The Manufactured Housing Forums

I have looked for answers to this question several places but have found none. I have an older ('93) Dutch Manufactured home on a full basement. I will be finishing the basement next spring and have some questions. Since the heating duct work is not the best, at least in mine, I want to replace it but do not want the ducts to extend below the steel frame. Currently the rectangular duct work is between the steel braces, not the main members, and the floor joists. My question is can I remove these steel braces that go between the main bigger steel joists? Being that this house has been and will continue to be on a basement, there is no need for this bracing as far as I can tell. It is not attached to the floor and there would be no movement of the other steel beams (ie from delivery). This would really make things so much easier. As a side question, what is the strangest thing found hidden in the walls or floor of a home? Removing the plastic and insulation in my floor I have found coffee cups, various odds and ends of wood and a news paper. What is in yours?

Frank

I have found a dead family of cats inside the roof of a MH.Or should I say, they found me!

But, back to your main question...the members you are talking about are called cross beams. they are usually a C or L shaped member, about 2" x 3".
NO...do not remove these. the chassis of your home does a lot more then transport.
It also transfers wind loads and prevents your floor joists from rotating.
The main chassis beams are a light weight steel and while the perform well, they are fragile.
Don't alter your chassis, ever!