Freeholder
This too shall pass.
If one wanted to turn a 20' shipping container into a tiny house on wheels, how are the wheels added, and where do you get them?
Kathleen
Kathleen
Trailers Shipping Container as a Trailer?
- Thread starter Freeholder
- Start date
Thunderbird
Veteran Member
I think it would be really heavy. With the reduced prices on real travelers I would check around.
Heavy!
+1 on the weight. Containers are hauled by trucks and trains. Not pulled by your average homeowner vehicle.
+1 on the weight. Containers are hauled by trucks and trains. Not pulled by your average homeowner vehicle.
Freeholder
This too shall pass.
I've got a heavy-duty F-250 4-W-D set up for towing. Would that do it? The thing is, I know I could probably get a travel trailer, but want something durable for long-term living; don't really intend to tow all over creation, just move from here to my own land eventually; and have my own ideas about how to fix up the inside for permanent living that don't mesh with commercial camp trailers meant for vacationing.
Kathleen
Kathleen
Thunderbird
Veteran Member
Why do you not have it delivered to your property?? I can see it costing several thousand $ to put wheels, springs, a hitch, possibly a frame, brakes, DOT compliant lighting, etc.
You would be farther ahead to have it delivered and do the work on site, even if you spend a vacation doing it. Remember there is a distinct possibility time is very short.
You would be farther ahead to have it delivered and do the work on site, even if you spend a vacation doing it. Remember there is a distinct possibility time is very short.
imaginative
keep your eye on the ball
Check out this local craigslist ad
Office Trailer/ Hunting Cabin - $2800 (Akron)
Must sell!
32' x 10'
New windows, siding, roof, and gutters
Electric and Phone hookup
Baseboard heating, lighting fixtures
3-rooms, 2-doors
Trailer hitch on wheels
Cash offers only
If interested call Marc at
---------
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/bfs/2023637533.html
(the trailer is worth the asking price)
Office Trailer/ Hunting Cabin - $2800 (Akron)
Must sell!
32' x 10'
New windows, siding, roof, and gutters
Electric and Phone hookup
Baseboard heating, lighting fixtures
3-rooms, 2-doors
Trailer hitch on wheels
Cash offers only
If interested call Marc at
---------
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/bfs/2023637533.html
(the trailer is worth the asking price)
Freeholder
This too shall pass.
That's definitely something to consider.
I don't have the land yet, and was thinking I'd like to have the thing here to work on when I have time and money, especially as I don't know yet where I'll buy land. But, you are right, it probably would be better to figure something else out.
And yes, there IS the possibility that time is very short. If too short, will probably just have to stay here for as long as possible.
Kathleen
Freeholder
This too shall pass.
Check out this local craigslist ad
Office Trailer/ Hunting Cabin - $2800 (Akron)
Must sell!
32' x 10'
New windows, siding, roof, and gutters
Electric and Phone hookup
Baseboard heating, lighting fixtures
3-rooms, 2-doors
Trailer hitch on wheels
Cash offers only
If interested call Marc at
---------
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/bfs/2023637533.html
(the trailer is worth the asking price)
THAT would definitely be a buy! Wish I was closer!
Kathleen
imaginative
keep your eye on the ball
Here is an even better deal someone posted this AM...
8'x28' mobile office jobsite tool trailer clean dry storage unit - $1600 (massillon ohio)
for sale is an 8 ft. x 28 ft. long mobile job trailer.garage door on rear. air conditioning unit in front office.2 5/16'' ball hitch. pulls easily with pickup truck.has tail lights.empty inside with plywood floor.baseboard heaters. selling as is.includes nice metal steps with landing.
call 330 xxx-xxxx. located 1 hour south of cleveland Ohio in Massillon zip 44647. possible delivery.
good for office hunting fishing cabin camping camper farm use atv four wheeler dirtbike tools firewood shift change car lot barn shed
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/bfs/2024114238.html
Since they mention "possible delivery" I would consider calling them and seeing if they would be willing to pull this across the country for a reasonable fee.
