After shopping around on Craigslist, I kept noticing a model of trailer that looked similar to what I wanted listed new for $1060. That was the going rate for most of the used ones listed so I went for it. I called them up in Georgetown (A Big Tex Trailer dealership) and went to pick it up.
In The Small House Book, he talks about cutting all the railing off above the floor. I’d talked to a couple of my building minded friends about it and we thought we could probably do it with a metal cutting blade on a skill saw. I priced those blades at around $50.
The trailer company said they could cut the railing off for $75 and it would take an hour. The metal worker used a blow torch as you can see in the picture below. After watching him, I can’t imagine trying to cut all that metal with a skill saw. The blade wouldn’t have reached through the pipe top sloping angle in the back.
With a new trailer, I get two new 3500 lbs axles. I got the tire pressure and lights checked. Everything on it works and I get a new title. I sure was proud driving it off the lot. It’s the first building step to completing the tiny house.
The base price was $1060. You won’t see that model on their website because it’s brand new so they can be more competitive in that feature range. I believe they call it the 45SS. With the railing removed, the taxes and fees, the total came out to about $1300.
Once I got it to the building site, I pulled it straight back in. Then I detached it from my truck and set it on a hand dolly. It was probably too much effort for one person, but I got it turned around so that it will be easy to pull out once it’s completed.
That must be an exciting moment–like a painter looking a big, fresh canvas.
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Yes, it was an exciting time. I think the first few weeks, I was building on adrenaline alone.
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