Snow-load Certificate for a 1973 12X61 Westchester Mobile Home

[Ami]

Does anyone have or know where I can get a snow-load certificate for a 12X61 Westhester mobile home that was built by Conchemco Corporation in 1973? I tried searching for the manufacturer, but it appears that the company is no longer in business. The home I have is a 2 bed, 1 bath unit, with open living, kitchen, den area in front. If you have a certificate for this model, I would much appreciate a copy of the certificate if you have one, so I can dispose of this mobile home. Thank you for any help you can give me regarding this issue!

[David Oxhandler]

Is your Chonchemco a manufactured home or an RV? They are out of business now but I thnk they built both. I have never heard of serial numbers stamped on the axles on any brand or age MH.

The wheels and axles on a manufactured homes are designed for limited use and to be removed when the home is installed, so it would not make any sense to put the vehicle identification number on the axle.

For homes built to the HUD code you will find serial numbers stamped into the front bumper. If you are standing looking at hitch end of the home it would most often, be on your right.



Some builders prior to 1976 stamped the serial number on one of the main I beams under the home, near the hitch end. As you homes has been around a while the numbers may not be easily seen. You may need to sand off years of oxidation rust.

The serial number may also be found on old insurance documents or through a search of building permits by your local building and health department from the time of the original installation.

[rmurray]

The 4 numbers are probably a part number with 1 for the RS (right side) and 1 for the LS (left side)...The serial number is probably stamped in the front cross member. Some older 12 wides had numbers stamped into top lip of hitch instead..Often they would get rusted over but sometimes could be uncovered with a wire brush..

[Ami]

Thank you, David and R. Murray, for your halpful information. I now have the problem of getting a snow-load certificate for this unit, so please advise if you can help
Thanks again,
ami

[David Oxhandler]

As your home was built prior to the adoption of the HUD code you may be looking at an impossible task. MH construction prior to the HUD code's adoption was on a state by state basis. The builder is no longer in business.


Here in Florida the pre-code homes were certified by a state department that put a sticker on each home that included an inspection number, the date built and the name of the construction standard that was applicable. Most older homes, I have seen in the past few years, have had the sticker removed or are so sun faded as to be illegible.

You might find some details if you research your states pre-1976 MH building regulations.

[rmurray]

I am not sure why anyone would care..for a fact the home has survived 40 years of all mother nature could throw at it.In that span of time it probably has seen conditions bordering on its upper design limits.

[David Oxhandler]

In some parts of the country insurance companies are putting the burden of proof of structure soundness, denying coverage to owners of older MHs, if they can not demonstrate that their home meets certain performance standards, and conditions (like a sound roof system).

Prior to 1976 there were no national standards and MHs were very portable. Many homes were often moved out of the area where they were built to local code, making it next to impossible today, to determine the standard they were built to.

When you purchase a pre-owned MH be sure you see the HUD data plate, most often pasted in a closet of pantry that looks like this:



Check with your local building department and insurance company that the home meets local permitting and insurability standards