Starting Small: 4 Keys to Building a Tiny Home on Wheels
Does the acronym THOW inspire ideas of adventure, efficient living, and the sense of pride that can only come from handcrafting your own domicile using equipment like a bandsaw mill? If so, then you’re in the right place. This helpful guide will walk you through a few keys to building a tiny home on wheels you can enjoy for years to come.
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Before you decide to go this route, remember, living in a mobile, tiny home is quite a unique lifestyle. It’s not for everyone, so be sure this is truly the day-to-day you want before you fully commit.
Additionally, this can be a challenging DIY build. Sure, it’s small, but there’s a lot to consider, and you may need to seek some expert advice along the way, particularly regarding electrical, plumbing, and climate control.
With that said, let’s look at these vital considerations for building a tiny home on wheels.
Determine a Budget and Design Your Tiny Home
Most budgeting advice you’ll find online sounds the same, so we won’t spend too much time here, other than to recommend that you choose a conservative number and stick to it.
Living in a tiny home on wheels means embracing minimalism, and that should apply to your budget, as well.
The design process is certainly a phase when you stand to benefit from thorough research. Look around online to see what others have done. You could even find a ready-made plan and simply stick to that for your build, which would minimize guesswork.
Consider Milling Your Own Lumber
If you own or have access to a sawmill bandsaw, you may find it advantageous to mill your own lumber for this project. No one wants to pay lumber yard prices, and milling your own lumber lets you put a more personal touch on your new home.
Plus, you can source timber that’s sturdy and satisfies all your requirements. A bandsaw sawmill gives you control over every cut, so you can handpick the lumber that’s perfect at every stage of your build.
Start with a Solid, Level Trailer
This might come as a surprise, but the tiny house market has grown so much in the last several years that you can find new, reliable trailers built specifically to support a tiny home.
There are many options to choose from, and depending on the budget you established, you may find it beneficial to pay for trailers that have a few extra options, as this can save you time, money, and headaches down the road.
The 3 Fs: Foundation, Floors, and Framing
Remember, you want a tiny home that provides security and comfort, so throughout the construction process, you should focus on rigidity.
Spend a little extra time and don’t let anything slip through the cracks as you work on your foundation, flooring, and framing. If something looks questionable, remove your fasteners and start again.
You also need to ensure your sheathing is securely fastened, as this is where your shear strength comes from.
If you decide to use one of the best-valued portable bandsaw sawmills on the market to mill your own lumber, you’ll find that rigorous attention to detail during the milling process will pay dividends as you frame and sheath your THOW.
About Woodland Mills
Since Neil Bramley and Josh Malcolm founded Woodland Mills in 2009, the company has grown into an industry leader by delivering capable, durable forestry products at price points even hobbyists can justify. From the flagship HM126 portable bandsaw mill to the new Woodlander trailer and Loglander log arches, Woodland Mills products are designed with you in mind and built to last, so you enjoy their dependable performance for years to come. It’s not just the forward-looking design, cost-effective manufacturing, and direct-to-customer sales that set Woodland Mills apart. Around the world, sawyers and landowners alike rely on Woodland Mills for exceptional customer service, too. Whether you need a new sawmill trailer, PTO chipper, or sawmill parts for your HM130MAX, you’ll find the industry’s best-valued forestry products at Woodland Mills.
Mill your own lumber for any project with Woodland Mills at https://www.woodlandmills.com/
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