Wind Damage

[Wisten]

What, if any, conclusive studies have been conducted on wind damage on mobile homes? Links would be great. Modern technology combined with modern apathy indicates that a single or double-wide would be at least as safe as a modern frame house on a concrete slab (said house running around 125,000). The variance comes into play when the dynamics of avaition are considered: Wind provides lift. (Actually "air" provides the lift)

A "tied-down" double-wide with skirting can survive most of the scaps with straight-line winds, and can even nod at a glancing blow from an F0 (F-Zero on the Fujitsu Scale) tornado.

My concern rises in the fact that rapidly moving air has a tendancy to propel material (such as a leaf), by providing force below the material providing uplift. The material in question has a tendancy to flutter about for a bit before "crashing" down. Of course, each and every plane that lands, regardless of size, is performing a "controlled crash".

See my concerns? What precautions can be taken to avoid such calamities?

[Randy Eaton]

Hello Wisten,

By pit-setting your Mfg. home you will avoid uplift. A contractor will dig down 24" and pour a concrete pad. Your retailer will deliver the home and block it up about 4 to 6 inches above ground level, just like a site built home. Manufactured homes that have sheet-rock through out and plywood sheathing with 2x6 exterior walls weigh the same as site built homes. My home is pit set with a concrete foundation around it. My home has steel tie-downs and will never blow away. Just like a site built home will never blow away in 70 or 80-mile winds. Hope this helps.

Randy Eaton