Semi Trailer Converted Into Tiny House

While it may be an unconventional idea, old semi-trailers can easily be converted into tiny houses. In conversations with many Do-It-Yourself builders, I learned that starting with some kind of structure is far less stressful than imagining a blank slate. A retired semi-trailer is a great place to start a tiny house build.

Semi-Trailer Tiny House Conversions: Mobile or Stationary?

The first decision you’ll need to make is all about your desired lifestyle. Let’s look at two builds constructed for different purposes.

First, let’s examine a project that includes both parts of the semi-tractor/trailer. This builder takes his entire life on the road, including lots of toys. RVers might even be a little jealous of all this fun-on-wheels.

Including the tractor as part of the refurbishment is a costly direction to go. We met the folks who converted the semi-tractor and trailer shown above. You can click on the image to jump to their YouTube® video. The owner spent over $250k. There is a garage in the rear where he stores a jet ski, motorcycle, and an electric bike. The roof raises about a foot when parked so there’s enough headroom for a second floor. This project is just as much a toy hauler as it is a home. On the other hand, the photo at the top of the page represents just one example of artistry and simplicity in tiny home design.

Still Mobile But No Tractor Included

The “Maressa”, shown at the top of the page, is a lovely tiny home. Take the tour with Jodi Cuccurese in her brief YouTube® video to see what she and her dad created in a relatively short time. Without buying the semi-tractor, the cost for this tiny home was reasonable.

If you need to move your semi-trailer, Penske rents semi-tractors. They will give you a quote on their website. You’ll need a driver with a commercial Class A CDL license. A ballpark amount is $175 to $215* per day plus 30 cents a mile*, insurance, fuel, and a huge deposit.

If you are considering using a semi-trailer for your build, I recommend including a second exit for fire safety, due to their length. See more about fire safety on this page of Tiny Life Consulting: Tiny Home Fire Safety.

There are several advantages to starting a tiny house this way.

Semi-Trailer Conversions: The Pros and the Cons

Pros:

Unlike a shipping container, a semi-trailer is on wheels and easily moved from place to place.
Semi-trailers are wider and taller than shipping containers.
Made of non-rusting aluminum.
The trailer load limits are massive. You’ll never have to worry about going over the weight limit.
There is loads of space underneath for storage compartments to be added.
There is a large roof area for solar panels.

Cons:

If the semi-trailer remains on the wheels, the deck is very high and would not allow for lofts.
Before you begin, check with your insurance company to confirm your creation will be covered.
If you want to be mobile, you’ll need to own, rent, or hire a semi-tractor.
There are no building codes, so you might never be able to live in it full-time legally.
These can be hot if not insulated properly.

Semi Trailer Sizes

You’ll find semi-trailers in these sizes:

Click on image to download .pdf from source.

Notice that the height varies one to three inches from front to back.

Used Semi-Trailers on eBay

“Reefer” or refrigerated trailers are well insulated on all sides.

The 53′ “reefer” trailer shown here was available from eBay for just $2,400.00*. They gave very little information but there is a video you can watch for details. It’s located in Cleveland, Ohio.

EBay Motors is actually a great place to buy a vehicle with their buyers protection plan. Protection is only offered on transactions that are completed on eBay. You can contact the seller directly to work out all of the details, then complete the transaction through eBay and get some solid protections.

Framing a Semi Trailer for Tiny House Conversion

Use the best practices when framing the inside of the semi-trailer. Make sure the roof is strong enough to walk on so you can apply two layers of an elastromeric roof coating to ensure it’s leak-proof.

In the picture above, because it is a “reefer” and already insulated, the builder simply put furring strips screwed to the walls’ existing framing, then installed drywall. This saved several inches of interior width over a 2×4 frame. I think they also glued some ridged foam board between the furring strips for a bit of added insulation.

Insulating a Semi Trailer Converted into a Tiny House

Even when using a “reefer” semi-trailer insulation must be added to avoid the home becoming a sweat box.

Add enough insulation to attain at least an R-19 rating. This will keep it cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

A 5.5″ thick Rockwool Comfortbatt will give an R23 rating. Rockwool is fire-resistant and impervious to mold. It will dry easily if it gets wet. Click on the image to see the product at The Home Depot.

For more information on insulating your tiny house, see this page of Tiny Life Consulting: Best Way to Insulate A Tiny House

The underbelly of the semi-trailer tiny house conversion shown at the top of the page was encased in closed-cell spray foam, while the interior walls were sprayed with open-cell foam.

Good Example of a Semi Trailer Converted Into Tiny House

This is a 44′ Lorry trailer in the UK converted by Marcus Williams and partner Helen Ambler. It took 18 months and $70k to convert this into a charming “Lorry Lodge” that sleeps 4.

The skirting rolls up quickly so a tractor can be attached and moved anywhere you want.

They choose to frame the floor and add insulation that way. The semi-trailer converted into tiny home shown at the top of the page has the entire underbelly insulated with spray foam. That worked well too.

They framed the inside with 2×4’s and insulated.

The exterior is thin and easy to cut for windows and doors.

They sheathed the outside in house wrap, then furring strips and siding. It came out great.

How To Convert A Semi Trailer Into Tiny Home

There is very little information, training, or guides about “how-to” convert a semi-trailer into a tiny home. There are a few videos about converting a box or panel truck, which is very similar. See also this page of the Tiny Life Consulting website for more information about converting a panel truck to a tiny home: Converting a Panel Truck into a Tiny Home