AL-KO supports sustainable living in tiny homes
For many years, Paul Lawford dreamt of owning his own home. When the coronavirus pandemic hit in 2020, he decided to change strategy. The events manager from Ireland sold his possessions, quit his job and built himself a tiny house on wheels. AL-KO supports him and other free spirits who share a passion for tiny homes on their quest for a new, happier life.
Facts on our collaboration with Paul Lawford
- Paul Lawford helps people to fulfill their dream of owning their own home.
- AL-KO chassis ensure stable and durable tiny houses.
- Advantages: modular construction method, precise production, low height and stability.
How to own a tiny house
2020 was the start of a new life for Paul Lawford – but not quite as he’d planned. The events manager from Dublin had been working towards his dream of owning his own home for a long time. But the pandemic forced a change in Paul’s approach: He was no longer prepared to take on high debts for this dream that he would be trapped paying off for decades. Instead, he radically changed his life. Like many places, Ireland also has a huge housing shortage: High real estate prices and a lack of social housing make it difficult for many to buy a property. Paul took his fate into his own hands and opted for a sustainable alternative to the overstretched housing market: a self-built tiny house.
Living on wheels requires a stable foundation, i.e. a suitable chassis. Paul took a lot of time in choosing the right solution. He tried out many manufacturers in Ireland but concluded that they were not the right solution for him technically or financially. Eventually someone recommended he try AL-KO. Chassis from the AL-KO Vehicle Technology Group are the first choice for many mini-house manufacturers, as their outstanding modular frame concept enables different body lengths and individual superstructures. Hot-dip galvanized chassis components also ensure reliable corrosion protection. The dimensional accuracy of the chassis is so precise that the body can be prefabricated to fit exactly.
Stable chassis for the tiny house
“I didn’t want to compromise on the chassis as my tiny house foundation. That’s why I opted for AL-KO. It offers significantly better delivery times and costs than the competition. Plus, AL-KO enjoys a high level of trust in the industry,” says Paul Lawford. The AL-KO chassis, in both low-loader and high-loader versions, offer clear advantages thanks to their modular construction method and precision production. The low-loader models particularly stand out for their low overall height and high stability. These enable optimum use of space and a high level of safety. The chassis can be individually adjusted in 600 mm increments. This precise dimensioning meant that Paul was able to build his tiny house before the trailer arrived.
Stable transportation thanks to high-quality accessories
The mobility of his tiny house was also very important to Paul. The high-quality AL-KO axles and the suspension system ensure even weight distribution for stable and safe transportation. AL-KO also offers accessories such as heavy duty supports that securely fix the tiny house to the ground and prevent any unintended movement. The hexagonal rubber suspension axles offer the appropriate driving comfort. The lighting systems and towbars are also high quality and therefore enhance safety while driving. This also applies to the stabiliser coupling AKS, which can be fitted on request and provides additional driving safety.
Paul was also concerned with the speed of delivery when building his first tiny house. Don’t forget, this was when the world was almost at a standstill. Yet, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the time from ordering the trailer to its arrival was short compared to the competition – just three months. The collaboration with AL-KO is based on high quality and reliability, which are crucial for the construction and transportation of tiny houses. AL-KO brings decades of experience in manufacturing high-quality chassis components for trailers and intelligent production concepts, providing the best foundation for high standards and durability. The result: meticulously designed product solutions down to the smallest detail.
A sustainable future with AL-KO
After his own positive tiny house experience, Paul decided to share his knowledge and introduce this sustainable and cost-effective alternative approach to home ownership to other interested people. That’s why he founded his coaching business Small Change, through which he offers craft courses in Ireland’s only ecovillage for people who want to achieve their dream of living in their own tiny house. The Cloughjordan Ecovillage in Co. Tipperary was established in 2009 and is a village where people who are committed to sustainable living, ecological responsibility and community engagement live together. Customizing tiny houses and leisure vehicles has long been a lifestyle trend with a large international community. “Now that I’ve learned for myself how wonderful life in a tiny house is, I’m looking forward to passing on my experiences through personalized courses,” says Paul Lawford.
Paul not only wants to help people live in a more environmentally conscious way, but also to offer an alternative to the increasingly unaffordable housing options in Ireland.
“Quality and individuality are very important to us. And the variety and durability of our chassis ensure that we can fulfill our customers’ individual wishes. We are delighted to have supported Paul Lawford’s journey since 2020,” says Paul Phillips, Commercial Manager at AL-KO in Ireland.
