Up to Date Build Details

• name: Lady Loam, registered as a 1962 Pacer Trailer (the only thing from 1962 left is the trailer bed) registered in AZ

• dimensions: 16x8x8ft, 12’ tall from the ground

• square footage: 128 square feet

• trailer weight: 5420 pounds

• independent timbren suspension

• distance traveled so far with us: 7,000+ miles

• hauling vehicle: 2020 Ford F-150 3.6L V6 with ecoboost and complete towing package, previously owned

• miles per gallon hauling the trailer: 12mpg

• time lived in: August 2023 to January 2025, 1.5 years so far

• number of places parked and lived in for more than 4 days: 40+

• temperature highs and lows while living in: -4ºF (Cibola National Forest, Northwest New Mexico) to 102ºF (Tucson)

• power system: 2 lithium batteries 200aH 24V total, 3 solar panels, inverter, distribution system, and emergency gas generator with 30 amp plug in

• water system: 5 20L (5 gallon) military grade water jugs for clean water, one sink with a foot pump and simple plumbing, and one 5gal water jug for grey water

  Appliances and features:

• Camp Chef 14” Versatop Cast Iron Cooktop (runs on propane), Gas One Dual-Fuel Portable Stove, IceCo chest refrigerator and freezer, Nature’s Head Composting Toilet, Water recycling shower, Yeti Cooler

• storage solutions: Under counter kitchen storage shelves, under couch storage space, 12 feet of upper cabinetry for clothes, built in narrow storage bed headboard, wall and corner nooks for small storage, 10” high wheel well step storage for shoes, headboard cabinet, under bed shelf storage, truck cab storage, truck bed storage for building materials and tools, decorative pillows stuffed with soft clothing

• exterior materials: FRP panels

• other features: Simplisafe security system, metal screen door, 2 opening picture windows, 2 glass windows, 1 stationary skylight, 1 AirMax vent fan, Starlink Satellite, Wifi router and extender, computer monitor and mount, enclosed and water proofed bathroom, large built-in underbed dog crate with locking door

• estimated total cost for the build:

  • from 4/2022 to 7/2023, (from the initial purchase of the trailer to the day we began traveling), $17,681.44
  • from 7/2023 to 1/2025, (while being on the road), about $12,000
  • total cost of the build and upgrades: about $29,000

FAVORITE CAMP DESTINATIONS WITH LADY LOAM

Best Overall:

• Wikiup, AZ (BLM Land, $0)

  • “Back to our roots here, peaceful living with a great view of the desert mountains, and donkeys!“ - Isaac
  • “This spot really check all the boxes; an easy wide dirt road close to the highway, an increasingly private driveway to the spot, a 360º view of the Sonoran Desert, no human evidence visible from the vista, proximity to town, sheltered from the wind, full solar visibility, donkey trails, diverse Sonoran flora and fauna everywhere you look…“ - Isabelle

Friendliest Environment, Road, and Neighbors:

• Flagstaff, AZ (Coconino National Forest, $0)

  • Easy, mostly flat and maintained dirt roads through the forest and meadows
  • just 15 minutes from downtown Flagstaff
  • many parking pullouts scattered around the forest

• Bodega, CA (Three Springs Community Farm, work-trade)

  • proximity to the beach, river, redwoods, and towns
  • welcoming and hardworking community
  • place of endless opportunity and growth

Best Viewpoint

• Ashland, OR (Winema Fremont National Forest, $0)

  • deep in the forest, view perched above a valley sweeping into endless forest
  • great proximity to the hamlet of Ashland

• Murphy, ID (Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, $0)

  • camp inside the Snake River Gorge south of Boise
  • windy and long road but mostly paved

• Mono Lake, CA (Inyo National Forest, $0)

  • easy access from highway, 10 minutes to the town of Lee Vining
  • full view of Mono Lake, wild horses, and tufa formations

• The North Rim of the Grand Canyon, AZ (Coconino National Forest, $0)

