thought to add gables to the loft area for additional space upstairs?
2) What is the R value of these puppies (walls, floors, ceiling)
Thanks! Just back from a year living in a Chevy van with my husband and two BIG dogs while traveling in Central America.
Look for a slightly bigger and better insulated option after we sell the house at home…1200 square is tooooo big!
Thanks! Lisa
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Jay Shafer reply on September 15th, 2008 2:47 pm:
I lived in my truck for years before building my Epu. One hundred insulated sq. ft. feels opulent by comparison.
1. My original plan for my first house incl. a gable on each side, but budgetary concerns at the time changed my mind. I’d love to see it done. It would feel relatively huge up there.
2. 15 Rs all over plus insulated windows. No condensation problems here.
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Lisa reply on September 15th, 2008 4:00 pm:
Thanks for the reply Jay!
Two other thoughts:
1) what about a collapsible porch/roof over porch so more space inside, and
2) My concerns about space about because this structure would be for a couple…not just a single person…has anyone else done this? Would love to hear how they are faring
Great work! Lisa
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Jay Shafer reply on September 20th, 2008 4:15 pm:
It hasn’t happened yet, but I see no reason why not. One could also just buy a longer trailer and add on that way as well.
Is there any reason that you couldn’t make the trailer longer I have 3 dogs and need floor space. About 4 or 5 more feet would make so much more space for them and their accessories.
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Jay Shafer reply on September 30th, 2008 5:36 pm:
No problem. Just be sure to keep the weight at the front and back ends fairly equal.
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It would really be nice if this web site was updated on a regular basis. I just wanted to see a plan for the fencel and some of the other new plans.I purchesed the 3 books over a year ago but they didn’t have those plans. Is there anyone who can help me w/this
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Jay Shafer reply on September 30th, 2008 5:35 pm:
I am as eager as anyone to see that new material posted . I am currently searching for someone to teach me web construction so that I can get those new houses up along with a gazillion other updates I’ve been wanting to implement for some time now. That said, don’t hold your breath. Steve and I still have a lot of emails to answer before much else can happen.
Our last web master was hired to transform the site into something an idiot could manage. I shall soon be going in to evaluate how successful she was.
Thanks for your enthusiasm.
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Hi - I currently live in Hudson WI, My husband and I are looking to leave the cold and the hustle of the cities. We are interested in looking at siplifying our world. Is there a certain “area” where these homes are more common? How could I learn more about this?? And also my husband is not a building type a guy - how far back is production of these homes?
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Jay Shafer reply on September 30th, 2008 4:59 pm:
Personally, I’d like to see all tiny house people move out to my neck of the woods, band together, and then, if all goes well, start our own environmentally, socially and financially sustainable nation… with liberty and wee housing for all.
Personal feelings aside, it does seem that most small house interest in the U.S. is on the coasts (East, West and Gulf). We get tons of interest from the Seattle Area. From a broader perspective, the best place to find small houses seems to be almost anywhere but the U.S.. On average, his country has the biggest houses in the world, thanks largely to minimum size standards introduced into our building codes by the housing industry back in the 70s and 80s.
In our country there will be no such laws.
Oh, and in answer to your second question… 8 to 12 weeks production time at this point.
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Matthew Vedder reply on October 8th, 2008 11:08 pm:
About the comment of “starting a nation of small houses….. I was wondering if any thought had been given to building these in a park like setting with environmental ammenities and herbal themes. Also maybe using an alternative medicine theme i.e. herbal therapies, yoga, meditation, TCM, REAL organic eating, hypnotic therapy. My name is Matthew. I live in Florida. I am earning a degree in alternative medicine and would be very interested in beginning a community of dwellings in my area that revolved around the principles of cleaner organic living.
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Jay Shafer reply on September 30th, 2008 5:03 pm:
Personally, I’d like to see all tiny house people move out to my neck of the woods, band together, and then, if all goes well, start our own environmentally, socially and financially sustainable nation… with liberty and wee housing for all.
Personal feelings aside, it does seem that most small house interest in the U.S. is on the coasts (East, West and Gulf). We get tons of interest from the Seattle Area. From a broader perspective, the best place to find small houses seems to be almost anywhere but the U.S.. On average, his country has the biggest houses in the world, thanks largely to minimum size standards introduced into our building codes by the housing industry back in the 70s and 80s.
In our tiny house country there will be no such laws.
Oh, and in answer to your second question… 8 to 12 weeks production time at this point.
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Reply to All above: If we are seriously wanting to live like Native Americans, let us go ALL-THE-WAY>>>> Tee-Pees! Yes, the area where these homes are more common to be placed on cheap enough land would be: Siberia, Antarctica, Southern Tibet, Northern Greenland, the South Bronx, or possibly Peoria, Illinois (where most anything plays once)…..Reply to Jay Shafer: For further research/target marketing, advise research the commune movement of the late 60’s (see Dharma’s parents, see East Woodstock, NY) where everyone shared everything: tin roofs, lean-tos, weekly wash basins, needles, wives and/or reuseable diapers, porta-potties and/or latrines…..I’m quite certain that you can obtain land grant money from the State of Californicate upon which to place the various new models from your brochure: for instance, of particular interest would be the Teeny Barack O’Model, 169 sq. ft. of upside-down living, kind of like a multiple-layered pizza oven, with various levels of earnings and tax-rates;. For instance, the richer inhabitants would be relegated to the crawl space, since they should be trickled down on; the middle class would inhabit the exterior and roof, since they should always be on the outside looking in; and the homeless poor should have the run of the house, all 169 sq ft. of it…..Seriously, do apply for all the future grants — this is literally a new cottage industry.
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Ann_Chanted reply on October 8th, 2008 6:10 pm:
It’s okay Mr. Crazy Old White Dude, nobody is asking you to give up your probably horrendously spoiled lifestyle to go out into the woods and live like God intended. You can stay in your suburbian, overly complicated, facade of a house that costs more to heat and cool every month than some people in other countries make in a lifetime. You can continue to dusty and clean and heat and cool and stretch your legs out and become one with money, as I’m sure that’s the only thing you have going in your life. As my husband tells me, “RICH PEOPLE HAVE NO VALUE!” You are not being asked to change your lifestyle and if others want to change their own lifestyle (like myself), I and others like me would really enjoy a little peace and quiet from the almighty status quo, shoving etiquette and formality down our throats since the time of Jesus.
In other words, nobody asked for your opinion. Oh yeah, and BTW, I really wish subdivisions (like the one I’m sure you live in) would find a way to hide their ugly, a**hole-to-bellybutton living quarters from the public eye. I’m really tired of looking at all those cookie-cutter POS houses.
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Jamie reply on November 16th, 2008 7:42 am:
Oh I hate those subdivisions! I wish they would all burn to the ground.
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Servius reply on December 15th, 2008 11:34 pm:
What’s with the hate? Freedom isn’t just for sex you know.
I live in an evil subdivision and would consider building several units to lease out as affordable housing. If there’s a profit to be made.
val reply on January 10th, 2009 2:55 pm:
Mr crazy white guy cant even talk right. What the hell is he talking about? Speak normal please.
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Lori reply on October 25th, 2008 10:45 am:
You got to be kidding!!! Nothing plays in Peoria Illinois, including your stereo! They have a noise band. Please if your thinking of moving a tiny home here, FORGET IT! Im from Peoria and I am looking at these tiny homes but trust me, the codes will not allow them to play in Peoria.
