Back in January of 2009 I covered Gratitude Millworks and builder Kent McCaffrey and his quality Park Model Style home. Kent contacted me recently to share his latest project called the Holly Pond Cottage. Following is his description of this neat little building. You can also learn more by visiting the Gratitude Millworks, LLC website.

The Holly Pond Cottage is really beautiful inside and out with lots of light and yet a real cozy secure feeling inside. Notice the pressure treated timbers used for the foundation frame. 2X6 exterior stud walls. R19 plus (with extra pocket airspace) in floor, walls, and ceiling.

Full bath with shower and on demand continuous hot water heater. Closet with washer/dryer hookup. Kitchenette with two burner cooktop, sink, under counter refrigerator space, custom cabinets and custom corian type counter. Digitally controlled heat and air conditioning. Built in bookshelf that doubles as a ladder to loft. Loft has a triple window that looks down on the timbered porch.

*** The measurements of the cottage are:
Outside size – 12×24
Porch – 4×8
Great Room – 10×16
Bathroom – 6×6
Loft – Fits a twin mattress
Wall height – 7 ft. 3 inches
Electric hookup – 200 amp

$24,000 plus delivery charge based on mileage. Call 256-339-1478 and mention you heard about it on the Tiny House Blog.

The great room has hand planed heart pine flooring with chair rail and wide base trim throughout and beaded board wood walls and ceiling. The french doors open to the back waiting for a mountain or lake scene to look out upon. The front porch is protected and substantial.

I’ve always enjoyed figuring out ways to beat the system. Now I’m not complaining about how life has treated me over the years, but know in my heart there are other ways that might be better, more fitting to an individuals needs or desire when it comes to living space. A big house with lots of rooms might be cool for a while, but as we all know the rooms tend to fill up with stuff, as nature and houses both abhor a vacuum. So small is good right? Now, I admit this “8 wide stand up loft cabin” isn’t as small as many of you tiny housers go, but hey, I’ve got stuff too! The cabin is LARGE when concerning the rig that can pull it. Tipping the scales at 13,200 lb. it is on the verge of being too heavy to pull with a 3/4 ton truck, and though I have, a one ton would be better. I will say though it has exceptional balance and tongue weight, so if you go slow and there is only a light wind it can be moved safely. By the way I didn’t design it to be pulled any great distance, except occasionally and with a larger rig, and so the weight wasn’t going to be a issue as long as it didn’t become too heavy. Enough said about the weight! On to more important things like how is it built, and will I be warm in the winter, and how much is it?

Built as a show cabin and for the occasional trip down to the river for a weekend, the cabin sports a lot of great features and innovations. Let me walk you through it.

Built with conventional building materials, the cabin presents itself as the look that RPC- Rich’s Portable Cabins, has become know for. Combined with what I call the “underslung floor system”- my unique approach to solving the height issues encountered when building functional loft cabins- and the steepness of the roof, the cabin height is well under 14′ and will go most places without a problem. Be aware that the cabin is a low rider, a street rod of sorts, and may drag on the rare tall speed bump.

The under side is protected from the critters with heavy sheet metal adhered to some osb, and offers protection from the elements too. Insulation in the floor cavity is 10″ thick and has an R value of 38. I guarantee there is no cabin anywhere that has more insulation than that in the floor. R 13 in the walls and R30 or so in the vaulted ceiling. Loft has less because of the rafters, but still I don’t think it will be a problem to heat it when it is 10 below outside. The steel frame and axles contribute significant weight to the cabin and could have used smaller steel, but it’s what I had on hand at the time.

The framing is always fun and relatively easy, but one needs to pay attention to framing and design details so everything fits, and we all know there is hardly nothing worse that going backwards! One thing to remember when building larger cabins is that steel bends, so be sure to consider how the steel beams will react to weight. Sorry, the only way to know how much camber and where to put it in the frame is by experience only. Camber is applied by using a large stick welder at about 300 amps.

Next is bracing and sub skin. To keep the cabin walls straight requires straps, sheathing or a combination of both. If there is one thing I’ve taught my crew its this: Stand back and look at what you’re doing on occasion, line up the lines and develop a good eye for verification that all is well. It’s easy to nail a stud on the wrong side of the layout line, and if a fellow can catch it right away, it’s so much easier rather that having the boss catch it!

Pine interior is a pleasure to work with, but pay attention to loose knots and bad color. We always put two coats of water based lacquer on the interior to give it added protection and shine. It will make the walls easier to clean and won’t hold the dust as readily. The wood is 3/4″ thick and though heavier than 1/4″ paneling, it is far superior. Put a nail anywhere to hang your pictures. A word of caution: don’t drive the nail more than an inch deep, because you never can tell where a wire might be, and a nail could short out the wires.

