Tiny Houses

Lightweight tiny house provides a towable home for two

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

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
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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!