Page 38 - Green Builder November-December 2018 Issue
P. 38

CHAPTER 04THE BUILDING SCIENCE OF SMALL


























                       Storm ready. RVs have their
                       drawbacks, but when monster
                       storms approach, they’re
                                                                                                                                 PHOTO: FLICKR ‡CCˆ
                       able to roll out quickly,
                       unlike most tiny homes.

                       OFFTHELOT RVs





                       VERSUS TINY HOMES






                       Tiny house enthusiasts often fail to look closely at the good points of RVs.
                       That’s too bad, because although conventional RVs are limited in some ways, they

                       have many positive attributes that can be integrated into tiny home systems.


                       Pro: You can Move                                   Con: Municipal Bias
                       RVs are designed to travel—If you don’t like your neighborhood,   Many cities have rules intended to prevent long-term occupancy
                       drive to a new one.                                 of RVs. Typically, if you live in an RV more than 14 days per year,

                       Pro: Self-Contained Systems                         you may get a citation from your city. Tiny homes, if built on a
                       RVs don’t require costly infrastructure such as wells, sewage or   permanent foundation, may be seen as accessory dwelling units
                       even electric hookups in some models.               (ADUs) with no tenure limits on occupancy.
                       PRO: No Compost Duty                                CON: Storm and Weather Vulnerability
                       Much as we like composting toilets, they do require a regular   RVs are not made to weather major storm events, although due
                       commitment and maintenance most people don’t expect. They’re   to the fact that they have to withstand driving speeds, most
                       definitely a better choice for a static tiny house than a rolling   are more resilient than manufactured homes. Significantly, the
                       home. RVs don’t generally offer compost options.    popular “bump-outs” on large RVs are especially vulnerable.
                                                                           They’re not made to handle snow loads or high winds.
                       PRO: Bug-Out Ready
                       On the other hand, when inclement weather approaches, RV   Con: Septic Duty
                       owners can quickly pull up jacks and flee at 70 miles per hour   You’ll need a dumping station nearby to occasionally dispose of
                       from whatever the impending menace is.              blackwater waste. This may cost a small fee each time.


                   36  GREEN BUILDER November/December 2018                                               www.greenbuildermedia.com




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