Tiny House or Rv

Tiny house and stealth don't fit in the same sentence... I know of a couple people with tiny houses - they are intended to move to a given location and "sit" for a period of time. If you want to travel, consider an RV. My thoughts! ST

loggenrock wrote:
Tiny house and stealth don't fit in the same sentence... I know of a couple people with tiny houses - they are intended to move to a given location and "sit" for a period of time. If you want to travel, consider an RV. My thoughts! ST

Right on.

Let me clarify. I'm looking at the large van conversion as a tiny house. So on the outside it looks like an shuttle bus but on the inside it's an rv.: bed, shower, stove etc. In my opion it just seems like I can build a really high quality simply rv opposed to something mass produced. Not that there are'nt any great rv. But I have heard of some tough times had by rv owners. And when those problems arise it can take months to get things fixed. I don't intend to have a tiny house in tradition sense and try be stealth. But it would be funny.

It sounds like you are not thinking of a tiny house in the sense that most of us would think of one, but of doing a bus conversion, which is still an RV in the traditional sense. You would still end up buying many of the same components that we all have trouble with and if you get an used shuttle bus, still have a used vehicle that will have problems. So I doubt you will be any more trouble free that most RVers, but you will have something you built and you will love. So go for it. I think it is a great idea.

To me a Tiny House is just that. It's a small frame residence with drywall that's really heavy, seams that crack, etc. Those are not meant to be moved around like a real purpose built RV. Same is true of a mobile home.

Sounds like you have been watching Tiny House Nation. There have been a few projects like that on the show. A conversion is a way better plan

I love the idea of a tiny house. Since one day my plan is to not stay in one place an rv or conversion that is meant to twist and bounce down the road seems a better choice. If I had the skills and patience I would convert a cargo trailer. That way I would have it my way and know how to fix it.

You don't want a Tiny House, you want a RV or home built RV.
But, I guess you can call it anything you want.

I think your best choice would be a used RV and remodel it to your liking.
If you want a really stealth RV, custom built is the way to go.

Keep us updated on your project.

I have a friend who did 2 bus Conversions and had a blast doing it.

That being said, a shuttle bus sees some hard service and may take a lot to make it dependable.

Also not sure why you want stealth, but I don't think a conversion bus will buy you anything. Any place that doesn't want an rv parked overnight probably doesn't want a bus there either. You may also have problems getting into some campgrounds with a bus. Some don't want rv over a certain age, they would probably exclude a bus as well.

We hear that many rv have issues with quality. Things breaking down over time

For every negative story you'v heard - there are probably 10 positive stories. I've had 3 TT's over the past 24? years and never had to take it to a dealer for work (warranty or otherwise)

Sure - stuff breaks - but it's simple to fix. For instance - this
past week-end, the rear tail-light broke. Shot off to Camping World, bought a new one for $11 - got back home and 30 mins later it was fixed.

If you want to build an RV - it sounds like you have mechaniocal aptitude, so fixing an TT/RV when it breaks should simple for you.

(BTW - I'm excluding water issues in this discussion - that is a whole different topic)

loggenrock wrote:
Tiny house and stealth don't fit in the same sentence... I know of a couple people with tiny houses - they are intended to move to a given location and "sit" for a period of time. If you want to travel, consider an RV. My thoughts! ST

You say that but the constr materials used on a tiny house are hands down stronger than those used on an RV...steel studs 16" centers vs an alum sidewall frame thats 4' on center, if that, with foam board in between held on the base/floor with #12 screws screwed into alum...Look at the DRV mobile suit RVs, all are stick built using metal studs...must be a reason they are nearly the #1 full time living RV!
I've though myself about building or having a 40ft toyhauler built as a tiny house but would look into having Fiberglass sidewalls so as to not stand out so much as a reg tiny house.