Speaking of wires, this cabin is fully wired to NEC and has numerous outlets. Plenty for all the electronics and other stuff. It also has an inverter and batteries for when you need to be off grid, and even has a solar panel on the roof for gentle charging of the batteries. If you need to run a generator to power the cabin its easy to plug it in, and with the built in charger on the inverter, the batteries will be charged at the same time.

The bathroom is large due to the design, but firmly believe there is nothing wrong with a bathroom big enough to dry yourself off in without hitting your knuckles on the wall. The shower is huge at 36″, and has a glass shower door. The toilet is a low flush RV type toilet, and dumps into a 32 gallon black water holding tank. The shower, washer/dryer and the kitchen sink drain into a gray water holding tank, also 30+ gallons in size. The cabin has 40 gallon fresh water tank and a 12 volt pump system for when you’re off grid. The hot water is provided with a on demand water heater so you never run out of hot water.

The stand up loft feature is an element I’m very proud of. I developed the concept and lead the industry with this feature and because of the design, can accommodate a person who is well over 6′ in the loft trough. There is lots of storage beneath the trough floor, and even has a stand up utility room beneath the stairs for the systems.

Appliances are: medium sized propane fridge with freezer, 40,000 Btu propane forced air furnace, propane range, microhood, Eurotech washer/dryer, Rinnai tankless water heater, small ac in the loft. Has custom lighting as well plus a ceiling fan.

The exterior siding is tongue and groove cedar with two coats of oil based stain, and since the cabin is house wrapped, there should be no issues with moisture or water damage to the structure. The roof is metal and is screwed into Doug fir 1×4. The fir wood really holds the screws well, and won’t back out after a few years in the sun and winters. Windows are of the typical vinyl variety, but have low E for extra insulation value.

The cabinets are assembled and installed, interior walls installed, flooring goes in and finally on to the trim. And if you are like all the rest of us, by the time you get to the finishing touches, you’re ready for this grand adventure to be done. Let’s get on with the next cabin shall we?

There are a lot of steps in between that I didn’t mention, and if you decide to give cabin building a try, be prepared to spend hundreds of hours for a cabin of this nature. Or have me build it for you. The price on this cabin is $42,000 www.richsportablecabins.com

This unit, as nearly all the builds we do, was a custom build for a couple in the Springfield, MO area. It is a park model type of cabin built on a steel frame with axles and bumper pull hitch. It is 10′ wide and 28′ long and has a studio style layout.

It has a loft over the “bedroom” area that can be used for storage or added sleeping area if needed. The bathroom has a 36″ shower stall, full size toilet and 18″ sink/vanity. The kitchen as seen in the pictures is not complete as the buyers will install their own range, fridge and microwave, it has a double basin sink and added counter space with open area below for custom storage.

The cabin has a 220 heat/air combo unit, 19 gallon water heater, wired like a house with 12-2 w ground, plumbed with p.e.x and pvc as applicable, interior is 3/4″ pine tongue and groove beaded siding on walls and vaulted ceilings, hardwood laminate flooring, full 36″ entry door.

The cabin is constructed with 2×8 floor joist 16″ on center with steel hurricane ties, 3/4″ floor decking, full 2×4 framing 16″ on center, the entire cabin was covered with osb before the metal siding and roof were installed, the buyers wanted a maint. free exterior and decided upon light stone color sides and trim with ivy green roof.

This cabin was custom built to their specs but I am offering to duplicate this unit one time through Kent’s blog for $16,000, this would include a completed kitchen and the buyer can make some minor layout changes if needed and can also change exterior color as well as change exterior siding if needed.

I would be willing to sell this unit just dried in allowing the buyer to finish the interior, it can have either the metal sides as in the pics or rustic wood or painted siding, I would take $8500 for that version.

I will include delivery upto 300 miles from Mountain View, AR 72560 with additional delivery distance possible. For more info feel free to email or call Scott anytime, thanks. ozarksbest@yahoo.com  or 870-213-5310

As campground owners in Hayward Wi. we are always looking to bring in new campers to our resort. For 4 years we were strictly RV’s, 5th wheels and tent camping. After doing extensive research we decide to start up Namekagon Cabin’s.

More and more campgrounds and resorts are moving to park models for seasonal sites and rentals.

Namekagon Cabin’s are built to RPTIA standards and we are in the process of becoming a RPTIA Park Model manufacturer. We have built and sold 2 cabins with both being used as seasonal sites at Camp Namekagon. We have had great response on both cabins and have had many others interested in purchasing one of our cabins.

