The Pitfalls of a Tiny Home on Wheels:

Tiny homes on wheels (THoWs) have captured the imaginations of many aspiring minimalist homeowners. With the promise of a simpler, more sustainable lifestyle and the freedom to move at will, they seem like an ideal solution. However, as with any home, there are significant challenges and expenses, particularly when it comes to connecting essential services like electricity, sewerage, water, and gas.

Here, we delve into the realities of setting up your Tiny Home on Wheels as compared to conventional homes, or other Tiny Homes that reside on fixed foundations.

1. Electricity: No modern cave dweller can live without it!

Challenges: The first thing to consider is which electrical equipment will be used within your Tiny Home. The short answer is; pretty much the same things in a regular home, possibly just a bit smaller with lower amps. If you run an all electric home, that includes fixed appliancess such as an oven, cooktop, rangehood, hotwater unit, lighting and an airconditioner. Then include permanent free standing appliances such as a fridge and TV. What about charging laptops & mobile phones?

Connection Complexity: Just like a regular home, a Tiny Home on Wheels requires a professional to set up your electrical connection. This involves obtaining the necessary permits, ensuring the home meets local codes, and often, upgrading the electrical infrastructure. With even a third of appliances described above, it's unlikely that you'll be able to simply plug into a 10amp or even a 15amp plug without constantly tripping the meter board. For a stable connection to your Tiny Home on Wheels, you will likely need a single phase 32amp outlet with a 20amp circuit breaker within the main board (ask a qualified electrician).

What about off-Grid Solutions: Tiny home enthusiasts will ideally opt for solar panels to maintain their off-grid lifestyle however choice of site will determine if that's feasible. Ensuring enough sun comes into your solar panels all year round is difficult if you don't want to be in an open field. The initial investment for solar and batteries will be steep, and ensuring you have sufficient power storage for cloudy days or high-usage periods can be challenging. ALong with capacity of panels and batteries, you'll actually need somewhere to store those things and an inverter with a subboard so you'll likely need a small garden shed to put all that stuff!

If you think a generator is a good idea, think again. Where's the serenity? Not next to a generator! Generators are noisy, smelly and a potential fire hazard that require burning petrol or diesel. Not exactly what you had in mind when you started planning your Tiny Home!?

Installation Costs: Depending on the complexity and location, connecting your Tiny Home to the grid can range from $1,500 for a standard electrical connection to $10,000 (+) for distribution boards that are a long distance from the street feed.

Solar Panels: A complete solar setup with sufficient battery storage can from $8,000 to $20,000 or more.

2. Sewerage: There's no getting away from 1's & 2's.

Challenges:

Septic Systems: Installing a septic system for a Tiny Home on Wheels is similar to that of a traditional home. It requires space, proper soil conditions, and adherence to environmental regulations, which can be particularly challenging on small or mobile plots.

Composting Toilets: While composting toilets offer an off-grid solution, they require regular maintenance and in some case approvals, but reality is some people may find them inconvenient or unpleasant to use since they don't flush your business away. If considering renting your Tiny Home, will your tenants who pay a premium for their short holiday experience envisage anything other than a flushing toilet?

Costs:

Septic System Installation: This can range from $3,000 to $10,000, depending on the location and complexity.

Composting Toilets: A high-quality composting toilet can cost between $1,000 and $2,000 and you'll need somewhere to put the end product (compost).

3. Water: How will you hydrate your Tiny Home?

Challenges:

Water Supply: Accessing a consistent water supply can be tricky, especially in rural or remote areas. You may need to connect your Tiny Home on Wheels to a municipal water source or install a well, both of which require permits and professional installation. Then There's the question of whether you opt for above ground pipes or to dig yours below ground. The more you think through these things, the more you're having to ask yourself the question 'How permanent is your temporary tiny home all wheels?".

Water Storage: For those who prefer to remain mobile, water storage tanks are necessary. Managing these tanks, including filling and sanitizing them, adds an extra layer of complexity.

The average daily water consumption of an Australian adult, including all uses such as showering, food preparation, drinking, and other domestic activities, may be summarised approximately as follows:

1. Showering: Around 50-100 liters per day.
2. Toilet: Approximately 30-50 liters per day.
3. Laundry: About 15-20 liters per day.
4. Kitchen (food preparation, dishwashing, etc.): Roughly 10-20 liters per day.
5. Drinking: Around 2-3 liters per day.

With average daily water consumption of an Australian adult of between 127 to 223 liters per day, you may consume 3800 to 6700 litres per month in which case if you don't have water piped to your chosen site, the minimum capacity tank you'll require to be attached to your Tiny Home would be 5000 litres (if you're sensible).

Costs:

Municipal Connection: Connecting to a municipal water supply can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000.

Well Installation: Installing a well can be significantly more expensive, ranging from $3,500 to $15,000.

Water Tanks: Storage tanks vary in price based on size and quality, but you should allow a minimum of $2,000 + site preparation and piping costs for a 5000 litre poly-tank.

4. Gas: Fueling the fire?

Challenges:

Propane Tanks: Many Tiny Homes on Wheels use propane for heating, cooking, and hot water but regularly refilling and maintaining these tanks can be inconvenient and adds to long-term costs and hazards.

Fossil Fuel Gas (some call it Natural): Connecting a Tiny Home to a gas line, if available, involves similar procedures to a conventional home and requires professional installation and permits.

Bottled Gas: large gas bottles will give additional capacity but they'll furhter dampen the prospects of your Tiny Home on Wheels as being temporary or movable.

Costs:

Propane Setup: Initial setup for propane can range from $500 to $2,000, plus the ongoing cost of refills.

Gas Connection: Connecting to a gas line can cost between $1,000 and $3,000, depending on the proximity to the main line and local rates.

Conclusion: A realistic perspective or a reality check!?

Part of the allure of a Tiny Home on Wheels is due to it's percieved temporary status but if you attempt to set up your tiny home without understanding the challenges and thinking through everything first, you could quickly be in a position where your installation costs as much as your tiny home itself. You may even fall afoul of municipal laws and be fined or asked to move.

It's helpful to understand issues of services installation with an understanding of why they exist and how to comply. It's crucial to investigate your local laws and logistical challenges, cost of connecting and maintaining these essential services to ensure the saftey and enjoyment of your occupants.

Connecting essential services to a tiny home on wheels is no simpler than for a conventional home and often requires similar investments in time, money, and effort. Potential tiny home owners should weigh these factors carefully and plan accordingly to ensure their dream of a minimalist, mobile lifestyle can be realised without unexpected financial and logistical hurdles.

In the end, thorough research, realistic budgeting, and professional assistance are key to navigating the pitfalls of Tiny Homes and enjoying the benefits they offer.

Finally, don't forget about general household waste, green waste and recycling bins? Maybe even postal services.....?