by Juan
I have always been intrigued by small spaces and when I was stationed in West Berlin in the early 80’s, I noticed that the people there had little “Gardenplatz” structures in a certain area in the city specifically set aside for that.
These were little cabins in a fenced in area where the owners could take a little holiday and do some gardening. They grew flowers and vegetables there. This was during the time when the Berlin wall was still up and real estate was at a premium. When the wall went up, Berlin was basically surrounded and cut off from the rest of the world. Berliners had to make do with what they had on hand.
These little cabins provided them with a getaway while still in the city. It was a place of peace and quiet and an escape from the harsh reality of the cold war. Then when I saw Jay Shafer’s Tiny Tumbleweed Homes years ago I knew this is what I wanted to do. I haven’t yet decided on what to build, but in the meantime I’m living on the grid in my little camper. I bought my first motorhome while stationed in Alaska in the early 90’s.
I had a little four cylinder Toyota motorhome that we took all over Alaska and did some camping and gold panning. Now I have a 15′ Riverside Retro 155 travel trailer that I have been living in for the last 4 months at a local mobile home park on a river in Naples, Florida. I’ll include some photos of my setup. Custom Batman graphics by my sons at Bay Printing, Bay St Louis, Mississippi.. Once again, thank you for all the information you put out on this old concept turned new, tiny houses.
I was stationed in Darmstat Germany before the Berlin wall came down & saw the same little gardens & cabins all over Germany. Thought it was a great idea for those without a yard. I loved peering through the gates at these little paradises. Most had a fruit tree, raised beds & the garden house. Immaculate. Wish I’d taken photos.
https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSbGhVa30hBUlDWXFWeYrQBMPieXCWJB_Eiu8lpvzAXwSOO4hwj-A
In Sweden they little gardens are very common in large as well as small cities. Hope you can see the picture in the link as an example, otherwise google “kolonilott” on pictures.
Hi Lucy, thanks for your added comments to my post. Forgive me for taking so long to reply, I didn’t even know there were so many comments. Juan
Nice Bat Cave! 🙂
Hi Lucy, thanks for your added comments to my post. Forgive me for taking so long to reply, I didn’t even know there were so many comments. Juan
Thanks Cheldric!
I visited Estonia a few years ago. Most people who lived in the city had a small place called a “dacha” (sp?). They spent the summers (which were very short) there, growing vegetables. I also saw these in Ukraine. Most were “off the grid”.
Hi JUan,
I like your setup and feel that the micro homes on wheels especially that are currently on the market are way too expensive. One is much better off pricewise to find a used travel trailer and fix it up. I wonder if you would mind telling us what the monthly rent for a trailer space in Naples, Florida is?
Thanks,
Walt Barrett.com
Hi Walt, I agree with you that the tiny houses are a bit too expensive right now. You can find a nice travel trailer on CL or wherever for about $4000 more or less, depending on what your needs are and it would suit the purpose. The place I happen to be in right now cost’s $457 a month with water and sewage included, electric is separate but I have not spent more than $21 a month for it. There are other places in FL like lake Okechobee that has lots for $200 a month. You can find them at different prices depending on what’s in the area. Naples is a little higher but you’re less than two miles from the beach and all sorts of shopping and restaurants. If you have any other questions feel free to write. Juan
I’d be interested in the details of your sunshade support; it looks like that would be a good addition to my 3-season tiny house. I’d love to have a better idea of how it goes together, etc.
Hi Sarah, sorry it took me so long to respond. The shade came with the unit and it’s made by Carefree of Colorado. It is very easy to operate and is very strong, as I have been through some high winds here. You can also contact Riverside RV’s and ask them about it. Here’s their number, 574-596-4828. Good luck! You can also check their website out. riversidervs.net
Juan
In Poland, they have those garden huts outside the city too—–I’ve always loved them, and now I’m obsessed with the tiny house movement. But my first step will likely be a camper like yours!
Thanks for the comments Pam. A small travel trailer is a good start. Get a used one preferably until you figure out what works for you and and then you can find the ideal one. Juan
Holy Retro, Batman! Cool digs! Thanks for the history, too. Always fascinating to find out how our soldiers lived in other countries and to hear about other cultures. Thanks again.
Hi Marsha, ha ha your comment made me laugh. It was all my son’s idea. They have a print shop and decided I needed some better graphics than were on there. There are many benefits of soldiering around the world as you learn about other cultures and get great ideas for living. Juan
I enjoyed your article.
I’m a carpenter and I am currently looking for a travel trailer to live in and be able to take with me when I have out of town jobs.
I wondered if you could give me some information about buying replacement parts to re habilitate an older travel trailer?
