Towing Products To Travel With Your Tiny Home
Last month we discussed the nuts and bolts of preparing your tiny house for travel. This month is a continuation of that discussion in that we will now look into what products will prove useful for you when traveling from place to place in your tiny dwelling. Don’t worry, I am not pushing a particular product brand, only the information on what you will need. That is unless some big company wants to step in and give me a large amount of cash, small bills, in a suitcase, and…well enough of that. Let’s get going!
First and foremost. The most important thing to remember when traveling with your tiny home is to slow down. There is no prize for getting there in under X amount of hours (except you do always have a bathroom nearby and that cuts down on stop time…just saying). Stay around 60 mph when towing no matter what the speed limit is. Higher speeds and windy conditions are not your friends here.
One of the most important pieces you will want to purchase is a weight distribution trailer hitch. This device helps in keeping the trailer straight and level when going down the road. In addition, the weight distribution hitch does exactly that, it helps to evenly distribute the tongue weight over a wider area while limiting up and down motion of the trailer. Do yourself a favor and purchase a weight distribution system that includes a sway bar that will limit movement from side to side and make turning corner much easier.
Another item that you will want to make sure you have is a spare tire. I know that seems obvious but it also something that can be forgotten very easily. Most tire centers do not stock tires for trailers, so if you get a flat tire you may be waiting for a couple of days before getting back on the road. Also, remember to have a spare tire rated for the weight you are towing.
Wheel chocks are essential to protect your tiny house from rolling away when parked. Do not rely on the brakes of your truck. There is a lot of weight on there! When parked, simply place the wheel chocks behind each trailer tire. Taking the time to do this may make the difference in having a home to go to or being homeless.
Once parked you will need to rest your house on a set of jack stands to help in leveling out your home. These stands are adjustable and can support a few tons per stand. You will definitely need one stand on every corner and you may even want to consider placing a couple of stands near the wheels if your house is long. DO NOT use scissor stands as they will collapse under the house weight.
Bottle or Automotive jacks should also be on hand to properly jack your home up enough to place the jack stands underneath. Make certain the jack you use is rated for the weight of the house. Bottle jacks can support the weight but move a lot slower than automotive jacks. If you choose to use an automotive jack, it will do the job much quicker but also take up more room to store.
Here is another no-brainer that is often forgotten. Make sure you have a 4’ level on hand to assure your home is completely level once parked. When using the level, place it on the edge of the trailer to get a correct reading. Do not overlook this step as it is extremely important.
Finally, once you are parked you do not want anyone stealing your home while you are away, or for that matter when you are inside. To prevent someone hooking up your trailer to their truck and heading on down the highway, purchase a coupler lock or wheel lock to protect your property. Taking this necessary precaution will allow you to enjoy your tiny home for years to come.
Traveling with your home doesn’t have to be stressful if you take the necessary precautions to assure safe travel. Sure it will cost you a little more but it is worth every cent knowing you can travel wherever you choose and not have to worry about something happening and spoiling your trip. Being able to pick up and go whenever you wish is a huge benefit to living tiny, be smart, be safe, and have a great time!
Until next time, live tiny!