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Anonimouse reply on October 26th, 2008 4:15 am:
I’m from Peoria too. I second that. Don’t go to Peoria, IL
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hey what’s with the neg.- at…I feel like a scaled down house is the way to go ….I am currently building a 20×16 foot 1bedroom home…I’m not rich but some where in the middle of the economy…and whent threw a nasty divorce where my 4 bedroom home and 21/2 stall garage we’re taken from me ….thats when I rented a small 1 bedroom apt. and found scaled back live’n was so much better than the old house cut my monthly bills and got rid of alot of things that I forgot I had so they must of not been nessary for life…and I plan on building a EPU as soon as I find my piece of dirt in the woods along a river….you don’t need alot of things tobe happy just enough to be confurtable.In this world of excess we call the USA…waste is going to be our down fall if we don’t change our ways and jay is showing alot of us that smaller is a way to lessen our foot print not only in use’n less energy but in use’n less of everything…trees and space for mother nature to rome…I don’t know what you need but small was perfect for me…If you want to go off the grid it is better to be small than live in excess….I have more money than ever and can spend more time doing the things I enjoy because of live’n small…besides I’m only there maybe 6 to 10 hours a day and half that time I’m sleeping…Thank you Jay for your for site in life and I will spread the news of your web site to who or whom ever will listen….Mr.B
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My husband and I were speaking last night about your design, which is very well thought out, but we think we may have an improvement for you. Firstly, if I chose the Tarleton model, which is the one I am most in love with, I would want the entire back wall of the kitchen (the wall opposite the countertop) to be full, floor to ceiling, of small shelves, just wide enough for canned goods or one-pound bag of sugar. Essentially that entire wall could be made into one large pantry without sacrificing too much space needed to move around the kitchen. That would really help out by way of food storage. However, that leaves the problem of where to put the bathroom door. So, why not move the bathroom door to the other wall, where it opens into the main room area and, instead of a ladder, have a set of attic steps installed into the ceiling of the kitchen that pull down and can be pushed back up into the ceiling when not in use? That would eliminate the extra space needed for the ladder, and it would make allowances for those who would have a hard time climbing the ladder, but can use steps. Of course, there would have to be adjustments made to the size of the sleeping loft. Just food for thought.
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Living large reply on October 23rd, 2008 3:44 am:
pick up a simple CAD program and create your won design!
I saw all this entrepreneurial endeavor and have a ton of ideas. As a engineer I am looking at how to make these life simplification dwellings make the most of our current & future technology. Solar power for electricity and hot water… Battery banks, power transformers (small - underneath the floor) and the like for stored electrical power - LED llighting. Everything state of the art fuel/energy efficient. Gas for back up power and heat. Super efficient insulation…
So costs will go up but I just found my retirement calling!
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Emily reply on October 26th, 2008 7:10 am:
These are so great. I currently live in about a 900 square foot apartment and probably only really “live” in about 300 square feet of it. one room is just full of junk that I don’t feel like dealing with. what a waste of money and energy. The Tarleton is my favorite and I love the idea of that Ann-enchanted made about the ladder. I used to live in loft beds, and getting out of the them half asleep in the middle of the night can be down right dangerous, if you are somewhat clumsy at all. Me and a couple friends are dreaming of starting our own little tiny houses community…think of all the time and freedom not having to pay rent or a mortage would. I could travel!
This is are absolutely amazing, not only are they efficient but they are beautiful and inventive. Great job all the way around!
Would like to hear feed back about the stairs? Is there a reason it wouldn’t work? Loft space? Thanks!
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Jay Shafer reply on October 27th, 2008 9:19 pm:
I’m sorry,but I’m having a hard time finding Ann Chanted’s comment and, thus, responding in full to yours. Long story short, you can have a ladder or a staggered ladder like Ross Chapin likes to use in his designs or even a stairway or elevator shaft (most likely attached to the outside).
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do yall know if any of em come pre-built or maybe a starter project?
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I live in Vermont and it gets below zero quite a bit in the winter. Would that little heater keep it warm enough and is it insulated well?
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Usually I use the best file searcher- http://newfileengine.com/
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Does anybody know the dimensions of the two front closets?
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Jay Shafer reply on November 1st, 2008 4:38 pm:
They’re 2′x2′.
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Do you do customizations? like make a home more green and maybe some way to make the roof into solar pannels to provide some free energy?
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Jay Shafer reply on November 5th, 2008 3:26 pm:
Yes, I can do that.
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Is there some logic behind having wood paneling throughout the house? Could you just use sheetrock? I know you can make this completely portable by using tanks, but where would one put them. Finally how would you make sure the house is balanced on the trailer, for proper towing when you make it your self?
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Jay Shafer reply on November 6th, 2008 2:42 pm:
1) Using gypsum board will add weight, but not enough to matter if you prefer it.
2) Under the counter and in the loft.
3) The designs account for weight distribution.
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how big of a mattress can fit comfortable in the sleeping loft? what is the recommended height for the mattress?
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Jay Shafer reply on November 6th, 2008 2:29 pm:
A queen is best. I recommend a thickness of 6″ or less. Mine is 4″ high-density foam. It’s very nice.
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1)Can this be customized to have a full loft with a square access through the kitchen like some of the other teeny houses?
2)Is it advisable to have an electrical heater powered solely by solar power?
3)Can a hatch be made at the bathroom so that the porta potty can be removed for emptying directly from instead of walking through the main room and stuff. O.o
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Jay Shafer reply on November 27th, 2008 4:59 pm:
1) No problem.
2) Not unless you’re ready to drop a fairly large sum on lots of panels. Most solar powered houses use gas, wood, etc. to run their heat and often their fridge too.
3) Sure.
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it looks like a lot of house towards the front ,how much tongue weight is created for towing?is it less than 1000 lbs?also i noticed a gas water heater on one of the models,has anyone tried to put a camper gas/electric refridgerator in? if so any problems?how long does it take to get plans when ordered?
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Jay Shafer reply on November 27th, 2008 4:19 pm:
The tongue wt. is between 500 & 600 pounds. I hear the fridges work great.
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Hi,
Can the bathroom walls be made from water resistant cedar walls like what Martin House Company did instead of the metal sheets shown in your pictures.
Here’s a picture of the bathroom
http://www.lodge-on-wheels.com/images/LOW_Interior_web24.jpg
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Jay Shafer reply on November 27th, 2008 4:09 pm:
Yes. I actually came up with the idea and installed that cedar wall for Martin when I designed and built their first house.
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allen macmillan reply on March 3rd, 2009 3:07 am:
as beautiful as cedar in the bathroom is, i keep asking myself how waterproof it is… and im sure its not easy to keep clean like tile would be.
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Jay Shafer reply on March 5th, 2009 6:57 pm:
I bet you’re thinking of the house I designed and built for Julie Martin of Martin House to Go. I put cedar in the shower at her request. I cant attest to the durability, as I’ve heard nothing back about it.
I found this and thought it was a great idea you could incorporate in your houses’ design. Hope it becomes a standard in all tumbleweed homes.
http://www.instructables.com/id/Solar-Heater/
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Jay Shafer reply on November 28th, 2008 5:55 pm:
Thanks for the great idea. I’ve bookmarked it as a resource.
