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172 Sq. Ft. Tumbleweed Mica Tiny House On Wheels (Tour)


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This 172 sq. ft. Tumbleweed Mica Tiny House on Wheels is 20 feet long.

The outside is finished with hot rolled steel. Over time it oxidizes and gives it a rustic look and feel that’s easy to maintain.

The Mica is designed with the wheels completely under the house which helps give the ability to easily install a sliding glass door.

It’s a one level tiny house design without an upstairs sleeping loft. So if you don’t like ladders and still want to go tiny, something like this might be a good option.

172 Sq. Ft. Tumbleweed Mica Tiny House on Wheels

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Images © Tumbleweed Houses

Video Tour: 172 Sq. Ft. Tumbleweed Mica Tiny House

More Photos of the Tumbleweed Mica 20 Tiny House

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Images © Tumbleweed Houses

Floor Plan with Dimensions

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Images © Tumbleweed Houses

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Alex

Alex is a contributor and editor for TinyHouseTalk.com and the always free Tiny House Newsletter. He has a passion for exploring and sharing tiny homes (from yurts and RVs to tiny cabins and cottages) and inspiring simple living stories. We invite you to send in your story and tiny home photos too so we can re-share and inspire others towards a simple life too. Thank you!
{ 36 comments… add one }
  • Brian
    January 7, 2015, 6:10 pm

    What a great design and roomy. Super kitchen for one or perhaps two people. I also love the finish to the exterior skin when weathered. The sliding door is a great addition and with the house set above the chassis
    this TH really is very appealing. Thanks for sharing and cheers from Australia

  • Martha Federle
    January 7, 2015, 7:37 pm

    Great use of space, and beautiful colors on the walls. If I was to build my own though, I’d probably opt for wood on the interior walls, but this tiny house is perfect for its location on the seacoast.

  • Cahow
    January 7, 2015, 7:46 pm

    Very nice. It wouldn’t bother me that there’s no sink in the loo but I know someone’s going to object to it. Bright, clean and cheery.

  • Dee
    January 7, 2015, 7:54 pm

    …and why is it that they never actually SHOW the bathroom on this model? We know theres no sink but is the turn so tight you cant get a camera in there? Frustrating!

  • VL
    January 7, 2015, 9:27 pm

    Nice idea, but, there is always a but. The DIY cost of materials is high. You can duplicate this, or even have a more open workable design in a 8×20 standard shipping container on a trailer. You can get a high cube container which is 9′ 6″ high and still be under the 13’6″ hight limit for the road. The container is heavier, I realise that, but you remove a substantial amount of weight when you make the cut outs for the doors and the windows. The container is made of Cor-ten steel, designed for the harsh anvironment at sea. Instead of buying new steel plates and framing, you get to recycle a container. They can be purchased anywhere between $ 800-3000 depending on age and condition. Even with the replacement of the flooring the build out could be less even with decent quality material and appliances. Either one will need to be insulated, so no savings on that. The main frame of the container is stron enough to support more on top. 7 tiers are stacked on ships, fully loaded. The I wouldn’t use inside framed walls, there are nice open plans for it, or if one needed, you can use metal studs and sheet rock to make the interior walls lighter than the normal stick built walls. Murphy style bed would open up the space more. You can check out casa cubica or other container home sites.
    As I said, the idea is great, this one looks decent, though I think that the space can be utilized better in many other ways. This just shows that there are many ways to “skin a cat” so to speak.
    As many before me, my biggest gripe with tiny houses is their cost when you source it from a builder. I realise that they are a business and they try to make a living. I also know, that regardless of the size, the same parts going in the little house as the big ones. Labor cost is high in the US while material is reasonable cheap and resourceful people can find it even for free. I do believe that the idea of the TH movement is more for the DIY type of people. $60000 plus for a tiny house I’d just too much. I wonder…, how many people who truly want a TH have that kind of money readily available. If you have to find a way to finance it, then the whole idea goes out the window.
    Well, that is my 2 cents worth.

