≡ Menu

How to Prepare your Tiny House for Towing


This post contains affiliate links.

So you’re seriously thinking about building your own tiny house on a trailer and wondering, “how the heck am I going to tow this thing around?”

That’s a normal concern and something we all face when considering doing the same thing. There are lots of questions that might come to your mind, as did mine, like:

  • Will I need a truck? If so, what kind?
  • Can I rent something instead?
  • How much does a tiny house weigh when it’s finished?
  • What do you do with your stuff inside to prevent it from getting throwing around during the transit?
These are all great questions and common concerns. So let’s go over the first two questions and then let’s discuss it all in the comments below.

Please don’t miss other exciting tiny homesjoin our FREE Tiny House Newsletter!

 

Preparing To Tow Your Tiny House on Wheels

Leafhouse Version 1 Tiny House
Photo Credit Laird Herbert/Leafhouse, as featured on Tiny House Talk

What kind of truck will I need, if that’s what I want to do?

Personally- I don’t think I would purchase a heavy duty truck just for this because if I built a tiny house on a trailer, I wouldn’t move it all that often. And when I’d want to do that, I’d just rent one or pay a friend to do it for me since in the end this turns out being more cost effective than purchasing my own heavy duty vehicle for towing.

Heck, another idea is to hire a tow truck to move it around for you when needed. But let’s say you did want to have your own truck to move it around in for whatever reason. Maybe you want to move about a lot more than I would. In that case, I’d go with a travel trailer, but to each their own, right?

Here are a list of heavy duty trucks that can pull a tiny house on wheels without question:

  • Dodge Ram 2500 & 3500
  • Ford F-250 & F-350
  • Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD & 3500HD
  • GMC Sierra 2500HD
What other trucks can you think of that can also do the job? Please share in the comments at the bottom of this post so we can all discuss.

Renting Instead of Buying a Truck of Your Own

Again, this is the route that I’d take if I built my own home on wheels. I’d either have a friend or family member help me out if that’s possible or I’d do one of the following:

  • Rent a U-Haul box truck as Jay Shafer has done before and as recently, Evan & Gabby have done with their 7,800 pound home.
  • Hire a tow truck driver to do it for you when you need to move it, as a recent builder of tiny homes has done (see 2nd photo)
What other ways can you hire help or rent a truck to do it yourself or have it done for you without having to purchase a heavy duty towing vehicle? Please share your ideas/insights in the comments.
If this post helped you, please “Like” and share using the buttons below then share your thoughts, insights and questions in the comments below. Thank you so much!

Try our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter for even more!

You can also join our Small House Newsletter!

Also, try our Tiny Houses For Sale Newsletter! Thank you!

More Like This: Tiny Houses | Couple’s Tiny Caboose Cabin | THOW

This post contains affiliate links.

The following two tabs change content below.

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!
{ 78 comments… add one }
  • June 19, 2012, 12:52 pm

    I am particularly worried about this as I drive a little car and my house is build on a goose-neck. I don’t know of anyone who has that kind of hitch and I can’t rent one from U-haul. I knew this going into it but I sort of figured that would all work itself out as it needed too. I am wondering about hiring a tow truck! Are they typically able to tow goose-necks? Thanks for posting this, it’s a great subject to breach!

    • Alex
      June 19, 2012, 1:34 pm

      Great question, Macy! I’m sure there are drivers out there for hire that can tow your goose-neck trailer.. Not sure, but I’m thinking tow truck drivers will be able to.. At least some. I’d start calling around using your phone book if you have one. We’ll see if anyone else here has any insights for this.. And hope you can let us know what you find as you go. Is your home completed already?

      • June 19, 2012, 1:38 pm

        Mine’s not finished just yet, I won’t actually be moving it until next spring so I have some time to get things figured out. I will certainly stay in touch, I love this site!

        • Alex
          June 19, 2012, 3:23 pm

          Thanks Macy, I’ll do the same if I find out anything on this that’ll help you and others that have gone with goose-neck trailers.

      • Jan Dregalla
        June 21, 2012, 12:41 am

        I plan on renting a truck and driver when and if I need to move my tiny house. I also have a horse. I’ll use friends with large trucks or I’ll look in the Horse Haulers adds, There are often guys with rigs and experience in towing large, dificult, moving, alive, loads like horses. They often have goose necks for the big livestock trailors. Ask a horse person you trust to recommend someone or at least to hook you up with someone who might know. It’s not a regulated industry so you can run into less than desireable towers just wanting to make a quick buck on the side but they really don’t know what they are doing. Ask for references.

      • Ryan Hamilton
        July 21, 2015, 12:16 pm

        I’d recommend checking the website uShip.com for towing. It’s a match site that links people with big vehicles to people who need to move a lot of stuff. Be warned, it will cost a fair amount (maybe a couple of thousand dollars or so, depending on how much and how far), but people will bid for the job if they’re interested. Might be worth checking out.

