Building a Tiny Cabin On a Trailer In Alaska | EP. 1

Some might call it a "tiny house" but, in fact, what I am building is actually a tiny cabin on wheels! So far things have not gone smoothly and I ran into many new problems while constructing walls and a floor on this trailer. While, I am not "off-grid" for this build, I will be taking this adventure wagon all over the state of Alaska once it's completed. My plan is to have solar, a wood stove, kitchen, full beds and maybe even a toilet by the time this project is done.
Check out my website: alaskacabinadv...
***All music written and record by Forest Wilson and Myself
#tinyhouse #cabinbuild #cozycabin #build #offgrid #alaska #diy #cabinonwheels #timelapse #cabin #asmr #alone #selfreliance

[@user-qw1gu9zu4f]

Nice to see Mom, baby, and Dad all doing well!❤

[@keithclickner3923]

I did not think about leveling the trailer before you build your structure that's the best advice you can give anybody before they start that was awesome

[@johng.5895]

Matt, it is good to see you and the family doing well. Norm looks awesome. Once again, your channel might have saved my life. Dealing with my three back surgeries and coming across your content gave me something to look forward to. I'm glad you are back. You've been missed.

[@alaskacabinadventures]

Fantastic sir, that makes all the time and effort to make these videos worth it right there. Wishing you the best and catch you on the next episode 🤘

[@elelegidosf9707]

I'm no expert, but a couple of points: 1) Foam board is a soft, weak and unstable material - it is absolutely not a load-bearing construction material, yet you've used it as a load-bearing interface between the trailer frame and the cabin frame. Foam board compresses under weight over time, meaning that the nuts and bolts between the two frames are going to loosen and compromise the integrity of the whole structure. The compressive twisting forces on the insulation as the trailer brakes and goes around corners are going to be enourmous, and way more than the insulation can take. 2) I would not have foam boards open to the elements under the trailer with no protective sheathing. Flung road debris will chip away at the insulation as the trailer goes down the road, and it will be unprotected from rodents etc.

[@jimcrowell5093]

Pop's thanks for all the help with the kids stellar Dad award there👍✌

[@markdattilo1209]

Good to see you, your wife, and baby are doing good.

[@riwoof]

Best wishes for the family and the new cabin build. I could watch you build cabins all day long !! 🛖

[@LaVaqueraMarin]

THE DOG, HE IS SO CUTE! LOVE THIS....KEEP IT COMING!

[@phiphinohl9274]

Matt! So happy to see a new video! Congratulations on the best person being born ever in your life!! Looking forward to the next video!!

[@larryshaver3568]

turning the blade so the smoothe side did the cutting is brilliant

[@debrademedici864]

It so wonderful to see you , wife and baby !!!!!!!!! You are always building something!!!! I so enjoy !!!!!!

[@davidasimkosr4641]

Congratulations on the addition to your family !!! Nice work on the tiny home can't wait to see it finished..

[@quietlife7186]

It's wonderful to see you and your family! Thank you for another great adventure building your latest cabin. You are very appreciated. ❤

[@omers6892]

Good to see you once again. I have been looking forward for a new video. You're doing great work. Keep posting more videos. Thanks a lot! Great video

[@janamunden1970]

Glad you are back and doing something fun and cool. Can't wait to see the end results. Love from Ohio

[@phuongvo3051]

I wish I have this skills and tallent , your dog is a cutie pie ,you safe a ton of money to have a trailer like this , great channel ❤❤

[@FloatingVillageLife]

Your determination and craftsmanship in building a tiny cabin on a trailer in Alaska are truly impressive. Your passion for creating a cozy and sustainable home reflects your ingenuity and love for nature. Your commitment to this project inspires admiration and excitement for what's to come. You embody the spirit of innovation and adventure. And I am Floating Village Life

[@susanadams-wauro6716]

Great to see you and the family!! Hey Norm! Congratulations on the baby as well. Much love from Canada 🇨🇦

[@jeffkatzer]

Let's see the new baby. Enjoying the videos, congratulations Matt.

[@carltruva8872]

Great to see you back.. Kinda missed you and Norman

[@melissajules8694]

Love your narrative on your videos.

[@lg9732]

Thanks!

[@alaskacabinadventures]

Hey thank you!!!

[@SeeCSeesCC]

❤ I wish you two youngsters the very, very best

[@rick5448]

Glad to see you back with family. God bless and stay well.

