Which Car Should Pull My Tiny House?

Photo from tinyhouselover

Since my van died a couple months ago, I am in the predicament of having to choose what my next car should be. Should I go for a short term plan, of getting a tiny gas efficient sedan to save on fuel costs? Or do I want to establish a more long term plan of getting something a little bit more powerful for when I have to haul my studio/house/workspace on wheels?

Though I have a class B commercial driver's license,  I still have only a cave-man's knowledge of cars and their individual capabilities. I am by no means a mechanic, and therefore the most advanced knowledge I have concerning this subject matter is that a Jetta most likely not the best choice to haul a 30 foot flatbed with a house built on it.

Since I am an artist, and wish to travel with my studio/shopfront on a fairly regular basis, I feel I need to do more research than those that only haul trailers once a year for vacation, or as a one time house-moving-excursion.

So, dear readers, I would like to introduce you to TOWCAR.INFO. This site is extremely helpful, and allows one to type in all the specs of both their car, and any recent trailer that is on the market, and get an educated overview about the safety, speeds, and feasibility of taking it on the open road. This is really going to help me research and figure out which car to get for my tinyhouse pulling endeavors.

Now, my tiny house is going to be a home built one that I build on a flatbed trailer, (probably around 12-16 feet) but I can always find a caravan that has a similar size and shape, and use that to compare different car models.

To finish this post out, if anyone has any advice for me or other house-hauling newbies, feel free to write it in the comments below!

Traveling Sushi Bar

My fiancé is a permanent traveler: he works all over the country at renaissance fairs. Most fairs last roughly 2 months, so every 2 months he has to pack all his belongings, his tent, and all the equipment he works with, and move to the next job.

The people who work these fairs all year round, moving from show to show call themselves "road rennies" and have a great sense of camaraderie, and a love for the freedom this lifestyle allows.

As I become more immersed in this lifestyle, and observe more fairs from an insider's viewpoint, I get to take part in some of the things that go on in the campgrounds that are reserved for the workers.

Renaissance fairs take place on weekends, and Monday is the equivalent of a Saturday morning to those with weekday jobs. Each Monday, or "Unday", everyone gets together for the Bizarre Bazaar: a flea market reserved only for the people living on the grounds (or in my case, their loved ones). There is always one group of people who sells breakfast and coffee, and lots of people selling things to each other, whether they are handmade items such as jewelry or clothing, or things they are getting rid of, like any other flea market. It is a great occasion for people to relax, and have a good time hanging out with each other.

I have been to many of these bazaars and breakfast/brunch has always been the main event. This time, however, I was happily surprised that the people cooking announced that they would start taking sushi orders, just before noon.

I love Sushi, and I think it was amazing that even in a campsite surrounded by woods in rural Ohio, I could have amazing food made by really cool people. The pictures below show our friends Molly and Shannon at the sushi bar, and some of the delicious things they offered.

Temptation

Its just sitting there... Perfect... For sale... But I didn't even ask how much it is being sold for because I guess I need a car first.. But I should ask anyway...

Oh the internal battles of the tiny mobile home obsessed!

Wanderlust Vintage and Handmade

Keeping with the mobile shopfront theme, I wanted to talk about Wanderlust Vintage and Handmade.  They did a great interview talking about how starting with a mobile shop allowed them to take their time building their business. You can read the interview on DIY Business Association's site.

Mobile Shopfronts

I am one of those creative types who has so many ideas it seems difficult to decide on only one to execute. When not obsessing over tiny houses and mobile structures I'm focusing on my fashion business, that I have been bootstrapping into action since 2009. (More on that on my business's blog) 

Recently, in my attempt to re-evaluate my sense of workspace, I have thought about opening a shop. I've been vending out of tents at festivals for years, but a shop I wouldn't have to set up and break down  every weekend? That seems like heaven! and I can make money while simultaneously using the space as a studio.

So I feel as though I'm getting closer to what I eventually need as a business, but there are still so many options! And deciding which one is the least financially tiring is sometimes the key to resourcefulness  in my idea manufacturing plant. Brick and mortar shop? Rents can be really high, and I know I'd get stir crazy being in one spot. Renaissance faire vending? Less set up and tear down, since they usually run for 2 months at a clip, but theme restrictions and the niche audience can be stifling to a brand to do all year round. Mobile vending out of a trailer? ...... Now that might make my synapses fire a with a little something extra.

The startup costs would be lower than a brick and mortar, and rather than rent, I'd just have to worry about weekend vendor fees... Indoor events would still be a beast unto themselves, but a trailer studio-shop would give me an easy way to transport my products to different venues, if nothing else...

Here are some amazing examples of other people living the mobile business dream, and looking good doing it!

Trailers by Dethrose Vintage and Jenstyle Chic Vintage

Vintage Bliss's vending setup

Lune Vintage

Airstream Library!!! 

And the next few photos are from Glorious Gladys, who I'm ever grateful for posting so many photos of the interior of her mobile shop!

And if anyone knows the source of the Candy Camper, the first shot in this post, let me know!

House Truck by Michael Ostaski

Here is a video that I feel is a really good example of what my blog is about. Artist Michael Ostaski built an amazing home on wheels for himself, and used it while traveling and making art. Being at home while always moving is a challenge, and he certainly rose to the occasion.

Bike recycling!

Had to share this wonderfully quaint re-use of old bicycles I came across in my travels!