    • Donnie
      June 20, 2012, 8:45 am

      I have asked a local towing company and they said yes they can move goose-neck trailers, and that they do it all the time. They move goose-neck trailers to the lakes and rivers and will quote you a price over the phone. So build it and it can be moved to your lot for the season or forever. Hope this helps!

      • June 20, 2012, 12:21 pm

        Wow! Awesome, thanks Donnie! Way above and beyond! Much appreciated!

        • cliff
          January 14, 2013, 2:11 am

          Macy

          I realize your post was a while back but thought i would add my two cents for future folks reading this. Put a 5th wheel king pin on your trailer not a ball. Then any semi tractor truck can move you. You don’t need to buy a truck or put up with any of the hassles of licensing, tires, driving, etc. Let the pros do what they do best. As you get older it won’t be a problem either. No shortage of people/rigs to move it short or long distance.

    • Jill
      June 25, 2012, 11:28 am

      Macy, Hi I am not sure where you live in the country but if you have farmers around you check with farmers as many of them haul goose-necks for say, horse trailers and campers and say wagons and trailers. They have a special hitch put in the middle of the bed of their trucks that hitch up the trailers. Ask horse people if they know someone with goose-neck hauling truck or farmer who hauls his cattle if they have a goose-neck truck who will haul for you…. maybe even some heavy equipment company place may do it for a fee for you.
      Just some suggestions…

    • August 31, 2014, 10:14 am

      Jan’s idea of hiring someone from the horse hauler ads is a great idea. You can also look in the RVs for Sale section of Craigslist – many times there are people listed there who do hauling and sometimes they have a gooseneck hitch. Just as Jan said, check references. And learn what kind of truck it takes to move your house (estimate weight from Googling or asking in forums, or have it dragged across a weight scales if one is along the way next time you do move it) and make sure the hauler from then on has a truck big enough to pull that much weight.

  • Rhonda
    June 19, 2012, 1:47 pm

    Am thinking about using a gooseneck myself as they are supposed to be the easiest to tow accurately. As I understand, they require a fifth-wheel hitch and usually there are independent owners that can be hired to tow. You might also be able to hire an 18 wheeler tractor but I don’t know if there is a height difference in the hitch and that route is likely more expensive. Am hoping to someday build an 8.5×40 with two queen lofts for myself and have some great floorplans.

    • Alex
      June 19, 2012, 3:51 pm

      Thanks for the insights, Rhonda! Looking forward to getting to follow along to your progress. Hope you can keep us updated as you go and of course just reach out if you need anything and the community is here.

  • Jordan
    June 19, 2012, 3:55 pm

    HI Macy,
    I’m not an expert on trailers, but is a goose-neck the same as a 5th wheel type RV trailer? If so, maybe an RV dealer would help you move it – they have to have all kinds of trucks to move their inventory around with. Might be worth checking out and seeing what they might charge. Even if they won’t do it, they might know of several people with big trucks who might be willing to help. Best wishes to you on building and moving your tiny home. I am envious that you are getting to build yours. I’m still trying to save up enough money to start mine, but I will get there eventually!

    Thanks Alex for a great post idea, I’d love to hear more about how people secure their belongings and protect the windows while moving their houses. Hope your “Duffel Bag Adventures” are going well!

    • Alex
      June 19, 2012, 4:02 pm

      Thanks for the ideas Jordan! Can’t wait to hear more from others as well.. It should be very feasible to find someone to move your goose-neck trailer. And you’re right, it is much like a 5th a wheel.

      Thanks so much again Jordan!

      Alex

    • June 20, 2012, 12:24 pm

      Thanks Jordan! I am no trailer expert either but my understanding is that there are two different types of goose-neck hitches, one with a ball and one with a pin. I have the one with the ball which I believe is more ‘standard’ so i am hoping that when the time comes I can find someone willing fairly easily, even to just post it on Craigslist.
      Thanks for the awesome idea, I hope you can get to your build soon! It’s SO fun! 🙂

  • jane
    June 19, 2012, 8:53 pm

    We’ve bought a Toyota Tundra to pull our house. We plan to use our house more as an RV than as a stay-in-one-place house. Toyota Tundra is rated as the best heavy-duty truck on the market.

