Not every tiny house needs cathedral ceilings, custom cabinetry, or a five-figure price tag. The “Plain Jane” demonstrates that a functional tiny home on wheels can be built on a modest single-axle utility trailer while still including the essentials for comfortable living.
Compact Footprint, Complete Amenities
Built on a 7-foot by 12-foot single-axle utility trailer (84 square feet), Plain Jane proves that thoughtful design can pack substantial livability into minimal space:
- Living area with compact seating
- Built-in desk for work or hobbies
- Multiple storage areas throughout
- Kitchenette with sink, refrigerator, and storage
- Sleeping loft accommodating a queen-size bed
- Additional loft storage above the main space
- Bathroom area with portable toilet, sink, and shower
- Climate control via 5,000 BTU air conditioner
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This Tumbleweed Fencl tiny house, built by a young married couple named Collin and Joanna, showcases what’s possible with the popular 130 square foot floor plan. Their DIY build demonstrates how much living space you can fit into a tiny house on wheels.
About the Tumbleweed Fencl
The Fencl is one of Tumbleweed’s classic tiny house designs, built on a dual axle trailer. At 130 square feet with an upstairs sleeping loft, it’s become a popular choice for couples looking to build their own tiny home.
What Fits in 130 Square Feet
Collin and Joanna’s build proves you can fit more than you’d expect into a Fencl:
- Two lounge chairs
- Fireplace
- Pull-out couch (doubles as guest sleeping)
- Full-sized shower
- Complete kitchen
- Storage loft
- Plenty of shelving
- Two wardrobe closets
- Sleeping loft with additional storage
Kitchen Design
One standout feature of this build is the kitchen. The design maximizes counter space and storage while maintaining an open feel.
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Tiny houses offer a compelling solution for elderly individuals who want to maintain their independence. In this interview, builder Stephen Marshall of Little House on the Trailer discusses how small spaces on wheels can help seniors age in place—and the zoning challenges that come with this approach.
About Stephen Marshall
Stephen Marshall has been building since age 19 and has always been passionate about designing and constructing homes. His company, Little House on the Trailer, specialized in tiny houses ranging from 120 to 400 square feet.
What makes his perspective valuable: most of his clients were elderly people seeking to remain independent while staying close to family.
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Architect Luke Clark Tyler demonstrates that extreme small-space living is possible—even while working from home. His 78 square foot Manhattan apartment functions as both living quarters and architecture office, proving that thoughtful design can make even the smallest spaces functional.
Apartment with Bed Stored
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This completely customized 33-foot diesel motorhome showcases what’s possible with a custom RV conversion. The standout feature: two 8′ x 7′ hydraulic fold-out rooms that combine to create one large living area when deployed.
Powertrain & Chassis
Built on a solid foundation for full-time travel:
- Engine: 7.3L International Turbo diesel
- Transmission: Automatic
- Suspension: Air-ride
- Towing: Package already installed
- Leveling: Automatic levelers
Interior Features
The interior was completely re-done with quality finishes:
- Double bed
- Maple cabinets throughout
- Side entry kitchen
- Breakfast nook
- Full bathroom with shower
- Living room area
- Dining room
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The Roll It house challenges conventional thinking about tiny home design. Created as an experimental dwelling concept, this cylindrical structure transforms its interior simply by rotating—turning a workspace into a bedroom or a kitchen into a bathroom with a gentle push.
How the Rotating Design Works
Unlike traditional tiny houses where furniture folds or slides, Roll It takes a fundamentally different approach. The entire cylindrical interior rotates 180 degrees, revealing completely different functional zones on opposite sides of the drum.
The transformation mechanism includes:
- Desk to bed conversion: Rotate the cylinder and a work surface becomes a sleeping area
- Velcro-secured mattress: Bedding stays in place during rotation
- Hidden storage: Pillows, blankets, clothing, and linens stored underneath the sleeping surface
- Kitchen to bathroom: The utility zone rotates between cooking and bathing functions
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The Adventure Craft AC2800—which the company calls a “CABINYACHT”—brings together the comfort of a small houseboat with the practicality of a trailerable vessel. At 28.5 feet, it’s compact enough to tow yet spacious enough to serve as a floating tiny home.
What Makes It a Mini Yacht
Unlike typical small boats, the AC2800 offers genuine living amenities:
- Bathroom with shower
- Hot water heater
- Refrigerator
- Coffee maker
- Microwave
- Air conditioning
- On-board battery charger
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What if a teenager decided to build their own tiny house instead of accepting the traditional path of college dorms and apartments? That’s exactly what Austin Hay did, becoming one of the youngest tiny house builders in the movement’s history.
At just 16 years old, Austin began building his own Fencl tiny house in the backyard of his parents’ home in Santa Rosa, California. His goal was to have his own space to live in through high school, college, and beyond—without the burden of dorm costs or rent.
Photo Credit: Austin Hay
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MIT has come up with what they call SOFT Rockers.
They are unique loungers made with solar panels to collect and generate energy.
You would be able to rock them so you can properly align them with the sun to maximize energy production.
When you sit inside it gives you feedback on how you can change your positioning to gain more power.
You can then charge or run any USB device like your laptop, cell phone or mp3 player.
Photo Credit: Philip Ropert
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