Trekker Trailers in central Florida has been building vintage and retro style teardrop trailers for over four years, but the company’s owner, Andrew, wanted to take his love of simple, tiny living to the next level and built a 70 square foot house on wheels that was recently sold to a 17-year-old student. His mother is also thinking of getting a tiny house.
“I have always loved campers and simple tiny living,” Andrew said. “I’ve been building teardrop campers for 4 years now, have restored many historic homes in my area, and have a love for form, function, and art. It seemed like a good fit for my talents to build a tiny house. Though my wife and I intend to retire in a tiny house, this one was built to sell so I tried to appeal to the lovers of the craft.
Watch a walk-through of the Trekker Trailer tiny house on the company’s Facebook page.
The Tiffany blue house is built with high quality materials like Galvalume roofing, cypress interior and exterior trim and some interesting and unique storage and space-saving details. The small living room couch (with a lovely skylight above it) has storage behind and underneath the seat and what Andrew calls a “hybrid Murphy bed” folds down from the back wall. The bed can be adjusted to sleep one or two people. The kitchen contains a sink, refrigerator, microwave and a slide-out pantry. The wet bath has fiberglass flooring and a composting toilet that can use BioBags. The water heater is a propane powered heater that is mounted on an exterior wall near the deck.
“I wasn’t happy with the idea of a loft bed. I know I certainly didn’t want to feel that squished or try to find my way down a little ladder in the dark in the middle of the night to use the bathroom,” Andrew said. “My “Hybrid Murphy bed” solved the problem well. It folds down from the wall just high enough to clear the living room furniture. It’s easy enough to get into with a stool or by stepping on the couch. This bed also keeps the overall height down and lowers the build cost.”
Andrew mentioned that he went with a composting toilet option because it was the easiest to change to meet the buyer’s choice. His personal choice for a kitchen of this size would be to have a 12 volt refrigerator and freezer and gas burners.
“I’d like to stay away from 110v to avoid the big energy losses associated with inverting,” he added.
Andrew said his other favorite tiny homes are the more contemporary homes built from unique or re-purposed materials. He plans to build a more contemporary home with some high tech and artistic details.
“Maybe it will even have an observation deck,” Andrew said. “I have so many ideas and so little time. One of our goals is to have a quaint tiny community. An artist will always need more canvas.”
Photos courtesy of Trekker Trailers
By Christina Nellemann for the [Tiny House Blog]
I’ve own one of Andrews “Adam’s” Camper for about 2-1/2 year and it’s been one of my greatest purchases. I love staying in it every chance I get.
FYI, this tiny house is currently for sale:
http://tinyhouselistings.com/tiny-house-6/
If you’re reading this, Andrew, this is awesome! I love how much you’ve packed so efficiently into this small space.
Hey guys you should check our new Tiny House. It came out so awesome.
http://tinyhouselistings.com/tiny-house-2-by-trekkertrailers/
Very nice. Always love new ideas for the bed. : )
Andrew you might get with Brad Kittel at Tiny Texas Houses and discuss your village Idea, he has a plan working that is hart to beat. But really any plan would probably work along with Brads and your plan. Chappin in Puget Sound Washington started pocket neighborhoods on Widby Island that worked well back in the 80’s.
Really like your design with beds downstairs, is that the shower at the bottom of the toilet? Also noticed no washer facility? This plan shows that the more people get involved, the better the designs get. Thanks!