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Hi Jay,
I’ve devoured the website, portfolio and book. Love them all! Was wondering if a slightly larger kitchen sink can be used and if there would be any reason you would recommend NOT using one?
I currently have a bar sink in my apartment and I just have a hard time washing my pots/pans and clothing in it. I end up wasting water by spilling it!
Was also wondering, if I bought plans and consulted with you would the minor changes we make be written into the plans for my builder to follow?
Thanks so much for everything you’ve created!
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Jay Shafer reply on December 1st, 2008 10:03 pm:
The sink is a great idea. We could make revisions to the drawings during your free consultation time.
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Can the kitchen be shrunk to accomodate a little storage space at the back for rain water collection barrels and solar electric stuff, e.g battery array, inverters etc?
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Jay Shafer reply on December 1st, 2008 10:01 pm:
When there’s a will… I would suggest just building out over the trailer tongue though.
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question: i spoke to cabelas a few days ago, who are selling a large traveling camper. the complete width on the exterior was 11.5 ft across, and he told me that anything under 12 feet across doesnt require extra permits, it only requires a “wide-load” sign. but according to this website under the “trailer” category, the trailers used on these tiny houses are the widest possible without extra permits, and these houses are much less wide. can someone please clarify for me, as i was thinking about a home with a slightly wider interior than these (8 ft. or so). thanks!
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Jay Shafer reply on December 4th, 2008 2:18 am:
My understanding is that in most states you do need a permit for loads wider than 8′-6″, but the rules do vary from state to state. If I’m wrong someone let me know so we can start delivering bigger houses.
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abby reply on December 5th, 2008 7:58 am:
okay, thanks Jay. do you know what sort of permits one needs to acquire before traveling the road with an “rv” that is over 8.6 ft. wide (roughly 10)? Also, the man i spoke with at Cabelas told me that an “rv” on wheels can be up to 399 sq. ft. before it is considered a mobile home, and would require no extra permits. Is this true? Because that seems VERY large to me. I spent some time in the camper they were selling and it was so large. It felt like several people could live in the space comfortably. I couldn’t believe that this could be considered a tiny house! Just trying to figure out all the rules and regulations. or if there are any general guidelines that i am unclear on.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 6th, 2008 5:43 pm:
It’s true. A “park rv” can be up to 399 s.f. at its roof line. I just learned about this recently, and am currently working to put all of our midsize houses on wheels to circumvent permitting and make things even easier.
paul reply on January 29th, 2009 8:23 pm:
Could you get a bigger house design on wheels? I think 250 sq ft would be great! What do you think are some of the comparisons or differences between Katrina cottage building designs and the Tumbleweeds? I see that you didnt reference Katrina cottages on your website for small house referrals? Is it because Katrina cottages are mainly for warm weather only climates (no insulation)? Also-I am interested in the Fenci design when it comes out. Is it possible to purchase a structural-only set of plans at a slightly reduced cost? What if one wants to route plumbing and electrical differently-mainly because of rearranging the kitchen layout?
Jay Shafer reply on January 31st, 2009 6:16 pm:
A bigger house would fit well on wheels, and, in fact, I have redesigned the Loring, Bodega, Harbinger and New Vesica to be portable at about 12′ x 26′ each. They will be posted a.s.a.p. (sooner if I don’t get too many inquiries I need to answer about what a.s.a.p. means).
I like the Katrina Cottages a lot, but haven’t had time to add them to our resource links yet. They have some of the best proportions out there in the tiny house world.
We will sell plans for just the shells of the mobile units for 1/2 price, so you can route plumbing and do the interior as you please.
My husband and I have fallen in love with your Tumbleweed houses, and dream of eventually buying either the Tarleton or the Lusby. I just noticed, though, that the ceiling height on these houses is 6′3″ and my husband is 6′4″. Would it be possible to lift the ceiling by 2 inches, thus shrinking the height of the sleeping loft by 2 inches, or would the sleeping loft then be too small? Have you done any modifications like this before?
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Jay Shafer reply on December 6th, 2008 5:38 pm:
We’ve already done it. A set of taller Fencl plans will be sent out to a 6′-4″ gentleman today.
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Are there dif. colors and dif. materials you can order the house?
Another thing is it would be nice if yall could make a BUILD YOUR OWN TUMBLEWEED HOUSE kind of thing so you can go in and pick your house and build and look at the finished product and if it satisfies what you were looking for, and also a 360* thing would be nice so you can take a virtual tour in the house and look on the outside because the pictures only show so much.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 12th, 2008 4:14 pm:
We do tailor the houses, but we offer no tools for imagineering your home first. Good ides, Sean.
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I’m in love with the idea of living in a Tarleton. Now that I’ve spent a couple of hours imagining myself living in one, it occurred to me: what about ventilation in winter and cooling in summer? Would installing a kitchen and bathroom vent pose a problem? How about a ceiling fan? Have any of your customers found air conditioners that could fit the windows? Thanks!
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Jay Shafer reply on December 12th, 2008 3:51 pm:
We include a fan vent in the loft. It works very well for cooling and circulating. AC fits too.
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Have you ever put a dormer on one of these? The storage loft could then accomodate a cot-sized bed going side-to-side. Without hte dormer, your head would be jammed into the eve. A Dormer could also make for a more chlaustrophic-firendly sleeping loft if it stretched most of the building’s length.
As a single guy, I would definitely go for one of these, but I’m now a married guy and two little kids. The wife is open minded, but I imagine that a bit of extra space on the upper deck, some more light and extra spots for sleeping would be good tools for building enthusiasm. One thing I learned from my years of kicking around harbors is that you often find a couple, or family, on a boat that is the passion of one or the other spouse. The non-enthusiast can quickly become disenchanted if the enthusiast is too much of a purist about things, so these little compromises make all the difference in reaching out to the less fanatical audience.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 12th, 2008 3:45 pm:
I was going to put a dormer on my very first house, but changed plans to cut costs. It is a great idea.
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I noticed that none of your designs included a 20′ trailer… is there any specific reason for this?
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Jay Shafer reply on December 18th, 2008 4:42 pm:
Just my concerns about proportioning.
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I like the design, but as I have three kids, these present quite a challenge. I am wondering, though, if anyone has mergered two designs to incorporate family undertaking the minimalist movement — perhaps two designs with detachable walls? Just a thought.
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Jay Shafer reply on December 21st, 2008 6:45 pm:
Not yet, but I’d love to see it done. I like the idea of two separated by a dogtrot breezeway. Of course the two and three bedroom ones are also available.
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For those dreaming of a community of small houses, OG vegetarian, etc; check out http://www.breitenbush.com - great hotsprings worker owned co-op resort in the Oregon Cascade Mountains! They tap the abundant geothermal springs for heat (closed loop of river water thru old fashioned radiators, that drop into the wells & cycle through the community ~ 30 d above outside heat) & have a hydro-electric generator (about 2 ‘city households’ of electricity - for ~ 40 residents & up to 120 guests!!)
I lived & worked in the community for ~ 4 years, & in 5 homes: a ‘big’ 2 bedroom with bath & kitchen (Forest Service house model - most of these were built in the 20s or 30s).
Then a year in one a bit larger than the Tarlton, 9X19 with loft bed & wee stairs, great room with 2 burner propane & mini fridge - shared bath was about 20′ from my door;
Next, a year in an 8 sided house that was 17′ in diameter - 4 of these shared a central kitchen & bath (same size). Later I spent 3 months in a cloth yurt (similar to Pacific Yurt, but built by one of the resident gals!! The projects crew built the foundation, & that one had a sunken bath & great little kitchen. Maybe 19′ d?? She did all the woodworking, grommet fitting, etc.