[@rick5448]

Forgot a comma there. 😊

[@ED3]

❤ the video. CONGRATULATIONS on the new addition to the family. Looking forward to seeing your next video.

[@justmeonlyme]

My thoughts: I wouldn't have used the Foam board under the frame. Stagger the nailing of the bottom plate, as we see when first nailing, after he broke the nail. Never pull a nail like you did, turn the hammer 1/4 turn and pry it sidways having the nail as close to the hammer head as you u can. (if you have room, left, to right, it wiggles the nail out in 'steps' ) . Sawing, make sure you use the center area of the blade, then you wouldn't have bent the tip. Use eye protection. I was a commercial and residential framer for years, don't worry, you're doing OK.

[@kentsibille6850]

I REALLY enjoyed watching this! I like the porch idea. You’re doing great work!

[@scottjohnson1508]

Matt, I recently became a subscriber of your channel. I absolutely love everything about your channel. I've never been to Alaska. I hope to visit soon. Love your music. Watching you build everything inspires me. You're amazing. A loyal subscriber and fan of you and your family. I also love Norman. Take care Matt. Happy trails. Scott

[@NunYa953]

Its easier to just cut a slot for a flat blade screwdriver to fit into those bolt when theyre stripped like that. It would also make some of that wood salvageable

[@user-lz9hc4gh5i]

I just came across your channel, I clicked on it because I just finished my cabin/ camper build on a trailer. I made silly mistakes as you did. Laughed with you. I'm glad you showed the reality of doing a build. So many builds on u tube don't show that. Good content.

[@larryhicks7683]

I know you probably already thought about it but don't forget to slope your front roof end. Awesome job sr. Love your videos.

[@alaskacabinadventures]

Yessir!

[@kenmaxwell9435]

Definitely like the idea

[@manojbachhan1662]

You are a good musician to

[@amyslowikgrossman835]

Fun! Great project. 😊

[@Paulchen09]

Nice project 👍 Can‘t wait for the next video.

[@DDL2728]

Great job!! You're very tough to do this mostly by yourself, & you've got so much patience!! Good job editing!! God bless y'all! 👍♥️🙏

[@maggydominguez7613]

Hola te sigo desde hace años extrañsmos tus videos. Muchas felicidades a ti y a tu esposa por ese baby que Dios los bendiga por siempre. Un fuerte abrazo y saludo dese Sant Domingo, El Caribe

[@CampingWithSticks]

Great to see another video. Looking forward to watching the adventures your trailer takes you and your family on.

[@davemccallum8302]

Howdy @Alaska Cabin Adventures. A word to the wise. When using a grinder wheel or a cut-off wheel use a face shield to protect the face and especially the soft neck. I've seen many cutting wheels and grinder wheels explode and chunks go flying and hit people in the face and neck.

[@erikayano4304]

Tough cookie! Way to go young lady. Very proud of you 👍

[@Chubbydippin]

This is fantastic. Your fearless, figure it out over setbacks and persistence is wonderful to see. In this day and age of give up and throw away disposable mentality so many have, you inspire others to get busy finding solutions instead of stopping at forks in the road. I'm curious, down the road, if starting with a cargo trailer to begin with might have been lighter and better suited for this type of build? Love your attitude, what you do and thankful you choose to share it and take us all along on the build journey prior to the actual journeys. Safe and happy travels to you and your family.

[@Judamac]

Hi from Canada Job well done .Love Norm.

[@1144panda]

the Milwaukee t-25 star drive bits are the best quality of all the manufacterers.

[@lauradiaz5366]

Great job 👍 congratulations for the new born, greetings 😊

[@Bjornontour]

Looks boss,mate!Can’t wait for the next episode!

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

Hey, don't worry about making silly mistakes during the build. They can be the source of humor to those who have been there and learned along the way. 👍👍👍

[@skeetermalcolm1655]

Just found your channel, looking forward to seeing more

[@africanhoopoetours]

Greetings from cape town.you doing great.just some advice.first use the spade drill then drill your hole with the normal drill.that way you will not battle so much and no tear out😊

[@filmscorefreak]

looked easy enough lol! instructional, and also still very peaceful and relaxing..a pleasure, as always

[@derekginter7626]

You and Timmy are going to look like the traveling cabin kings rolling around the Alaskan highways and back roads!!!😂👍

[@Kevin_D1]

12:39 GENIUS!!! Turning that blade around is pure GENIUS!! I am still cleaning up debris from my foam boards and its been at least 2 months since cutting them. 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍 Hearing you put those phillip head screws in makes me cringe. UGH, I hate using them to build anything.

