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Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer: Traveling the US


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I love seeing what people can do with limited resources! For just $3k, Michael was able to create a super cool house on wheels using mainly reclaimed materials. He even has a sun porch!

He uses his micro THOW to travel the US and stay for free on BLM land. He’s spent most of his time since he went tiny in December 2020 in Arizona.

Michael even managed to fit a shower into this 60 square foot home! Enjoy his photo tour below, and read all about his conversion at the end of the post.

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Just 60 Square Feet (Plus a Sunroom) Micro THOW DIY

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 7

Images via Michael

Now that’s a view worth living tiny for!

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 9

Images via Michael

Here’s Michael’s current secluded spot.

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 4

Images via Michael

Built up loft bed for Michael and his dog.

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 10

Images via Michael

Morning coffee vibes.

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 14

Images via Michael

His shower in his screened-in porch.

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 13

Images via Michael

Kitchen area on the porch as well.

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 12

Images via Michael

Door to the porch.

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 11

Images via Michael

Shiny blue counter!

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 15

Images via Michael

Where would you park this?

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 6

Images via Michael

He also has his truck for storing things.

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer

Images via Michael

Get closer to nature!

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 3

Images via Michael

Michael’s $3K Micro Trailer 8

Images via Michael

Michael Tells His Story:

My “tiny house” is actually a micro cabin camper with about 60 sq ft not including the newly added on screened-in porch. I’ve been living AND traveling in it since the beginning of December 2020.

I’ve started out with a “shell” that I’ve purchased from off of Facebook Market Place for only $1,500. It had been used as a “camper” by the previous owner, but it needed a complete interior rebuild. I’ve also attached the “camper” onto a larger trailer to give it more support than the smaller trailer. This allowed me to travel and park the tiny cabin in campsites that would have been difficult to get into otherwise.

I’ve rebuilt the micro cabin with some reclaimed materials and some new as well. So, all in all, my total cost with materials, new trailer, and the “shell” was only about $3,000. The rebuild took me about 3 months to complete and an additional 2 weeks of further upgrades while spending a winter from beginning of December 2020 to March 4th, 2021 in Quartzsite Arizona.

What had inspired me to do my cabin camper build was the Nomadic life style that I have been following on YouTube. It was the freedom of being able to travel full-time instead of being a slave to the bigger house is what influenced me to build a light weight “tiny house” that I can travel in full-time and go to places where a bigger tiny house would not allow me to go.

So far I’ve been to Quartzsite AZ, Yuma AZ (Imperial Dam BLM Campground on the lake), and now at Sedona AZ BLM Campground tucked way back in a spot with amazing views where hardly anyone else is around! I chose to do the micro cabin camper over a regular RV because I know that it is insulated very well and is very durable to high winds and rough roads in these types of BLM campsites that I’ve been going to. My plans for the up coming year is to continue traveling in the Northwest area of the US as well as Colorado and Utah to name a few other areas. This is a great lifestyle as a Nomad traveling with a micro cabin camper and would highly recommend it to anyone who may want and have been considering this type of lifestyle.

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Natalie C. McKee

Natalie C. McKee is a contributor for Tiny House Talk and the Tiny House Newsletter. She's a wife, and mama of three little kids. She and her family are homesteaders with sheep, goats, chickens, ducks and quail on their happy little acre.

Latest posts by Natalie C. McKee (see all)

{ 2 comments… add one }
  • Marsha Cowan
    March 26, 2021, 10:34 am

    Well, Michael, you have all the comforts of home, and I like the shower idea. The blue counter turned out nicely, and it looks like you have storage underneath. Putting the hot cookstove on the porch was also a good idea, and it looks like you have some bright outdoor lights on front of the porch when you need them. Couple of questions: how do you store water for the shower, and does your solar system support the AC? Safe travels and God bless.

  • Sherryl Lynn Jones
    March 26, 2021, 9:59 pm

    Hi Michael, that is fantastic!!! I always have wanted to travel. Just not too far!! Closest I am or will be is a tent & air mattress & just me bc I’m 67 now. Love your build! Do things stay pretty stable in there when you’re moving? And do you have a YouTube or other way to follow your travels & sunsets!? Tyfs!!🙏❤🙏👵

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