The last house was similar to the first, larger yet, with full bath & kitchen, & lots of lofts - a 3 person house!
They employ various intriguing designs & alternative materials for current building projects - do take the systems tour if you have a chance to visit - & if you’re available, check out the job openings!
My current ‘town’ home is 950 sq ‘ - small for local standards, a mansion to me
& yes, more space for more stuff than I need, which tends to accumulate!
Kudos on these lovely homes - & the vision of living small but elegant.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 1st, 2009 1:53 am:
Beautiful!
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hi- I am really interested in the tarleton, but could you post some attractive sided pictures of it? Interior pictures? That siding just doesnt cut it. What a pretty basic building to begin with…I want to see just how pretty it can be with decent siding. Why would anyone put tin siding on such a small area? This isnt a warehouse. What are people thinking when they put this kind of siding on?
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Jay Shafer reply on January 10th, 2009 9:30 pm:
The Tarleton is pictured with the same exterior design, but with different siding.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 10th, 2009 9:35 pm:
OOps. I mean the Lusby is the same as the Tarleton.
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I spend a lot of time looking over the Teenie Tumbleweeds to figure out what would suit my needs/wants the most. You’ve heard all of this before, so I’ll try to be brief.
I love the bump out window of the Wee Bee (making one large open living space) and the fact that the fully covered loft allows for more floor space upstairs.
But, I love the “room” bathroom feel of the Lusby and the fact that it opens to the Livingroom.
My ideal Tumbleweed would be a larger WeeBee with a Lusby bathroom, and a full loft (to maximize usable loft space).
Is a plan like this in the works, or might it be in the future?
I sent out an e-mail to the zoning board in my parents’ town to see what their regulations are with regard to parking a Tumbleweed there.
Thanks so much for what you do.
Ben.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 13th, 2009 7:13 pm:
Your wish is my command, Ben (or, at least, almost). I recently combined the Weebee with the Tarleton (almost the Lusby) and called it the Fencl. It’s in the portfolio now, and will appear on the website ASAP.
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Have any of these trailered houses been popular in NY? Is there a way to “park” these, jack up the frame securely and remove the wheels for wintertime? You would think there would be leveling problems as the wheels might lose air pressure, tires dry rot, or freeze up brakes after sitting.
Also-is a Newport 12,000 btu heater throwing enough heat for 0 degrees F? 12,000 btu seems too little, even for a small house because of heat loss in the winter wind. If you open the door in winter, do you really lose a lot of heat?
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Jay Shafer reply on January 16th, 2009 7:23 pm:
1) We get quite a bit of interest from NY.
2) I put a jack under each corner and leave the wheels on, but you can take them off too.
3) We’ve had good luck with the 9000 and 12000 Newports in sub-zero temperatures, but it is true that, in a small space, most of the heat seems to be lost when the door is opened. I enter and exit very quickly in the winter.
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Where is the electrical box located? Can a person bring in 60 amp or 100 amp service from a utility pole? It would be nice to use 220 v power to operate a 20″ stove, compact electric dryer, water heater, and an electric wall mount heater.
These houses look like they were designed with propane appliances, which is great…but it would be nice to have the simplicity of electric. Also, considering that electric appliances have higher efficiency ratings-for one person in a small house it may be cheaper than you would think.
Also how about windmill supplement power?
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Paul Guyon reply on January 16th, 2009 4:06 pm:
I too have stuggled to find an ideal place for an electrical panal. On the other hand, 60 to 100 amps seems a little more than you need. These are very small houses, you can’t think in terms of what we are used to reading about - 1,500 to 4,500 sq ft houses with 100 amp service. I think a 30 amp or maybe a 50 amp service would be adequte. Jay calls for 15 amp service and if you keep your needs down, or use propane, it may be all you need.
As to the use of propane appliances - despite global warming, we still have the occasional ice storm - if you’re in New York you may be in that part of the state that experienced electrical outs for up to a week this year. With 100% electrical service, you might be a bit out of luch when the service stops - frozen water pipes, etc. Plus, a 12,000 btu dickenson heater should be OK, depends a lot on how well the house is built. Plus, we are talking about a continuous heat (they don’t have thermastats) vs the on and off cycle we are use to.
Windmill supplement power - good idea - but I’m not sure they are compatible with 220V 100 amp service, but I could be wrong about this.
Lastly, I’m not conviced electricity is more efficient than propane. If your talking about efficiency you have to consider the amount of electricity lost delivering it to you from the power station. I think to match propane, you’d need t to live in the back yard of the power station to match it. But again, I’m not totally sure about this. Propane suppliers vs electrical suppliers disagree on this.
All good things to discuss here. Would like to hear from people who know more about this than I do.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 16th, 2009 7:27 pm:
I learn more from you people every day.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 16th, 2009 7:25 pm:
The box is under the counter. We can substitute electrical appliances instead of gas, and a wind generator sounds great.
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You guys have a wonderful concept and a presentation that is beyond words. As a designer/builder, your careful balance of proportion, function and aesthetics is outstanding. I look forward to the day I can be relieved of most material possessions and live in a house no bigger than one of yours. My wife hasn’t fully grasped this concept but she is coming around.
Keep up the good work!
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When I was talking about windmill power….I had in mind the skystream 3.7. I think that would be so interesting. A 40 ft tall windmill hooked to a 14 ft tall house. But even so, I think this windmill might be designed more for permanent house design.
What about hooking up a private well to the tumbleweed house? It seems to be set up for a public water connection, like an RV.
Could water entrance be designed through the floor? Park the trailer over the well and run the line through the floor with heat tape on it?
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Paul Guyon reply on January 18th, 2009 3:26 pm:
Windmills. I looked up the Skystream 3.7 - it requires being on the grid to work. It’s done that way to keep it simple and less expensive. The power company buys the power it produces and applies a credit to your power bill. As far as I know, only six states require power companies to purchase your power, CA, MA, IL (but I think it’s in the courts), OR, WA and another one I can’t remember. There may be a few more. If NY doesn’t require the power company to purchase your power, there’re not going to do out of the goodness of their hearts. It’s pretty costly for a power company to set up things so they can buy your power. One more thing, if you’re serious about this, install a forty foot pole where you expect to put your windmill, put a wind speed device on the top and some way to record the wind speed continously for about a year. Only then can you really asses whether or not speeding $18,000+ is worth while. You could get this information from several weather stations, but the info won’t be as reliable. You can do this even if NY doesn’t require the repurchase of electricity. By the time a year is up, they may change their minds.
As to your water connection - yes, you can do it anyway you like. Not sure I would put the house directly over the well. You may have problems servicing or replaceing your pump etc. if there is a house in the way. Better to put it some piping below the frost line and leading it underneath the house.
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paul reply on January 18th, 2009 6:32 pm:
Thank you for the information. I knew the Skystream was expensive…But I never thought the extra cost of installation would triple the price of the windmill. I can’t imagine that “dream” becoming a reality.
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travis lee reply on April 18th, 2009 12:00 pm:
What you are referring to is called net-metering, do a search on it for grid tied renewable energy sources between 38 and 42 states have laws requiring it.
