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How to Build a Tiny House on Wheels: The Robins Nest by Brevard Tiny House Co.


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Welcome to the captivating world of building a tiny house on wheels, where creativity and craftsmanship combine to create compact yet comfortable living spaces.

In this post, we’ll delve into the detailed process of constructing the Robins Nest, the second project by the innovative Brevard Tiny House Company. From the initial design to the final touches, you’ll witness the intricate steps involved in crafting this charming tiny home.

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Designing the Perfect Tiny Home

The journey begins with a meticulous design process. The Brevard Tiny House Company collaborates closely with its clients, creating scale models to precisely meet their needs and desires. The Robins Nest was conceptualized with a deck cleverly built over the tongue of the trailer, adding a unique and practical feature that sets it apart.

Robins Nest Tiny House Model

All Images © BrevardTinyHouse.com

If you ever wonder how these tiny houses are built from the trailer to the framing then you’ll enjoy getting to see it all come to life below:

One of the First Steps: Develop a Model of Client’s Design

Brevard Tiny House Robins Nest

Then Adjustments Are Made Here for the Client First

Brevard Tiny House Robins Nest

Once the design part is settled it’s time to start the build.

Step 1: Lay the Foundation on Wheels

Before the actual build commences, a custom trailer is ordered to serve as the foundation of the tiny home. To safeguard the structure and keep it roadworthy, metal flashing is added, preventing unwelcome critters from intruding and ensuring the home remains secure during transportation.

The Trailer to Build a Tiny House On

Add Flashing to Protect the House

Preparing the Trailer for Tiny House Construction

This metal flashing prevents critters from getting in and also protects your home when it’s being towed on the road.

Step 2: Construct the Floor and Walls

The floor is carefully assembled, and insulation is added to enhance energy efficiency. The trailer is then securely bolted to the floor and wall frames, a crucial step in ensuring structural stability during the home’s journey on the road.

Tiny House Construction Trailer

Add insulation to the floors. Then bolt the trailer to the floor and wall frames to secure everything (very important).

Start Framing Your Walls

Framing Walls for Tiny House Construction Project

When You’re Done Framing Sheath the Frame and Cut Windows Out

How to Build a Tiny House on Wheels

Then Begin Carefully Doing your Roof Framing

The roof framing is meticulously executed, ensuring the tiny home’s structural integrity. The sheathing and roof sealing come next, protecting the home from the elements and creating a reliable shelter for its occupants. The addition of house wrap helps to further insulate the tiny house.

Building a Tiny House!

Sheath the Roof

Building the Tiny House Together!

Seal the Roof

Roofing Our Tiny House!

Add your choice of Housewrap

Wrapping our THOW

Step 4: Building the Interior

As the exterior nears completion, the focus shifts to the interior. Framing the interior rooms allows for a thoughtful layout, making the most of every inch of space. Loft beams are installed, providing extra space for living or storage. Staircases are carefully constructed, designed to optimize functionality while preserving space.

Framing the Tiny House

Add Loft Beams

Building a Tiny House

Build Staircases

Building a THOW THOW Construction

Step 5: Electrical, Plumbing, and Roofing

The tiny home is wired for electricity and plumbing, ensuring modern amenities can be enjoyed in this compact abode.

Building a Tiny House!

Install Metal Roofing

The installation of durable metal roofing guarantees longevity and protects the home from the elements.

Installing the Roof on the Tiny House

Step 6: Transforming the Tongue into a Deck

One of the highlights of the Robins Nest is its clever use of the trailer tongue, which is transformed into a delightful deck with built-in hidden storage. This thoughtful addition enhances outdoor living while maximizing functionality.

Hidden Storage

Step 7: Windows, Doors, and Finishing Touches

As the home nears completion, windows and doors are installed, adding character and functionality. The Robins Nest design incorporates a perfect ‘twig’ beam to complement its overall aesthetics. Finally, the exterior is coated with siding, and the tiny house is expertly painted, giving it a charming and personalized appearance.

The Perfect ‘Twig’ Beam to Match the Robin’s Nest Design

Twig THOW

Scale Model

Scale Model of the Tiny House

Install your choice of Siding

Tiny House Construction Siding

Paint your Tiny House!

Painting the THOW

All Images © BrevardTinyHouse.com

Step 8: Interior Completion and Move-In

With the exterior now complete, attention turns to finishing the interior. This step involves adding all the essential furnishings and decor to create a cozy and inviting living space. Once the interior is lovingly crafted, it’s time to move in and embrace the tiny house lifestyle.

All that’s left is to finish the interior and move in, right?

Video: Three Days of Building the Robins Nest Tiny House

Sources:

  • brevardtinyhouse.com/existing-tiny-houses/robins-nest/the-building-process
  • brevardtinyhouse.com

Learn More About Brevard Tiny House Company

  • Near Asheville, NC
  • Affordable Pricing and Delivery
  • Benefits of working with a team

Building a tiny house on wheels is a labor of love that requires attention to detail, craftsmanship, and thoughtful design. The Robins Nest, a remarkable creation by Brevard Tiny House Company, exemplifies the dedication and ingenuity required to bring these unique homes to life. Whether you’re considering building your own tiny home or simply fascinated by the process, this glimpse into the creation of the Robins Nest provides invaluable insights into the world of tiny house construction.

For further inspiration and a comprehensive guide on building tiny houses on trailers, we recommend exploring the tiny house construction guide dedicated to this exciting endeavor. Embrace the possibilities of living small and discover the joys of a minimalist lifestyle.