8'x28' mobile office jobsite tool trailer clean dry storage unit - $1600 (massillon ohio)
for sale is an 8 ft. x 28 ft. long mobile job trailer.garage door on rear. air conditioning unit in front office.2 5/16'' ball hitch. pulls easily with pickup truck.has tail lights.empty inside with plywood floor.baseboard heaters. selling as is.includes nice metal steps with landing.
call 330 xxx-xxxx. located 1 hour south of cleveland Ohio in Massillon zip 44647. possible delivery.
good for office hunting fishing cabin camping camper farm use atv four wheeler dirtbike tools firewood shift change car lot barn shed
http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/bfs/2024114238.html
Since they mention "possible delivery" I would consider calling them and seeing if they would be willing to pull this across the country for a reasonable fee.
You can also try doing a search on RV's and or RV Sales or Used RV and see what you can find in your area.
Right now many who bought a large camper have found it costs way to much to pull them around these days so they're looking to unload them on what they feel is the first sucker to come along, and to tow it to a site to be used as a permeant home would not be too bad seeing its a one time deal.
Right now many who bought a large camper have found it costs way to much to pull them around these days so they're looking to unload them on what they feel is the first sucker to come along, and to tow it to a site to be used as a permeant home would not be too bad seeing its a one time deal.
Freeholder
This too shall pass.
If I was to look for a job-site office trailer (which would be a good starting point, since they are probably better built than a vacation camp trailer), I should probably look closer to home. I'm sure it would cost several thousand dollars to have the thing hauled from Ohio to Oregon!
The main reason that I'm dubious about long-term living in a camp trailer (especially an older second-hand one) is that my mother and step-father lived in older second-hand camp trailers for around fifteen years, and the things just don't hold up well to that kind of use. If I could find a well-built one that would hold up, I'd be more inclined to go that route. At this point, it's basically a back-up, since the home where we live is paid for and we should be able to stay there for some time yet no matter what happens. I'd just like to have a second string to my bow, so to speak.
Kathleen
The main reason that I'm dubious about long-term living in a camp trailer (especially an older second-hand one) is that my mother and step-father lived in older second-hand camp trailers for around fifteen years, and the things just don't hold up well to that kind of use. If I could find a well-built one that would hold up, I'd be more inclined to go that route. At this point, it's basically a back-up, since the home where we live is paid for and we should be able to stay there for some time yet no matter what happens. I'd just like to have a second string to my bow, so to speak.
Kathleen
windsail
"Montani Semper Liberi"
Find an "AirStream" dealer in your A/O....used ones are always available and you won't go wrong with even a 20 old one....Retired folks often sell for pennies on the dollar after their travlen' days are over...I once bought a 22' AirStream for 22 hundred dollars....thirty years ago..but...deals are out there...A new "Silver Bullet"...aka AirStream costs several thousand dollars a linear foot but if you do a serious search I know you can find one for much less.....These are the "Rolls Royce" of tt's....mahogany cabinets and storage out the ass....best water handling and heating systems on wheels....have a look around.....windsail......
et2
Has No Life - Lives on TB
http://www.dexteraxle.com/
You would be surprised what people make trailers/campers from. We travel with our fifth wheel and have seen all kinds of home made stuff. The link above will give you and idea of what the axles and brakes will cost.
You will most likely need to build a frame under the container to make it strong enough to be towed, and to have something to mount the axles. Also if you plan on any water storage,black (toilet) and gray (shower/sink) water tanks, they are mounted underneath and protected by the frame.
Better have a few air conditioners as that thing will be like a oven. You can pick up utility trailers (covered) pretty cheap and make something using that platform.
You would be surprised what people make trailers/campers from. We travel with our fifth wheel and have seen all kinds of home made stuff. The link above will give you and idea of what the axles and brakes will cost.
You will most likely need to build a frame under the container to make it strong enough to be towed, and to have something to mount the axles. Also if you plan on any water storage,black (toilet) and gray (shower/sink) water tanks, they are mounted underneath and protected by the frame.
Better have a few air conditioners as that thing will be like a oven. You can pick up utility trailers (covered) pretty cheap and make something using that platform.
biere
Veteran Member
A quick trip on google shows a 20ft shipping container weighing over 5k lbs empty.