    • John Mauldin
      June 20, 2012, 9:09 am

      That is really stretching the trucks capacity as this is a half ton truck. It is not that the truck cannot pull it but the suspension is not strong enough to make it easy to tow without compromising the ride and if you get in trouble, the towing problem is magnified with an under capacity truck. Of equal concern is the stopping. With the lighter truck, you might find the trailer pushing the truck around (not a good situation). All too often, people are attracted to the half ton due to lower acquisition cost and car like ride. Basically because it is really a car frame with a truck body, not nearly as substantial as a 3/4 or 1 ton or larger truck. If you are pulling a 20′ trailer, you are maxed out in pulling and will use a LOT of gas if the truck isn’t diesel (I know from experience) and I think way overmaxed in towing “performance” (not power- it WILL pull this load-but still maxes out).

      • Alex
        June 20, 2012, 9:28 am

        Thanks again, John. Super helpful!

      • jane
        June 20, 2012, 9:34 am

        You’ve got the wrong truck, John. I think you’re talking about the Toyota Tacoma. The Tundra is a full 1 ton truck with a greater than 10,000 pound capability (I think 16,000). We pull our 10,000 pound boat and trailer without any problems, and without significantly higher gas use.

  • Alex
    June 20, 2012, 7:35 am

    Thanks Jane, you’re right. A friend of mine has one and it’s unbelievably powerful. I just looked up the specs.. They can tow up to 10,400 according to what I just looked up. Best of luck with your build.. or are you already done with it? Thanks again!

  • John Mauldin
    June 20, 2012, 8:44 am

    I applaud your decision to post this article. No doubt, this subject should be of interest to anyone either owning or considering a tiny home on a trailer.

    With regard to buying a truck, the cost of a good used truck is very high and new ones are “astronomical”. I own a Ford F350 Long bed diesel and the price “out the door” is at least $50,000. Still, the advantages of owning a truck are many. You have total freedom in moving. And a diesel has great gas mileage (I average around 20MPG with a load), tremendous power (pulling 12,000lb. up a mountain is no big deal), and very long life (half a million miles without any major repair costs). I STRONGLY recommend anyone buy a one ton (F350 or 3500) vs. a 3/4 ton truck as they are built much heavier inc. the suspension system, easier to work on, cost less to maintain, and overall worth the difference.

    On the other hand, if you do not think you will be moving often, contracting to do this is the only way to go. Then you can use a vehicle that is very fuel efficient. Heck, you can buy a nice mercedes convertible a couple of years old for a fraction of the cost of a truck! Anyway, towing around town can be done by a tow truck but normally and distance more than 10 miles is usually much higher than other solutions. Alternatively, you could advertise on craigslist or an RV forum and locate someone who already owns a truck and RV and is willing to help you move the trailer, often for peanuts. For longer hauls, there are RV transport companies who do this for a living at a fair price. Be sure to insist the carrier provides evidence of full insurance coverage and is licensed and bonded. Without this qualification, your hauler might end up having YOUR trailer impounded due to state regulations.

    • Alex
      June 20, 2012, 9:13 am

      Thanks for all of the insights, John, great to know all of this!

    • Fred Lunau
      October 7, 2012, 7:09 pm

      Thanks, John – one of the most useful comments I’ve read all year. Sure answered a few questions of my own as I start down the path.

  • Vicky
    June 20, 2012, 8:54 am

    Thanks for the info. I was hoping for more info on actually preparing the house for towing. Securing belongings, disconnecting things, etc. I am wanting to build one in the future, but would like to know I can physically do what needs to be done to move one.
    Thanks

    • Alex
      June 20, 2012, 9:16 am

      Great questions/concerns Vicky. Securing your items inside is necessary.. So taking books, etc out of shelves and other vulnerable storage compartments is important as they’d obviously be swooshed around and possibly damaged. These are the things to also keep in mind while you’re in the design phase. But fortunately since the homes are small, it’s not too much hassle to secure your stuff before towing.

    • jane
      June 20, 2012, 9:39 am

      Vicky, we have lots of experience with living on boats. All drawers and cupboards on boats have latches so they cannot open when encountering rough weather. I would do the same in my house. Obviously breakable things like dishes, glasses, etc. I would make sure they could not move — a stack of dishes are probably safe, but not glassware. We don’t have glassware on the boat, but use plastic cups and stainless steel wineglasses. If I had glassware, I’d wrap it in a towel and put it in the sink. Another thing that boats have is a support on all the open shelves about 3 inches from the bottom that holds things like books in place. Take yourself on a visit to a boatyard to take a look at these features.

      • Alex
        June 20, 2012, 9:57 am

        Great tips Jane, thanks so much! Experience with sailboat living goes hand in hand with RVs and tiny homes on wheels. Thanks again!

      • Lynne
        June 20, 2012, 11:09 am

        Another easy way to keep things on counter tops from shifting is to make small balls from sticky gray butyl tape (available in RV stores) and use a couple of them underneath the object you want to semi-permantly stick to the counter top. Use a spatula to slide underneath to remove and dab up the remnants or residue with the rest of the ball. Works great! Also, you can use Velcro tape strips or plastic tie straps around adjoining cabinet knobs to keep those cabinet doors secured. Remember, items in cabinets will shift during travels and falling canned goods can break toes.

