As to Eric’s comments. RVing is big business here in Australia as the well healed baby boomers are retiring and packing up for a life on the road. Many of the RV’s currently being built are quite luxurious, and built to withstand rough terrain, all weather and to be completely off grid. Costing 100′s of 1,000′s of $’s, As do the vehicles that tow them – which is in my opinion the one big downside to these RV’s.

I know of one couple who have been living and travelling continously for 15 years, their RV being their only home. This particular RV actually appreciates in value over time due to the reputation of the manufacturer and proven durability of the product.

Having said that, yes I have seen the odd tiny house that appears to be substandard and not meeting the needs of the occupier. Some people just arent meant to be builders and its sad to see their dream of financial independence topple over.

However I see no reason why a well built “trailer home” should not last for generations to come. There are gypsy vardos built in the 1800′s early 1900′s that are still going strong.

They are not for everyone but obviously if well thought out and well build they are right for others.

I just designed, and am halfway through building one of these little houses. I appreciate that people are lobbing more than just enthusiasm for a fad toward these ideas.

The steel trailer mine sits on was built in 1973. It is as strong as the day it was built, then stiffened by a laminated plywood outer structure. I am treating the exterior better than I would any house I’ve worked on in this climate (Western Washington), so the ply structural shell should last 50 years or more… with normal maintenance (which is easier than a normal house because of the smaller scale).

Most RVs and mobile homes end up damaged by mold and rot, usually because of strange choices of material and difficult to maintain structures. Example: sheet metal over wood frame with plasticised paneling interior and bad airflow and drainage. Yuk.

Anyway, the size of these houses allows great integrity in the design and choice of materials. They are expensive per square foot, but cost is not always the bottom line in the story of our lives. Here’s to living GOOD… not big.

Abel in Olympia

these look like they are built with quality in mind. no comparison to a crappy rv imo…

Very interested in long-term construction.

I’m not sure why you believe the quality is better, almost all of these homes are being built with the exact same stick/balloon framing methods as a 1970′s trailer home or any modern McMansion. Two by fours, plywood, aluminum or wood siding, and wood paneling inside. Sure, they look a lot nicer, but the basic construction techniques are largely the same… apart from one being built in a factory and the other under awnings and tents by someone with limited experience that is.

The mere fact that you’ve got them on an portable, exposed, steel foundation is going to dramatically shorten their lifespans. Does anyone really see these things in use by the same owner(s) in 20 years? Heck, most of the trailers they’re built on even have warranty’s that long, many are only one year. They’re certainly not something you’re going to pass down to the next generation, much less a few generations.

Again, I don’t believe you can ‘live small’ by building what is fundamentally a disposable home, no matter how small it may be.