DIY Micro Camper Trailer

As most of you know we’re all getting together July 6-9, 2012 for Tiny House Summer Camp hosted by Derek “DEEK” Diedricksen in Vermont.

If you decide you want to go, hurry and sign up right now because there are only around 4 spots left.

If you want to go, tell Deek that Alex from Tiny House Talk sent you he may be able to give you the early bird rate. Again, if you want to go, hurry because the last few spots may go real soon.

Oh, and I forgot to mention that I’ll be there, too, along with a handful of interesting guest speakers from all over the country. It’s going to be a great time!

I’ll let Deek give you a video sneak peek on what you’ll get to see and experience there in a moment.

All construction skill sets are welcome even if you’re a complete beginner. The best part is that you’ll get some hands on experience with construction by attending.

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Plus you’ll get to check out and tour a bunch of really awesome cabins that Deek and his neighbors have built over the years including his 300 square foot cabin and his UB 30 tree house.

I’ll quit typing now and let you enjoy the video sneak peek.. [continue reading…]

This micro camper fits on the truck of many small trucks. The owner of this one used her Toyota Tacoma to carry it.

She calls it the NapCamper. It’s like a modern version of a gypsy wagon, don’t you think?

It’s a great way to travel because you’re not hauling a huge amount of weight so gas isn’t too expensive.

By the way, Cathy, the owner, is putting it up for sale in case you’re interested. Let me pass it on to her so she can tell you a little bit about it. Afterwards, feel free to ask your questions about it in the comments. Here’s Cathy…

Here are some photos of the “NapCamper” as I call it. I know there will be questions about its exact size and other details. I can answer those later. I’m at work now. Some basics:

1. The camper fits a small truck, like a Toyota Tacoma, which is what I carried it on. My Toyota is a gutless truck, and it had no trouble with the camper.

2. The camper was built by a boat-builder about 20 years ago. I don’t know him, but he did a great job!

3. Headspace is about 6 feet and width is also about 6 feet.

4. Footpump sink with a 5 gallon water tank.

5. There are 3 drawers, some kitchen space, and a small closet for storage.

6. There’s additional storage under the seats and above the wheel wells.

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Photos Courtesy of Cathy

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By Laura M. LaVoie

With the tiny house movement on the rise, it seems like more and more people- including couples and young families– are attempting to live smaller and smaller. In order to go smaller, many of us are downsizing with great abandon.

For me and my partner to transition comfortably into our 120 square home we had a lot to get rid of; things that we had accumulated over 17 years together. Here are a few tips I have learned over the last several years as we have made this big change in our lifestyle.

• • Small Steps. Downsizing can be terrifying when you start looking at all of the things you have and the memories that go with them. Sometimes it isn’t even sentimental. You might look at an object and think you could do something with it someday. I learned quickly that if I hadn’t yet I probably wouldn’t. You don’t have to eliminate all of your earthly possessions in one fell swoop. Do it in stages. Pick a weekend and pick a room and start there.

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I encourage you to read the other four lessons on downsizing below: [continue reading…]

This tiny & light fiberglass camper doubles as a boat.

It’s a mashup of a teardrop trailer, fiberglass camper, and a paddle boat.

Since it’s lightweight, it can be towed by just about any vehicle including 4 cylinder cars.

This would make for a perfect adventure toy that just about anyone can haul.

At just 32 square feet, it’s not tiny… It’s micro, but as I said earlier, it’s more of an adventure vehicle than anything.

It’s in new condition built on a 4 x 8 frame and weighs a total of 650 lbs.

Wouldn’t it be great to get to travel the country with something like this to take with you?

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Photo Credit American Dream Trailer Company

I encourage you to look at the rest of the photos below:  [continue reading…]

By Laura M. LaVoie

Fellow tiny house blogger Andrew Odom declared this week Tiny House Appreciation week. (Conveniently it falls during one of my other favorite appreciation weeks: Asheville Beer Week – but that is a little off topic.) I admire how Andrew has taken the tiny house movement by the horns. He points out how tiny house advocates are rarely one dimensional.

“Well, if you are like me, you are not just interested in tiny houses but also in homesteading, in technology, and in food sourcing.”

This resonated with me quite a bit. The Tiny House Movement is what led me here but the complete change of lifestyle is what keeps me excited every day. Now that we have moved into our tiny home we are making a lot of changes that could only happen by living small. Here are just a few.

• The way we eat. Since we live entirely off the grid we have decided to trade a traditional refrigerator for a small sterling engine cooler. Because of this we have to shop more often and eat fresh food faster. This has led us to supporting local agriculture through the farmers markets and participating in a CSA. Now we spend more time cooking and enjoying our meals

I encourage you to read the rest of this post below: [continue reading…]

Guest Post by Michael Mckenna

Zen House… I often hear that term about my little houses; breathe out, open your eyes, feel that feeling…Peace, soft edges, captivating small views of an otherwise big picture, a house that fits the land, and you, and, ahhhhh, tells you, you are home. Not modern, but not old-fashioned.  I think my houses sum up what most of us are looking for: to be comfortable in our skin. I am a great fan of Christopher Alexander and his book, Pattern Language.

He reminds us to think of the smallest detail: where to put the light switch, what is the most comfortable height for the kitchen counter, details that eventually make my houses as unique, as comfortable, and as “just right” as your favorite slippers. Pictured is Josefina’s House, a minimalist Artist, who gathers inspiration from nature and transforms it into large art forms for public places. She lives and makes art in a 600 square foot house.

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Small Zen Small Home on a Foundation

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I’ve been following Shane and Carrie’s process for a little while now after finding out about their blog, Clothesline Tiny Homes.

I was excited to find out that they were featured on ABC 12 in a video that you can actually watch (below) so you get the full tour of their new tiny house.

Shane is a contractor and he says he’s willing to build more if people want to buy them. For me, it’s just exciting to see more and more people- especially couples- choosing to live in tiny houses.

At just 204 square feet, it’s going to be a big change from what they were used to. But here’s the exciting part…

The couple’s housing bills are going down to $300 a month from $1300. That’s where part of the power of small comes in.

This allows Shane and Carrie to gain financial independence much faster. Not only that, but it also makes life way easier, simpler, and practically stress-free.

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Photo Credit Shane and Carrie at Clothesline Tiny Homes

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Guest Post by Andrew Odom

Just what does make a community? Is it a group of people with common interests or experience?

Perhaps, yes. But let’s face it. The commitment level of individuals within the group will range from highly engaged to slightly interested. The group membership will be fluid as folks ebb and flow.

So it’s a group of people with just a little in common?

Well, if you are like me, you are not just interested in tiny houses but also in homesteading, in technology, and in food sourcing. So perhaps this is not the main community for some. Perhaps it isn’t even the one with which they feel the strongest connection. People’s interests change over time, as circumstances change. But there always has to be a few that remain committed – né, passionate – day in and day out. They have to see past the slow days and the challenges and continue to find the drive and the excitement.

Does it depend on a few people making a lot of noise?

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Photo Credit Tiny r(E)volution

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