M-Permieable - 01 - TinyHome on Skids

Some permies are just brilliant, and full of it (good ideas, that is) ... like this guy on a recent thread of Paul's, proposing permie modular plans:

https: //permies.com/t/178575/huge-gift-permaculture

Assuming what follows is in line with his idea, here's an "m-permieable" for you ... "Modular permies construction kit, #1, Tiny Home on Skids (THoS)"

- description: a skid-based 8'x12' tiny home, site-built w/ 6x6 skids, 4x4 timber-frame (really timber post & beam), and 4' modular panels; it will have a kitchen/bath at one end, loft above for sleeping, and living/working area in the remainder. We're off-grid, so it will have inverter/battery-bank/solar as one power source, and propane generator as another (shore power). It will be a TinyHome on "Training Wheels" (THoTW) for daughter #1, close to turning 18; she will help to build it, install all systems, and will be mortgage-free when done; plus, she'll actually know how to work with all systems, as she helped install them.

- steps:
1. foundation/pad: remove all topsoil, bring in road-base & compact/level, dig swales & drainage to daylight, lay CMU & lock into place with road-base; note the pockets for skids to drop into. Cover w/ 6-mil plastic (radon).

2. build 1st-floor of THoS: raise 6x6 skids up on CMU's to working height. Lay 3/4" plywood, then 4x4 framing (perimeter & 4' o.c.), interior 2x4's at 16" or 24" o.c., insulation, and close with 1/2" plywood. Before final closing, lay in electrical runs from planned location of load-center to each corner of platform.

If you're following along, it should look something like the attached pic when done to this stage. Because it is on skids, and less than 100 sq. ft., there are no code issues. We build with common sense methods, so it will naturally follow or exceed most (common sense) codes anyway.

- alternatives: and this is where I think the modular part starts to meet the originator's idea ... you could stop at this stage and have a platform upon which to build other ideas. Build a shed on it instead of a tiny home. Pitch your tent, while waiting to fill in the framing of walls/roof and such.

If you are doing a TinyHome on Skids, then at this point, as the pic only shows the prepped foundation area and the 1st floor, you'll have to use your imagination. Fill in the rest of the 4x4 vertical and roof framing, filled in with modular wall & roof panels; metal roofing over the roof panels, for rainwater collection. With doors & garden windows installed, it will be dried in and ready for next winter. Finish out the interior, finish out the remainder of systems. Add in a small woodstove.

Other m-permieables can follow, where one may not know how to build out an inverter or propane-generator power source, or bath/shower module, or woodstove, or ... If you need more details in this particular m-permieable, you'll have to wait for my version of a book on this, or for others to throw out even more m-permieables.

(When) done ... one daughter, launched in her mortgage-free Tiny Home (on training wheels)!

PS: not wedded to the "m-permieable" name ... just needed something.

Jt Lamb wrote:

Assuming what follows is in line with his idea, here's an "m-permieable" for you ... "Modular permies construction kit, #1, Tiny Home on Skids (THoS)"

I think this is great! Now, if there are step-by-step instructions, tools and materials lists, especially a very well-edited, efficiently written how-to guide with photos, or even better a video tutorial or playlist, that would be amazing!

Thank you for sharing this!

I think this guy is onto to something really good with the modular, "Lego" pieces at our disposal idea:

https://www.opensourceecology.org/about-overview/

I keep an eye on GVCS every so often, hoping that one day I can build a truck, or tractor, or b-dozer ... not enough has come together for *me* to do so ... still watching them.

I will look into rewording the m-permieable so it's less wordy, and more a "set of instructions", plus the other items you mention.

Currently working on QCAD and some other tools, for the ability to create detailed library parts & plans. I find that I can manually draft something in short order, but *all* cad programs seem to be too much "zoom out for big picture", "zoom in to get lines perfectly aligned" and other i/f issues ... endlessly.