The trucks who deliver roll off dumpsters can usually haul these I think. A medium duty or bigger roll back should also be able to move one for you.
If I was going to make one for myself I would probably step up to the trailers used as doubles behind class 8 trucks and get a surplus 5 ton or larger 6x6 of some sort.
If just pulling one of these short trailers you can use a 5th wheel on the truck to hold up the front of the trailer or they make road worthy landing gear that hooks to the trailer's king pin and gives you a big pintle hitch to use to hook to your vehicle. So a vehicle with a pintle hitch could pull this sort of thing even though it does not have a 5th wheel. When a semi is pulling these 20ft trailers as doubles the front trailer is on the semi trucks 5th wheel and the 2nd trailer is using the road worthy landing gear setup. It uses fullsize truck tires and what not and is common, just look at ups trucks and what not on the highway.
To some extent I have been looking at used 20ft semi trailers because they are out there for sale cheap and built well. Get one used as a reefer so it is insulated and has an air conditioner that runs off a built in diesel tank and I think I would like it better than the old house I rent right now.
But messing with this size stuff gives you air brakes and I would not mess with adapting it to a f250 size vehicle. I would only mess with medium duty stuff personally.
If you only plan to move this to your property and be done with it I would talk to some folks who deliver these containers and see about just having them move it for you. To build a frame and buy axles for a single use is a bit of a waste in my opinion.
I am kind of thinking about a setup I just pull onto some land and hook up to a well and septic and I am ready to go. Rather than buy land and build a home that won't move I could buy some land in various places around the area where I work and change the scenery if I wished to do so and when on vacation I could take it with me if I wished to do so.
I keep looking for a reasonably priced air stream as well. They are well built but the bottom can rot out and need replaced.
Anyway, I think by the time you build a frame for the container and build up the inside of the container you might push the tow limits of your f250.
And just because of the size of these things I would still rethink using a dually one ton probably.
But talk to those who deliver these things because they can move them.
My main issue is my fondness of crappy driveways as a people filter will make it hard for most vehicles to deliver such a load where I want it.
So having a surplus 6x6 would be the solution to that issue.
The trucks who deliver roll off dumpsters can usually haul these I think. A medium duty or bigger roll back should also be able to move one for you.
If I was going to make one for myself I would probably step up to the trailers used as doubles behind class 8 trucks and get a surplus 5 ton or larger 6x6 of some sort.
If just pulling one of these short trailers you can use a 5th wheel on the truck to hold up the front of the trailer or they make road worthy landing gear that hooks to the trailer's king pin and gives you a big pintle hitch to use to hook to your vehicle. So a vehicle with a pintle hitch could pull this sort of thing even though it does not have a 5th wheel. When a semi is pulling these 20ft trailers as doubles the front trailer is on the semi trucks 5th wheel and the 2nd trailer is using the road worthy landing gear setup. It uses fullsize truck tires and what not and is common, just look at ups trucks and what not on the highway.
To some extent I have been looking at used 20ft semi trailers because they are out there for sale cheap and built well. Get one used as a reefer so it is insulated and has an air conditioner that runs off a built in diesel tank and I think I would like it better than the old house I rent right now.
But messing with this size stuff gives you air brakes and I would not mess with adapting it to a f250 size vehicle. I would only mess with medium duty stuff personally.
If you only plan to move this to your property and be done with it I would talk to some folks who deliver these containers and see about just having them move it for you. To build a frame and buy axles for a single use is a bit of a waste in my opinion.
I am kind of thinking about a setup I just pull onto some land and hook up to a well and septic and I am ready to go. Rather than buy land and build a home that won't move I could buy some land in various places around the area where I work and change the scenery if I wished to do so and when on vacation I could take it with me if I wished to do so.
I keep looking for a reasonably priced air stream as well. They are well built but the bottom can rot out and need replaced.
Anyway, I think by the time you build a frame for the container and build up the inside of the container you might push the tow limits of your f250.
And just because of the size of these things I would still rethink using a dually one ton probably.
But talk to those who deliver these things because they can move them.
My main issue is my fondness of crappy driveways as a people filter will make it hard for most vehicles to deliver such a load where I want it.
So having a surplus 6x6 would be the solution to that issue.