        • Alex
          June 20, 2012, 11:25 am

          Thanks Lynne!

        • Kelly
          June 3, 2014, 11:51 am

          I am preparing to move my tiny house for the first time. One concern I have is about my refrigerator wobbling or toppling. It’s 62 inches high, around 200 pounds…anyone have experience here? Should I ship it separate? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

        • Alex
          June 3, 2014, 1:17 pm

          Kelly yes take the time to either find a way to properly secure it inside so it does not move or remove it and move it separately if possible.

  • John Mauldin
    June 20, 2012, 9:02 am

    Sorry, but one other point about gooseneck and fifth wheel trailers.

    Most travel trailers and their frames which use a fifth wheel configuration vs. the traditional “bumper pull” trailer will enjoy much greater ease in towing their home due to the weight displacement. And this configuration provides far greater safety over a bumper pull trailer. At the same time, unlike bumper pull frames that allow transport with a simple hitch apparatus, the fifth wheel and gooseneck require a different hitch system.

    The most popular configuration for RV’s is the fifth wheel which is a hitch system used by most all larger tractor/trailer configurations. It is desirable because the tow truck driver can literally back up to the trailer and the trailer will automatically couple with the truck with little effort. The fifth wheel hitch fits in the bed of the truck and is mounted to the bed of the truck, most often using tracks that allows you to slide out the hitch when not in use.

    On the other hand, people who raise livestock or show livestock, normally use gooseneck hitches. Connecting a gooseneck trailer is fundamentally similar to the fifth wheel hitches in that the hitch fits in the bed of the truck BUT the hitch on the trailer must be lined up with the hitch ball in the bed of the truck necessitating an almost perfect lineup of hitch and ball. So it can take a few tries before attaching trailer to truck BUT the biggest advantage is that the trailer doesn’t move on the hitch and consequently provides much quieter towing. I purchased a gooseneck “pin box” to replace the traditional fifth wheel hitch because, although the fifth wheel is easier to connect, I like the quieter configuration the gooseneck provides.

    You can find owners of trucks to easily pull trailers equipped with gooseneck hitches through local livestock clubs, their forums or local ads.

    • Alex
      June 20, 2012, 9:24 am

      Thank you so much for the clarification on all of the different trailers. Very helpful insights! Thanks again.

  • Oscar
    June 20, 2012, 9:29 am

    Nissan tittan 06 would that be able to pull a little home?

    • June 20, 2012, 9:34 am

      Hey Oscar, it sure can it’s just not the best choice because the body/suspension isn’t really rated for that which is why I recommend the trucks listed in the post instead even though I love Nissan’s Titan and Toyota’s Tundra. If you can, read John Mauldin’s comment up above in reply to Jane.

  • bob henry
    June 20, 2012, 9:40 am

    With regard to preparing the interior for moving.

    I have cannabilized two campers and remover the drawer and cabinet latches to be installed on the same in my build. I have in the past also utilized baby security latches to be certain that cabinets stay closed in transit.

    • Alex
      June 20, 2012, 9:59 am

      Another great idea to secure your cabinets. Thanks Bob!

  • Judy
    June 20, 2012, 10:50 am

    I think I will most likely rent something to haul my (now in the dream stage) home, but wonder if there is a way to connect my Toyota Scion to the back of the home. Thanks

    • Alex
      June 20, 2012, 11:27 am

      Good question, Judy. I can see that working just like folks do with their motorhomes just wonder if anyone out there has seen it done with a utility trailer.

  • Garth
    June 20, 2012, 3:11 pm

    Besides trucks, how about a van? I have a Ford E-350 extended with 460ci engine (and before anyone throws rocks about gas-guzzlers and polution, I should point out that it only gets about a thousand miles a year), and one son just bought a similar but much newer Ford diesel extended work van.

    The additional cargo space of such a van may be valuable for someone living in a tiny house.

    Since only the new prices were mentioned above, I might mention what some of us consider normal which is to buy a used vehicle. Especially with this kind, they are often in fleets that are well maintained by the companies’ mechanics, and the fleet gets replaced on a regular schedule (sometimes by lease terms), not because of any problems. We have a friend who maintains the vans for an alarm company for the installers; and since he works on the same kind all the time, he knows it super well.

    I don’t have any tiny-house experience though, so I can’t speak with authority on it. I’m just intrigued by the whole thing and look forward to when we can downsize– dramatically! Big step in that direction: the other son gets married this weekend!