Namekagon Cabin’s are starting at the low cost of $32,000.00 and can be customized to each buyer’s wants and needs. The cabins are stick built construction. 4” walls, 8”floor (for added insulation) and engineered roof trusses. Exterior is 2×8 pine half log siding with a sikkens natural oak stain. Interior consists of ¾” pine car sidings and 5/8” drywall. This particular model is 384 sq. ft. that includes a wrap around deck. We are currently working on a few more designs. For more information please contact us at: campnamekagon@centurytel.net.

***Update with pricing etc. below first picture.

I don’t know about you, but I am very impressed with his design and his ability to bring a rustic and modern look together. Jamie did not give me any pricing details at this time but he did stress that it is a high quality and a low cost design. If there is enough interest in this model I will ask him for more details and information.

Jamie says: It took me a while to come up with the finalized design, working with small spaces is a difficult process. The “Park Model” is built out of SIP panels and SIP roof system, 4″ walls and 6″ roof, keeping heating and cooling costs down. The exterior of the unit is a mixture of rusty metal and cedar siding that was stained to look like barn wood. One could use barn wood although it would be 4x the cost. I am currently working on building more of these units and will ship to quite a few this summer. For more details and materials used feel free to contact me at jamie@mackaydevelopments.com

This unit cost $95,000.

The 400-square foot unit has solar panels on its roof, which are capable of producing 2 kilowatts of power. The unit also has a prototype backup propane generator, bamboo flooring, LED lighting, recycled axels and tires, recycled lumber composite decking, rinnai on-demand water heating, energy efficient heating and air-conditioning.

The unit has also been equipped with a complete assortment of eco-friendly cleaning and bathroom products, including coreless toilet paper that leaves no cardboard core at the end of the roll. Even the unit’s Amish-style furniture has been manufactured from recycled milk jugs and recycled hickory wood.

“We are very proud of this unit,” said Tim Gage, Cavco’s vice president, after trucking the 400-square foot cottage 2,600 miles to the Herkimer Diamond KOA campground in upstate New York. “It demonstrates not only the extent to which campgrounds are pursuing green initiatives, but it shows what Cavco is capable of producing as a company.”

Tim tells me that they are getting so many emails and requests for smaller homes and of course solar. With all the Green elements and 2KW of Off Grid Solar it will be available for $68,000 to the public. Freight, Generator and set-up is additional. One other item that I wanted to mention was that GENERAC is using a prototype propane generator for off grid living on the lodge. Very quiet when running.

For more information on Cavco’s eco-friendly park models, please contact Tim Gage at (602) 763-5488. www.cavcoparkhomes.com

18′ RV Park Model cottage house – $4999 cash! The price blows me away and I even question it, so if anyone is in the area and can check this out please do and comment below. I did a screen capture of the ad as craigslist eventually removes them. Here is the video on YouTube.

Yvonne just sent me the link to the $3,899 green house, you can check it out here.

I live in Sonoma County in Northern California and it has kind of become a mecca for tiny house builders. There are three all within a 20 mile radius and I think there will be more in the future.

Another area in the Northwest seems to be taking on this same idea and it is Port Townsend Washington. There are several small or tiny house builders in that community and I recently discovered another one.

Ann Raab and Suzanne DeVall have recently started a company called GreenPodTM Development LLC which designs and builds custom, modular homes, which emphasize style, sustainability, and health. All products offered are chosen with concern for indoor air quality, durability and environmental responsibility.

Well-designed smaller spaces utilizing multi-purpose furnishings are the signature of GreenPodTM homes. Every Pod features low air infiltration design, aluminum clad wood windows, energy saving appliances, and LED lighting. The passive solar design of the homes saves energy naturally, while the interior glass doors and high windows create comfortable, naturally-lit living areas.

Every Pod contains low flow plumbing. Options include greywater recycling, rain water storage, roof gardens or living roofs. Pods can also be placed on Diamond Pin foundations, further reducing their ecological footprint.

Our attention to detail and sustainability also extends to the GreenPod’s interiors. Our exclusive textiles include linens and furnishings in four color palettes. The certified 100 percent organic cotton, bamboo, and hemp used in the interiors are biodegradable and completely sustainable.>

What makes GreenPodTM an Intelligent Environment?

• Respectful use of resources
• Environmentally smart design
• Concern for health, safety, and the future.
• Practices ‘closed loop cycle’
• Encourages local sustainability
• Savings in construction costs, maintenance, and utilities use

Pictured here are several of their designs and a couple interior pictures as well. If you are looking for a quality small home and are on the west coast be sure and check these out. Visit the GreenPod website to view the floor plans, pricing and more.

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A few weeks ago I was visiting the small town of Virginia City near my home in Washoe Valley, NV and I came across a few small park models that I had never seen before. The models were available for short or long term rental in a small trailer park above the famous Virginia City cemetery.