About your New York, “out of the goodness of their heart” and “its expensive.” Firstly, why “goodness” its a business decision that for the little cost to get you on the grid, (will explain in a second) that you add to their energy profile. By this I mean they can claim your energy as green and that its part of their efforts to reduce their ecological impact on the world.
Secondly, its not expensive, its quite simple the 38+ states that do net-metering your setup is directly connected to the meter and it spins backwards when you produce more than you need. So effectively the grid becomes your battery, the only disadvantage grid goes down, battery inaccessible.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 21st, 2009 12:35 am:
That’s pretty much the way we plumb most of them.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 21st, 2009 12:53 am:
I mean with pipes leading in and out of the floor.
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Can you come up with a 24′ long design? A longer version of the Tarleton? Why stop at 18 feet? A lot of these typical Rv trailers are 32′ long. Can I make the Tarleton stretch to 32 feet?
I’d love to own a Tarleton and park it on my own small land plot. Because it would be parked (But still considered an RV, for taxation purposes) I figure I could go bigger. I wouldnt plan to move it, except for maintainence (to service the water well underneath?) or change of direction-scenery. I really want to have as normal a bathroom and kitchen as possible. Also-with the extra room I could put a compact washer/dryer. Western NY frowns upon building a small house on a permanent foundation. There are minimum sq ft laws and it has to be a full time residence. They dont want new “seasonal” cabins built in some areas. Rv lots are high lot rent, plus they kick you out in wintertime. They will property tax you on all structures here that have a foundation, anything bigger than a 10′X10′ garden shed.
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Francis Pelletier reply on January 20th, 2009 10:47 am:
I think the key is to stay under 120 feet. If you decide to go over that, you’re going to need a license to build the house.
I hope I answered your question,
Francis
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Jay Shafer reply on January 21st, 2009 12:52 am:
Thanks, Francis. But I think if it is kept on wheels it should be ok to go bigger, as you are building a RV rather than a building. You’re right about permits for stationary units though.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 21st, 2009 12:37 am:
When there’s a will…
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Hello Jay,
I’m broke. I’m wondering if you guys have any free stuff you could give me? Like, some wood for a house or like a door or windows? Just let me know.
-Connor
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Victoria reply on January 18th, 2009 3:47 am:
Have you tried salvage yards? Or, freecycle?
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Lynn reply on January 22nd, 2009 12:38 am:
Actually, Victoria, that idea is a great one for all of us that are interested in these houses!
If we could freecycle for supplies (on the lines of the woman who built her house using whatever useful scrap and supplies she could find), we could lower our costs as well as help the environment!
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Jay Shafer reply on January 21st, 2009 12:38 am:
Sorry, Connor. We use pretty much everything.
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I am building a Tarleton house near Vancouver, BC. Thought you tiny house enthusiasts might be interested in these photos (http://www.flickr.com/photos/32412768@N06/sets/72157612910564493/). It has taken me about 3 months so far (mostly working by myself) and I should finish in about another month. I don’t particulary recommend my techniques or materials but this is one way to go. I have mostly adhered to the Tumbleweed plans and used materials that are mostly available and in stock at local lumber/hardware stores. The windows and door (not installed yet) and countertop are all custom made. I just love the feel and design of the house. My cost of materials to this point is around $17,000 canadian (about $14,000 US).
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Donna F. reply on January 25th, 2009 3:53 am:
Thank you, thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!!!! It is BEAUTIFUL!!!…AND the BEST PART is that it is SO AFFORDABLE!!!!
You’ve given wind to my sails, there, Will.
Keep those pics a-coming! I’ve bookmarked your site. =)
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Meagan reply on January 25th, 2009 4:35 am:
Beautiful Will! It really is inspiring to see the progress you’re making!
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betsy mccullen reply on January 25th, 2009 4:13 pm:
WOW! that is gorgeous!! thanx for sharing them and inspiring me
betsy
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Jay Shafer reply on January 25th, 2009 9:53 pm:
Thanks for the peek, Will. It looks fantastic. Keep up the good work!
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Will reply on January 27th, 2009 7:17 pm:
FYI - while doing most of the work myself, I had a plumber friend volunteer for the plumbing installation and hired an electrician to do the wiring. I’ll be posting more photos soon! Thanks so much for the encouraging comments!
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Chery reply on January 28th, 2009 9:04 pm:
Fantastic job! Are you planning to see Jay when he is in Vancouver? I believe he’s going to be there in May (9th and 10th, I think) It would be neat for those who are at the seminar to see a BC built example. (I live in Kitimat and can’t attend )
I’m waiting for a Canadianized B-53 to be offered with SIP and up to R2000 standards.
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Will reply on January 29th, 2009 5:46 pm:
Great idea! It is a busy time of year for me but I’ll see if it works out. I’ll also be taking my house on the road (all the way across Canada). We bought a farm in New Brunswick and will be relocating there in October.
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allen macmillan reply on March 3rd, 2009 6:40 am:
wow. wil you have done a great job.
i live in BC and would really like a tour of your house first hand.
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Jay Shafer reply on March 3rd, 2009 9:37 pm:
I think Kent at tinyhouseblog.com is currently posting some of our houses that were built in Canada.
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Will reply on March 10th, 2009 3:15 pm:
Sure Allen, send me a note: wjpedersen at ymail dot com
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hi, its so hard to decide on these cute little homes! i will be attending one of your workshops in the future to learn about designing my own. i have thought about the epu but i love the 2 lofts. the reason it took me so long to decide is because i just love the lower epu floorplan (kitchen, built-in shelves and desk setup with the fireplace and chairs along the other wall). would it be hard to incorporate that into this model plan? i don’t need a kitchen any bigger than the epu has and i would like to have those shelves and metal desk just like the epu :)) betsy
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Donna F. reply on January 25th, 2009 5:20 pm:
I’m with you Betsy…I also love all the storage that comes with the Epu setup, but also want those two lofts, with the storage loft converted to a full size loft to accomodate my daughter, while still having a porch big enough for two rockers on either side of the entry. =)
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Jay Shafer reply on January 26th, 2009 12:05 am:
I would be happy to do that for an extra $180, Betsy. I shouldn’t be too hard.
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Hi Will,
I would love to feature your build on the Tiny House Blog, let me know if you are ok with that.
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I noticed that there are several places where you indicate that you will be updating the site soon (for example, to add information about the Fencl). I’m wondering if you’d be interested in trading some web work / support in exchange for the cost of a plan for a tiny house.
Thoughts on this?
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Jay Shafer reply on January 31st, 2009 5:15 pm:
Thanks, Jeff. I would love to see it happen. I’ll run it by Steve this week.
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Jeff Hemsley reply on February 1st, 2009 7:20 pm:
My wife and I are going to come up on the 7th for your open house, so I’ll meet you then. If you’re interested we can chat about it a bit.
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would the company be willing to not include the front two closets? they seem like a waste of space. i would probably just put shelving in those areas.
How does the heater work, again?
I have a tiny television, is their a conection for that or is that up for the owner to do?
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Will reply on January 29th, 2009 5:58 pm:
Hi Elizabeth-
If you are building it yourself, you could easily leave out the front two closets and put shelving there. You could make the great room larger without the closets there.