    • Erik M
      June 23, 2012, 1:43 pm

      The E350 idea is a good one and I’ve considered it myself. I think the extra storage of a van, vs. say a F350 or F250 truck, is a good idea. In doing research of heard of people who have the EXTENDED versions and warn that those should be avoided as they make it harder to control the vehicle when the house is being towed.

    • Alex
      June 25, 2012, 12:36 am

      I’ve wondered the same thing. I suppose the E350 series will work but would love to hear about the pros/cons in comparison to a truck. The extra locked up storage in a van would definitely come in handy if you’re moving about all the time. Thanks for bringing it up Garth!

  • Liz
    June 20, 2012, 7:00 pm

    John Maudlin is making me miss my F-250 truck, but Garth is giving me a new idea to find a Ford van somewhere. The extra storage capacity of a van is enticing.. Currently, I drive a 150cc scooter lol. I have no big, towing vehicle and my tH is 8×12.’ I dont know what it weighs, actually it is still on the ground. I agree with Vicky. I have questions about actually securing my tH to a trailer. Recently I read another tH designer preferring to secure a tH from the outside/bottom rather than to the trailer as it is built, for the very reason I have my tH now. It is on the ground, not on a trailer, but I do want it portable and if I make any more improvements on what is essentially a screenhouse/cabin I dont want to be bothered with a building permit. As it is, my tH is built on top of the ground, can be picked up and moved, but .. anyway, I lost a tH opportunity because the builder said the house didnt need to be actually secured in some manner TO the trailer and his wife wouldnt allow anyone to leave the property with it, without signing off any kind of liability as she feared the house would fall off as soon as it hit an incline.. So, these are some of my concerns: securing a tH on a trailer in a semi-permanent fashion. Also, some of the siding had been peeled off of a tH I saw recently because of wind direction when actually on the road. Thanks for a great resource, Tiny House Talk :). Oh, I should probably mention my two “home” destinations are 2000 miles apart: the Hudson Valley of NY and Wyoming. I am currently in NY, so my first tow would be to WY. I’d love to be able to take my tH back and forth but without owning a truck or van, it might just be too much back-and-forth. (Might have to own a “second” tH!) Yet, the point is a good one that hiring a move costs less than owning a heavy-duty vehicle, especially since my transportation these days is a scooter, as I said, lol. Thanks, again.

    • Alex
      June 25, 2012, 12:42 am

      Thanks for the great questions, Liz!

      Yes- there are ways to attach the home onto a trailer although it sounds like quite the project. In your situation, I’d hire someone to move it for me. No need to have to buy a vehicle, trailer, etc..

      Since it’s so small I bet you can hire a professional driver to do it for you. That’d be interesting to find out how much it would cost, or if anyone reading knows off the top of your head.

  • Michael
    June 21, 2012, 11:50 am

    Really love the idea of the tiny home on wheels. However, when I hear the concerns about moving the bloody thing (and when I consider the fact that one might have to move it for reasons other than from choice), I begin to think that the Tiny Home on wheels may just be destined to be added to the classic (and, admittedly, sexist) joke regarding cars, women, and trouble!

    peace,
    michael

    • Alex
      June 25, 2012, 12:43 am

      LOL, thanks Michael. Some folks are doing it successfully while others have done it, not liked it, and gone back to something else. It all really just depends!

  • Erik M
    June 22, 2012, 2:54 am

    Hey Alex,
    You have a Great Site!
    Such a topic. I’m just getting ready to move my newly completed home accross county. … and I’m a bit nervous. Many things that could happen.
    With so many other vehicles on the road, and that have been around for many years, I shouldn’t worry.

    • Alex
      June 25, 2012, 12:45 am

      Hey Erik, I’m wishing you the best of luck with the move. Would love to see photos of your house, too, if you want to share. My email is tinyhousetalk [at] gmail dot com. How did you complete it? Yourself?

  • Rhonda
    June 25, 2012, 11:56 am

    One comment that I don’t think has been mentioned regarding the vehicles is towing weight. When you add weight to the vehicle as in passenger weight or items traveling inside a truck bed or van or even just the weight of a larger cab it reduces the available towing strength (ie it would tow fewer pounds in trailer weight).

  • Teri
    June 25, 2012, 10:02 pm

    When I build my Fencl, I plan to live one year in Madison, WI and the next year in Seattle, WA, alternating between my two grown kids from year to year. As they live only about 2+ days apart I don’t anticipate a big deal. But my plan (as an independent woman!) is to rent a U-Haul truck, drive my Honda Fit up inside and pull my Fencl in back.
    I’d love to hear some comments on this idea….

