Tiny Houses

Lightweight tiny house provides a towable home for two

Lightweight tiny house provides a towable home for two
Nantes-based Baluchon is selling the Escapade as a turnkey model for €42,500 (roughly US$47,500)
Nantes-based Baluchon is selling the Escapade as a turnkey model for €42,500 (roughly US$47,500)
View 18 Images
The Escapade sits on a small-ish double axle 5.5 m (18 ft) trailer
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The Escapade sits on a small-ish double axle 5.5 m (18 ft) trailer
The cedar siding is enlivened by black detailing and roof
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The cedar siding is enlivened by black detailing and roof
As standard, the Escapade operates from a standard RV hookup
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As standard, the Escapade operates from a standard RV hookup
The tiny house contains just one sleeping loft
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The tiny house contains just one sleeping loft
Visitors enter the home through a small covered porch
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Visitors enter the home through a small covered porch
Notwithstanding its relatively small size – even for a tiny house – the layout inside looks well laid-out
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Notwithstanding its relatively small size – even for a tiny house – the layout inside looks well laid-out
The storage staircase leads to the sleeping loft
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The storage staircase leads to the sleeping loft
The small lounge area
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The small lounge area
The bathroom
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The bathroom
View of the kitchen and dining area
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View of the kitchen and dining area
Nantes-based Baluchon is selling the Escapade as a turnkey model for €42,500 (roughly US$47,500)
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Nantes-based Baluchon is selling the Escapade as a turnkey model for €42,500 (roughly US$47,500)
Weight comes in at 3,380 kg (7,451 lb)
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Weight comes in at 3,380 kg (7,451 lb)
The turnkey model fetches €42,500 (roughly US$47,500)
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The turnkey model fetches €42,500 (roughly US$47,500)
Weight comes in at 3,380 kg (7,451 lb)
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Weight comes in at 3,380 kg (7,451 lb)
The Escapade sits on a small-ish double axel 5.5 m (18 ft) trailer
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The Escapade sits on a small-ish double axel 5.5 m (18 ft) trailer
The interior measures a total floorspace of 17.2 sq m (185 sq ft), including loft
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The interior measures a total floorspace of 17.2 sq m (185 sq ft), including loft
The kitchen includes a four-burner stove, fridge, and sink
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The kitchen includes a four-burner stove, fridge, and sink
Closeup of the kitchen sink
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Closeup of the kitchen sink
View gallery - 18 images

When it comes to tiny houses, the French do things their own way. Regulations require that towing weight does not exceed 3.5 metric tons (7,700 lb), so any tiny house firm needs to think carefully about what features it includes. The Escapade tiny house, by Baluchon, walks this tightrope successfully and provides pleasant towable digs for up to two people.

The Escapade sits on a 5.5 m (18 ft)-long double axle trailer and measures a total floorspace of 17.2 sq m (185 sq ft), including loft. Weight comes in at 3,380 kg (7,451 lb), including furniture, which is a lot less than most North American tiny houses, such as the Sheriff, for example, which weighs 17,000 lb (7,711 kg).

The exterior has a somewhat contemporary look, with the tiny house's cedar siding enlivened by black detailing and unusual glazing.

Entering via the covered porch, the ground floor is divided into a lounge area to the right, and a kitchen which includes refrigerator, sink, and four-burner stove (but no oven) straight ahead. Next to the kitchen is a dining area, while walking to the end of the home reveals a bathroom with shower and toilet. A storage staircase leads up to a loft sleeping area.

Visitors enter the home through a small covered porch
Visitors enter the home through a small covered porch

Considering its relatively compact size, Escapade's interior layout looks well thought out. The dining area appears decently-proportioned, as does the kitchen and bedroom, with only the lounge perhaps a little too small.

As standard, the Escapade operates from a standard RV hookup. Like Marjolein Jonker's tiny house, its insulation is sheep's wool, and LED lighting is installed throughout. The Escapade is sold as a turnkey model, including furniture, for €42,500 (roughly US$47,500).

Source: Baluchon (in French)

View gallery - 18 images
2 comments
2 comments
GaryOsborn
Having many years of experience towing caravans I have not seen a Tiny house that you could tow behind a standard car. The slaps sides would make it virtually impossible to tow on anything but a very still day. I really can't see the point in any of these tiny houses. Why not just use a caravan. They have all the benefits of a tiny house and you can move it yourself without hiring a truck to relocated it for you. I must be missing the point I can't see why you would bother with a Tiny house?
cadmsee
An impractical dream (nightmare) ! With that flat front end the wind resistance would be horrendous and at 17,000 pounds you would need a big rig to pull it and there are energy star manufactured homes available for half the price!