One of the things I love most about what we do at Tiny House Basics is seeing how people use our Tiny House Trailer Foundations in creative ways outside of Tiny Houses, from Mobile bars, Vet Offices, Coffee Shops, Retail Spaces and even Mobile Saunas.
Today’s trailer is a perfect example.
This is a 12-foot long by 96-inch wide tiny house trailer we recently built that was shipped to Half Moon Bay, California, where the owner is turning it into a mobile sauna business. It’s compact, strong, and designed to be ridiculously easy to build on.
Let’s walk through why this size is so popular and what makes it work so well.
A Small Trailer That Still Packs Serious Strength
Even though this trailer is only 12 feet long, it’s built like every other Tiny House Basics foundation.
this trailer comes in with:
• 7,000 lb GVWR capacity
• Dual 3,500 lb axles
• Brakes on both axles
That’s more than enough for a well-built micro tiny house, sauna, or mobile business setup.
A lot of people assume smaller trailer means weaker trailer. That’s not how we build.
Strength always comes first.
Flush Crossmembers = Easier, Cleaner Builds
One of the biggest features on this trailer is flush crossmembers.
That simply means the steel crossmembers sit level with the top of the frame instead of underneath it.
Why that matters:
✔ You can build your subfloor directly on the trailer
✔ No awkward framing around steel beams
✔ Stronger floor system
✔ Faster build
Once you’ve built a flush-crossmember trailer, it’s really hard to go back.
Why This Size Is Perfect for Mobile Saunas
the 12ft – 16ft trailer sizes is very popular sizes for Mobile sauna businesses because they are pretty lightweight and easy to maneuver from place to place and very quickly set up.
It’s small enough to tow easily, but wide enough to actually feel usable inside.
And for something like a sauna, it’s pretty much ideal.
Standard Axles vs Drop Axles (Deck Height Matters)
This trailer is built with standard axles, which puts the deck about 26 inches off the ground.
You can also choose 4-inch drop axles, which lower the deck to about 22 inches off the ground. The drop axle option is $175 per axle and more info can be found here: 4in drop axles
Lower deck height means:
• Less steps to enter
• Lower overall height of your build (or more headroom inside the tiny house)
Your fenders stay the same relative to the ground, only the deck drops.
It’s a small change that makes a big difference in real-world builds.
Full Width + Custom Square Fenders
The total width on this trailer is 8.5 feet (102 inches).
This customer also went with our custom square fenders, which a lot of builders prefer because:
• They’re easier to frame / trim around
• They look cleaner outside the build
• They maximize usable space
Little design details like this add up when you’re working in a compact footprint.
Built for Easy Towing and Real-World Use
Like all our trailers, this one includes:
• Safety breakaway chains
• Quick drop jack
• Adjustable coupler (works with different vehicle heights)
No gimmicks. Just practical features that make life easier.
Want a Trailer Like This for Your Build?
We build custom tiny house trailers from 10 feet long all the way up to 48 feet long, and widths from 6ft 10in wide up to 12 feet wide.
Whether you’re building a mobile sauna or a full-size THOW, We have you covered with a custom trailer foundation for your future build.
You can request a quote anytime here: https://www.tinyhousebasics.com/tinyhousetrailers/build-your-own-trailer/
If you’re thinking small, don’t underestimate what a well-designed compact trailer can do.
This 12-footer is proof that you don’t need massive size to build something strong, functional, and profitable.
And if you’re planning a mobile sauna… this is about as perfect as it gets.