[TravisGM]

Hello all! My lady and I are building a tiny house out of a retired semi truck trailer. The trailer is 25' x 8' and we are beginning to build the floor frame.

Question is; can we use 2x6's (there will be a loft) for the floor frame every 16" on center, and should the 2x6's (or whatever we use) run the length of the trailer or the width?

Thanks for your responses!!

 

[Fix'n it]

the floor of the loft ? yeah, 2x6 run the width will work just fine.

is it a container or an actual trailer ?

 

[TravisGM]

the floor of the loft ? yeah, 2x6 run the width will work just fine.

is it a container or an actual trailer ?

No I guess I meant the entire trailer, the first, main floor.

It's an actual trailer.

 

[Bud9051]

As a kid we started in a 40'x8 wide trailer. Now we are going full circle with the small house concept. Sure helps to keep the "accumulation" problems down.

Interesting and glad to help. Your location isn't mentioned, need general climate. Well, septic, city water, city sewer??? Will you be getting a building permit? Had one up here that built theirs and moved in only to be evicted because they didn't get any approvals.

Your climate will tell us what you will need for insulation and fresh air. And what might work for heating and/or cooling.

Many steps you need to have in place before the framing and floors go in?

Bud

 

[TravisGM]

As a kid we started in a 40'x8 wide trailer. Now we are going full circle with the small house concept. Sure helps to keep the "accumulation" problems down.

Interesting and glad to help. Your location isn't mentioned, need general climate. Well, septic, city water, city sewer??? Will you be getting a building permit? Had one up here that built theirs and moved in only to be evicted because they didn't get any approvals.

Your climate will tell us what you will need for insulation and fresh air. And what might work for heating and/or cooling.

Many steps you need to have in place before the framing and floors go in?

Bud

Bud, I appreciate your enthusiasm! Frankly the whole floor thing has got me a bit stressed out!

The climate is cold most of the time. We live in the mountains of Colorado. We'll have the sewage, water, etc. figured out just fine, but thanks for the concern

I thought I'd need about R-19 or so for the floors and the walls, and at least R-26 for the ceiling. I'd like the 2x6's to work so we'll have enough head space. If we upgrade to 2x8 or 2x10 we sacrifice a lot of head space, but obviously if we can't do it without 2x8's then...

Anyways, thanks for the help

 

[de-nagorg]

2X6 running across the width, this will allow more insulation in the floor.

I lived in the Colorado mountains (western slope) as a kid. It gets darn cold there in the winters.

There won't be much room in the loft, if you run a standard 8 foot high wall on it though, so are you thinking a 7 foot head room?


You are going to need insulation, insulation, and more for this.

So plan accordingly.


ED

 

[TravisGM]

2X6 running across the width, this will allow more insulation in the floor.

I lived in the Colorado mountains (western slope) as a kid. It gets darn cold there in the winters.

There won't be much room in the loft, if you run a standard 8 foot high wall on it though, so are you thinking a 7 foot head room?


You are going to need insulation, insulation, and more for this.

So plan accordingly.


ED

Well, the entire height of the trailer is 9'. So, about 8" for the floor, another 8" for the ceiling, brings us to a total height 7'8". We'll probably do a 7' floor for the bottom and raise the roof 3-4ft to make room for the loft.

But you think 2x6 for the floors running width, 16" o.c. will suffice??

And yes, tons of insulation

 

[de-nagorg]

Yes 2X6 running across the width will be great, after all it is being supported by the trailer floor and frame.

And will provide 5.5 inches space for insulation, Those old mobile homes of years gone by only had 3 inches of floor insulation, plus the fiber board underneath covering them.


ED

 

[TravisGM]

Hey thanks ED. Really appreciate your response. Whats your experience in construction??

And good point. We'll have plenty of room for insulation on the floor.

 

[de-nagorg]

Don't want to brag.

Been doing it for 45+ years now (off and on), and have built from the planning stage up to putting the finial on the spire.

ED

 

[TravisGM]

Totally get you ED. Thanks for the help. I'd love to consult with you in the future about this project if you don't mind...?

Oh and with the 2x6's running the width of the trailer... putting a loft on one side would also be fine with that, right?

 

[de-nagorg]

As long as you build a strong bulwark to support it .

Those truck trailers are not built to support much on top of them.


ED

 

[TravisGM]

And what exactly is a bulwark?

 

[de-nagorg]

Bulwark: An old name for any structure to support a load.

I.E. load bearing wall, beam cross bracing, etc.


ED

 

[AlexEverette]

As far as running the length or width is concerned, I always recommend that wood or tile fooring that is rectangular (basically, not square) be laid so that the length faces you when you come in the front entrance. If laid otherwise, most people find it very awkward to come home every day and see the floor facing the other way.