Replaceing Siding With wood?

Nope, just switching the axle out isn't going to always be enough. A heavier axle and wheels isn't guaranteed going to make the frame strong enough to support the extra weight

By the time you've put siding on the outside walls, gutted the inside walls, possibly reinforced the trailer structure, redid the plumbing systems for reliable cold-weather operation, and replaced the running gear of the trailer, how much of the trailer is actually left? I suspect it would be easier and possibly cheaper overall to start with a substantial flatbed trailer (or some other trailer frame) and build on top of that.

It might be worthwhile to buy a beat up RV if you can find one that has good appliances and other parts you can use just for those parts...or possibly not if you're creative with sourcing stuff. A small residential fridge would be more economical and probably give better service for a tiny house than an RV fridge, for instance.

She would love that tiny house by the way!

Thanks you for your responses. We live in Michigan so the winters can be pretty wicked. I plan on trying to gut the inside and insulate as well as possible. Ive gathered some good ideas about plumbing from some alaskan tiny house forums and think we could make it work. The idea is to keep the trailer mobile. I am a trailer rookie, could I do something like switch out axels to get more weight or is it not as simple as that?

I bet she would like this.


More pics

Trailer walls are 2 inches thick with minimal insulation. Where do you live...?
Think about hot summers or really cold winters and comfort.
Also, plumbing can be a huge issue in freezing conditions..

Just some of the things to think about.

Does your wife want the "tiny house" on wheels or on a foundation? If on a foundation, take the trailer and build a block foundation around it, then remove the wheels. Then install the wood siding, or build a frame around it and put siding on that.

If she wants it on wheels, weight will probably be a real problem, depending upon if you really want to tow it at highway speeds, or just move it around your property... if the weight will be a factor or not.