Solitaire Homes

[Pat]

I am looking for a short, possibly long depending on the deal, single wide.

I have called Solitaire and talked to a salesperson, after reading the positive post by Terry on 5-28-01. I will look at them this weekend on singlewides. I believe that they have cut some corners recently to compete, but still have a good home. There is only one drawback, I was told the I-beam under the home is 12" x 3-1/8". That is not deeper or thicker that some others, especially considering that the Solitaire is a heavier home.
Things I like are: Good roof and floor, however some others offer 3/4" plywood, versus 5/8" plywood on a 2x6 + 2" grid system. Good roof with the grid system. 1/2" sheetrock walls w/o vinyl, should have less formaldehyde.
Items that are the same as others are: insulation R-11,11,21, 2x4 walls on single wides, 7' walls only vaulted in MBR and LR, composition roof has no overhang on sides, good outriggers.
2 questions, Does anyone make a steel frame stiff enough to go across a pasture? Does anyone make a singlewide with 8' walls?

[Terry]

Pat, Hello, I live in a Solitaire Home and I am proud of it. I have two in fact. A single side which is 18x80 and a doublewide 28x84. The 18x80 is parked in Northern Arizona and I get heavy snow in the mountains. The insulation package I have tends to have good results in keeping the home warm. My single wide home have an 12" overhanges on the front and the back side of the home. The 12" inch chassis does a fine job keeping the home from sagging. Very good steel they use. I never had problem with thechassis at all. Ask the company if they have any left over's any where in their dealers if you want one with a 12" overhang. It makes the home very appealing with a dormer over the front entrance. It's hard to fine a company that makes 8' sidewall heights anymore these days. I am sure they can do it but it may cost you extra and and say it might be an option to do it. I remember one great company that used to do that was the good old Lancer Homes of Childress, Texas. It was their standard construction process and they were the best homes on the market back in the 80's. Solitaire homes have vaulted ceiling thru out the entire home with 7' 1/2 feet ceiling height as standard. e-mail me back and tell what you saw in the Solitaire home and see what you think of it and say of it. Another thing, the Solitaire will make it just fine across your pasture. My home made it across the pasture and up a 2000 feet mountain hitched to a bull dozer. Good luck!