    • Tonita
      November 16, 2013, 8:44 pm

      Hi Teri,
      I am way behind as I just am catching up with this conversation. You may have built and moved your Fencl by now. Anyway, I had a tiny house built in Arkansas and it was transported behind a U-Haul all the way to a rural area about an hour away from Seattle. You can read the entire story here – http://shabbychictinyretreat.blogspot.com/2012/02/towing-tiny-house-from-kansas-to.html

      Hope this helps.

      • Teri
        November 17, 2013, 12:06 am

        Oh my GOSH, Tonita! That was the scariest thing I’ve every read about tiny houses!!! Scott is truely a hero for a driver! Thanks for catching up to me…
        I’m still working on my th plan, although my Fencl has morphed into a Cypress 20 now. I’m clearing out my medium house of 40 years so I can sell it and build my th, chipping away at the piles of stuff ever so slowly but making progress. I love your posts! Thanks for sharing!
        xoxo Teri

  • Patricia
    November 12, 2012, 11:08 am

    Love the conversations!
    I’m wondering when you park your house and drive off to the store or such, what keeps someone from hitching up up your house and driving away (stealing) it?

    Thanks for security ideas.

    • Dave
      March 1, 2014, 11:26 pm

      There are a few things you can do – but nothing will stop a truly dedicated thief.

      You can add a trailer hitch lock which prevents the ball hitch from sitting on the ball mount. The other thing I would consider is adding a couple of wheel locks (think of the type of lock parking enforcement puts on a car that has parked illegally – a boot – prevents the wheel from turning).

  • hunter
    February 13, 2013, 10:32 am

    I know this is late in coming but do you have a pennysaver paper or shopper type weekly paper. you can place an ad for $5-7 dollars and state what you need done. Personnaly i love these flyer/papers and read from front to back .

  • Terri
    February 16, 2013, 2:50 pm

    My husband and I are planning on building a tiny house next summer (we will probably attend one of the workshops you offer before then,) and have drawn up several plans. However, I am concerned about the weight. We currently own a Ford Van which can tow up to 3500 lbs. We are trying to figure out what size trailer to buy to build our house on, and I am having a hard time getting specs on trailer weights and estimating what the average house weights. Having this information will help us determine what size we can build. Can anyone help us out with this? We are planning on using our tiny house for camping and at the house for occasional visits from friends.

    • Holly
      January 29, 2014, 10:53 pm

      Based on Tumbleweed’s designs, they estimate that the 18′ and 20′ completed tiny homes would require a towing capacity of 10,000 lbs. The 24′ would require 15,000 lbs capacity. As for trailer weights themselves, I’ve heard they’re in the 2,500 to 3,500 range.

      Here’s their info, hope this helps! http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/pages/towing

  • Tonita
    November 16, 2013, 9:09 pm

    I own a 8′ x 24′ tiny house. It was built by Slabtown Customs in Arkansas. It was moved to my land outside Seattle and was towed behind a U-Haul. Because my tiny house was brand new the only thing that needed to be strapped down was the apartment size frig and freezer. The builder took care of that by screwing a section of fire hose type material across the front of both sections and just screwing it into the wall. The built in closet doors stayed secure without anything additional straps. The kitchen cabinets and drawers also stayed closed without an extra measures to get it ready for the long haul. It was driven through sleet, bad ice storms and terrible weather. It arrived in perfect shape, mostly due to the skill of my wonderful driver. There are several pictures and a detailed story on my blog. http://shabbychictinyretreat.blogspot.com/2012/02/towing-tiny-house-from-kansas-to.html

    I will be moving the tiny house across the United States from WA state to North Carolina in coming months. I want to first let the worst of winter pass. However, things will be much different this time. I am not a minimalist by any means so I will have to pack it up and secure several items this time around. I will most likely take all pictures and shelves down off the walls. I may remove the furniture also. I will pack up both full size loft items, closet items and everything on the open kitchen shelves and probably just sit them on the floor. Spare tires incase of more blowouts are a definite plan.

    I know it will need to be hosed down once it gets all the way to North Carolina. Maybe I can run it through one of those big rig car washes ….lol. Actually, I plan to break a bottle of champagne over the hitch to christen the tiny house and celebrate that we are forever free from Northwest gray days .

    Tonita

  • dfoster
    December 1, 2013, 9:26 pm

    I’ve seen where some people choose to get cargo containers to build their tiny homes. These can be moved, but not as easy as a pull behind trailer. As mentioned above, buying a right size truck can get to much and getting some semi drivers to move your tiny home.
    I checked into semi trailers. They have different sizes, up to 53’Lx8′-6″Wx13′-6″H (interior 110-1/4″H). It has trailer, walls, floor, roof (outer shell) . Any input on this way of thinking?

