Kate Bird

Steel certainly seems like it's coming out the winner for the frame. It's great to get some unbiased opinions.
Thomas, the electrical in a tiny house is often set up with both 12 and 240 volt options, so it can either be hooked up to the grid or totally off grid with solar ( which is what I would prefer) working with 12 v lighting. Cooking, fridge and hot water would be gas or gas/electric option. The off grid power system would be plenty for lights, charging a phone, computer and maybe blend a smoothie each day. Washing machine use might have to only happen on sunny days when there is enough energy and would need an inverter.
Toilet would be compost, there are some really good set ups available. Grey water would be filtered and directed into a garden via gravel pit or sand. I never use chemicals or any products that are not biodegradable and environmentally friendly, so for one person the set up is pretty simple, it's just time and money getting it established. Accessing fresh water is the big issue, ideally if I can find land to park where I can hook up to water would be perfect, other wise it's about collecting rainwater and being very conservative. In Australia Tiny Houses on wheels are not something people take travelling like a caravan, they are usually stationary, so placing a water tank next to the house would solve this issue.

Thanks people for the replies. Yes I plan to build a tiny house on wheels. It will need to be towed on the odd occasion ( and maybe quite a long distance) so it needs to not just be legal but strong and as light as possible. This will be a challenge because ideally I would like it to be between 7 and 8 metres long ( 22-26 feet long). I would be looking at building much of the furniture and cabinetry as non fixed ( or easily detached), so if it did need to be towed it can come out and be moved separately to save weight. As it will most probably need to travel on unsealed roads for short distances, I want to make sure I get the frame and trailer right as I know how important the foundation is.
I plan to use galvanised steel so hopefully that should protect from any rust for the rest of my lifetime anyway.
I also want to use non toxic materials for insulation and lining. I seem to have found a plywood that has no formaldehyde so hopefully that will be one of the lighter options to line the interior.

Hi Everyone,

I am wanting to build my own tiny house and I am starting by doing extensive research. I am already finding a lot of conflicting opinions/information when contacting trailer companies and people to construct the actual frame ( I will have to pay someone to do this as I don't have the skills, time or woman power on my own so I want to choose wisely).

Some companies swear by timber frame and tell me it's the same weight as steel because the steel needed for a tiny house frame has to be thick and strong. These people say that timber has more flexibility when the house is towed and this is important.

The pro steel frame companies say that you DON'T want movement in the frame when towing as that is where good suspension in the trailer comes into play. These people also say steel is lighter than timber.

I have spoken to about 8 trailer makers and tiny house builders and I am totally confused. I am doing this project in Australia and I am finding many builders who claim they specialise in tiny houses are just starting out and jumping on the band wagon as the Tiny House movement is still in its very early stages in OZ.  Any opinions/experiences would be so welcome. I hope to hear from someone about this.

Thanks