[@godoi3019]

Wonderfull job!! Congrats from Brasil!!!

[@MikeJohnson-bu4gl]

You might want to consider adding either some screws to your bottom plate or some strapping to the trailer frame. I would do both unless the wind never blows in Alaska and you drive Really slow.

[@how_is_wally]

Matt mate you need to get an impact driver for all the screwing. Will be a lot easier than using a drill and less stripping

[@user-my3ff5lj6m]

I absolutely love your music. Great explanation as you make progress.

[@janetkoball44]

Gettin'to look good. Your wife and baby will enjoy the cabin too. Nothin like leaving for awhile and enjoying nature. See you later.

[@cidineigama8428]

Reginaldo, você tem uma companheira que isentiva e acredita no seu trabalho, parabéns pra vocês casal. 😊

[@patb4493]

Its looking like your very much over building that frame, i helped a friend update a early 90's jayco caravan & the frame was 1x1, above windows and doors was a single 1x1 header! We added extra pieces here & there plus replaced some from damage during the demo strip out.

[@lb1460]

Good to see a vid from you. 😊 Your voice sure sounds just like the narrator in a Grand Teton vid I just played.

[@RuslanFalin]

Good job!

[@wileycoyotesr8623]

I certainly hope someone told you to use the spade drill first. The point will provide you with a dead center hole for the next drill bit.

[@djrtime1398]

Double nut those carriage bolts. The slight give of the deck foam may loosen them. Double nuts will prevent them from spinning off. Cheap insurance.

[@jshepard152]

Good idea.

[@alive.off-grid]

What you get all the weight on that trailer. You're gonna have to go around every tighten. All your bolts, because that's gonna press down on the insulation. Which will make that bolt loose.

[@alaskacabinadventures]

Good call!

[@fredjordway5211]

Oh to be young again. I did something similar years ago. What I learned the hard way was nails and screws have a way of working loose. I ended up drilling 1/2" holes using Gorilla Glue and dowels, that with a few new screws held solid. At some point when you need a small structure, please consider using sheet metal studs, they are light weight and strong, it's another learning experience with valuable knowledge. 3/8 sheeting makes it strong. Check out some of the metal studs framing videos. Wish you and your young family all the success and happiness.

[@TheAdamField]

You need to jack up the frame to be in level. Because the tyre pressure varies and the suspension also does what it is designed for.

[@davidbell5691]

I love it you remind of myself ❤❤❤

[@alaskacabinadventures]

🤘

[@chrisneklason2571]

So strange to see you without your trademark green hoodie. Congrats to you and the family!

[@k6lsn]

Enjoyed watching man. Can't wait to see how this turns out. ✌️ Wheelchair John in Idaho

[@rallysport4207]

That’s gonna b sweet. Glad to see you are good man! Catch you on the next one Matt from Pennsylvania

[@Tom111060]

Tip: these are called "grinders" not "cutters". Use then accordingly just grinding bit by bit and you'll get the most out of the disks (without shredding them)

[@avcomultimedia8397]

One thing you can be sure of, the trailer is made to Florida's anti-hurricane code 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@NorthernMIangler]

Get a hot knife for cutting the foam insulation, it’s like $15 tops at harbor freight. Plug it in, let it get hot, then go to town. No mess, seals the cut joints and runs through like butter! I used one to cut insulation to go around the camper we were living in while building our house and it worked like a charm.

[@earldriedger6382]

You’re right about how terrible Philips screws are to use. Here in Canada, we mostly use Robertson (square) #2 deck screws, although the Torx are also great for heavier screws. 👍🏻

[@MultiBigDenis]

Not only wind loads will be stronger, but vibrational loads will be an order of magnitude higher, which means that in the skin, use only nephrained materials such as plywood ...

[@parmodmann5634]

Great job sir ji

[@BigfootRCrcoverlanddave2646]

Hi Matt nice and informative 👍 video hope your all well my friend good to see family ect 😊Great content as always smashing 👍 Overland Dave 🇬🇧

[@tundatime]

Great Video as always! One tip I can offer, those cordless grinders perform MUCH better with larger batteries. Like the 5 AH and larger.

[@lawrence.porter]

Drill the hole for your bolt heads first then the pilot hole.

