Things You Should Know Before Towing A Tiny House

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Towing your tiny home on wheels is not as simple as buying a truck and pulling the trailer along. Here are what you should know regarding the whole process of doing so.

One small mistake with towing your tiny house or tiny prefab homes could lead to a disaster. At the very least, you may spend money you could have saved, but your small custom home may be put at risk in the worst-case scenario. Therefore, before moving the structure, you need to know how to proceed with it in the first place.

Note that when making decisions for towing your tiny home, you have to be objective. As much as possible, be strict with the calculations and measurements. Do not select options that are impractical just to save on expenses. If your house gets damaged because of these choices, you may instead end up with more to pay for. Here are other points about towing tiny trailer homes that you should note.

WHAT SHOULD TOW TRUCKS HAVE

When considering towing small house trailers, it’s crucial to prioritize the specifications of your truck. Pay close attention to its suspension and towing capacity, aiming for a minimum of around 15,000 pounds to ensure safe and efficient towing. Opting for a truck equipped with a robust engine, such as a V8 or V10, is highly recommended for this purpose. Additionally, assess the truck’s overall condition and ensure fuel availability along your planned route or destination.

In addition to selecting the right truck, it’s essential to equip yourself with the necessary towing accessories and supplementary components. Here’s a list of some items to consider:

- Additional brakes and brake controllers for enhanced control and safety
- A reliable trailer hitch to securely attach the trailer to your truck
- Spare tires to address unforeseen emergencies during your journey
- An RV GPS system to navigate effectively and locate RV-friendly routes
- Backup cameras and sensors to facilitate hassle-free parking maneuvers
- Ensure you have all legal documents for the truck, including its title, license, and insurance, to comply with regulations and ensure a smooth journey

DETERMINING TRUCK TOWING CAPACITY

It was mentioned previously that one of your very first considerations should be the truck’s towing capacity. What exactly is this, and how much is enough? To put it simply, it refers to the weight the vehicle can pull in this case, the weight of your tiny home. Many factors affect this, such as the engine, gears, and axles, among many other features.

There are two methods commonly used to make a close estimation of a truck’s towing capacity. Note that these are not exact values, so having some wiggle room would be ideal so the vehicle will not have to tow more weight than it can pull.

One of which is the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating or the GVWR, the maximum weight the truck can pull if it is loaded and full of fuel. It includes the tiny house, passengers, cargo, and the trailer tongue. The other one is the Gross Combination Weight Rating or the GCWR. It is determined by getting the truck’s maximum weight, plus that of the trailer, tiny house, passenger, cargo, and fuel

RENTING VS. BUYING VS. HIRING A TOW TRUCK

Whether you should rent or buy a tow truck or hire professionals to do the job depends on your situation. For example, if you move frequently, it would be ideal that you buy or rent a truck to tow a trailer. You could look for rental trucks for towing travel trailers online or ask for referrals. However, hiring professionals would be more practical if it is only for a one-time purpose. It is more cost-efficient and safer, as experts are more trustworthy for towing tiny homes.

BEST TRUCKS FOR TOWING A TINY HOUSE

When it comes to towing tiny homes, large trucks offer a cost-effective solution with towing capacities ranging from 9,740 to 13,200 pounds. Models such as the Ford F-150, Nissan Titan, and Toyota Tundra are popular choices in this category. However, it’s essential to ensure that the selected truck can handle the specific weight of your tiny home, considering variations in trailer sizes.

For heavier tiny homes or those with additional furnishings, heavy-duty trucks are a reliable option. These trucks typically boast towing capacities ranging from 12,760 to 18,500 pounds. Examples include the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Ford Super Duty F-250, and Ram 2500. While heavy-duty trucks offer increased towing power, they often come with a higher price tag compared to their large truck counterparts.

For those prioritizing towing capacity over cost, ultra-duty trucks provide unmatched power and performance. Models such as the Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD, Ford SuperDuty F-450, GMC Sierra 3500HD, and Ford Super Duty F-450 excel in towing capabilities, making them suitable for larger tiny homes and challenging terrains like mountains or rough landscapes. However, it’s important to consider the higher fuel expenses associated with ultra-duty trucks due to their powerful engines.

GUIDE TO TOWING YOUR TINY HOME

The first step to take when towing your tiny homes is to plan your route. Decide when to go and which roads to take. Note that the distance is the least of your issues. you should prioritize not towing your tiny house through low-hanging branches and phone lines, traffic jams, and bridges. You should also consider the terrain to provide a smoother traveling experience. Having a backup route is also a smart move in cases where things do not go as initially planned.

Once the route is noted, it is time to execute the abovementioned processes. That includes measuring the towing capacity needed, looking for an appropriate truck, and bringing all the necessary components and documents. DO not forget to conduct a final inspection of the tiny trailer house and the truck’s condition before moving out.

In conclusion, before you tow your tiny homes, you must be through with the preceding steps. This means you should have already planned your route and prepared a truck that can safely bring your home to the destination. All required truck components, legal documents, and belongings should also be in place. Finally, do another inspection to ensure that everything is good to go. Only then should you begin towing your tiny homes.

For all your tiny home needs, go to Small House Solutions. Its goal is to ensure that your house does not only match your expectations but is also safe to tow, reside in, and travel with. For your specific inquiries, you can either contact the team through the website or set an appointment for a free consultation any time you want.

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