    • Jeff
      March 21, 2015, 5:07 pm

      Depends on how you’re “counting the cost.” When comparing price per foot, THs can’t compare favorably with larger footage homes that spread those same costs over the larger area.
      But is that the only/best way to compare values?
      $60K is too much for THs, but 5-10x that (not including the interest, fees, etc on the deathpledge/mortgage) is fine for a plain McMansion…I see the best value in terms of not having the debt to begin with and focusing the dollars that are invested in the finishing touches that would increase the price of the larger house even further were they incorporated in the design.
      Yes, it’s a greater “out of pocket” expense since financing is usually not readily available…a good idea in my book. Why not save up for specifically what I want rather than indulging in instant gratification with long term slavery/debt. (Not that I am in the LEAST bit opinionated, or anything. ;-0 ) The flip side is: once you’ve paid for it, it’s yours. Not the bank’s. Not to mention the long term maintenance/utilities/insurance/etc that are so much less…so I won’t.
      Full disclosure: I’m nowhere near ready to pull a finger let alone a trigger on actually dropping any coin on a TH yet. Still haven’t figured out how to get all the cool ideas I’ve been gathering for the last 5 years or so into one tiny house design!
      I do, however, always reserve the right to be wrong. If someone has a different understanding, let me know what you think and why. (I’m really not risk adverse…I “just” prefer letting other folks work out the bugs in the program first…).
      Have to agree, though, that $60K is not exactly pocket change. For me anyway…I just keep plugging away at filling my pickle jars with change for now.

    • Michael
      August 27, 2016, 10:58 pm

      I agree, a 20′ shipping container offers the same space for less cost. When you look on ebay you will even find ready to move in converted container for less then the material cost Tumbleweed is asking for.
      Bathroom without sink is a no no for me and this one is very narrow.
      There are better floor plans. The good is the lack of a loft.

      • Mike Warner
        February 1, 2023, 3:46 pm

        One has to get to wood at some point. It’s very possible to duplicate the look and shape of a shipping container with dimensioned lumber for a lot less. This eliminates the hassle of moving an empty metal box to contruct on it, then put it on another wheeled platform, the tow vehicle, needing metal and wood working skills, and as always – finding a place to park it once done. Actually, several companies already do the metal rectangular box complete with a living floor plan, walls, full baths, cabinets, appliances, etc. They’re called Mobile Homes and they are everywhere.

  • Glenda
    January 8, 2015, 3:04 am

    Absolutely beautiful! I love how well appointed this one is, yet so compact! The colors are great together & the open, modern feeling is wonderful! While many tiny homes have lofted bedrooms, I really like this one on ground level. I could live in this beautiful tiny home!

  • alice h
    January 8, 2015, 1:35 pm

    This would work for me but with a daybed at one end instead of an actual bedroom. The only problem I have would be overcoming my strong feeling that rust is a bad thing. I can see that it looks interesting but it sets off a visceral “fix that!”.

    • Trish
      March 21, 2015, 11:32 pm

      Yes, Alice H. A day bed where the bedroom is located would open up the living space. One thing about bedrooms in most tiny houses I see is there is no way to walk around the bed, so I guess to change the sheets would mean crawling across the bed. But there would still be the nice closet, shelves and cabinets.

  • Susie M
    January 8, 2015, 2:48 pm

    Pretty much the layout I’ve been mulling over myself – if you nix the interior walls and raise the bed high enough to store ‘half-height’ rolling garment racks underneath – along with pull out pantry style deep storage. Love, love, love the amount of light and that the kitchen is tiny, yet functionable. It really does look like kinda like a shipping container – my first thought was “wow- spendy!” followed by “I bet you could do it much cheaper with a shipping container – didn’t this one do the rounds a couple of years ago? I wonder how the sheetrock walls would stand up to travel? Yup! I could live in this one quite happily – chairs! comfy chairs – no bench seating – aaahhh.

  • Michael
    January 8, 2015, 5:06 pm

    How is the exterior done? That is an amazing finish! Looks like treated steel.

  • Catherine Wilson
    January 8, 2015, 10:39 pm

    This model has been around for a while. It had another name when Jay Shaffer was part of the company. The bathroom is really tiny; 2 ft wide shower! I like the bedroom, it’s practical and cosy, but I find the rest of the house too divided and claustrophobic.

    • Elizabeth
      March 22, 2015, 1:32 am

      I would make the bathroom a “wet” bathroom. After all, you don’t spend that much time in the shower. Then you could open up the shower space into the living room for a bookcase or a computer desk alcove with a chair. I would get more use out of a computer desk (hours per day?) than a shower (minutes per day). I would also consider opening up the kitchen as that would probably make the unit seem roomier. And I like the idea about raising the bed to allow for storage underneath. Again it’s about maximum use of space.

