Tiny houses are cute. The design and minimalist living are appealing, and the ability to dwell in places with stunning scenery is forever fascinating. But can tiny houses guarantee long-term viability? And how long does a tiny house last?

Tiny houses are intended to last as long as traditional homes. However, several factors come into play that reshape the sturdiness of petite houses and their ability to bear up in the long run. 

Some dwellers choose a tiny house setting, not by design, but because it’s all their money can afford.

Others, though, think that they can save a lot more money if they are living in a small home instead of renting traditional houses. 

If you’re thinking about joining the pro-petite home movement, it’s crucial to consider if downsizing is something you can endure. And more importantly, you have to think deeply if tiny houses are actually… you know… worth it and can actually last long.

Can A Tiny House Last Long?

Tiny houses have become more and more popular. They are promoted as the solution to the affordable housing crisis. And what’s more, dwellers find tiny homes as the best alternative to traditional homes and mortgages — evading taxes and building codes. 

A home on wheels attracts thousands of travelers and campers. Tiny houses are easy to transport, allowing you to move to places anytime you want. 

This all sounds beautiful and alluring, but tiny houses have dark secrets, too. 

Just because your house is on wheels doesn’t mean that it can be easily and safely moved. The water tank and pipework could pick up some damage along the way. And because of the vibrations of the vehicle when moving, the batt insulation may slide down the walls. 

For your tiny house to last long, regular maintenance to your pipework must be done religiously. 

Remember, homes — big or small — can only be as safe as they are built. 

Just as how traditional houses need regular maintenance, tiny houses also need continuous subsistence. In fact, they require more care and repairs. 

Every corner, every cranny of your house has its purpose. Everything in the tiny home is used very frequently, making almost everything highly likely to get damaged. 

It’s also worth noting that your tiny house is more vulnerable to harsh weather conditions than a regular, traditional house. 

Let’s face it… regardless of how expensive the materials you use in your tiny home, it doesn’t make it less susceptible to wear and tear due to the changing (and often rough) weather conditions. 

Rains and storms can cause havoc to your home, including wood damage, water damage, mold, electrical damage, and heavy debris. Tiny houses built over a foundation may also experience foundation cracking. 

But, of course, let’s not forget that nonweather-related water can also cause major damage to your tiny house. When we talk about water damage, it’s the weather that we blame immediately, but in fact, it’s domestic water inside your petite home.

The washing machine, dishwasher, and toilets can cause leak. So to ensure your tiny house lasts long and avoids getting water damage, perform regular inspections. 

The Trailer Can Make or Break Your Tiny House

Let’s not forget the perhaps most important factor that determines how long your trailer can last: the health of the trailer itself. 

Tiny houses on wheels need periodic maintenance to ensure the wheels, brakes, and axles are at their peak condition. 

It’s very easy to overlook the trailer when, in fact, it’s one of the major pieces of your tiny home. Making sure your trailer is safe and lasting long-term can guarantee longevity to your micro house. 

• Check tire pressure

Before moving or heading to a trip, make sure to spend time checking your tire pressure in all tires. Inflate the trailer tires to the maximum inflation indicated on the sidewall just like what you would do with your car. 

Always ensure your inflation when the tires haven’t been exposed to the sun or run down the highway. It’s also crucial to change your tires depending on the weather.

Remember, cold weather can cause PSI (pounds per square inch) to drop, while excessive heat can cause your tire pressure to increase temporarily. 

For every 10 degrees of temperature increase, your tires can be expected to increase by one to two pounds of pressure. 

It may seem okay to underinflate, but it can actually cause tire failure. 

• Check your lighting

Don’t risk yourself of being pulled over and getting a ticket because of damaged lighting. 

Lighting is a vital component of your trailer. Malfunctioning or inoperative lighting can also make you a road hazard. 

Before hitting the road, you want to check that you connected the plug from your trailer to your tow hitch. Check brake signals and turn signals functions well. 

• Grease your hitch

Greasing your trailer ball and the hitch helps improve the movement of the trailer while in tow. It also prevents loud sounds and the buildup of heat around the distribution area. 

Greasing your hitch should not be overlooked. It’s a simple task that can help you in the long run. 

• Check the lug nuts

I know someone who had driven 3,000 miles with a trailer attached with the lug nuts installed backward. 

It was a clumsy mistake that could have caused damage not only to his tiny house but also to himself. 

The lug nut tension must be checked at least twice during the first 1,000 miles of driving the trailer. This is important so you can catch any loosening lug nuts. 

From then on, you must check the lugs every time you have your oil changed, your brakes serviced, or your tires balanced. 

• Check the bearings

Most trailers used in tiny houses have leaf spring axles. This makes repacking the wheel bearing a must-do maintenance routine. 

You can watch tutorials on how you can repack the wheel bearings. Or you can hire a professional service to do the repacking for you. 

Having your proper grease levels in the wheel hubs is vital for trailer performance. This helps keep the tires from overheating and your breaks from wearing insanely thin. 

If your tiny house has been parked for quite some time and you are prepping to move it, you will want to check the bearings for proper grease. 

Other Factors That Can Damage Your Tiny House

Are you living with kids? We can’t blame them for being restless and boisterous.

You know, a defiant child can destroy your home. Breaking and throwing things and punching holes in the walls are just some of the many things that your kids may (purposely) do to your home. 

These damages can impact the viability of your tiny house. 

These things are usually inevitable. Even you yourself or your friends may unintentionally break things or cause damage to your petite house. 

Really, your tiny house will be exposed to weather damage and wear and tear. But with proper care, your tiny house can last as long as traditional homes. 

Related Questions

Are tiny homes worth it?

Tiny homes can be costly. Just because they’re small doesn’t mean they’re necessarily much cheaper to build. In fact, the typical tiny house can cost more per square foot than larger houses do. 

Can I live in a tiny house on my own land?

Well, yes, of course! But building a tiny house over a foundation is trickier. The zoning and building regulations across the country stop you from buying land and building your own tiny home on it. 

You will need to build an accessory dwelling unit, meaning a secondary residential dwelling unit situated on a single-family lot. 

Do you pay taxes on tiny houses?

If your tiny house is on wheels, then you’re not subject to a property tax.