Damage to frame????

[Wendi]

There is a repo'd 1999 Ritzcraft doublewide that I am interested in buying.The previous owners backed into the home and knocked siding off it and the home sits lower of one side. I am concerned about structure damage. What signs should I look for in the house? Would there be any signs? The metal frame under the home is slightly bent in where the two sections of the home are joined.. the damage to the siding is just a 2 ft. by 1 ft area. But with the metal frame bent in a little where the car backed into it, should I be worried about possible buckling of the frame elsewhere under the home?

[Tracy]

I would look in the phone book and find a local set crew that can inspect the damage.
From what I'm reading the home was not hit very hard, and probably didn't cause any real damage except the front hitch plate was bent.
The metal frame is only there for the floor joists to rest on, and be transported down the road with axles and tires. Unless the home gets knocked off the blocks would you see signs of the home instantly sagging, especially when this home was hit between the two sections.

Also, inspect the drain line from the home to ground. I have seen homes that have been hit and knocked the drain line loose, or cracked fittings. Run water and make sure its draining properly without any leaks.

-Tracy

[Eugene]

Wendi,
Lucky for you, Ritz craft is a pretty good home. Even if the frame was damamged a little, you could add an extra support to that area.
Tracy missed one thing, the frame also transfers wind loads to the anchors if the home is on piers.
But I would think you would be ok as tracy said.

[Mark]

A bent frame can also put tension on the floor joists and in time cause flooring troubles or squeaks.

Mark