10 Tiny Trailers to Take on an Adventure

Though the craze for vans and airstreams has officially spread like a wildfire, it's nothing new for Dwell—as we've always been fans of small, mobile, and functional shelters.
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We've gathered a few tiny trailer home ideas that may have you dreaming of your next moveable digs—whether you're searching for adventure or are testing out a new simple way of living.

"Woody": A Tiny DIY Trailer

Brian and Joni Buzarde’s self-designed home sits on a customized chassis by PJ Trailers that’s just eight-and-a-half feet wide. The 236-square-foot trailer is clad in cedar.

Brian and Joni Buzarde’s self-designed home sits on a customized chassis by PJ Trailers that’s just eight-and-a-half feet wide. The 236-square-foot trailer is clad in cedar.

Unpacking the deck and awning reveals a glass wall that opens the trailer to its environment, wherever that may be. ATLAS can be hitched to a truck to travel easily from campsite to campsite.

Unpacking the deck and awning reveals a glass wall that opens the trailer to its environment, wherever that may be. ATLAS can be hitched to a truck to travel easily from campsite to campsite.

The Leaf House is a lightweight, mobile trailer that was carefully engineered to weigh less than 5,000 pounds. The designer, Laird Herbert, used a metal-mesh, open-joint rain screen as the cladding on the front end, and spruce pine on the back.

The Leaf House is a lightweight, mobile trailer that was carefully engineered to weigh less than 5,000 pounds. The designer, Laird Herbert, used a metal-mesh, open-joint rain screen as the cladding on the front end, and spruce pine on the back.

The HC1 camper is equipped with marine-quality parts and accessories that have been personally tested by the Happier Camper team.

The HC1 camper is equipped with marine-quality parts and accessories that have been personally tested by the Happier Camper team.

Part tent, part RV, the NASA-inspired Cricket Trailer is the go-to camper for the modern road tripper.

Part tent, part RV, the NASA-inspired Cricket Trailer is the go-to camper for the modern road tripper.

 Since 2011, +FARM—currently an educational institute and soon-to-be non-profit—has built a number of small shelters and installations across upstate New York. Their most recent project is an economical mobile dwelling with off-the-grid capabilities.

 Since 2011, +FARM—currently an educational institute and soon-to-be non-profit—has built a number of small shelters and installations across upstate New York. Their most recent project is an economical mobile dwelling with off-the-grid capabilities.

With a last-minute deadline, architect Burton Baldridge transformed a decaying trailer into a modern green home for Stubb's, an Austin, Texas, club. Baldridge teamed up with Branson Fustes of Pilgrim Building Company to work on the interiors and build custom furniture, such as a bar on one end.

With a last-minute deadline, architect Burton Baldridge transformed a decaying trailer into a modern green home for Stubb's, an Austin, Texas, club. Baldridge teamed up with Branson Fustes of Pilgrim Building Company to work on the interiors and build custom furniture, such as a bar on one end.

This tiny mobile house by Timbercraft Tiny Homes is only 150 square feet.

This tiny mobile house by Timbercraft Tiny Homes is only 150 square feet.

The jaunty boat-like shell of the Hütte Hut began with a case study undertaken by Brian and Katrina Manzo, a husband-and-wife team of industrial designers behind Sprouting Sprocket Studio.

The jaunty boat-like shell of the Hütte Hut began with a case study undertaken by Brian and Katrina Manzo, a husband-and-wife team of industrial designers behind Sprouting Sprocket Studio.

Jay Shafer’s Four Lights Tiny House Company sells floor plans for houses that start at 98 square feet. The Gifford is a Craftsman-inspired, 112-square-foot structure that can be wheeled from site to site. Shafer has designed a residential community of micro-dwellings in Sonoma County, California.

Jay Shafer’s Four Lights Tiny House Company sells floor plans for houses that start at 98 square feet. The Gifford is a Craftsman-inspired, 112-square-foot structure that can be wheeled from site to site. Shafer has designed a residential community of micro-dwellings in Sonoma County, California.

Byron Loker
Landscaper @ The Garden Route Company, San Francisco | Blogger @ Dwell | Author of a short story collection | Surfer | Traveler | Woodworker | Failed Poet

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