  • Jesse
    December 20, 2013, 10:02 pm

    Great comments. Can anybody provide examples of their final tiny home weight? I know that there will be a huge range depending on size and design, but I am trying to get a rough estimate. I am hoping to build an 8×18′ tiny home, with dormer above loft. If anyone has a similar sized home and know’s its weight I would much appreciate hearing about it. Thanks

    • Holly
      January 29, 2014, 10:51 pm

      Tumbleweed lists some standard weights for their designs- the 18′ and 20′ is 10,000 lbs, the 24′ is 15,000 lbs. Perhaps you can use these for your rough estimations.

      Here’s their more detailed write-up: http://www.tumbleweedhouses.com/pages/towing

  • brian
    February 21, 2014, 2:50 pm

    A Toyota Tundra Crewmax can tow up to 10,500 lbs.

  • Kenneth wilson
    March 16, 2014, 2:50 am

    I got 1979 c50 2 ton chevy tow truck with 350 and 4 speed pull that tiny house anyday just like a brand new truck.

  • Sarah Louise Kernan
    December 27, 2014, 11:44 am

    Hello, Love this site…I think in the 2ish years I’ve been following this is my first comment, however!
    Hopefully – as it’s now 9 months since the last comment – someone might see mine and be able to point me in the right direction 🙂
    I note Tonita’s comment about preparing the interior for a move; removing furniture/securing things etc…I was wondering of anyone knew of any further videos, posts or similar detailing how people prepare for this?

    Though still in the planning stages at the moment, when completed I would be taking my build along some truly terrifying roads in Ireland…so would love to find out as much as possible about taking a TH out on the road.
    Thanks in advance and I hope everyone’s been having a lovely festive season!

  • gloria francés
    June 6, 2015, 8:14 pm

    hi i want to build a cottage that sleeps two on a truck can you help me get started

  • Wendy
    July 13, 2015, 12:54 am

    I have been dreaming of tiny homes for several years now. I WANT the minimalist life for many reasons. I have looked into tree houses, boathouses, RVs, cob houses, earth homes, straw, cave, stationary tiny homes and mobile tiny homes and etc. I am still in the researching stages but what keeps coming up in my mind is the appealing idea of being mobile. This website was extremely helpful in answering some of the questions I had remaining in my mind regarding this type of build. Everyone’s comments have been VERY helpful BTW. THANK YOU for taking the time everyone. I have a couple more questions though I was hoping someone could help me out with. In my research I uncovered that some of the materials you can use on the outside and inside of the mobile tiny home can significantly add weight, especially if you build it yourself and use reclaimed materials. I also read AND heard the lighter weight materials are quite pricey. Can anyone offer up some happy medium to this problem? I would like to have as much square footage as possible and still be mobile but also use reclaimed materials as well as keep the cost down (both inside and out). I did come up with the idea of eliminating the upper kitchen cupboards and using a lighter weight means of storage as one alternative. I like the look of real wood though and am not willing to use any cheap looking plastic for example on the inside. The outside I am more open to various ideas. Any other ideas? This is all related to the planning stage to figure out if EVERYTHING I want to do is doable (weight/size/cost to move wise) and in the end, still have a tiny mobile home I can move possibly OFTEN. My only daughter is young, married, and has one child but is not yet planted anywhere for sure. Question # 2. Also, I realize that it matters where I live (at the time) and where I move (somewhat) but can anyone give me a ball park figure (range) of what it costs to have the tiny home moved? I’m just looking for some ball park figures here. My initial thoughts are I am not that interested in owning a 1/2 ton or 1 ton truck for the purpose of moving my house since I will (at the most) move it 2-3 times a year and possibly a lot less than that (depending on my job and my daughter). I like the independence of owning my own truck and not relying on or paying someone else BUT I really don’t think it is going to be worth the cost of buying it and owning it and driving it year round for the amount of moving I may or may not do. I have a Prius now and I would like to keep it or go all electric someday in the future. The cost of moving it will matter in the end in the final decision making process. I COULD just go RV or boathouse and get the same mobility (same but different) BUT the tiny homes are – well – more homey looking and feeling. I heard two thousand dollars to have someone else move it for you was a fair guess. Does that sound reasonable? Seems like it COULD be cheaper. I’m a little stuck on this part of my thought process because I have driven a big U-Haul in the rain and wind and it is NOT fun fighting that steering wheel. I can handle the stress of such a move BUT that would be my HOUSE and not as easily replaceable as a car if it IS wrecked. I’m thinking bonded, insured.. professional would be the way to go BUT at minimum cost. Any suggestions? Anyone have some actual figures with mileage? Thank you again SO…much for your help because I am closing in on the final decision and I am definitely leaning the tiny house mobile way.

  • Wendy
    July 13, 2015, 1:01 am

    One more question. Is there a maximum square footage allowed to be considered a RV status and mobile tiny home?

