Let's build a tiny home | Page 3 | Construction and DIY projects | Forums

nice video tour

so yukon was telling me about a old guy down the road from him who builds trailers, he said he doesn't have a sign, he just builds them in his garage, so I took a ride out there this afternoon and after several phone calls for clarification, I finally found the house, so I went and knocked on the door and a little old lady answered, I said excuse me ma'am, but do you folks build trailers?

not me she said, that would be my husband

is he home?

nope, just left, let me call him

so I sat on the porch for a few minutes when she came out and said he would be right there, I thanked her and went to sit in my car to wait

a few minutes later a car pulled up and this little elderly gent walked over and shook my hand, can I help ya?

yes sir, my friend told me you build trailers and I was interested in talking to you about it, well step into my garage he said

80 years old, was a commercial welder his whole life, been retired for 16 years

he even makes the fenders

and showed me how he mounts them with gussets he fabricates

he even took me for a ride and showed me a finished one, he hand oils rough cut hemlock and uses that for the decking

they are 12x8 with a 3500lb axle, when we got back to the garage I asked him if he could make a 20x8 trailer

nope

no?

nope, son, I'm getting old, I don't need no state trooper or agent from the dmv showing up on my front door, I build 12x8 and that's it, no one messes with me

I stood there quietly thinking, looking at the trailer, visualizing a smaller cabin on it, the man does quality work

I asked him how much the trailer was

1500

I replied, that includes the side rails and the ramps for the back correct?

yep

well if I didn't want those, how much would it be?

1200

I asked him if the one in progress was for sale

yes and no

yes and no?

well some old boy stopped by and said he wanted it, but I have no money in my hand, it should be done in two days, so if it goes in my front yard, it's for sale

but

but?

but, I have a frame out back with a 5000 pound axle that I am going to strip and I can build you one with that

can I look at it?

sure

so we walked out back into the field

uh, how much do you want for that?

what?

the whole thing?

you want to buy that?

yes

how's 400 dollars sound?

sold

it's 21 feet by 7.5 feet, has a 5000 pound axle and was an old camper frame, it all square tubing and will be a perfect platform to start with, we are going to haul it to @roscoe816 place on Sunday and have it sand blasted, rewired, shocks replaced (did I mention it has shocks on the axle) paint it, and get ready for decking

the more I'm thinking about it, not sure if that frame is ideal, it is 7.5 across the angles pieces on the sides, if the deck was built over that, not sure is that would be the strongest point to attach the walls

http://youtu.be/wULWHF1k0_M