Learn More About How to Build a Tiny House on Wheels…

How to Build Tiny Houses: Step-by-Step Guide

If you’d like to learn more about the nitty-gritty details on how to build a tiny house I recommend this tiny house construction guide – it’s specifically dedicated to building on trailers.

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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!
{ 15 comments… add one }
  • Jeremy Little
    May 7, 2014, 10:55 am

    This looks like a great project.

    Alex, I am interested in building homes like this for people to purchase. Can you tell me a little about the market?

    Jeremy

    • Alex
      June 21, 2014, 11:45 am

      Hi Jeremy- great question! The best way to build these for people is by building them on order which means… You build one exactly to someone’s requests/plans. This way you don’t have to sit on it for several months before you sell it. Most people like to build it themselves because of the labor cost savings but I’m noticing they are selling more than in the past.

  • Maria
    May 8, 2014, 7:53 am

    Would love to see pictures of the inside of this house when finished. How big is this house? How much will this one cost?

    • Melinda Ruth
      June 30, 2015, 1:57 pm

      I have plans to one day have a get away, weekend tiny house on family land and have looked at lots of plans. I felt like I found THE ONE when I saw the Robin’s Nest. It looks so doable!! Could we please see pictures of the finished inside??!
      Thanks so much!
      Melinda Ruth

  • alice h
    May 8, 2014, 7:38 pm

    Nice model! Oh yeah, the real house turned out nice too! But I reeeeeally like that model. And the deck over the trailer tongue. And the stairs.

  • Jesse
    May 15, 2014, 11:50 am

    Alex I can’t figure out why they’d put the metal flashing on the top side of the trailer… I’ve seen that done so many times on tiny homes on trailers… why don’t they put it on the under belly of the trailer that way you gain a good 4-6″… Any idea?

    • Alex
      May 15, 2014, 9:08 pm

      Hi Jesse I believe it’s because you want to insulate that space in between as well as build floor framing in there to lock everything together (and to create space for the floor insulation). Does that make sense?

      • Jesse
        May 15, 2014, 10:54 pm

        I dunno buddy… I mean, what your saying does make sense… but it seems like you could still utilize those extra 4″ by flashing the undercarriage, put down the subfloor/insulation on top of that, and then the underlayment (if you’re even using it). And then build up from there… I mean I’m no contractor, so I still may be wrong (my knowledge is Web based and common sense… well mostly)… I just want to maximize the available space on my tiny house when I build mine.

        • Zac D
          October 27, 2020, 5:39 am

          I realise you made this a comment a long time ago but oh well…
          To maximise space that does make sense but there are a few factors here; firstly, thermal bridging is a major issue with any steel framing which of course applies to a trailer. So if you put your insulation between the structure you’re going to get temperature differences being conducted by the steel which undermines your insulation. Going under and around could theoretically be done but is quite difficult with a trailer and brings up another issue in that the insulation would be vulnerable to gravel etc that might flick up off the road. Unless you clad that out underneath as well, quite complicated and you’re still using space. I think the only way to do what you’re asking without any of the downsides is to incorporate it into the trailer design somehow.
          So I’m not saying it’s impossible and I have thought about similar concepts but that application is more complicated than the average DIYer is equipped for and not economic for a company.

        • James D.
          October 28, 2020, 1:18 am

          @Zac D – It does increase the cost but it’s not complicated… Just order the trailer designed to have the floor built into the trailer chassis. Most Tiny House builders get their trailers from trailer manufacturers who will custom make them to order… Few manufacture their own trailers but over the years the trailer manufacturers have worked with the builders to optimize the trailer designs for tiny houses and being able to integrate the flooring into the trailer chassis is one of the innovations they’ve developed, along with drop axles, and other optimizations that now allow builders to achieve up to around 11′ of interior height and up to around 52″ of loft headroom… Basically gaining an extra foot over over bed trailer builds… Just watch out for the reduced ground clearance and increased weight…

          You can check out Tiny Nest Project, they’ve worked with Iron Eagle Trailers and developed Sketchup files of the most common tiny house trailer designs available from Iron Eagle for Tiny House builds… Not the end all and be all of what’s available but that’s easy to find and look up…

          Other manufacturers aren’t as open about what they have available but there are many custom trailer manufacturers out there…

  • Yikes!
    May 19, 2014, 12:52 am

    Looks like a nightmare to tow!

  • Robert
    May 22, 2014, 8:17 am

    Hi,
    Got dilemma. I build my 16′ tiny house on a Texas Brags trailer thinking that I would build it on location and then take it off the trailer when I got it to my home site not to far away. So I didn’t attach the house to the trailer as to make it easier to get off later. Thought I cold do some exterior tie downs or something. So now I have a finished exterior shall, unfinished on the interior. Due to health problems need to sell the house. My question is, do you have any suggestions on how I could attach the house to the trailer at this stage? Another is the trailer doesn’t have any trailer brakes. Is it necessary to have these? Can I get buy without them? Any help would be appreciated.
    Thank you

  • tersa
    March 13, 2015, 5:24 pm

    I would like to know what size trailer you used.

  • Tim
    March 18, 2016, 4:53 pm

    Alex… I can’t help but notice that these units are getting bigger and bigger and heavier and heavier. Many “professional builders” are popping up and the cost just keeps rising. As lenders and insurance companies get involved this kinda goes back to square one. Now the mortgage is on an expensive tiny house on a trailer and still comes with the restrictions of the traditional lifestyly of fixed stick and brick housing.
    I fear that the expensive evolution of the Tiny House movement will be self defeating in the name of progress. (Money)
    Sad to see this great idea heading in this direction.

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