The Sportsman Series from Superior Park Model Homes were smaller than other park models I have seen, but still had everything you need in a tiny home.

The one I visited had a main room with a ladder to a small loft, a back bedroom and a small RV style bathroom. The walls were paneled in warm cedar and it had the most recent appliances. On that gray, rainy day, it was very cozy.

Superior has four different model homes to choose from and about 23 different floorplans. Each model is about 11 feet wide and range in length from about 16 feet to about 40 feet long.

The Sportsman Series also offers:

• 10? Detachable Hitch
• Triple Axles, 2 Brake W/ 1 Idle and New Tires
• 2 X 6 Floor Joists 16? O.C.
• 3/4? Tongue & Groove Sub-Floor with a 50 year Limited Warranty
• Insulated Heat Duct In Floor
• 2 X 4 Exterior Walls 16? O.C.
• 2 X 4 Interior Walls 16? O.C.
• Windzone III, Tie Down Brackets Welded to the Frame
• 29 Gauge Colored Metal Roof or 20-Year Architectural Shingles
• R-22 Insulation in Floors, R-13 in Walls, R-22 in Roof
• Real Wood Log Exterior Stained, Sealed and Caulked

By Christina Nellemann

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I have been communicating with Tim Gage, vice president of Cavco’s Specialty Division about the company’s new off-grid solar park model home. Tim has shared with me the following information from his press release regarding this new home.

The solar home has a $47,000 starting price, and this home shown here has options that top it out around $70,000.

Options like Bamboo flooring, upgrade slate tile backsplashes, upgrade kitchen cabinets, 12’ sliding glass doors etc. If you are in the Pomona, California area, you can view this model at the California RV Show through October 19, 2008. Be sure and page down to view all the pictures and a floor plan of the solar powered park model.

Cavco becomes nation’s first company in the RV Business to produce factory delivered, Solar-Powered Park Models.

Cavco’s park models, which are used as vacation cottages at campgrounds and RV resorts across the country, are now being equipped with solar panels and batteries provided through an exclusive arrangement with Ready Solar Inc. of Redwood City, Calif.

The recreational park trailer or “park model” industry is gaining notoriety as growing numbers of consumers discover that the 400-square foot cottage-like units can be permanently placed in campgrounds and RV resorts and used as low cost vacation cabins.

But thanks to Phoenix-based Cavco Industries, consumers who purchase these units will not only obtaining a vacation cottage at a fraction of the price of a site built home or condo. They’re also doing something positive for the environment.

Cavco has become the first park model manufacturer in the country to produce solar powered park models.

“We believe we are the first company in the RV business to produce a trailer product that can produce its own electrical power,” said Tim Gage, vice president of Cavco’s Specialty Division, which produces park model cabins. He added that demand for the 400-square foot cabins has been “off the charts” since the company introduced the product in June.

Still relatively unknown to most consumers, recreational park trailers or “park models” are 400-square foot movable resort cottages that are designed exclusively for part-time recreational use. Typically upscale in appearance, they often include hardwood floors, bay windows and lofts as well as cherry, oak or maple cabinetry.

And because park models are technically classified as recreational vehicles, they can be set up on leased or purchased sites in campgrounds and RV parks and used as weekend retreats or seasonal vacation dwellings.

But unlike most trailer products, which have to be hooked up to electrical utilities, Cavco’s solar powered park models have enough panels to generate their own power. The units come equipped with energy efficient light bulbs and kitchen appliances, including tankless water heaters, as well as maintenance free batteries that are designed to store enough power to last for two days. Gasoline-powered generators are also provided as an emergency backup system. But Gage said he anticipates that most of Cavco’s solar powered park models will be sold to consumers in Southwestern, Rocky Mountain and Sunbelt states, where there is plenty of sunshine to keep the batteries charged.

Cavco is providing the solar technology through an exclusive arrangement with Redwood City, Calif.-based Ready Solar, Inc. He said the solar packages, which include panels and batteries, add about $5,000 to $7,000 to the price of a park model, depending on the park model’s solar energy requirements. The typical park model sells for about $40,000 without the solar power capability.

“Our adoption of solar energy systems is the first chapter of our efforts to develop green park models,” Gage said, adding, “There will likely be 10 more chapters as we get further into this.”

For more information on Cavco’s park models or its solar energy systems, please contact Tim Gage at (602) 763-5488 or Meredith McClintock at Ready Solar Inc. at (650) 255-1828 and visit their respective websites at www.cavcoparkhomes.com and www.readysolar.com.

Cavco Kitchen

Cavco Living Room

Cavco Bathroom

Cavco Bedroom

Ready Solar Instruments

Cavco Freedom-6 Floor Plan

Cavco Off Grid at RV Show in Pomona, CA

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