I’ve checked with a few parks in Florida and they wouldn’t accept a trailer older than 10 years old, have you had any problem with being rejected because of the age of you trailer?
Thanks again for your article.
Jay
The trailer is new, or almost new. Here is the website of the manufacturer:
http://www.riversidervs.net/
Hi Jay, Thanks for reading my little blog and for the comments. I have never heard of parks restricting a camper because of it’s age, so I can’t help you on that one. As far as parts go, you’d have to google some parts supply places. I would check with some of the RV sales companies such as Camping World or directly to the manufacturer. Mine just looks retro, it is actually a 2013 model. You, being a carpenter, would be able to find a decent travel trailer very inexpensively that you can fix up. I’ve seen them on CL for less than $2000. That’s a good place to start looking. Good luck in your search, let me know if I can help any other way. I’m assuming you live in FL? I’d be happy to do some research and help you find something suitable. Juan
Nice camper. I’d live in it. ‘Tis a gift to be simple.
Thanks for the comment Valerie. It’s encouraging to know that there is a woman out there that embraces simple living. It’s not something you find in Naples, where they’re number 2 on the list of cities with the most millionaires. Ha ha, that makes for some interesting conversation, some friends of mine asked me to show their 5,000 square foot home to a prospective renter. You wouldn’t believe some of the homes I’ve seen here. Thanks again for the comment. Juan
We have a “Tiny House” at our camp. My husband and I built it and we love it. When I saw the “Bat Mobile” I was amazed to see the awning. We also have a Rpod for trips and we have searched for an awning the size of the one on the “Bat” Where did you find it or who makes them?
Hi Linda, thanks for the comments. Someone else also asked about the awning, it came with the camper but it’s make by Carefree of Colorado. That’s all I know about it. I guess you can check with riverside rv’s, here is their number. 574-596-4828. Juan
It’s all set up very nice and cozy,, But I see no closets space for hanging clothes and other storage items.. Where would you put items such as that ??
Hi Dominick, you’re absolutely right, there really is no closet space, as far as hanging things up. There is storage space under the seats and bed and I use plastic container drawers from Walmart to act as a chest of drawers. What I have done is, hung a rod across the back of my van that you saw in the pictures and that’s where I keep my hanging clothes. I am thinking about getting the next larger unit that has some hanging closet space. The one I have is 15 feet and the next unit up is 18 feet long and a food wider. I’m still in the research stage. Or you can just get a used travel trailer, maybe a 21 footer and they have plenty of space. I’m thinking about doing that also. I can live in the larger one and use my smaller one for my travels. you can pick one up on CL for $2000 to $4000. Thanks again for your comments. Juan
Juan me and the wife looked at the retro line and almost bought one.We got a used 21ft funfinder used a 1/4 the cost.We are thinking about full timing it for a few years.Then settling down in a small house.May even find a nice lot and use the camper as the house and plan the lot like a “dacha.
Gary, you are absolutely right. I should’ve done what you did, but at the time I hadn’t planned on living in it. That came up later as I decided to take it out of storage and use it full time. I have been looking for a slightly larger one to put on a lot and then just keep this one for traveling purposes. I’m still not sure, so for now, I’m living and traveling in this one since it’s just me. I’m already making some changes to the interior, replacing some of the fake wood with real stuff. It’s looking good so far. I’ll post more pictures when it’s done. Thanks for the comment and let me know how it goes for you. Juan
I live in a 24′ Aljo travel trailer, currently in Washington state. I am in a “gated community” mobile home and RV park. Lot here with water, sewer and trash is $359. Electric last month, and it was in the 80s & 90s, was $19. Will admit I moved here in Feb and used a space heater at $35/mo for electric. Considered an apt but at $800+ for a 1 bd this was the best way to go for me. It’s me, a chi mix and now have added a border collie mix (a former sled dog). Have a grandkids several nights a week. Can only of one at a time as the couch is their bed. Next one will be around 30′. I want a set of bunks for the grandkids, since they are the reason I am here (dad is Army stationed here), in addition to MY bedroom. Plan on one with either freestanding furniture or easily removed furniture so I can replace with my own treasured, small sized, antiques. This one already has crystal and some antiques in it. Lol. Can’t leave ALL my treasures behind. Have added bookcases, DVD/game system cabinets here. Was going to pull built in sofa out and put my small sofa/lounge set in but have decided not to do any more remodeling as I am already planning on the larger one. Like yours but I really would not be happy living in one that small.
My mother was from Berlin so I went there a lot. A friend of hers lived just a few streets from these tiny homes. I loved to walk by them each night after dinner. Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Love your camper. Looking for a small one. I just sold a big one that I felt was too large for me to handle alone.