Best Tiny Home Trailers

If you are thinking of building your tiny house on a trailer instead of on the ground – rest assured, it is a wise decision and a safe option to play with. If you are aware of the zoning regulations concerning tiny homes (if not, check out this blog post), you would know that legally building a tiny house on a foundation can be pretty challenging.

Having the freedom to move around when bored and living in a mobile home parked in one of the various RV or trailer parks is a smart choice. However, not every tiny home trailer will work for you – there are many options to choose from. Therefore, we have put together a list of the best tiny home trailers you can buy for your small house.

1. Bumper Pull Tiny house trailers

This is the most common type of tiny house trailer and dates back to when the Tiny House Movement started. Its name is pretty self-explanatory in terms of how it works and is also known as the ‘tongue pull’ trailer. This refers to the towing hitch attached at the front of the trailer. It can be affixed to the rear of a vehicle. This vehicle can then move the trailer from one place to another.

There are two types of bumper pull trailers that have slightly different designs and functionalities.

· Car Hauler

More common of the two types of bumper pull trailers – car haulers have been around for the longest of time – before the concept of custom trailers did not exist. The width of wheel wells determines the usable portion of the trailer, and therefore the buildable deck is narrower on car haulers. However, they are easy to find in standard trailer supply stores and can offer plenty of height. This means they make for a great option if you are going for a lofted tiny house.

· Deck Over Trailer

Deck Over trailers eliminate the issue that car haulers come with. This means that wheel wells do not protrude into the building decks to take away your building width. They allow for maximum width for your tiny house, and you do not need other design modifications for space. However, the building deck on these trailers sits quite high off the ground, which means you cannot have a lofted tiny house and will have to do with a single story.

Therefore, it really comes down to your preference – either can be the best tiny home trailer for you, depending on what you want to go for.

2. Fifth Wheel/ Gooseneck Trailers

Gooseneck tiny house trailer may seem similar to bumper pull trailer, but its name implies the main difference between the two. These have a protruding ‘arm’ that hitches them to the rear of the towing vehicle. It is lifted forward in a way that looks like a goose’s neck.

The main advantage of this type of trailer is that you can build a spacious room on top of the protruding arm. So, if you are looking for a trailer that offers wider space – this may be the right trailer for you. They also have an incredible amount of headspace, which is impossible to find in lofted tiny houses.

Although gooseneck trailers are easier to pull than bumper pull trailers and also offer a safer towing experience due to their better-distributed weight – it can be challenging to rent a truck to tow one. You will either need to hire a haul or buy a pickup truck to move them around.

3. Wide Load Tiny house trailer

As the name suggests, a wide load tiny house trailer is more expansive than an average trailer. To put dimensions in perspective – a typical trailer has 2×4 walls while a wide load will have 2×6. Clearly, the biggest perk of this type is more room and space.

You can move around more freely or build a downstairs bedroom. This is the right trailer for you if sore knees from climbing in and out of the loft is your biggest nightmare. You can even use the extra room for any luxury items or appliances, such as fitting a corner bathtub in your bathroom.

A wide load trailer also enables you to have ADA access and installing larger framing and better insulation. However, the only drawback of these trailers is that you need legal permission to move them irrespective of how short a distance. Crossing each state line will require a separate permit that comes with a fee of about $35-$70 per trip per state. If you do not wish to move around, go for this!

4. Custom Tiny house trailer

Finally, the last type of tiny house trailer is one you can get custom-built as per your requirements and preferences. Many tiny homeowners choose to go for this type as it allows them to have more creative freedom in their house.

With the rise in the popularity of custom trailers, many manufacturers have emerged to choose from. With custom tiny house trailers, you can have the best of all the worlds. More width and lower decks – these trailers have solutions to the problems associated with standard pre-built trailers.

The only drawback of these trailers is that they can get quite pricey – especially if you are going for premium quality options, and secondly, they take longer to deliver. As is the case with anything custom-made, the making and finishing of these trailers can take time.

Our Final Thoughts

Fortunately, today, there are many options to choose from when you are looking for a tiny house trailer. They come in different types, each with its own set of benefits and drawbacks. The vital point to keep in mind is that what may be a disadvantage for one person is quite the quality you are looking for in your tiny house trailer. We hope this short guide helps you choose the best tiny home trailers for you.