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A Self-Built 120 Sq. Ft. Tumbleweed Tarleton from 2011

on September 10, 2021

This is a Tumbleweed Tarleton — but built by its owners rather than the factory. Evan and Gabby constructed it from Tumbleweed plans in 2011 and documented the process on their build blog, which is still online and worth reading if you are considering a plans-based build of your own.

At 120 square feet the Tarleton is a classic early-movement design, from the era when tiny houses were overwhelmingly owner-built from published plans rather than bought from manufacturers.

Editor’s note: this home was later listed for sale and has since sold. We’ve kept the tour up as a record of a well-documented self-build. Current listings are linked below.

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Inside a 2011 Owner-Built Tarleton


Design Details

  • Built in 2011
  • “For Sale”
  • 120-sq.-ft.
  • Fully furnished
  • Built on a Heartland Trailers 8×20 double-axle car hauler trailer with electric brakes
  • Weighs just under 8,000lbs
  • Has been towed using a U-haul moving van
  • Cedar siding
  • Metal roof
  • 8×16 knotty pine interior space
  • Hand finished with all natural tung oil
  • Private sleeping loft with a Jeld Wed window
  • Loft is accessible by a stow-able pine ladder
  • 8×2 storage loft with Jeld Wed window that allows for cross ventilation
  • 8×4 covered deck/’mud room’
  • 112V electric with optional 30/50-amp hookups
  • Stainless steel shower stall with ultra-lo-w-flow shower head
  • Cedar lined enclosed bathroom
  • Stainless steel sink and counters
  • 30-gallon electric pump stainless steel water tank with Bosch 7-gallon electric water heater
  • Biolet composting toilet with fan-driven vent
  • Two-burner propane stove
  • Frigidaire combo refrigerator/freezer
  • Dickinson sailboat propane furnace
  • Jeld Wen double paned/gas-filled energy efficient windows
  • Two closets
  • Under-counter pantry
  • Multiple storage areas throughout
  • Walls, floors, and ceilings are insulated with all-natural Oregon Shepherd sheep’s wool insulation
  • This tiny house was built using Tumbleweed Tiny House Company’s Tarleton plans
  • It is registered as a hand-built RV
  • Optional add-ons include a 8’4″ x 8″ deck (available at no additional cost)
  • Large concrete slabs also available with cable tie-downs (no extra cost)
  • Listed for $39,000
  • Learn more below

What Plans-Based Self-Builds Teach

  • Published plans were how the movement started. Before manufacturers scaled up, almost every tiny house was owner-built from a set like Tumbleweed’s.
  • A build blog is worth more than a spec sheet. Documented decisions and mistakes are the most useful thing a self-builder can leave behind.
  • 120 sq. ft. was the original scale. Early designs were far smaller than the 30-footers common now — a reminder of how much the category has grown.
  • Self-builds sell on documentation. Buyers pay more when they can see how something was put together.

Learn more

Looking for Tiny Houses Currently For Sale?

This one has sold. Here’s what’s currently available.

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Alex

Alex Pino is the founder of Tiny House Talk, a leading resource on tiny homes and simple living since 2009. He helps readers discover unique homes, connect with builders, and explore alternative living.
{ 3 comments… add one }
  • Denise
    September 17, 2021, 9:27 am

    Absolutely gorgeous!

    Reply Link
  • Karen Rowland
    October 12, 2021, 4:49 am

    Where is the Self-Built Tarleton 120-sq.-ft. Tiny House located?

    Reply Link
    • James D.
      October 12, 2021, 6:04 pm

      According to the listing, Ashland, WI 54806

      Reply Link

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