  • crazy long, windy, and remote road
  • incredible view of the canyon from on a plateau
  • surrounded by dense conifer forest

Best Site in Proximity to Destinations

• Petrolia, CA (BLM Campground, $8 per night)

  • Parking on the beach that marks the beginning of The Lost Coast Trail
  • Endless untouched coastline with minimal human traffic
  • next to the estuary teaming with marine wildlife

• Kelso Dunes, CA (BLM outside of Mojave National Park, $0)

  • Park in between giant golden sand dunes and explore them for free
  • perfect weather in Winter

• Porterville, CA (Sequoia National Forest, $0)

  • Park amongst giant sequoias and visit an ancient grove a few miles away for free

• Hurricane Cliffs, UT (BLM outside of Zion National Park, $0)

  • view of Zion National Park, in proximity to the NP entrance

WHAT ARE SOME LESSONS LEARNED THE HARD WAY?

• pay close attention to appliances and utilities if they start to decrease in efficiency, and don’t delay repair or replacing them (we lived with 3 used solar panels that had decreased to about 60% capacity under full sun for a whole summer, and fried in the heat because of it)
• if a camping site looks like the local shooting spot, it probably is and you should probably leave as soon as possible
• have a backup electric method for propane/butane appliances, and vice versa
• using a cooler for fresh fruits and vegetables so they don’t get smushed in a tiny fridge is underrated
• have a spare tire that can actually go a distance so when you need it, you can use it properly
• clean water jugs out! let the garden hose flow for a minute or two before filling up jugs (or you will drink earwigs)
• clean your solar panels to maximize efficiency
• layering is necessary and although you may feel like a marshmallow, you won’t get frostbite
• buy powdered shelf stable foods to safe space and control measurements
• scout out roads before committing to parking there with the trailer

PATH MOVING FORWARD

We set on this journey to (1) explore this beautiful and diverse continent, (2) challenge our skills and comfort, (3) live below our means to safe money for larger investments, and (4) find our forever place. Well, we have almost lived up to those goals. We are still happily exploring, still learning new skills and seeking discomfort, and yes, we think we found our forever place. But, to be able to save more for a larger investment, I need to have a larger income.

After living and traveling in Lady Loam for 1.5 years, we love our space and the freedom of mobility, and will continue to live in our tiny home for the foreseeable future. However, we will slow down our traveling speed. Isaac and I have committed to returning to Three Springs Community Farm in Bodega, CA this Spring, and I look forward to taking more responsibility there as I will be working full time and earning a living stipend. With Isaac working full time remotely, traveling every week to a new and remote campsite wears him down. For me, I want to continue expanding my skills in the education and environmental world, and I see no better fit right now than to continue working on the land and participating in the farm’s educational and outreach programs. I love participating in the food system in sustainable and regenerative ways, interacting with students, being active and outside all day, and strengthening my experience with self sufficiency and hands on problem solving.

With the cost of food and housing increasing, and quality of both decreasing, Isaac and I feel like the situation could not be any simpler; a work-trade in exchange for unlimited organic produce, a lovely and safe parking spot for Lady Loam, and kind folks to share the land with is just about the best deal we can dream of. West Sonoma County has everything we are drawn to; mild climate, rural quaintness, kind folks, great food, endless coastal beaches, rivers, redwood forests, craft and farmer’s markets, proximity to San Francisco, an emphasis on local economy, good schools… etc. So, returning to Bodega just feels right for us.

We are proud and grateful everyday to have built Lady Loam, and are reassured that we are on the right path in investing in this lifestyle. To be transparent, living tiny and off-grid still has its difficulties and uncomfortable moments, and we frequently talk about our future land and dwellings we hope to build. Still, we are pleased with what the tiny home lifestyle awards us!

The spectacular thing about having your house on wheels is that it is portable, obviously. So, we plan to travel during wintertime as we did this year, to visit family and scratch the travel bug. Thanks for reading along on our travels the past 1.5 years, and I’ll keep you all posted with our next journey.