We were old enough when we built it that neither of us were interested in climbing ladders, so yes you’re right as well; def future-proofing it for older age!
Your videos inspired me to build a house out of a 53ft reefer semi-trailer. I have completed around 80% of the build and alreadylive in it. I love my trailer. I'm glad I didn't choose a cargo container
Oh wow, how cool! I'm happy that our build had some influence but how amazing that you are mostly finished and living in it! Photos? Video? Would love to see your take on the reefer fit-out. 😁
OMGolly you are both amazing. Mike this is a work of art. Hats off to you for such fabulous dedication, workmanship and intelligence. Bravo and THANK you for inspiration. Roll on (not literally though) 🤩
I'm absolutely inspired to build a semi-home for myself... and just (like, literally today!) got myself an old RV to live on some land while I get to work! I've been looking into passive home construction and while I know of the pros (and cons -- like it makes real fireplaces almost impossible!) it's made me rethink the idea of buying an ex-refrigerated/ insulted semi if I'm going to tear all the old insulation out to put in better stuff. I'll be very curious to see what you come up with in your next video in terms of how to look for the semis and some industry insights. Big thanks for all your work on these videos and sharing you knowledge and passion. You've certainly affected this optimistic soul!
Wow so great to hear what you’re considering for your tiny home journey 😊 If you document the process, do send me a link. As I mentioned in the video, let me know if you have any questions! Thanks so much for watching and your kind words 💚
Nice! We knew someone who went the uninsulated route. He basically did a timber frame within the body in order to give it rigidity and to make it easier for electrical wiring and a place to put the insulation. Your main challenge will be how to affix the frame to the outer shell...he had to screw from the outside so you could see those connections, but if you plan to clad the exterior in something, you can hide all that. Good luck!
Been watching every movie you made almost, totally on the bridge of doing this myself. Just found a place where I could place for a couple of years so im superexcited!!! My main question to start out is, do I buy a fridge trailer or a normal one? The fridge trailers are allready insulated so that removes a big cost, Im not very knowledgeable yet so Im not sure if yours is a fridge one or not. People been tellin me with fridgetrailers u can have trouble with condensation (i live in belgium, a lot a rain and short summers) but my rational mind just says to make enough windows to ventilate and that problem would be gone. What is your opinion on this Mike? Peace and Love!
Thanks so much for watching and your questions. How exciting to be embarking on this journey! I definitely recommend watching some of my videos from the original build (check out that playlist on my channel) as it helps you truly understand the ins and outs of building in a refrigerated semi-trailer. My personal opinion is that the insulated walls are definitely the way to go. Not only are the walls more rigid, but the insulation saves you money and the thicker walls (usually 50mm) are very easy to work with. And it’s not just the walls; the roof is 150mm thick and the floor is also usually about 100mm thick of insulation. A standard trailer has none of this. I’ve witnessed someone build inside a standard trailer so it absolutely can be done, but even as a professional builder, there were a lot of concessions that he had to make. I’m not sure who talked about condensation issues, but that has never been a problem for us. Perhaps they were referring to when the trailer was actually operating as a refrigerator trailer? We have double glazing windows so have never had a problem, though we also live in a fairly dry part of the world, so I can only speak from my own set-up!
People separate the chassis from the body but you’d need something very strong to support it for sure. The trouble is, until councils are saying THOWs are “legal”, then there is a chance they might have to be moved on. It’s easier to keep the wheels on for now. Fixing it to the ground also changes its status as a dwelling.
Hey there Ricky! That's cool that you're doing a semi-trailer build...is it going to be a house or something else? Roof leaks! Yeah, they are nasty. Have you been up on the roof and had a look? Are they just little crazing cracks in the vinyl from age or is there actual damage? If it's the former, you can just use a few layers of rubber paint or bitumen paint, to seal it properly. If it more like actual cracks then you'll be best off doing a fibreglass repair. If there are a lot of cracks, then you probably need to consider getting the roof replaced (easiest if you can tow the trailer to a place that does it...not cheap though about AUD$6k / USD$4k). If you let me know a few more specifics, I can ive you better suggestions!
By keeping everything on one level you've future-proofed your home. Brilliant.
We were old enough when we built it that neither of us were interested in climbing ladders, so yes you’re right as well; def future-proofing it for older age!
