How One U.S. Couple Bought the SXKON 20FT/40FT Apple Cabin Group and What Happened Next
1. Who We Are
We are James and Lisa Carter, a civil-engineer and nurse from Denver, Colorado. We needed a second dwelling for aging parents that could also serve as a
future vacation rental. After 3 months of online research and two factory video calls, we ordered the SXKON 20FT Apple Cabin plus the 40FT extension kit.
2. What We Ordered
Item | Spec | Why It Mattered |
---|---|---|
20FT Apple Cabin | 160 ft² studio, full kitchenette | Quick occupancy for parents |
40FT Extension | 320 ft² add-on, 2 bedrooms | Rental income later |
Off-grid package | 1,200 W solar, 10 kWh battery | No local grid tie needed |
3. Shipping & Setup
- Factory to site: 9 days, tracked GPS link provided.
- Crane day: 4-hour lift, 3-person crew, no overtime fees.
- Utility hookup:
- Solar array mounted on roof rails—plug-and-play MC4 connectors.
- 50-amp RV inlet for backup generator.
- City inspection: Passed on first try; stamped plans included.
4. First 60 Days: Living Report
Feature | Score (1–5) | Notes |
---|---|---|
Insulation | 5 | 4-inch PU panels kept indoor 70 °F at 20 °F outside. |
Plumbing | 4 | No leaks; instant water heater works at 6,000 ft altitude. |
Electrical | 5 | Solar covered 92 % of daily use (2.9 kWh). |
Noise | 4 | 38 dB inside during hail—felt like light rain. |
Smell | 5 | Zero off-gassing; factory used low-VOC adhesives. |
5. Rental Income Results
We listed the 40FT extension on Airbnb:
- Nightly rate: USD 149
- Occupancy: 78 % over first 3 months
- Gross income: USD 10,431
- Net after costs: USD 7,884 (cleaning, platform fees, propane top-up)
6. Unexpected Benefits
- Fast payback: At current income, full ROI in 3.2 years.
- Zoning bonus: Denver classifies it as ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit); increased main house value by USD 38 k, per local appraiser.
7. Tips for Future Buyers
- Foundation: Use galvanized ground screws—no concrete, 2-hour install.
- Insurance: State Farm added a dwelling policy for USD 27/month.
- Wi-Fi: Starlink Mini fits perfectly on roof rail—speeds 45 Mbps down, 12 Mbps up.
8. Final Verdict
After 120 days of daily use and guest stays, the SXKON 20FT/40FT Apple Cabin Group delivered every promise. It is code-compliant, energy-smart, and already paying for itself. We recommend it to any U.S. buyer needing flexible, income-ready space.