One of the reasons people prefer a tiny house on wheels is because of mobility. You can move the house to any location of your choice as long as it is legal. However, towing a tiny house is not a simple task, it depends on some factors to tow it legally and safely. Find out more here about towing a tiny house.
As simple as it may sound, towing a tiny house is not like moving a big load, you are actually moving your HOME. So, it has to be done carefully. And the right things have to be put in place first before the home is towed to its destination. You must understand how to tow your tiny house. Once you understand it, your towing journey will be less difficult.
Even for an experienced person, towing a tiny house is not so easy. And as far as it’s a tiny house on wheels, you can move it when you want unlike the tiny house on a foundation that isn’t moved. It’s essential to know how much your tiny house weighs, how often you plan to be moving, and get the right truck that can tow the weight of your tiny house.
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Towing A Tiny House: Truck
To tow a tiny house, you would need a vehicle that has the capacity to tow a tiny house. You cant tow a tiny house with a small car. You need a truck, if you don’t have one, you can buy or hire one. The truck towing capacity refers to the weight the truck can pull.
You have to know the weight of your truck, trailer, the passenger’s weight, etc. Once you have found out the weight of your tiny house, passengers, trailer, cargo, and contents, you have to find out which truck is capable of pulling all those weights.
The towing capacity of your truck is determined by two numbers, the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) and the Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR).
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating refers to the maximum amount that your truck can weigh when fully loaded with the tiny house, cargo, passengers, fuel, and the trailer’s tongue weight. Trailers also have this rating. You just have to make sure that the trailer can carry the weight of your tiny house.
The “tongue weight” of a tow trailer indicated earlier is 10-15% of the combined weight of the trailer, tiny house, and other contents. It depends on the weight distribution and design of the trailer.
Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR)
Gross Combination Weight Rating is the maximum weight of the tiny house, truck, trailer, and other contents.
To determine the truck’s towing capacity: Check the weight of the truck first. Look through the truck’s manual or the sticker to find out its weight without cargo or fuel.
Now, add the weight of fuel, passengers, cargo, trailer, tiny house, and its contents.
Subtract the total of the sum from the GCWR to ensure that you have not exceeded the towing capacity.
Create a wiggle room in case there is any mistake in calculations and you may need to off-load weight. Consider ahead what you can remove from the tiny house, truck, or trailer to help the towing capacity.
Some Things To Consider Before Towing A Tiny House
#1. Towing a Tiny House based on Condition
Ensure that the truck is in a very good condition. You wouldn’t want it to break down on the road while towing your tiny house. Check the different parts of the truck before moving like the brakes, the distance it can go, the cooling systems, tires, etc.
You should also check the condition of the tiny house too before moving. Check the lights, signals, and tires. You can get a spare tire in case of any issues. Make sure you turn off your gas, burn off any propane, close your windows and put some contents in the home in place.
#2. Specs
You need to consider the truck’s towing capacity. You have to check the weight that the truck can tow. It’s better to go for a truck that can tow much more than the weight of your tiny house. A truck that has a large engine, and can tow at least 15,000 pounds can be used to tow your tiny house.
#3. Towing Accessories
There are other things your truck may need to tow your tiny house. Like a trailer hitch, trailer brake controller, etc. Due to the weight, your truck is pulling, it may take more time for it to slow down. With the trailer brake controller, the driver can have more control over the truck and can control it to slow down easily.
#4. Insurance
Before you start your journey, ensure that the truck and tiny house are insured. You need collision and comprehensive insurance for your tiny home. Insurance doesn’t just entail protecting you and your vehicle but it also protects other people and properties.
#5. Fuel
Some trucks use gas while others diesel. However, you should consider the availability of any of these in the region you are moving to.
#6. Legality
You can just use any truck, you must use one that is licensed and insured to tow. Don’t try using a truck that doesn’t meet the legal requirements to tow. Your tiny house on wheels has to be registered and insured too. It should display its valid license plate.
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For permits, towing a tiny house doesn’t really require a permit, since the tiny houses are built to meet the road requirements. I’d advise that you check the requirements again before you move. Road requirements may differ depending on the country or state, so you have to make sure your tiny house meets the requirements of every region you will be driving through. Check out towing laws here.
#7. Weight
You have to consider these things
- Dry weight: The weight of your tiny house and the trailer it’s on
- Belonging weight: The weight of things kept in your tiny house while you move the tiny house.
- Gross vehicle weight: The maximum weight of your tiny house, the trailer, fuel, your belongings, passengers, and any other content that will be moved by truck.
Check the distribution of load. 60% of the total weight of the tiny house should be positioned ahead of the axle and 40% should be behind it. You may not have to put all your belongings into the tiny house, you can pack some items in boxes and move them separately so that nothing will break.
Towing A Tiny House: Conclusion
In summary, gaining knowledge about tiny house towing helps to make moving less difficult and safer. Don’t forget to check the roads before your start your journey. You should avoid potholes, bridges, bends, traffic jams, etc. Though that will be difficult to do, always try to have a backup route.
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