Tiny Homes vs. Motorhomes: More Bang for Your Buck
10-16-2017
Author: in The Road Less Traveled
For some, the allure of fulltime living in a smaller space, makes the transcendentalist Henry David Thoreau's "Walden Pond" existence a reality. Residing in a tiny house encourages more outdoor activities and often allows them to spend more time and money for living large in other ways.
Previously, the options were limited to motorhomes, campers, and small apartments. In modern times, though, there're more varied choices. A tiny house provides a more traditional-feeling residence, where living in an RV may begin to feel like a really long camping trip over time. Tiny homes are also custom-designed to owner specifications and often have better insulation. RVs, on the other hand, typically travel better, since that's what they were made to do. Ultimately, the choice depends on what your personal needs are.
Before committing to a residence, make a list of housing requirements and begin comparing your options. The price of a customized tiny home begins at around $23,000 for the building supplies if you plan to build it yourself. If you have it manufactured, the cost would be higher. Although a new, basic travel trailer could cost as little as $10,000, a used model would likely be less. An RV would be considerably more depending on how many bells and whistles are included.
The initial cost isn't the only expense to consider. RVs are self-contained with fresh water hookups and tanks, as well as the used water tanks. They can be hooked up to a power supply and water, septic anywhere these are available. They're often equipped with a generator, solar panels, and a bank of batteries. You can set up a permanent residence at an RV park or boondock in the wild. Plus, getting insurance is as simple as choosing the right company for you.
Tiny homes, however, have to be set up with all of the utilities that a regular house requires: electricity, road access to your mini-house, water and sewer. Plus, insurance is a bit more difficult to obtain, as a tiny home isn't exactly a house and it isn't an RV.
The living space in tiny homes are restricted to the size of the chassis, which is usually around 100 to 400-square feet. Motorhomes and fifth wheels, on the other hand, can expand exponentially depending on the number and size of the slide-outs they're equipped with. This means that they can become the size of a small apartment.
Acceptance
Tiny homes aren't as lightweight as RVs typically are, which makes them more difficult to move if you want to relocate. Unfortunately, finding an appropriate place to live in a tiny home, whether temporarily or permanently, can be a challenge. They aren't allowed in most RV parks and are prohibited in many subdivisions. Generally, residents buy or rent a lot in a trailer park or purchase land to place the home upon.
Resalability
Tiny homes are exceptionally popular…for now. In fact, they may very well be a passing fad, which means that if you decide the limited space is too small for fulltime living, it may be difficult for you to unload it. RVs and travel trailers have been around for decades. Even if your camper isn't a contemporary style, there'll still be a market for your home on wheels. Additionally, RVs are more versatile. Even if you decide you don't want to live in it fulltime, you may still find it useful to keep for vacation trips or even as a guest house.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision about whether to live full or part time in an RV or a tiny home is an individual one based on one's personal needs. Before making the choice, visit several RV dealers and tiny home manufacturers to get a feel for both. For many people, the quaintness of a miniature house outweighs the disadvantages of resalability or even relocation. For the rest of us, the conveniences of a self-contained home that is designed for travel, as well as comfortable living are luxuries we wouldn't trade.
Previously, the options were limited to motorhomes, campers, and small apartments. In modern times, though, there're more varied choices. A tiny house provides a more traditional-feeling residence, where living in an RV may begin to feel like a really long camping trip over time. Tiny homes are also custom-designed to owner specifications and often have better insulation. RVs, on the other hand, typically travel better, since that's what they were made to do. Ultimately, the choice depends on what your personal needs are.
Related Read: Tiny Homes: Big Adventures
Initial CostBefore committing to a residence, make a list of housing requirements and begin comparing your options. The price of a customized tiny home begins at around $23,000 for the building supplies if you plan to build it yourself. If you have it manufactured, the cost would be higher. Although a new, basic travel trailer could cost as little as $10,000, a used model would likely be less. An RV would be considerably more depending on how many bells and whistles are included.
The initial cost isn't the only expense to consider. RVs are self-contained with fresh water hookups and tanks, as well as the used water tanks. They can be hooked up to a power supply and water, septic anywhere these are available. They're often equipped with a generator, solar panels, and a bank of batteries. You can set up a permanent residence at an RV park or boondock in the wild. Plus, getting insurance is as simple as choosing the right company for you.
Tiny homes, however, have to be set up with all of the utilities that a regular house requires: electricity, road access to your mini-house, water and sewer. Plus, insurance is a bit more difficult to obtain, as a tiny home isn't exactly a house and it isn't an RV.
Related Read: What to Include in Your Full Time RV Budget
Amount of Living SpaceThe living space in tiny homes are restricted to the size of the chassis, which is usually around 100 to 400-square feet. Motorhomes and fifth wheels, on the other hand, can expand exponentially depending on the number and size of the slide-outs they're equipped with. This means that they can become the size of a small apartment.
Acceptance
Tiny homes aren't as lightweight as RVs typically are, which makes them more difficult to move if you want to relocate. Unfortunately, finding an appropriate place to live in a tiny home, whether temporarily or permanently, can be a challenge. They aren't allowed in most RV parks and are prohibited in many subdivisions. Generally, residents buy or rent a lot in a trailer park or purchase land to place the home upon.
Resalability
Tiny homes are exceptionally popular…for now. In fact, they may very well be a passing fad, which means that if you decide the limited space is too small for fulltime living, it may be difficult for you to unload it. RVs and travel trailers have been around for decades. Even if your camper isn't a contemporary style, there'll still be a market for your home on wheels. Additionally, RVs are more versatile. Even if you decide you don't want to live in it fulltime, you may still find it useful to keep for vacation trips or even as a guest house.
In Conclusion
Ultimately, the decision about whether to live full or part time in an RV or a tiny home is an individual one based on one's personal needs. Before making the choice, visit several RV dealers and tiny home manufacturers to get a feel for both. For many people, the quaintness of a miniature house outweighs the disadvantages of resalability or even relocation. For the rest of us, the conveniences of a self-contained home that is designed for travel, as well as comfortable living are luxuries we wouldn't trade.
Comment
No comments found! Be the first one to write a comment!
Author: Carrie Todd