The heater recommended is a Dickinson Newport propane heater (http://www.go2marine.com/product.do?no=98187F). The Newport has a single pipe that contains an inner pipe for exhaust while the outer one brings in fresh air. This heater requires a 12 v power hookup for the fan but you can use an adapter to go from 120v to 12v. One drawback is that this heater cannot be hooked up to a thermostat, it is either off or on and has to be manually lighted. It does have low-high control, though. I opted to go with an electric oil-filled radiator instead (it has a thermostat built in).
The plans contain an electrical plan with power outlets where you could plug in your TV. Otherwise, it is just like a normal house, you could have TV cable run in or use an antenna. The cable company would run the cable into the house for you or you could possible run this when doing the electrical work. This is not included in the plans nor, I believe, in the pre-build Tumbleweed houses.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 31st, 2009 5:22 pm:
That is not a problem.
The heater is propane.
You would have to instal a tv antenna.
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[...] thrifty you can build the whole thing for $21,000. All the specs and more pictures can be found here. I guess lately I have been building a lot of little things at work, and I did a lot of [...]
A question for Jay Schafer is how does one begin the “downsize” process? I live in a 600 sq ft home, but I only truely use about 1/2 of the area for daily life. By contrast, my friend lives year round in a 1980 Dodge Class C 23′ motorhome on his fathers property in NY. Somewhere, there has to be a balance? There are problems associated with small space living-usually storage and movement. Especially being “cooped up” in winter. How can tumbleweed design overcome these? I can downsize a bit…but I realize some of the limitations.
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Jay Shafer reply on January 31st, 2009 6:49 pm:
The most important part is knowing what you really need to be happy and getting rid of everything else. If you have already determined that you don’t need half the space you currently live in, then you probably already understand this.
Idolatry is the primary thing to overcome. I use the term “idolatry” to mean holding on to symbols of “the good life” at the expense of good living. All that extra stuff just gets in the way.
Embrace a healthy materialism (appreciation of things) and destructive materialism (desire and hoarding of things) disappears.
Subtractive design ensures that your small space won’t feel cramped. Carve out lots of elbow room in those areas where you actually do spend time and eliminate any spaces that aren’t functioning. Tailor the space to fit, and you will never feel crowded.
Now, drink the Cool-Aid, Ann.
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Just wondering how you deal with home security issues with the tumbleweed house? I mean people worry about others breaking into their homes…but in this case, someone could just hitch up to your trailer tongue and steal your whole house. Do you lock or disable the trailer hitch when you park it? The best defense would be removing the wheels altogether. Also, sometimes I wonder if a tumbleweed house might be a target for vandals (Yes, even in the country) because RV’s and cabins seem to get vandalized because it attracts curiousity-maybe even negative curiousity?
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Andrew J reply on January 31st, 2009 5:25 am:
Ask and ye shall receive.
http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/faq/steal/
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Hey guys,
just trying to get an idea of scale, mainly height wise. You mention it being 13? 5? road height - I assume that means from ground level to the top of the home?
Do you know the size from the base of the trailer to the top, you mention the ground floor being 6′2″, then a couple foot for the trailer - leaving say 4′5″ for the loft space? I’m just guessing now! be interested to know the answer!
Nick
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Jay Shafer reply on February 6th, 2009 1:40 am:
The trailer consumes about 2′ of the 13′ 6″ total; the first floor is about 6′ 3″, the loft is about 3′ 9″, and the rest is floor and roof thickness.
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Hello Tumbleweed house fans!
This is my first post. I come here sometime when I dream about being free…
.
I have never stopped figuring out how I would manage living in a Tumbleweed house in winter time, being on my land in the country, living off grid at reasonable cost. I also want to carry with me everything I need including energy; my two lovely cats requires a minimum of non stop heat…
Here’s what I want to share with you. It’s one of my latest discovery about free energy.
Check this magnetic generator at:
VORKTEX.CA
12 KW?h without fuel, no propane, nothing but one battery to start it and it runs forever until the unit dies I guess. It’s as big as a suitcase and yet providing enough electricity for the need of a whole house. Probably even too much for a tumbleweed…
it is what I plan to use in my future dreamed Tumbleweed house for total freedom…
The only concerns for me is EMF and noise, but I think it is pretty quite.
I am curious about your comments on this…
Thank you,
Martha
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Donna F. reply on February 11th, 2009 6:48 pm:
Martha,
Can you give us the full URL for this website? I cannot find VORKTEK.CA on google.
Thanks!
Donna
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Paul Guyon reply on February 12th, 2009 2:58 pm:
I found it at http://www.vorktex.ca/
After reading everything, I’m not quite sure it’s legitimate. Make sure you’ve seen a real working model before you give any money to him. You have to have a way to rotate the magnetic coils, etc. and he doesn’t explain how that happens.
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Donna F. reply on February 12th, 2009 4:00 pm:
Thanks, Paul. =)
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Hey Jay,
Couldn’t we fit a wet bath in one of those front closets by expanding it’s lenght a wee bit (maybe taking away one of the bookcases)?? I like how Dee has her potty up front, but I also want a shower. What size is YOUR wetbath in your Epu?
Thanks!
Donna
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Jay Shafer reply on February 14th, 2009 4:48 pm:
It could be done. My wetbath is 48″ x 21″ inside.
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betsy reply on February 25th, 2009 1:18 am:
jay, have you every put an rv step/seat tub in any of the tiny houses you build instead of a plain shower? they are almost the same size of a shower but you can sit down in them and kinda get an in-between feel of a tiny tub
betsy
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betsy reply on February 25th, 2009 11:13 pm:
jay, FUNNY! i just called you on misspelled words and now i’m doing it!! (have you EVERY put…) betsy
Jay Shafer reply on March 1st, 2009 1:26 am:
Even the best of us…
Jay Shafer reply on March 1st, 2009 1:24 am:
I have seen it called a japanese tub and a greek tub, and I put it into a lot of the large and medium houses.
Thanks, Betsy.
Hey Jay! If someone wanted to build their own design of tiny house…. not yours but create their own… can they do it?
thanks!
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Donna F. reply on February 16th, 2009 3:02 am:
Hi Maria!
The answer to your question is here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ey_0Ijay8Yo&autoplay=1
This is the creation of an attendee of one of Jay’s weekend workshops!
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Maria P reply on February 20th, 2009 2:20 pm:
Hey thanks Donna!!!! I now will begin my drawings!!!! Thanks so much!
Maria P
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Jay Shafer reply on February 21st, 2009 11:09 am:
Yes. Please send pictures when you’re done.
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Looking into some zoning codes for some Western NY towns. It seems many of them do not want a “travel trailer” parked on a vacant land parcel. You need to have a residential house to “park an RV” and “camp” in it. That works against my dream of having a tumbleweed house. I am trying to find some loopholes…I would like to buy a small plot of land, and set up a tumbleweed there. So far it sucks that you can own a piece of land, pay taxes on it and not be able to do what you want on it.
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ann, i live in the eastern part of NY (albany) and i am finding out the NY state has ALOT of laws i don’t like regarding ‘owning’ your own land…it seems that you don’t really OWN that land when you buy it…some places have very strict rules about camping in ‘your’ own back yard. i am thinking just like you…it SUCKS! and another thing i am finding is that NY rv parks are not generally open all year AND their daily rates to park in the summer are OUTRAGEOUS for full hookups. must be they are making up for being closed all winter!! by them not being open all year, some rarely allow monthly rates or long term parking bc they have people that go back year after year and reserve the good spots for their short vacations. i am not sure i would want to be all that recreational noise all summer anyways. to cut to the chase - i am not about to fight my way thru city hall to have my tiny house! i will likely take my land owning business to another state. by doing that, i will be saving myself LOTS of $$ for all those other NY taxes as well :))
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betsy reply on February 25th, 2009 1:32 am:
PS…forgot to mention that some towns/city ordinances in NY (even if you have residential property WITH a real house on it) will NOT allow anyone to camp out in the back yard…so if you do decide to buy a real house to rent out and plan on living in your tiny house out back, make sure you check that out!
