The Manufactured Housing Forums

Have started visiting dealerships in a town we're likely to move to. We are having good initial visits at the dealerships, sales people are low-key, friendly, helpful. So far we have looked at a couple of Fleetwood models and a couple of Palm Harbor models. We were very taken with the look and feel of the Fleetwood Lifestages model 4603M, just loved the floorplan! But we noticed the walls had a little "give" to them. Palm Harbor models, on the other hand, were obviously very solidly constructed, but on the inside were, well, unimaginative. Small windows, making the interior kind of dark, "boxy" look to the rooms, just not as "pretty". How much would we be sacrificing in construction quality going with Fleetwood as opposed to Palm Harbor? I have purchased Randy Eaton's book, amazing! Can a Fleetwood be upgraded to be as sturdy as a Palm Harbor?
Thanks,
Tanya

Fleetwood has a 1 year warranty...Palm Harbor has a 5 year warranty..Does that tell you anything about what they think about their own homes??????

Each manufacturer builds in a market niche that they feel is best for them and their customers in various markets...Not all Fleetwoods are the same...this is true for almost all manufacturers...

Quality will always be with you...Ginger bread will not...PH has about 75 floor plans to deal with..I doubt you have seen them all...

Follow Mr. Eaton's advice...get the best home your money can buy...then add goodies your pocket book can stand..Good Luck

1 year vs. 5??!! Wow, that does say a lot!

"Not all Fleetwoods are the same..." do you mean that different models may be built with different construction standards?

No, you're right, I've certainly not seen all 75 floorplans. There were only a couple on the lot, and the salesman was nice enough to take us out into the community to show us one already sitebuilt. But at the risk of sounding like I'm whining, it's so hard to tell just from looking at a floor-plan! You don't really know until you walk around inside one. But that's life, I guess. I'm also wondering, are the smaller windows part of the Energy saving features that PH specializes in?

There was also a Sun Valley dealership out there. I haven't seen that one on anyone's list...how do they rate?

Thanks so much for your help,
Tanya

You are so right in not being able to 'see' a model on paper with a bunch of lines on it! My wife & I have been looking now for about two years for 'The Perfect' floorplan for us. After over 200 models in 4 states we finally found the floorplan we were sure was just right. Once we found that same model on a lot (about 200 miles away) we pulled in the drive & was very dissapointed.......inside and out.
Back to the drawing board. We have narrowed our choices down to 3 & have the Home Show down in Sacto this weekend to see if any new models there fit our picky minds. After that.....time to choose....finally.
BTW, as far as same brand......different manufacturer, HUGE difference in a lot of cases, beware.
Good Luck finding your dream....ours is close.

Once again thanks to all who input on this site....we have learned MUCH from you over the past couple of years,
Craig & Janelle
Rough and Ready, CA

My goodness, two years??!! I wish we didn't feel so rushed...prices are rising so rapidly, we're not even sure we can wait for our current house to sell before buying a new one! Home shows, huh? Tell me more about those!

We have a Palm Harbor 76H2...I was big on construction, my wife on the design of the home, we found a perfect union. I researched for almost two years before decideing on a Palm Harbor they are top of the line. My home was built at the Siler City plant. If you have any more questions dont hesitate to ask.

You asked..""Not all Fleetwoods are the same..." do you mean that different models may be built with different construction standards?"

The answer is a big yes...This is even true with Palm Harbor...Unlike Fleetwood..PH does not go to the bottom of the barrel...They do have some building really good middle line homes and others building the very top of the line..

There is no way any dealer anywhere can offer all the possible floor plans available..but I know PH folks can be inovative...If you see a floor plan that you might be interested in..your salesperson can call the plant...find one...ask his fellow associate..even hundreds of miles away to video a walk through and send it to him..That with the brochure can help a lot...

It is funny how that is...some folks see a floor plan and envision a home...others see only lines like the other poster here..

You ask about window size and energy...It is true were there is glass...even thermo glass..there is no insulation...but..PH offers scores of options...talk to your sales rep about possibilities...if he /she seems a little unsure..ask his sales manager...might be a good learning process for both of you..

You have been right about recent rapid price increses...but most are probably over for the time being...All manufacturers have had large increases in the last few months...mostly because of the very large increases in building products...

Just as important is the interest rates...right now they are at a low..any increase is a lot of money over time...

But relax a little...these are items you cannot control...the real rule is that time is money...once you decide...move forward asap...but do not force a decision just to be a few days or weeks earlier..

Good Luck

Don, I would love to hear all about your experience with PH. I looked at the floor plan and virtual tour of your model on the website. We're looking for something a little smaller, with 3 bedrooms. I'm assuming you have children. we don't. (just the furry kind ) Anyway, how much did you get the home specialized to suit your needs? (construction, design). I see the same issue with the windows on your model as we did on the ones we saw. Did you find the homes kind of dark? I know it's not energy efficient, but we'd love some skylights or a couple of bay windows.

Mr Murray, the video walkthrough idea is a terriffic one! And as far as prices are concerned, I wasn't as concerned with the home prices going up as I was about property. With Las Vegas prices skyrocketing, people are starting to buy up houses and land in outlying towns (just like us). It seems like everyone we talk to says the land is just flying through their hands and out the door.

Every day seems like a mini roller-coaster ride of calm and centered to energized and excited to overwhelmed and anxiety-ridden! But, I know we're not alone. Thanx again everyone.

Hello. I live in Arkansas. There is one Palm Harbor dealer in this state. It is too far away to just take a look, but I would consider them when I get ready. I have some literature from them. What was wondering is if their single wides are as nice as their double wides. I will probably get a single wide. I want to get the best home for my money.

Thank You,
Eric