The drawbacks of living in a 'tiny home' during a pandemic

[Demovictory9]

https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/The-Drawbacks-of-Living-in-a-Tiny-Home-During-a-15948828.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight

-----

“When the pandemic began, our tiny home started to feel a whole lot smaller,” said Davis, who has a lead generation business, working with small companies to generate business via her websites and marketing help, and runs a blog with her husband. “You feel trapped.”

Nearly a year of staying within four walls can wreak havoc on anyone’s mental health. But those living in the coveted tiny homes that gained popularity about a decade ago — designed to erase debt, constraints and other limitations — have faced some significant burdens. They are unable to store large amounts of food, toilet paper and other pandemic necessities; they’re trapped in very small spaces; and many who relied on showers at gyms lost access to those facilities because of pandemic lockdowns. Also, as public parks and camping grounds shuttered or limited visitors, many tiny homes lost their domains.

-----------

She had planned on staying at the Mustang Island State Park on the gulf in Corpus Christi, Texas, until the coronavirus curve flattened, but the morning after her arrival, a ranger told her the park was closing. Gailloux needed a park that had full hookups, as she didn’t own a portable generator, has limited funds and could not find a store selling one for less than $1,000.

“I walked with my dog to the gulf, stood in the water and cried,” Gailloux said. “It was truly one of my lowest moments.”

She persuaded the ranger to let her stay for a few more days, but shortly after, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott closed all the campgrounds and public lands in Texas. Then, Gailloux’s tiny home broke down and had to be towed.

Now her beloved bus is in storage, emptied of all personal belongings and is for sale.

[I_UndergroundPanther]

1. I hate the way

Poor people are ravaged in me,me,me
Greeeedy American capitalism..

But oh if a rich man so much as thinks they might feel a pinch,the republicans cut taxes for them and kill the social programs that help poor people survive.

I dispise republicans and rich pigs and I hate capitalism.

[Ferrets are Cool]

2. Heartwrenching

[ret5hd]

3. It is the lack of a generator that did her in...

with solar and/or a generator she could have stayed in practically any national forest or on BLM land for free (I believe the state park system has a daily fee) up to 14 days at a time...then move 15 miles or so and do it again.

Maybe she had a real need to be in that area though.

[Kaleva]

8. I believe you are talking about dispersed camping and with proper planning, it's possible

"What is Dispersed Camping?
Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Typically, it refers to roadside car camping, but also refers to backpacking in undeveloped sites. Dispersed camping means there are no services like trash removal, and amenities such as toilets, tables and fire pits, are not usually available."

https://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/mbs/recreation/camping-cabins/?recid=17520&actid=34

[ret5hd]

9. Yes. Our "tiny home":

[Kaleva]

11. I'm inpressed

I'm thinking of taking up camping and dispersed camping could be a money saver.

My wife has no interest in sleeping on the ground but I just found out a few days ago that tents that attach to a SUV, crossover, van or pickup are widely available. They range in price from less then $100 to $300 or more. Nice thing about many of them is that they are designed to be quickly unattached from the vehicle and can act as a stand alone while one is off with the vehicle doing things and then reattach when you return.

With the expandable roof cargo container I have, I imagine my wife and i could go camping on the cheap (once initial needed items are purchased) for extended times.

Maybe this spring I'll get some topographical maps of the national forests in my area and then drive around to check out possible camping sites after studying the maps.

[ret5hd]

13. Every National Forest has an official "MVUM"...

(Motor Vehicle Use Map). Most National Forests have more than one...the forest is divided into regions and there is one for each region. This map tells you where dispersed camping is allowed (some are anywhere you can park, others are more restrictive), what roads are closed in different seasons, what vehicles are allowed on which roads, etc. The maps for all the National Forests are free.

There is a free app to view the maps called Avenza. The app will track your location using your phones GPS, much like your regular map apps once you are within the boundary of the map you currently have selected.

Google "Avenza MVUM tutorial". Using these maps/app feels clumsy at first, but they are the definitive source on what is private land, what is National Forest land, where you are allowed to drive, what vehicle you are allowed to drive, etc.

With a combination of MVUMs, topographical maps, Google Earth, AllTrails (another great app I use all the time for hiking trails) you can find excellent isolated camping spots.

Search YouTube for videos on the forest you want to explore. For example, here is a guy that does some excellent videos on the forests in Arkansas (which are stunningly beautiful, and where we go very often):

[ret5hd]

4. Another perspective:

[BigmanPigman]

5. The pandemic has further widened the

gap between the super rich and the poor. Climate Change will be similar.

[Kaleva]

6. Tiny homes can be great as long as one has access to amenities outside.

Because space inside is so restricted.

[Mr.Bill]

7. Not quite a tiny home, but my wife and I live in a 815 sq ft mobile home.

All I can say is it's a damn good thing we really love each other.

Two wonderful dogs help, too.

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. We live in a 42ft 5th wheel w/ 5 slideouts. Before that, 34ft motorhome w/ 3 slides

This is a huge upgrade. It's the two of us w/ three dogs and a cat. 🤪

[Trailrider1951]

12. I know what you mean. Only it's just me and the cat

Tortie cat can be a holy terror, like yesterday when she tried to jump from my desk onto the bookcase next to me. She missed and came down on my back with claws searching for a toe-hold. Ripped two new furrows in my back, and grabbed a storage basket on her way down. More entertaining than Netflix.