Mobile Homes...

[paulharvey]

So, I live in a 1996 double wide, that I bought in 2007. Roof is plain 3-tab shingle and is getting close to needing replaced. In mean time, I have two small leaks at vent pipe boots. I tore into one just the other day, replacing roughly 32" x 36" piece of OSB, and have some observations....

They dont use tar paper/roofing felt under the shingles, it had a waxed craft paper....

The roof trusses, which I saw for first time, are actual true dimension 1" x 1 1/2"...... at 16" oc. And they are spruce to top it off. The web members where 1.5" x 2" but still, I was really surprised to see roof trusses made from what are basically furring strips.

Of coarse part of the floor needed replaced as well, so I found it was 5/8" osb, which I guess is only 1/8" less than im used too.

Basically it seems to me every building has a base line cost, and after a point you get diminishing rewards in either upgrading or down grading. It seems they probably saved 10-15% on materials, and lost 50% on quality.

Dont know what the purpose of this post was, guess I'm just venting

 

[rtimgray]

The thing to remember is that in manufacturing, if you use cheaper materials and can charge the same price, that's more money for the bottom line. I lived in a 1969 12x60 for 11 (memorable) years. It's wall "studs" were similar 1.5" x 2"s, the roof "trusses" similar to yours, flimsy paneling, etc. Our floor was only a 1/2" thick.

I just assume that they use the lowest cost materials assembled by the lowest paid workers that they can get as quickly as they can. All at a price I still really can't afford.

I share your frustration. I don't know if some mobile homes are built better than that now or not. I've heard some advertise "2x6" walls - and I always wondered if the joke was that they started with 2x6s and ripped them into 2x2s for use!

Good luck and take care.

 

[bandaidmd]

I'm not sure about the single wides but most of the doubles are full size 2x6's ( actual 1 1/2 x 5 1/2).
It depends on the mfg what quality of materials is used, the better ones are built just the same as a regular house.
I own a small MH park and have a mixture of both single and double.

 

[Bird]

I know OSB is popular and I'm probably in the minority (nothing new for me), but I hate that stuff and would not want to use it anywhere there's the slightest possibility of it ever getting the tiniest bit wet.

 

[Egon]

I know OSB is popular and I'm probably in the minority (nothing new for me), but I hate that stuff and would not want to use it anywhere there's the slightest possibility of it ever getting the tiniest bit wet.

I'm
With you Bird

 

[Bird]

I'm not sure about the single wides but most of the doubles are full size 2x6's ( actual 1 1/2 x 5 1/2).
It depends on the mfg what quality of materials is used, the better ones are built just the same as a regular house.
I own a small MH park and have a mixture of both single and double.

I'm old enough to remember when we didn't have mobile homes, RVs, travel trailers, mobile home parks, etc., but we did have house trailers and trailer parks.:laughing: In 1959, I bought a 1952 Henslee house trailer. It was 8' wide and 28' long. And in the trailer park there were some people who had those monstrous, luxurious 10' wide Hicks trailers that were over 30' long.

 

[paulharvey]

I'm old enough to remember when we didn't have mobile homes, RVs, travel trailers, mobile home parks, etc., but we did have house trailers and trailer parks.:laughing: In 1959, I bought a 1952 Henslee house trailer. It was 8' wide and 28' long. And in the trailer park there were some people who had those monstrous, luxurious 10' wide Hicks trailers that were over 30' long.

By mobile home, I do mean house trailer; not a travel trailer. I dont mind the idea of using 2"x3" studs on interior walls, finger jointed studs, ect; just kinda amazed an engineer would stamp plans using 1"x1.5" (true size) roof trusses.

 

[smstonypoint]

I dont mind the idea of using 2"x3" studs on interior walls, finger jointed studs, ect; just kinda amazed an engineer would stamp plans using 1"x1.5" (true size) roof trusses.

Just curious -- to what extent are mobile homes subject to building codes?

Steve

 

[RoyJackson]

Just curious -- to what extent are mobile homes subject to building codes?

Steve

That depends on the state and localities. I know one area (Hartford County in MD) that basically banned mobile homes...but this was more due to the "elites" moving into the area.

 

[paulharvey]

Just curious -- to what extent are mobile homes subject to building codes?

Steve

My understanding is that they have an approved plan stamped by an engineer, and an staff engineer seals a permit stating that it was build to all applicable building codes for its time and area.