construction

[thomas]

My wife and I bought some land in central florida and we have been looking at some manufactured homes on some repo lots. We currently live in a manufactured home that has 2x4 walls 16 oc, 2x6 floor joists 16 oc, but from what I've read from this site that 2x6 walls are the way to go for strength and insulation purposes. I was talking with a manufactured home repair man and he said "Things aren't always how they seem, that the thickness of the walls does not matter to him except for insulation, he said to check into what they are connected to, so I did. Here in Florida there are some manufacturers who build homes with 2x6 walls but are connected to a 1x6 bottom plate. It is my belief that a 2x4 wall, with a 2x4 bottom plate would be just as strong if not stronger. He told me that there is some top of the line homes such as Palm Harbor, Jacobsen, and Homes of Merit who use a 2x6 top and bottom plate. He also told me that there is a manufacturer, Fleetwood, in Bartow, Fl. that is building their walls out of 2x4 and is putting them 16,8,16 oc and by my calculations that would equal a stud every 12in. in a home, has anyone heard of this before? We are currently looking to buy a Homes of Merit, any information would be appreciated, Thank You

[Bill Fry]

In my opinion any MH with 2 by 4 walls which are 16 oc are more then adaquete.If you live in a area with very cold winters 2 by 6's are nice due to the added R value you can use in insulation.MF homes thru HUD code must strap(via steel strap)each exterior wall stud from the stud,over the bottom plate,and down to finally to the outer floor joist .This along with screwing the bottom plates down instead of nailing also increases strength.
All in all I would be more concerened about the top plates being the same size as the studs other then the the bottom ones.Don't skimp on the floor joists,16 oc with at least
2 by 8's will pretty much guarantee a solid non shaking floor.As for your other question the only homes I know of with any walls on 8 inch centers are the sheer walls in two story stick builts.8" to 12" centers are overkill in any other single story application for exterior walls.