Ho w To Recognise a well built tiny house trailer

How To Recognise a Well-Built Tiny House Trailer Series – A Frame Draw Bar

by with No Comment Designing a Tiny House On WheelsTiny House Building TipsTrailer Info

Part 1: A-Frame Draw Bar

Ho w To Recognise a well built tiny house trailer

How To Recognise a Well-Built Tiny House Trailer When You See One:

When shopping for a tiny house trailer, it’s vital to know the difference between a well-designed, durable trailer and one that may fail under pressure. Many trailer manufacturers compete on price, and while their lower costs might seem attractive, they often come at the expense of quality and safety. Here’s what to look for to ensure your trailer is built to last.

Beware of Short A-Frame Drawbars

One common way manufacturers cut costs is by designing short A-frame drawbars. By using less steel, they reduce expenses, but this compromises the trailer’s structural integrity.

The Vehicle Assessment Signatory Scheme (VASS) engineers, who specialise in making vehicles safe for Victorian roads, recommend that drawbars extend all the way to the front suspension hanger. This design choice isn’t just a suggestion—it’s essential for strength and durability.

When the A-frame drawbar connects to the front suspension hanger, it allows for a critical vertical weld to secure the components together. Without this weld, the drawbar’s connection to the chassis rail alone is far weaker. This shortcut results in an inferior trailer that may also pose serious safety risks.

Why Strength Matters

A short, poorly designed A-frame drawbar increases the likelihood of the drawbar breaking free from the trailer’s main body during transport. Imagine this happening with a 3,500kg tiny house on top—the consequences could be catastrophic.

Saving a few thousand dollars on a trailer might seem like a good idea, but the real cost of a poorly built trailer can far exceed your initial savings. From financial losses to potential accidents, the risks simply aren’t worth it.

Quality Over Cost

At Fred’s Tiny Houses, we never cut corners when it comes to your safety. We prioritise quality over cost-saving shortcuts to provide you with a trailer that’s as strong and reliable as your dream home deserves. We believe true freedom isn’t just about living in a tiny house; it’s also about the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home’s foundation is secure.

Conclusion When choosing a tiny house trailer, always prioritize strength and safety over price. Check that the A-frame drawbar extends to the front suspension hanger and is reinforced with vertical welds. Your safety, and the safety of others, is invaluable. Don’t settle for anything less than a tiny house trailer that is built to last.

What to look for:

How to recognise a well-built tiny house trailer
All Fred's Tiny House Trailers meet Vehicle Engineer recommendations by extending the A-Frame Draw Bar to meet the front suspension hanger.
How to recognise a well built tiny house trailer
The A-Frame Draw Bar (in blue) is attached to the front suspension hanger (green) with a veritcle weld (orange) as recommended by Vehicle Engineers.

What to avoid:

What to avoid in a tiny house trailer
Example of another company's tiny house trailer where the A-Frame Drawbar attaches to the chassis rail only and does not extend to the front suspension hanger.
What to avoid in a tiny house trailer
There is a long gap between the A Frame Draw Bar and the front suspension hanger. This is a weak trailer design.

Tiny House Trailer Purchase Guide:

We have written a Tiny House Trailer Guide for the Australian Tiny House Association (ATHA) to help you make informed decisions about your tiny house trailer purchase.

Trailer Purchase Guide
Fred's Tiny Houses ATHA Memebers

Shop Trailers and Tiny House Plans

Choosing the Right Windows for Your Tiny House on Wheels

by with No Comment Designing a Tiny House On Wheels

When designing your tiny house on wheels, selecting the right windows is essential for light, ventilation, and weather protection. How your windows open greatly impacts their functionality—not just their placement or size.

In this blog, we’ll explore seven types of windows, outlining their benefits and challenges to help you design a tiny house that is well-ventilated, light-filled, and beautiful. We’ll also cover the pros and cons of window frame materials like wood, aluminum, and vinyl, and offer tips on selecting the right glass to safely transport your tiny home.

Comparing Window Types for Tiny House Design

1. Awning Windows

Awning windows are hinged at the top and open outward from the bottom.

Benefits:

  • Awning windows allow plenty of light, making small spaces feel larger and more open.
  • They’re cost-effective.
  • Great in the rain since water can’t enter from the top, and rain doesn’t sit on the frame, preventing wood rot.