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Jim reply on February 27th, 2009 8:43 pm:
Ann and Betsy, I agree completely. I used to own a half an acre in the northern Michigan. My Dad gave it me because he couldn’t sell it.
All I wanted to do on it was camp…or maybe bring a trailer up and use it occassionally. Eventually I wanted to make the perfect secluded campsite or put something like this Tumbleweed structure on it , so I wouldn’t have to clear out much of the Sugar maple and Birch and bracken groundcover.
The Homeowners association ordinances prohibited this use and controlled the minimum square footages allowed. This ‘Subdivision Development’ provided a campground that you had to pay for even if you were a land owner and provided a parking area to park your RV , prohibiting parking of your vehicle on your own property without having a cabin home on your property. Whats ironic is that when you build your house and garage and driveway to it you are only then allowed to park your RV on your property as well. If everybody did this it would look like downtown Ferndale, Michigan and any sense of the north would be wiped out , and therefore no reason to even go up north.
I was lucky enough to sell the property eventually. I hopped at the chance to sell the property at a loss that I couldn’t use the way I wanted. The lesson I quess is to check all your local and neighborhood ordinances and architectural controls before you buy.
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Ann reply on February 28th, 2009 12:28 am:
What state do you think is best for having the freedom to do what you want? It seems like a dilema…if you go somewhere underdeveloped, then where do you work to earn a living-no jobs? If you go to a place were you can work and shop, then local governments keep adding on restrictions.
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Jay Shafer reply on March 1st, 2009 6:23 pm:
I believe in going where you want and pressuring the local codes and zoning to get with the program. So long as all the people with common sense flee the system, the system nonsensical system will continue to gain strength.
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betsy reply on March 2nd, 2009 12:19 am:
yah, but jay, what if you spend a bunch of your hard earned money on a nice piece of land and they still won’t allow it? i do see your point, but even so, it seems like a HUGE hassle to go thru and it could be money you won’t ever get back if you try to sell it. what then? i, for one, am not about to go around buying land so i can take it to the local board and beg them to change their mind! betsy
Jay Shafer reply on March 3rd, 2009 11:16 pm:
Betsy, my intuitive response to your question was, “Do what’s right, not what’s legal. Let them come out to find their own Tiny Waco”, but then I remembered that not everyone is as reactionary as I am. Stay reasonable, and, by all means, ignore this tiny man behind the curtain.
Den reply on March 2nd, 2009 8:41 am:
Maybe try a more friendly state. My county has no building codes at all.
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betsy reply on March 2nd, 2009 9:21 pm:
den, where are you located?
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Den reply on March 4th, 2009 8:02 am:
The Inner-mountain West of (what’s left of) America. Escaped the eastcoast for greater freedom and found it. John Galt lives in the region, also.
Cheers
that IS a dilemma! i have no idea what your work is or when - or even if - you are able to retire in the near future. because i work in a major city and don’t want to commute (been there, done that!), i choose to stay living in my present apartment which also means i will be wasting $$ on rent that could literally buy me a couple of self-built tiny houses over the next 4 or 5 years! i will be retired when its time for my tiny house. i won’t need to work, ESPECIALLY since my tiny house will eliminate a mortgage and rent. i started downsizing my ’stuff’ very early on and i am presently ELIMINATING my finances. so, in 2 years i will have NO BILLS! those are things that i made my priority so that even IF i had to pay rent instead, i would still have a comfortable retirement.
however, regardless of what a person does for a living, if they start downsizing FINANCIALLY as well as physically, then mentally they will be rid of mind clutter as well. with that said, a person will have the freedom to find a job that provides a very SMALL income compared to before all that was accomplished. if a person is done with the ‘debt culture’ and the ’stuff culture’ in favor of the financial freedom, all they need to concentrate on are bare essentials!!!
the next question is WHERE? i suppose there is alaska if you can withstand the very long & very dark winters (i lived there for 2 years so i know first hand!). vermont has alot more lenient laws AND i am practically on the border. about 20 years ago, my sister camped in her back yard all one summer while rebuilding a very old house she bought in southern vermont. also, in most counties and townships in vermont, anything LESS than 100 square feet, you won’t need a building permit for, nor will you have to pay taxes on it. i have yet to look into the tiny house/camping laws, but my guess is, that vermont will be my first choice to look into since it seems if you have land there, you actually have some RIGHTS to do what you want on it!!! i will be doing some research soon and i will post it here. the best place to start is by finding out all these things before i buy which i would never have given a second thought to because ultimately when you pay to ‘OWN’ your land, you would think these simple things would be legal!!! i’ll keep posting anything i find out…
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Do you know if a tumbleweed tiny home, like the webee, qualifies for the first time home buyer credit?
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Deena reply on March 2nd, 2009 9:59 pm:
No it would not qualify, it is not considered real estate unless it is put on a qualified permanent foundation.
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Den reply on March 15th, 2009 5:43 am:
The IRS website states: Buy a house before 1 Dec, 2009 and it will qualify for a 10% (of the total purchas price) tax credit, up to $8,000. If you build and “occupy” as your main residence by that date, you also qualify. Housetrailers and even houseboats are listed as qualified houses for the credit. There is no mention of “foundation” type, so it looks, to me, like the Tumbleweeds will qualify for a tax credit. I’m not a tax expert, but that’s what I got from the IRS source. (IRS.gov-Form5405)
Add some state and federal solar (PVC) tax credits and it starts to get very affordable. Cheers
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Jay Shafer reply on March 15th, 2009 5:20 pm:
Thanks, Den.
Jill reply on June 2nd, 2009 9:02 pm:
The tax credit is 10% of the house value, up to $8,000.
And to qualify there are income restrictions, as well as not having owned a house for the past 3 years.
If you build it yourself, you’d have to register it as an RV; rather than as a trailer as most folks do. (Register the trailer prio to building the house on it)
Jay Shafer reply on March 3rd, 2009 11:45 pm:
Not, yet, Pamela, but with the bailouts, I like to believe that this reasonable idea is near fruition (I know, silly me).
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Den reply on March 4th, 2009 8:10 am:
“First time” is also defined (I think) as not owning in the last three years. If you build/pay as you go…you don’t need the tax credit. You can own your home outright. Independence is priceless!
Cheers
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Den, Does John Galt have any room at his place for a tiny home community?
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Den reply on March 5th, 2009 8:03 am:
You Bet! Tiny Gulches are springing up everywhere, out here.
Since you didn’t ask the question, I guess you know who John Galt is, then?
Cheers
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jim reply on April 13th, 2009 6:30 pm:
Yeah, I’m trying to find a ‘Where is John Galt? bumper sticker
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Jay, I’m itching to buy plans, but I’m torn between the simplicity of the Tarleton and the windows/light of the Fencel. Is this feasible? Using Tarlton: Delete the porch, extend the wall to the end of the trailer and put in a large window. Make the door a side entrance?
