Foundation

Any good house needs a sound foundation and it's even more important when your home is meant to be mobile.

We found our foundation, an 18' x 9' dual axle trailer, on craigslist. It was practically new and absolutely perfect so the $1200. price tag wasn't too bad.

The trailer needed a few modifications, including these welded supports to make a base for the sidewalls that will go over the fenders. This will give us an extra few inches on the interior and in a space this small that's a good thing!

We also had to cut off the metal bar at the front you can see in this first picture. With that done we're ready to build.

Up Next: Framing

The Plan

Here's the original Lusby floor plan. You can also find it and more pictures of the Lusby at Jay Shafer's tumbleweedhouses.com.

We're making a few changes though. In the sleeping loft we're adding gable style dormers on either end to give both more room and more light. And the storage loft at the other end will be extended over the porch. The porch itself will be reduced to 2.5'. And the downstairs bedroom will not be a bedroom but more of a storage/utility room.

The exterior style will also be a bit different. I really like the siding on the original Lusby but it's a little cost prohibitive so we're going with board and batten instead. And just for fun, the dormers and front loft will have cedar shakes.

Up next: Foundation

It Begins

It was February of 2012 when I saw my first Tumbleweed Tiny House. Still living at my parent's farm, with my 37 chickens, 3 cats, 3 miniature horses and a Community Supported Agriculture farm of about 40 families. I seriously needed my own place but I seriously couldn't move. This little house on wheels was my answer from heaven.

 At 117 square feet not including the lofts, it was simply perfect for me. Full bath (no tub(so what?)) kitchen with 2 burner stove top, mini fridge, sink, and microwave. It's a legitimate (tiny) house.

With a family history in construction we put together a plan with a few modifications and started building.

Up Next: The Plan