I would love to see the video on the sale of the trailers themselves 😊
Your videos inspired me to build a house out of a 53ft reefer semi-trailer. I have completed around 80% of the build and alreadylive in it. I love my trailer. I'm glad I didn't choose a cargo container
Oh wow, how cool! I'm happy that our build had some influence but how amazing that you are mostly finished and living in it! Photos? Video? Would love to see your take on the reefer fit-out. 😁
OMGolly you are both amazing. Mike this is a work of art. Hats off to you for such fabulous dedication, workmanship and intelligence. Bravo and THANK you for inspiration. Roll on (not literally though) 🤩
Thanks so much for the generous comments 😍 Are you a tiny builder/owner as well or an aficionado?
I'm absolutely inspired to build a semi-home for myself... and just (like, literally today!) got myself an old RV to live on some land while I get to work! I've been looking into passive home construction and while I know of the pros (and cons -- like it makes real fireplaces almost impossible!) it's made me rethink the idea of buying an ex-refrigerated/ insulted semi if I'm going to tear all the old insulation out to put in better stuff. I'll be very curious to see what you come up with in your next video in terms of how to look for the semis and some industry insights. Big thanks for all your work on these videos and sharing you knowledge and passion. You've certainly affected this optimistic soul!
Wow so great to hear what you’re considering for your tiny home journey 😊 If you document the process, do send me a link. As I mentioned in the video, let me know if you have any questions! Thanks so much for watching and your kind words 💚
I bought an uninsulated 53 for cheap and am going to insulate it for a tiny home guest house.
Nice! We knew someone who went the uninsulated route. He basically did a timber frame within the body in order to give it rigidity and to make it easier for electrical wiring and a place to put the insulation. Your main challenge will be how to affix the frame to the outer shell...he had to screw from the outside so you could see those connections, but if you plan to clad the exterior in something, you can hide all that. Good luck!
Been watching every movie you made almost, totally on the bridge of doing this myself. Just found a place where I could place for a couple of years so im superexcited!!!
My main question to start out is, do I buy a fridge trailer or a normal one? The fridge trailers are allready insulated so that removes a big cost, Im not very knowledgeable yet so Im not sure if yours is a fridge one or not. People been tellin me with fridgetrailers u can have trouble with condensation (i live in belgium, a lot a rain and short summers) but my rational mind just says to make enough windows to ventilate and that problem would be gone. What is your opinion on this Mike? Peace and Love!
Thanks so much for watching and your questions. How exciting to be embarking on this journey! I definitely recommend watching some of my videos from the original build (check out that playlist on my channel) as it helps you truly understand the ins and outs of building in a refrigerated semi-trailer.
My personal opinion is that the insulated walls are definitely the way to go. Not only are the walls more rigid, but the insulation saves you money and the thicker walls (usually 50mm) are very easy to work with. And it’s not just the walls; the roof is 150mm thick and the floor is also usually about 100mm thick of insulation. A standard trailer has none of this. I’ve witnessed someone build inside a standard trailer so it absolutely can be done, but even as a professional builder, there were a lot of concessions that he had to make.
I’m not sure who talked about condensation issues, but that has never been a problem for us. Perhaps they were referring to when the trailer was actually operating as a refrigerator trailer? We have double glazing windows so have never had a problem, though we also live in a fairly dry part of the world, so I can only speak from my own set-up!
Can they rest on some concrete or metal pillars so the weight isn’t on the tires? I have no idea if it can be done, but it seems like a solution.
People separate the chassis from the body but you’d need something very strong to support it for sure. The trouble is, until councils are saying THOWs are “legal”, then there is a chance they might have to be moved on. It’s easier to keep the wheels on for now. Fixing it to the ground also changes its status as a dwelling.
currently building out a semi trailer but i have leaks in the roof, how would you go about sealing them up properly?
Hey there Ricky! That's cool that you're doing a semi-trailer build...is it going to be a house or something else?
Roof leaks! Yeah, they are nasty. Have you been up on the roof and had a look? Are they just little crazing cracks in the vinyl from age or is there actual damage? If it's the former, you can just use a few layers of rubber paint or bitumen paint, to seal it properly. If it more like actual cracks then you'll be best off doing a fibreglass repair. If there are a lot of cracks, then you probably need to consider getting the roof replaced (easiest if you can tow the trailer to a place that does it...not cheap though about AUD$6k / USD$4k).
If you let me know a few more specifics, I can ive you better suggestions!