Challenges:

  • Limited airflow unless installed high up, like in a loft.
  • When open, they protrude outside, which could be an obstacle at head height.
Awning Window

2. Double Hung (Double Sash) Windows

Double-hung windows have two moveable sections (sashes) that slide past each other vertically.

Benefits:

  • Excellent for airflow, especially at the top of the frame, making them ideal for bathrooms or high-up spaces.
  • Great for ventilating hot air out of small spaces.

Challenges:

  • They’re more expensive due to the moving parts.
  • External fly screens can be tricky to clean and might need to be removed for safe transport.
Double Hung Sash Window

3. Casement Windows

Casement windows are hinged on one side and open like a door.

Benefits:

  • Inexpensive and easy to make.
  • Great for directing airflow when the wind is blowing the right way.

Challenges:

  • Limited airflow if the wind isn’t coming from the right angle.
  • Wooden frames need protection from rain, and the open window can create an obstacle outside.
Casement Wondow

4. Center Pivot Windows

These windows pivot in the center, creating an opening on both sides of the glass.

Benefits:

  • Fantastic for airflow from multiple directions, even with small windows.

Challenges:

  • Like casement windows, they need to be protected from rain with an awning.
Center Pivot Windows

5. Slider Windows

Slider windows have one fixed pane and one that slides horizontally.

Benefits:

  • Can be made small, making them great for tight spaces.
  • Ideal for bathrooms as they passively ventilate moisture.

Challenges:

  • Only half of the window opens, limiting airflow.
  • Tracks can collect grime and require cleaning.
Slider Window

6. Louvre Windows

Louvre windows consist of slats that open and shut together with a lever.

Benefits:

  • Excellent for passive ventilation.
  • Well-suited for long, narrow windows.

Challenges:

  • Slats and levers can protrude, potentially limiting how you use the space.
  • They have many moving parts that could break, and fly screens are on the exterior.
Louver Window

7. Fixed Windows

These windows don’t open at all.

Benefits:

  • The most affordable option.
  • Ideal for decorative feature windows or unconventional shapes.

Challenges:

  • Provide no ventilation.
Fixed Window

Comparing Window Frame Materials

Vinyl Frames

Benefits:

  • Affordable and vibration-resistant, making them great for tiny houses on wheels.

Challenges:

  • Less UV resistant, so they can become brittle in the sun.
  • Prone to scratching, and cannot be repaired.

Wood Frames

Benefits:

  • Natural, sustainable, and smell great.
  • Lightweight options are available, and they’re repairable.

Challenges:

  • Can be bulky, reducing window pane space.
  • Require maintenance with oil or paint, and expand/contract with temperature changes.

Aluminum Frames

Benefits:

  • Lightweight and affordable.
  • Slim-line design allows maximum glass space in the frame.

Challenges:

  • Aluminum conducts heat, which can transfer outside temperatures inside.
  • Scratches easily and can be difficult to install with architraves.
UPVC (Vinyl) Windows
Timber windows in tiny house on wheels
Timber Windows in tiny house on wheels
Tiny House Trailer review
Aluminum Windows in a tiny house on wheels

Choosing the Right Glass for a Tiny House on Wheels

Double-Glazed Glass: Not Always Necessary

While double-glazed windows are excellent for insulating conventional homes, tiny houses generally don’t need them for winter warmth in most Australian climates. Tiny homes are easy to heat, and our focus is more on keeping them cool in summer. Instead of double glazing, consider adding a fold-away awning for large windows to block radiant heat.

However, if your tiny house will be in a cold climate (like Tasmania), or you’re planning a large feature window, double-glazed windows may be worth considering.

Safety Glass: A Must for Transport

Tiny homes are vehicles, so it’s important to use shatter-proof glass for safe towing. Two good options are:

  • Tempered Glass: This breaks into safe cubes instead of sharp shards.
  • Laminated Glass: Made with two panes and a plastic layer, it stays intact when broken but adds more weight.

Need More Design Info?

For more expert guidance on tiny house design, construction, and regulations, enroll in our Online course or attend one of Fred’s Tiny Houses workshops in Melbourne or Sydney. You’ll walk away with knowledge that can save you months of research!