  • Vernon OBM.
    July 21, 2015, 9:49 pm

    I am building a tiny creation on a goose-neck I-Beam trailer. I have moved this trailer short distances, Ten plus miles by connecting it to the Reese style hitch at the REAR of my 8000 Ford service truck. I believe that the same could be done with a flatbed or tow truck. Tow trucks are often licensed to move unusual items that are covered under their permits. If a box truck is used in this fashion make certain that the knee of the goose-neck does not impact the rear of the box because of the hinging action between the vehicles
    Vernon.

  • Casey Murphy
    July 27, 2015, 3:11 pm

    One thing to be aware of if you are thinking of renting a U-Haul to move a tiny house. U-Haul box trucks, the kind used for moving, have a 2″ ball that is welded to the truck and can’t be changed. The U-Haul vans and pickups have a 2″ receiver hitch which you and attach a 1-3/4″ or 2″ or 2-5/16″ ball to but you will have to supply your own ball or buy one from them.

    To make matters more difficult the U-Haul vans and pickups can generally only be rented for around town moves. If you want to rent for a one way move you have to rent the box truck and are stuck with the 2″ ball.

    Some Home Depots and Lowe’s also rent heavy duty trucks for taking product home with you. generally $19.95 for 75 minutes. These usually have a 2″ hitch.

  • J Dark
    July 29, 2015, 1:17 am

    One of the challenges of THOWs living. TH is not in my budget and saving for RV. I just went w/ a 5th wheel yesterday and found myself running crazy on the phone calling everything from campgrounds, parks, and repair centers to get names of RV movers. I found 1 I felt comfortable w/. He is picky and tires had to be new etc..but all to my benefit and protection. I do not know what kind of hitch mine is ie: ball or pin thing. I do know that 5th wheels are more stable and safer to tow and plenty build on these. Yes more trucks can pull a pull along, but after doing my research I found just renting a Uhaul would not cut it for a pull along.

    Uhaul box trucks are really an unsteady way to tow and though the hitch is rated up to only 6K pounds, it may not really hold up safely if you are towing a larger trailer under that weight-so I have heard several places.

    I have noticed transport or RV hauler [depending on weight] would be cheaper than say a tow company. Ever tow your car anywhere-wouldn’t want to pay that rate across state.

    I think part of it is networking and talking to people and collecting and keeping numbers you might need for the future, like the repair center I called – they gave me the name of a guy I heard about awhile ago and spoke w/, but did not know who he was. Came in handy when I had to do it the next day. A couple places I called told me they had storage only-filed that as the rates were good. May be a cheap option while I save for solar and the move.

    Really networking is the key especially if the TH is heavy.

    Again tires in GREAT shape a must. Even half used tires can blow and create disaster.

    I think I would tire quick of paying someone if I was moving around and not stationary. I am planing to move to one place after the work is done. Glad to be able to get most done at the same place near where I purchased, all out of state. Planned it that way, as finding competent service people in my state is hard. That way I was able to buy it where I was having the work done. Planning all that ahead gave me a 31 mile vs a 300 mile tow! The only downside of that is I will have to rent a truck to move my stuff to the new home, but that’s cheaper than a long tow.

    Think another requirement here is lots of planning and looking at different options for the best way to do things.

  • Michelle
    August 13, 2015, 8:28 am

    Check out the jeep wrangled, pretty good torque and ability to tow trailers, boats, and much more. You tube it!

    • Paul
      January 12, 2016, 12:44 pm

      Sorry Michelle, but a Jeep Wrangler will not tow any tiny house. The 2dr is rated for 2K lbs trailer and the 4dr is rated 3500 lbs. Those weights correspond to just the bare trailer that tiny houses are built on, or even a pop-up or teardrop campers. Perhaps the 4dr Wrangler Unlimited might be able to tow a micro house in the ~80sqft range, but that’s about it.

  • Michelle
    August 13, 2015, 8:29 am

    Check out the jeep wrangler, pretty good torque and ability to tow trailers, boats, and much more. You tube it!

  • Rich
    September 8, 2015, 4:43 pm

    I’m toying with building a tiny vardo style house and towing it about 100 miles north of Seattle. I’ve got an old Tacoma rated at 3500 lbs towing capacity. So, how to have a vardo that’s big enough not to make me crazy, yet small enough to move with my Tacoma. One idea that just popped into my head is to move the vardo in sections and assemble on site. In other words, a knock down vardo. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

  • Lloyd Bronson
    November 20, 2019, 2:18 pm

    I’m thankful that your article brings to light the fact that hiring towing services to transport a tiny house would be less expensive than simply opting to purchase a largescale vehicle. My spouse and I are looking to adapt to this sort of living, as we believe it would be a nice change of pace. We’ll be sure to get into contact with a towing service later on down the line!

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.