The trailer the Santa Claus Haus is being built on is a salvage one. We liberated our original tiny house on wheels from a 1967 Shasta travel trailer. It was a bit of a mess but we proceeded and while saving thousands of dollars, invested dozens of hours. When we finished with our build and moved into our tiny home I said on multiple occasions that we would never again build on a salvaged trailer. Yet here we are.
I have no idea what make/model the trailer is. What I do know is that it was a 5th wheel trailer that had been damaged by a tornado in middle Georgia and sacrificed back to the forest just behind its resting place. When we decided to follow through with the Santa Claus Haus this trailer immediately came to mind. We knew that with a little work, a little weld, and a whole lot of determination, it could be used for the very part-time purposes we had in mind for our micro build.
Once removed from the woods it was taken to a welder who cut off the 5th wheel tongue, added a travel trailer tongue and jack, reinforced the corners and crossbeams, added a few sticks of metal for extra support, and added a couple of corner scissor jacks.
Once we got the *new* trailer back home we set about removing any apparent or surface with a wire brush on a grinder wheel. We then added a heavy coat of automotive primer followed by a coat of semi-gloss black. The LED trailer lights were then added, the electric brakes were wired up and tested, and the wheels were put on.
The completed and restored trailer now sits on the ground. At this point she’ll be getting a VIN assignment from the state of North Carolina and a matching set of license plates. Tomorrow we’ll be putting installing the aluminum flashing, floor framing, floor insulation, and subfloor. At that point she’ll be put under our carport until late October when we have saved more money for the build and are ready to frame it up and dry it in.
Wonder, by the time one would go thru the demolition, sand and paint, new bearings, tires, brakes, wiring, lights, paint, and having to hire a welder for additions, etc etc., how much do you figure you saved over just buying a new trailer?
About $1,000 for a similarly sized trailer. It is the sweat equity that isn’t equivalent in any way. If you already own the right tools, it is not difficult. To answer specifically:
1) Demo was nothing more than pulling out the trailer and using a torch to cut the old pieces off
2) Stripping the rust was $14 for a new wire brush
3) Paint was $37 total (contractor pack price)
4) The wheels are already on the tires with packed bearings. The two together were $164 at Big Blue
5) The LED light kit was $18 on Amazon and came with wiring, wiring harness, etc
6) The welder worked for $85/hour and spent just at 90 minutes on the trailer
Total cost of salvaged trailer was (and this includes the scissor jacks, a new jack stand, and the license plate frame) —> $467.00
Great thinking though and definitely worthwhile for anyone to do before going with a salvaged trailer.
Andrew,
If I May Add To Your Amazing Story….For Those Out There 2nd Guessing All Your Extra Hard Work & Efforts…Nowhere In The World Can You Put A Price On Doing Something Yourself, And Knowing EXACTLY How Well Something Is Made, And By Whom It Is Made!!! People NEED To Take Into Consideration That Not Every Welder In Just Any Shop Is Reputable!!! There Are Some Welders That Take Pride In Their Work That Can’t Be Seen Like We Take Pride In The Work That Can Be Seen!! If This Santa Haus On Wheels /Is Taken Care Of Properly, This Weld Job…On A SALVAGED TRAILER, Should Last You A Very Long Time!! I For One Can’t Can’t Wait To See The Pics As You Go Along, And The Finished Product In The End!!
Blessings To You & Your Family In ALL Your Tiny House Endeavors!!