Tim wanted to keep living in Colorado, but needed a more affordable option. His solution? Build a 32-foot-long tiny house on a gooseneck trailer — and he did it in just three months for about $42,000. While he says he wouldn’t attempt that kind of timeline again, he loved the process and would definitely build another home if he needed to in the future. His off-grid tiny house is packed with creative features, from a lifted bathroom that hides a water tank and heater underneath the floor to a penny-and-epoxy shower basin that he crafted by hand. It’s a great example of what’s possible when you combine determination, creativity, and a willingness to learn as you go.
Images via Tiny House Giant Journey
Tim grew up in Alaska experiencing the outdoors, and as an adult he moved to Colorado where he dreamed of building his own tiny home. With housing costs rising, a DIY tiny house on a gooseneck trailer turned out to be the most practical way to stay in the state he loves.
Outdoor Living and Wrap-Around Deck
Images via Tiny House Giant Journey
Tim lives with his dog and enjoys spending time on the deck he’s been building around the tiny house. The wrap-around deck serves a practical purpose too — it gives him access to the back “garage” storage space without needing a ladder. For anyone building on a gooseneck trailer, adding a deck is a smart way to extend your usable living space outdoors.
Gooseneck Bedroom with Skylight
Images via Tiny House Giant Journey
The gooseneck section of the trailer provides Tim’s bedroom, where he can just barely stand — a common trade-off with gooseneck designs. He added a skylight to bring in natural light and make the space feel more open. The skylight was a learning experience: his first used unit leaked, so he upgraded to a new one to keep it watertight. It’s a good reminder for builders that skylights require careful installation and waterproofing, especially in a mobile structure.
Video Tour: Tim’s Off-Grid Tiny House Build
Watch the full tour of Tim’s $42K DIY off-grid tiny house and hear about his 90-day building journey:
Highlights of Tim’s DIY Off-Grid Tiny House
- Builder: Tim (DIY, first-time builder)
- Location: Colorado
- Cost: Approximately $42,000
- Build Time: 90 days (3 months)
- Type: 32-foot gooseneck trailer
- Power: Fully off-grid with solar array
- Bedroom: Gooseneck section with skylight
- Kitchen: Full oven, drawer dishwasher under fridge
- Bathroom: Lifted floor design with penny-epoxy shower basin
- Living: Loveseat seating area
- Outdoor: Wrap-around deck (in progress)
- Design Style: Functional, budget-conscious, handmade
Key Takeaways for Off-Grid Tiny House Builders
- Budget builds are real: Tim’s $42K total for a fully off-grid home shows that you don’t need a six-figure budget to live independently
- Gooseneck trailers add space: The gooseneck design provides a dedicated bedroom area above the hitch, freeing up the main floor for living
- Lifted bathrooms solve plumbing: Raising the bathroom floor creates space underneath for water tanks and heaters — a clever solution for off-grid water systems
- Skylights need proper installation: Tim’s experience with a leaking skylight is a common issue — invest in a quality skylight and waterproof it thoroughly
- Solar makes off-grid possible: A well-planned solar array can power an entire tiny house, eliminating monthly utility bills
- Pace yourself: While Tim completed his build in 90 days, he admits he wouldn’t rush that timeline again — taking more time leads to fewer mistakes
🏡 Want to learn how to build your own tiny house on wheels?
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- Paraglider’s Incredible DIY Tiny House
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Alex
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