Consideration #1: Do you even need a trailer? The trailer is one of the most expensive and complex parts. So if you only expect to move your house a few times, then you probably don’t need to invest in a trailer. I’ve been told to build my mini cabin on skids and engineer it so that it can be pulled up onto a flatbed trailer when it needs to be moved. It was suggested that I call Home Depot and find out who moves their sheds. Then call those folks and find out how I need to build a tiny house to be compatible with that moving system. I was told around $300 bucks/move. I haven’t verified this. A new tiny house trailer (engineered to carry between 7k and 10k pounds, 7′x14′) costs between $2000-$3000. Consider the cost of the trailer, but also the fact that it will degrade over time, both in price and structurally (rust). Also consider all the materials and energy that go into creating a trailer.
Consideration #2:
How heavy is your house going to be? I think this would be really tough
to estimate accurately…especially as a novice builder. I’m going off
house weights and trailers that I’ve seen on websites and from tiny house
builders that I’ve spoken to. It seems like 5,000lbs for a 7′x14′ or
7′x16′ is a number that’s thrown around for a variety of designs. Five
thousand pounds is too close to a 7K capacity trailer (you must factor in the
weight of the trailer itself, around 1500lbs) so most people jump up to a 10K
trailer (two 5K axles). The difference between a 7K and 10K in dollars
seems to be about $500. Depending on the trailer manufacturer they may
also use different sized trailer framing members between the 7k and 10k, which
is also reason for the price increase. But it’s tough to know how
accurate this 5,000 lb estimate of the house weight is. If you don’t need
to make that jump between 7k and 10k, don’t do it. Spend that money on
other parts of the house. However, in the absence of an accurate estimate
of house weight, perhaps you want the peace of mind that a beefy 10K trailer
can provide.
Consideration #3:
Options, options, options! Electric brakes (not surge brakes) on
both axles is important from what I’ve read. Tongue length and
configuration, quality paint finish to prevent rust over time, fenders or no
fenders, jacks on all corners for the convenience of leveling,
suspension, radial tires or trailer tires, placement of the axles to
gracefully carry the floor plan you’ve decided on (if you create a house design
that’s unbalanced with respect to the trailer, then it can be dangerous to
tow), breakaway kit, deck over wheels or recessed deck, rails, stake pockets,
tie-downs, decking, led lights or non, ETCETERA! Buying a quality trailer
is important for safe towing, peace of mind, longevity of your house, and to minimize
waste. Another option to consider: 8′-6″ is the maximum road width
to move your house without a permit. A standard “car hauler” trailer has
a 7′ wide deck, but the fenders and tires extend out to 8′-6″. In my
humble opinion, you may as well use some of that extra width by having the
trailer builder extend the width of the deck in front of and behind the wheels.
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