[@larry78cj7]

For what it’s worth. Liquid nails is for holding up paneling. Anything structural use PL Premium. Nothing on the market even comes close to its strength.

[@lorenzoarredondojr3737]

Hello, I'm new to this channel, you can't screw, cut, nail gun or work without safety glasses and equipment. I see Asian people do this all the time, Then I don't watch them anymore or dislike their work or channel. Wonderful off grid life, Josh and his wife Erin. Deck building he shot the board air gun! Broke then ricochet and hit his left eye, his wife just said hey put your glasses on😢, just saying not being mean guess I'm old school. God bless.

[@harrytraction1380]

Congratulations to you two and your new child! Can’t to see how the trailer comes out. 🤙🏼

[@walterlamb4756]

By any chance, did you caulk under the walls before you stood them up? By sealing ALL joints helps keeping the wind out!

[@saltzilla1199]

Congrats on the baby ! Hope youre all doing well, oh and great video

[@V_.L_.S]

Через некоторое время, болты придётся подтягивать, пенопласт не плотный, он не рассчитан на такую динамическую нагрузку, а она при выезде будет, конструкция пола, которая лежит на пенопласте, нагружена сверху самим строением, и пенопласт со временем будет продавливаться, как вариант, можно было наварить металлический уголок по уровню, по периметру прицепа, а на металлический уголок и основание прицепа, сверху пластину по периметру, получается связка прицепа, и основания конструкции пола, и потом строить основание пола, собрать его, вставить в это металлическое основание и закрепить болтами, и не было-бы ошибки с перемычкой, где болт, а внизу неровности уже спокойно закрывать пенопластом и пеной, но самое главное, что на нём не будет нагрузки, да, вес добавится, но это не критично, но крепко, и надёжно. Но вы молодец, что не сдаетесь, и делаете этот проект. И спасибо за красивую музыку в этом видео.

[@EGM1775]

Could’ve used washers or polyurethane bushings for spacers for frame base to counter uneveness just thought of it

[@jeannepalumbo6514]

Love those two matching red sheds behind where you are working and living for now. Haha, could be a He Shed and a She Shed. Just kidding.

[@chaddbag7828]

Love your videos, the struggle can be real when working solo but you got this. Wish I had the skills to do something like this, I'm good with plumbing, electrical and mechanical but for the life of me I can not build anything with wood.

[@jshepard152]

24:54 I like that you're showing your difficulties. I know about nothing so I'm confident I'll have more trouble than you.

[@tammihughes6229]

Nice to see you all

[@MaxamillianStudio]

I'm no expert, but on another youtube video that deals with trailer design the above deck angle iron adds rigidity to the trailer and by removing them you weaken the trailer frame. Not sure if your floor framing helps add enough strength though. You might want to look into that, and possibly add more support underneath the deck. Love your channel and congrats on the grand adventure of parenthood.

[@alaskacabinadventures]

I’ll look into that, thanks!

[@JerkyLarry]

Congrats on your new baby!

[@6bettyboo9]

Awesome video in all aspects! You're truly talented and are an amazing person. I aspire to your greatness. We should hang out 😆

[@samhill3496]

Good looking baby and Mom seems very happy as well. That's what life is about. Expanding and growing. The build looks really good. So far I would do it much the same way. Hope the walls are tied together well from one side to the other. Lot of flex potential going around curves although I know you aren't in a race. Good thinking on the height issue. Sooner or later in comes into play. Good music from you and Forrest. I've seen a lot of trailers done up. Electrics, solar, water storage all many ideas on how to do it. Time has helped with technology. You did it at the cabin so just transfer a lot of that. Next time. You can sit on the porch and play baby and Mamma a tune.

[@miitheweirdartist6794]

😂good job

[@Kentstatehippie]

Really interesting. Maybe hook up with Timmy from THL more often. He’s been a good friend of your’s over time. : )

[@alt7288]

Great video, thanks

[@donnadenevan-lynch4022]

Hello from Sebastopol! Great work Matt.

[@BLAM777]

I usually hold onto the stud while my wife nails it lol.

[@user-iamRobinV68]

Nice to see you! How’s the baby??? Love the idea of a little cabin on a trailer. Great video! 😊😊😊

[@dismayer666]

I think that wood screws are not Philips, but pozidriv (PZ) that's why your Philips bit slipped. At least in Europe wood screws have mostly PZ heads.