Building a Giant: The Story Behind My First Tiny Home Trailer

I was running a brand new welding shop out of my garage when I got a call in November. My customer, excited about building tiny homes, wanted to know if I could be part of his team. So, I did what any self-respecting welder would do: I grabbed my phone, submitted a proposal, and promptly started dreaming of welding torches and metal beams.

About a week later, he called back with a challenge: build the first trailer to prove my mettle—pun intended—before signing a long-term contract. The plan was to start right around Christmas. But, as fate would have it, the timeline shifted. Suddenly, I was in a situation where I needed more than just my garage.

Building a Goliath of a trailer in a tiny garage? Not happening. I needed a proper shop space, and fast. So, I did what any logical person would do: I borrowed money—lots of it. I borrowed money for rent, for tools, and even just to keep the lights on. The financial risk was huge—everything hinged on getting this contract.

With a shop secured, I needed a gantry crane and various other equipment. Picture me, a lone welder, staring at a mountain of steel and wondering how I’d transform it into a 28-foot beast. Spoiler alert: it involved a lot of sweat, a bit of swearing, and more than a few late nights.

Speaking of mishaps, let’s talk about my horizontal bandsaw. I bought a used one off Facebook Marketplace, hoping it would be my new best friend. The previous owner had used it for simple garage tasks like cutting plastic and wood. When I tried cutting cross members, the first cut took nearly three hours. I was heartbroken. I had spent borrowed money on this tool, and here it was, moving slower than a snail. But after taking it apart and studying the electrical components, I realized it was wired backwards. A quick rewire and a new blade later, and I found my smile again.

In the end, all that effort was worth it. When I finally saw that trailer rolling down the road, it was like watching a child take their first steps. And let me tell you, that child was heavy—eventually strong enough to carry a tiny home and maybe even a few dreams along the way.

Looking back now, every inch of steel and every late night in the shop was worth it. Not because the job was easy—it wasn’t. Not because the trailer was perfect—it wasn’t. But because I did it. I took a shot, stood toe-to-toe with Goliath, and threw everything I had into building something that mattered.

If you’re reading this and wondering if your crazy idea is worth chasing……it is. Just be ready to weld your way through the hard parts.