    • FerociousTH
      April 29, 2015, 2:07 pm

      Agree. The model used to be call the Popomo. The are complete plans to it on the torrent sites.

  • Richard Nellis
    January 9, 2015, 11:21 am

    Nice, but not for an old man like me. A little arthritis and the bed could not be made. It would only usable with sleeping bags. 3 feet longer and a Murphy bed would make it better. Looks like it was designed, with everything squeezed in to fit the trailer size. I would design from the inside out, one room at a time. Each room usable with the furniture that is required.

  • Lisa E.
    March 21, 2015, 3:11 pm

    Aerodynamically, this shape/style THOW is disastrous, but if you’re not planning on a lot of road work, then this is a very stylish and efficient design. I love the colors and the fresh look of the interior. Very nice.

  • Joseph C.
    March 21, 2015, 3:31 pm

    I love this little Tiny house on wheels and it very attraction to me, at first and one floor sea level for me and I got bad back, neck, knees, and more comfy for living arrangement on the road and traveling for me and my gorgeous female lover. Plus, I’m Chef on the go and great to entertains my lovely ladies and family and friends.

  • Janet
    March 21, 2015, 4:18 pm

    It’s very cute, but for me there are two practicality issues that cry out for pocket doors. The bathroom. Pocket door instead of a door that swings into the kitchen taking up precious space. The bedroom. Pocket door because making that bed is going to be next to impossible and no one wants to see a rumpled bed. (Someone else already addressed the 2′ size of the shower which would prevent most people from raising their arms to wash their hair). But like I said, it’s very very cute!

  • Susanne
    March 22, 2015, 9:52 am

    I agree-outside not my favorite! Love the sliding glass doors! Helps the living room feel larger and enjoyable with a beautiful view!
    Why not a sink in the bathroom? That is really necessary….:)
    Yes-need more video!!!!:)

  • FerociousTH
    April 29, 2015, 1:56 pm

    Wasted space, looks tight. This would work much better as an open floor plan like a studio. With the height of 11’6″ you could have a roof terrace on the flat roof. Another observation is the wasted bedroom space. They could raise the floor deck a foot or so and have a pull out bed. The above space could be an office and closet. This Mica looks almost like a copy of there Popomo (discontinued) w/ some minor change to the entrance. Agree with others, it’s overpriced.

  • Marsha Cowan
    January 21, 2017, 8:07 pm

    This is one of Jay Shaefer’s beautiful disigns. I have always loved his work, especially this particular one. It is very open and liveable. The beach is perfect setting for it.

    • Natalie
      January 23, 2017, 7:58 am

      Yes I’d love the location!

  • ZACHARY E MOHRMANN
    January 21, 2017, 8:15 pm

    Impressive…!

  • Cynthia Taylor
    January 21, 2017, 9:00 pm

    I would love to see a 40′ Mica for room for a 6 ft tub deep and wide, room for my console piano, a combo w/d, induction cooktop, solar on the roof w wind turbine for electricity and hot water and incorporate existing furniture as part of the house.

  • Susanne
    January 21, 2017, 9:25 pm

    For me the outside is depressing and too plain for over $60,000…..

    • Natalie
      January 23, 2017, 7:50 am

      We all like different things, that’s for sure!

  • Karen Rivers
    January 21, 2017, 11:40 pm

    I could live in that

    • Natalie
      January 23, 2017, 7:26 am

      Me too!

  • ROSEE
    January 23, 2017, 12:21 pm

    Nice idea for the layout. But I found the color theme all around too contrasting. Yet well done!

    • Natalie
      January 24, 2017, 6:45 am

      There was a lot of color!

  • Susan
    November 1, 2017, 6:35 pm

    You had me at, “no loft”. Love this!

    • Michael
      November 1, 2017, 7:12 pm

      I like the design and floorplan. However there are some downsides.
      Firstly, bed is only 4’wide which isn’t sufficient for two especially in a tropical like FL.
      Secondly, it’s a very narrow bathroom and no sink.
      Thirdly you really need to add a porch to step out of you living area because the door ends above the wheel case.
      Fourthly, weight distribution may be a problem when on the road because the heavy stuff is located on both ends.

  • Chuck
    November 1, 2017, 7:03 pm

    This would be like living inside a metal breadbox!!! Imagine how hot it would get inside even on the mildest summer day. Your AC would be working overtime.

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