Canadian company Güte recently designed a prefabricated trailer-like hut that's suitable for use as a small dwelling, office space, or guest room. Its old-school looks notwithstanding, the Shepherd Hut can be connected to an electricity supply or operate off-grid, and features a nice finish and some space-saving furniture inside.
The Shepherd Hut measures 2.1 m (7 ft) wide, with the length determined by the customer, though Güte recommends a length of either 3.6 m (12 ft) or 4.8 m (16 ft). It's designed to withstand a harsh Canadian winter so should be suitable for those living in chilly climes, and features a hardwood or steel chassis, wooden siding and floor, and a cedar or corrugated steel roof.
Available furniture includes a folding hardwood desk, a kitchen unit, sofa bed, bunk beds, and a bookcase. Güte also offers a hand-pumped solid brass sink and a brass Welsh miner's lamp.
The Shepherd Hut is wired to operate from a battery, generator, or extension cord. It can also run off-grid with an optional solar array and battery bank. A wood burning stove or an ethanol fireplace can be fitted, and the firm told us that a composting toilet can be installed, but that a building permit may then be required.
The furnished model featured will set you back around CAD 32,900 (US$29,146), plus delivery, though additions like the PV array, ethanol fireplace, and the wood stove cost extra.
Source: Güte
Another factor is the lack of levelling meaning you'd have to do a fair amount of digging or placing objects under the wheels to get the thing properly level.
'Modern' versions of the gypsy caravan, or 'vardo' to give it it's proper name, usually come with simple leaf spring suspension and pneumatic tyres. Ridiculous to think that this company should offer such an expensive yet rudimentary product without it.
Incidentally you can buy a real used but virtually pristine vardo in the UK for between £5000 and £15000- not cheap, but when you look at the quality of the build, and the elaborate and colourful paintwork, you can see why they are not cheap.
People who really want to downsize for whatever reason go to a workshop to learn how to build a tiny house and then make their own. Building a tiny house is less than half of the purchase price and unless you make $200+ an hour it is worth your time to do so.