Many SUVs and pickup trucks can pull tiny homes, but it depends on the specific vehicle and the weight of your home.
The tiny home movement is a big deal for those of us who want to balance our love of freedom and travel with cost-effectiveness. One of the biggest advantages of having a tiny home on wheels is the ability to take it somewhere new, whether you're moving to a new plot of land or going on vacation.
A tiny home on wheels makes it easy to explore new places. If you love to travel, you might wonder whether an SUV has enough power to pull your tiny home or if you'll need a pickup truck.
Many SUVs and pickup trucks can pull tiny homes, but it depends on the specific vehicle and the weight of your home.
Here are the most common questions we receive and our answers!
How much does the average tiny home on wheels weigh?
Tiny houses on wheels weigh between 2,000 and 16,000 lbs. The average tiny home in the United States weighs roughly 10,000 lbs.
Tiny homes 18 – 20 ft long generally weigh 8,500 to 9,500 lbs, while homes 24 – 28 ft in length generally weigh 11,500 to 13,500 lbs
“Pro tip: At 26’ long, our tiny homes weigh 8,000-12,000 lbs., and we have every home professionally weighed before shipping it to you.”
We do our best to lighten our homes with frequent research and high-quality lightweight building materials to balance durability and weight.
How can I weigh my tiny home before traveling?
You'll know the exact weight of any tiny house from Spindrift Homes before it's delivered. However, if you built your home yourself, you'll want to check its weight before you hit the road!
“Pro tip: Weighing your home on a scale before purchasing a towing vehicle or traveling long distances helps you avoid damaging your car’s transmission.”
We recommend renting a truck with a high towing capacity to weigh your tiny home if you're unsure what vehicle to buy.
For instance, a standard RAM 3500 has a 6.4L HEMI V8 engine that can tow 18,000 pounds. You might not need to buy a truck that can pull this much weight, but it's better to play it safe and rent something with a high towing capacity to find out.
We suggest loading your home up with your belongings before weighing or allowing for 500 pounds of wiggle room since additional furniture and belongings can quickly add more weight. Your home's weight including your belongings is called its dry weight.
Once your tiny house is ready to travel, head to your nearest CAT truck scale:
Drive over the scale with your home in tow. Make sure your car's front axle is on the first platform and your second axle is on the next, with the axles of your tiny house over on its own platform.
Have your house weighed to receive your official certificate of weight, which costs around $10.
Drive over the scale again, this time with just your vehicle, to find your car's weight.
Subtract the difference, and you'll know the weight of your tiny home!
“Pro tip: Your vehicle’s curb weight can be found on the VIN sticker. This is its weight fully fueled with standard equipment and no upgrades or outfittings.”
If two vehicles are the same size, could either tow my tiny home?
Not necessarily! Trucks of the same size can have a huge difference in towing capacity.
“Pro tip: A vehicle specialized for towing might have double the towing capacity of another truck of the same size or even model.”
So, why can one half-ton pickup truck have a towing capacity of over 11,000 lbs. while another half-ton can only pull 5,000 lbs? Different engines, transmissions, and towing packages can affect towing capacity. The hitch and weight distribution can also make a difference.
The same truck might have different towing capacities based on your chosen engine. For instance, an F-150 with a 3.5L V6 can only pull 5,100 lbs, but the same truck with a 3.5L V6 TC can pull more than twice that weight.
What if I already have a vehicle that can tow my tiny home?
Great question! We have a few suggestions to make driving and parking easier.
To improve the safety of your vehicle for towing, you might consider adding:
New brakes or a brake controller
An upgraded suspension system
A cooling system for your transmission
GPS for areas that don't have cell service
Backup cameras and sensors
Upgraded side mirrors to help you see around your home
Should I buy an SUV or a pickup truck to pull my tiny home?
Any vehicle with the right towing capacity can pull a tiny house.
Keep tradeoffs in mind—while a heavy-duty truck might allow you to tow a much larger tiny house, you might pay more in gas.
“Pro tip: The vehicle you use to tow might also be the one you take for quick trips to the grocery store, so consider what size best suits your lifestyle.”
SUVs for pulling tiny homes:
Ford Expedition (Expedition Max): The Expedition Max has a towing capacity of up to 9,300 lbs., the highest towing capacity for an SUV.
Dodge Durango SRT: This car has four-wheel drive and a towing capacity of up to 8,700 lbs, depending on your chosen engine.
Lincoln Navigator (Navigator L): The Navigator has a towing capacity of around 8,700 lbs. but drops to 8,300 lbs. with four-wheel drive.
Pickup trucks for pulling tiny homes:
Ford F-750: With a towing capacity of 37,000 lbs., the F-750 can haul the heaviest tiny houses across almost any terrain.
RAM 3500: This truck, commonly used by professional movers, features a towing capacity of 35,100 lbs.
Ford F-150: This tried-and-true option provides solid mileage and a towing capacity of 13,200 lbs.
Tiny homes on wheels for sale in Bend, Oregon
Tiny homes on wheels give you the freedom to travel, so you can take your house along whenever you're ready to move somewhere new.
Knowing the weight of your home is critical for choosing a tow vehicle. At Spindrift Homes, we professionally weigh each home before delivery to get you the most accurate weight.
If you'd like more personalized advice on which vehicle best suits your tiny home and lifestyle, give us a call! We've been where you are, and we're here to help.