There are so many myths and misconceptions about mobile and manufactured homes. Here are 5 things you don’t know about mobile homes.
Since starting Mobile and Manufactured Home Living I have researched extensively about manufactured homes and mobile homes. In the process, I have stumbled upon information that surprised me. Following are 5 things that I found most interesting.
5 Things You Don’t Know About Mobile Homes
Most Mobile Homes Are NOT Properly Tied Down
It’s not that mobile homes are so dangerous in tornadoes and hurricanes. The majority of loses are from improper tie-downs, not the home itself. If mobile homes were properly tied down and secured to a foundation the chances of a mobile home surviving a storm would rise significantly.
Note: Neither a mobile nor a regular home would make it through the most powerful storms.
Chassis Have Specially Designed Curvatures that Distribute the Home’s Weight
The steel chassis that mobile homes are built on have a curvature to them. The curved beams are called cambers. Camber are created using heat and pressure at specified engineered points.
- Reverse camber creates a curved top.
- Positive camber is on the top and draws the tail up.
Camber allows the I-beam to distribute the weight of the home more evenly and are specifically designed for each model.
Notice the Curve?
Mobile Home Frames are Sprayed with Tar Based Substances to Prevent Rust
Rust was a huge problem for older mobile homes. If sitting to close to the ground the rust comes even quicker. Frames are now sprayed with a tar based substance to prevent rusting. This prolongs the life of the frame by protecting it from the elements.
Double Wides Have 2 Titles in Most States
In states that only allow mobile homes to be taxed and listed as personal property requires a title for each section of the home. Double wides would have 2 titles, one for each section on the road, behind a truck. Essentially they treat it as a trailer. I find that fascinating!
South Carolina Has the Most Mobile Homes
The percent of housing that are mobile homes, broken down by state, shows the following: South Carolina, North Carolina, West Virginia (Woo-Hoo!) and NM has the highest percentage of mobile homes at around 16%. Notice they are all 2 worded states. I don’t know why I even noticed that but I did.
- The lowest percentage is in HI, NJ, RI, and MA with stats ranging from .02% to just 1%. For some odd reason, I always considered New Jersey to be a high ranking state in trailer love. Perhaps that show on MTV is the reason, though I’ve never watched it.
I find the chart below to be a wealth of information although it is highly biased and considers South Carolina bad (or worse) at having the most mobile homes. I don’t think that’s anything to look down upon. Mobile homes are a worthwhile way of owning your own home and achieving the American dream. At least their not North Dakota or South Dakota, yikes!
We hope you found these 5 Things You Don’t Know About Mobile Homes as interesting as we did.
As always, thank you so much for reading Mobile and Manufactured Home Living.
Sources:
Disaster Center
State Master
Image Source: Pinecrest Retreat
Hi Susana! I think that’s a beautiful dream! I’ve heard of campgrounds with vintage only trailers but nothing for permanent living yet. I bet it would be a huge hit though!
Thanks so much for reading MHL – I appreciate you!
Hi Crystal, my dream is to find a mobile home park that has gone mid-century modern style or at least would be open to someone starting a movement. Am I way off base? I know there are rules and policies to abide by. Are you aware of any communities that may be a possibility? Thank you, Susana