Custom Travel Homes - luxury RVs that feel like home, purpose built for the road, is a new market segment. We’ve tried covering a variety of topics here, but if there’s still something you’d like to learn more about, please don’t hesitate to get in touch by sending us a message. We’d be happy to hear from you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do these homes cost?
As truly custom built homes, the prices can vary quite a lot, however, built for the road, there are certain foundation costs (trailer, independent suspension, leveling system, steel frame structure, etc.) that will be part of every home. We expect pricing to generally start at $300,000 and go up from there. The home featured in the TinyLivingLivingLarge blog is approximately $400,000
Do you have a few models to pick from or are they truly custom?
We will start off with 100% custom and as demand for certain designs increases, we will also offer specific models. This will allow us to adjust to the market demands and also enable us to create your dream home.
Where do you build them?
The trailer, suspension and leveling system are built near Elkhart, IN, while the finished travel home will be built on the east coast of Florida.
What is the process like if I want to build one?
Once we agree to move forward and we have a good understanding of your needs and desires, we require a deposit to initiate the design work. We will meet with you in person if possible, work collaboratively to create a plan that you agree to, and then finalize a production and cost schedule. We will inspect the build process several times during the production process and invite you to meet with us in person as well. Alternatively, we will conducts these reviews over video calls. Depending on the size and complexity of the build, you can expect this process to be 6-9 months. As you know, supply chains are very constrained at this time, but we will proactively work with our partners to expedite every component so that it does not impact our schedule.
What kind of tow vehicle do I need?
The tow vehicle will depend on your profile and how you intend to use it. Let's be honest, the trailer is not light weight. If you are simply towing it down south for the winter, then back up north in summer, you may be okay with a 1-ton dually. These travel homes do have full disc brakes, which makes sure you can stop when needed. If you travel extensively, you may want to consider a Medium Duty Truck (MDT) or Heavy Duty Truck (HDT). These are both custom built to carry the load and you won't have any concerns with pin weight and may even be able to carry cycles, cars, or your choice of transportation on the deck along with towing your travel home. We will be happy to talk about why we personally chose a HDT to tow our Custom Travel Home
I only plan to move it a short distance once or twice a year. Is this still right for me?
From a structural perspective, a Custom Travel Home may be overkill. These are built for long over the road travel and for those that move it often. If you are only moving it a short distance and very very seldom, selecting a park model with its wider dimensions may be a good option. They can still be moved, but require special permits and can be done by a professional locally.
What are the maximum dimensions?
For towing down the road without special permits, the width can not exceed 8'6" and the height can not be more than 13'6". We like to use both those two to their limit. For length, we would recommend 20'-40'.
Do you offer slides?
We do not offer slides at this time. They do add complexity and weight. We have found that with our accordion window door entertainment wall, which we like to consider a signature design element in our builds, the natural light and expansive layout when paired with a deck, gives us plenty of room. The home is always ready to use (no slides to move) and the bifold truly brings the outside in.
Are these four seasons homes?
Yes absolutely. We use closed cell blown-in insulation, double and triple pane residential windows, heat recovery air circulation systems, heat-pump mini split heat/AC units, and can also incorporate heated floors and a wood stove. All water tanks and connections are protected from cold and you can run in an off grid fashion if desired.
Why metal frame versus wood?
To ensure the rigidity required to build a home that will travel 70-80mph down the road, literally hurricane strength winds, steel framing provides an incredible strong alternative. It will also save thousands of pounds in weight versus traditional wood framing.
Why choose this over a regular RV?
There are many very nice RVs out there. We looked at them as well when we started this journey. The issue we had was that whichever one we picked, we had to make compromises. We wanted a home with all the amenities we were used to and this gave us that ability
Is it difficult to find parking?
The size will always impact where you are able to park, but rigs in general are getting larger and this is like any other fifth wheel. We are categorizing this as a fifth wheel and using the Custom Travel Home designation. All builds will be RVIA certified. In our travels, we have had zero issues and quite the opposite, are often asked to park in a very visible location as it draws so much positive attention.
What certifications will these homes have?
All builds will have RVIA certifications. All electrical and plumbing will be done at or exceeding current home building standards with the exception of some spatial requirements that are simply not possible. We are also working with several sustainability organizations to ensure we use the right materials and design to minimize our footprint.