The trailer for your tiny house is one of the most important elements of your final build. It supports everything on top of it, so if it’s not good quality it puts your entire home at risk. Even if you’re DIYing the rest of your tiny home build, it’s crucial to plan ahead, do the necessary research and get the trailer that’s right for you. But how do you know what trailer is best for your tiny living goals? We’ve outlined everything you need to consider below, just read on to find out.
Choosing the right tiny house trailer supplier
The first step is to find the right supplier. There are lots of companies and private sellers offering cheap or second-hand options, and, while this is tempting, it’s important to be very careful. Once you’ve built your tiny home, changing the trailer will be very difficult. That’s why choosing a reputable supplier that only sells engineered trailers is important. This will guarantee its safety and durability. If you need to reduce costs, you can do so at many other stages of your build.
It’s also ideal to choose a company that builds trailers specifically for tiny houses. These purpose-built tiny house trailers will be specially engineered to support the structure of your tiny home. Most of these are sold at set length and weight ratios, but if you want something outside of these standards, make sure the supplier can build one to your specific needs.
Common types of trailers
There are two main types of tiny house trailers to choose from: flatbeds and goosenecks. Flatbeds have a standard hitch and a built-in bed of metal that sits above the wheels. They’re ideal for maximising the use of floorspace as the bed sits at the same width as the wheels. Goosenecks have a curved, raised neck instead of a standard hitch. They’re ideal for building oversized tiny houses that won’t be classified as vehicles. Be aware that if you do choose to build an oversized tiny house, you’ll need special vehicles and permits to drive on Australian roads. Flatbeds are by far the most common, but, if you don’t plan on moving your tiny house often, a gooseneck can offer more flexibility in the build.
How to decide the size and weight of your trailer
The size of trailer you choose depends entirely on your personal needs and priorities. Trailers that can be easily towed on Australian roads have a maximum width of 2.5 metres, so the most significant variety is in the length. This usually ranges from about 5 to 12 metres, but it’s worth remembering that the longer you choose, the heavier and harder they become to tow.
As for the weight, there are two things that need to be considered. One is the total weight of the trailer and everything that will sit on top of it, including your belongings. If you plan to tow your tiny house on Australian roads, the total weight can be no more than 4.5 tonnes. The second thing to consider is how much weight the actual trailer can carry. This can be calculated by taking the Aggregate Trailer Mass (found on the compliance plate) and subtracting the weight of the trailer. It’s best to leave some wiggle room here in case you need to add extra weight in future. To choose the size of your trailer, it’s important to know what you want from your tiny home. Some things to consider include how many people will be living in it, how much weight your vehicle can pull, how many separate rooms you would like, how much storage you need, and, finally, what style and design you prefer. For example, if you want a tiny house with a ground floor bedroom, you’re probably better off choosing a longer trailer. If you’re happy with a loft bedroom, there’s a bit more flexibility. Check out our guide on what size tiny house is right for you to learn more!
Checklist: things to keep in mind while you are looking at tiny house trailers
1. Is it engineered?
Proper engineered trailers should be 100% safe and durable from both weathering and use.
2. How much weight can it hold – will it be legal to drive on Australian roads?
Your trailer needs to be able to hold the full weight of your tiny house, with additional leeway in case things change in future. If you plan to move it, the final build will need to be within both size and weight requirements for Australian roads.
3. What features does it have?
Additional features on your tiny house trailer can make your life significantly easier in the long term. Some great options include a hand brake, rear lights, stabilisers, anchoring points, and its own VIN number.
4. Does it have durable finishes?
Has it been galvanised or painted for extra protection? Hot dip galvanising is generally considered to offer a higher level of protection for longer, but paint provides more flexibility in colour choice.
5. How much does a tiny house trailer cost?
Is it a reasonable price without being concerningly cheap? You can expect good quality trailers to come at a price range of $11 000 to $22 000, depending on what features and specifications you need. Be wary of trailers that are cheaper than this as they are likely to have issues that may lead to additional costs and headaches in future.
Your tiny house trailer is the first and, arguably, most important part of your entire tiny build. Ensuring that it will suit your needs for as long as necessary, and is of good quality, will make the rest of your build (and life in your tiny home) much easier. Here at Aussie Tiny Houses, we sell the best-quality purpose-built tiny house trailers you can find in Australia. This means each trailer is designed and built specifically for your needs, with longevity in mind. To learn more, visit our website here!
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