It’s not as elegant as your design, but meets my needs, as long as it’s structurally sound. Your thoughts?
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I’ve been trying to find a trailer to build the Tarlton, but I can’t seem to find the exact size I need in my area. A custom trailer company offered to build one, but the dimensions are 6′10 between the wheels. Is that 2″ going to throw everything else off?
Has anybody built a Tarlton with less than 7′ of width?
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Den reply on March 20th, 2009 6:16 am:
Terry,
I don’t think you need a “custom” trailer. A standard 18 ft. long car hauler is about 83″ from outside rail to outside rail. The wheels stick out to make a max of 8 ft. The inner wheel width of about 6′10″ is the very narrow part of the trailer and I believe Jay’s design takes that into account. You can always take the book w/ you to the trailer dealer to have them confirm.
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Terry reply on March 20th, 2009 5:58 pm:
Den,
Thanks for the comments about the width.
The only reason I looked to a custom trailer was because here in northern NM i can’t find the trailer I’m looking for ready made. Actually, the custom trailer is cheaper than anything else I could find. A double axle 7′x18′ deck will run me about $1800.
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Jay Shafer reply on March 22nd, 2009 6:15 pm:
It will be fine. Just shrink the floor framing between the wheel wells and canteliever an extra inch off each side.
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Jill reply on June 2nd, 2009 9:05 pm:
Speaking of cantelievers…how far can you canteliever on each side? If the walls are 5 inches thick, can I go 2.5 inches cantelievered?
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Jay Shafer reply on June 5th, 2009 7:50 am:
I have.
after seeing a youtube video of Jay and the Ebu I was intrigued and came to the site to see more for myself. Personally I think these homes are fantastic and if I was a bachelor would be perfect for me. Some of the models seem perfect for a summer/vacation cottage though. Wonder how well one would hold up in Michigan weather?
I wonder about things like Electricity… would a set of solar panels portable or otherwise and a wind generator be plentiful to provide power to a home set on a permanent or semi permanent lot? Any homes that would be more flexible in terms of use for someone with limited mobility? in wheel chair? I know with my knees I could not climb up a ladder every night to goto sleep.
great ideas though and I am already dreaming of a perfect use for one of these… work/office studio.
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Jay Shafer reply on March 31st, 2009 11:25 am:
I’ve designed a few with beds downstairs with the same concern in mind, Luke. They all stay very warm in any climate. Even in Iowa, I was only spending 160 per year on propane heating (2005).
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Den reply on April 2nd, 2009 5:08 pm:
How many gallons?
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Jay Shafer reply on April 9th, 2009 4:53 pm:
I don’t know, but it’s less than 30 pounds worth per year in N. California.
hello jay, im considerting going to the chgo workshop, are you bringing one of the tiny houses with you or are you just gonna have the workshop?
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Jay Shafer reply on April 10th, 2009 4:03 pm:
I’ll be there with the Fencl.
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Jay, I bought the Tarleton Plans and can’t wait to get started. The new book wasn’t available when I sent the order, but I’d really like to get it for the building tips and to show my friends. Any chance you could send the book with the plans and bill me? (I don’t use credit cards and this would save us both some mailing/admin. costs).
Thrilled to be joining the Tumbleweed gang and look forward to sharing some thoughts and innovations. (the soapstone, mini-Franklin stove arrives next week and I will be ordering the radiant underfloor tubing, soon.)
Regards,
Den
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Jay Shafer reply on April 16th, 2009 9:26 am:
Hi Den. I bet you have the plans by now, so call me at the number given at the bottom of each page, so that I can send you a book and send you in the right direction.
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Den reply on April 16th, 2009 9:52 am:
Thanks Jay, will do.
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I bake a lot. Where’s the oven?
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Will reply on April 13th, 2009 7:24 am:
The Tumbleweed plans do not include an oven but I put in a little Cuisinart convection toaster oven that works well. It is about 12″ x 12″ x 6″ inside, big enough for baking a pie or pan of cookies.
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Jay Shafer reply on April 16th, 2009 9:36 am:
I put a toaster oven in mine, but Cabella’s has a great tiny range I’ve started including in the houses.
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Hi, my name is Daniel.
finding tiny homes has been an answer to a few issues that i have been dealing with.
i am tired of the issues in the world and injustice and the way the systems works (here in UK). i have started a website and my idea is to set up a charity to help (homeless) people and to establish smaller and more eco friendly homes based on the tiny home idea.
Jay, if your reading i would like - if you have time! - you to check the site out and please let me know what you think, and also if i have used any images (of yours) that you do not approve of, or need permission etc please let me know so that i can rectify it as soon as possible!
the site is under construction, so i appreciate everyones input!
please contact me via the site’s email address…
thank you all
Daniel
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Jay Shafer reply on July 12th, 2009 1:55 pm:
What a great idea, Daniel. I love the site, and you’re welcome to use any of my images for this noble purpose.
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sorry: http://www.secondchancecommunity.org.uk
thanks guys….
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Ha Za! Jay, I really liked your response on March 3, 2009 regarding a “tiny waco.” It’s amazing what a bizzaro world we live in when its against the law to pollute and consume less. I’d really like to work on changing the system for the better. Any suggestions on how I should approach this? You are certainly welcome to delegate any things you wanted to do on this, but don’t have time for.
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Jay Shafer reply on July 17th, 2009 11:07 am:
Thanks so much, Alex. It’s just nice knowing you noticed. But hey, now that you mention it, if you could convince people to give me chunks of land on which to build tiny house villages so that I can start taking over the world with tinyness, that would be great (96% kidding, of course).
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Hi, I just thought I’d share with everyone (perhaps others already had similar results) that I posted on craigslist (oregon) for land wanted to rent or for sale for the purpose of a tiny house. I included links to tumbleweed, so that people would understand what I was really talking about. Anyhow, I’ve received 5 responses already and the post has been up less than a day. Parcel prices range from 3k to 80k. The trick is trying to find something that would be pleasant to live in and within reasonable distance of town/services.
Similarly, I stumbled upon this site (link below) discussing retrofitting a mobile home park for tiny houses.
http://www.tinyhousedesign.com/2008/08/31/tiny-house-village-design-concept-part-1/
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Jay Shafer reply on July 17th, 2009 11:09 am:
Wow! I was 96% kidding, you know.
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Jay, just one question, is the counter depth 2′? It looks like it is, I just wanted to be sure before I get to excited about a sub-zero fridge.
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Jay Shafer reply on September 4th, 2009 11:35 am:
It’s only 22, Daniel. But it could be increased.
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Any ideas on where to get insurance?
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Cathleen Witt reply on November 11th, 2009 10:20 pm:
My American Family Insurance agent felt that I could get insurance through them. I haven’t done it yet for financial reasons, but will, once things improve.
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Jay Shafer reply on November 17th, 2009 7:58 pm:
Oh, I hate that question, because I don’t. Insurance companies only like to deal with things that fit in the box.
That said, I do remember talking with a few folks who have insured theirs. I hope someone else will write in.
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I am considering the possibility of building from your Tarleton plans but I really need one room that is 9 feet to 10 feet long. Have you ever built one on a 22 foot frame? Do you have any reason to think this would be a bad idea? Thanks for your time.
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Jay Shafer reply on November 17th, 2009 8:11 pm:
I am currently working on one as you describe with a 9 x 11 main room.
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