Why do MH have such a bad rap?

[ScottMan]

I'd like to put in my 2 cents here. High end manufactured homes are not close to the standards that stick built homes are, here in this county. Also, the average consumer is unaware of all the differences behind the walls and under the floor, so most wouldn't even know how to ask to get the quality even close to stick built homes. What you see (as in my home) is a beautiful kitchen with wall-to-wall cabinets, but under the sink is ABS and under the floor is plastic (CPVC?) water pipes, instead of PVC under the sink and copper water lines. Metal conduit is required for all electric in stick built homes but my home came with romex and conduit was not an option. The codes for stick built homes dictate how builders build the homes in my county, and they are strict. Sure you can ask for "upgrades" but if you will get them in your mh is another story. The weight for shipping has to be considered. I believe even the most upgraded best built mh today will still not stand up to the codes in most urban areas. Even if they did, the mh industry will lose because the cost will price them out of the market for the people who need them to be cost effective (like me). I'm not complaining but only explaining my view. So far I have had no serious problems, yet.

[rmurray]

You need to speak for your area of the country...no national electrical code calls for conduit on residential wiring...Maybe your county has different standards...

CPVC or PVC and ABS are both allowed by standard residential building codes and used by builder nationwide..I am sure there is much more CPVC or PVC waterlines than copper since there is now some health concerns about copper lines..

[rmurray]

There is a wide range of manufactured home avaiable...just like there is a wide range of stick built homes...That is why the books in the bookstore here can be very useful to most buyers...

Some of the features you mention are definitely in the least expensive homes..But the best homes will have features basic stick-builder never heard of..

Fannie Mae now requires appraisers to to appraise manufactured homes and make adjustments for the quality range..Appraisers will have to be familiar with the various brands and standards available in the area...Upgrading the value of the top end homes...

[rmurray]

You might want to check out the foundation guidelines that HUD has...Slab design is one of them and pics are included..

http://www.huduser.org/Publications/PDF ... _guide.pdf

[Bill Fry]

I too know of no area that requires conduit for electrical in residental dwellings.Matter of fact all this is required is a hole thru the stud where the Romex passes in with a metal plate nailed on the outside to hopefully stop a future nail.HUD codes require a metal conduit in the stud where the wire passes thru.You see very little copper going in new homes these days.CPVC & PEX is whats used most commonly.CPVC is copper size dimensions and rated for higher pressure and hot water,PVC is not.If you want copper in a custom home you can get it but you're going to pay for it.Go look at what Centex or any of the other national builders are building these days(while its being built) You'll see many of the things that are in MH.Tubs are no longer cast iron as they used to be,there now all fiberglass,Roofs are 2*4 truss systems on 24 oc,OSB is used for all sheathing and flooring,PEX,PVC CPVC for plumbing,200 amp electrical,2*4 or 2*6 16"oc walls,the lists goes on.Any decemt MH builder can give you all this for less per sq foot then a custom or national stick builder will.Don't get me wrong ,you're won't get all those features in a Fleetwood,Oakwood,Horton or any of the more well known MHs.These builders tend to sell on cosmetic features,not construction merits.
That is also the reason there cost is low.You can,however get better construction with many other MH builders if you are willing to spend a little more per sq ft and find find a better manufacturer.You see a half of a MH being transported down the highway,count the axles under it,thats a good sign of its quality,the more axles the better the house(and weight)

[bryan]

My new home is 26x76 and only has 5 axles.How many should it have?

[Bill Fry]

Axles for transport are determined by weight and length of the section being towed.Five seems to be the average while six or more may be required.The more wood used in the framing of a home makes it heavier and usually that means better construction.

[rmurray]

The size of tire also dictates the number of axles...Some homes with a 4x12 roof pitch will need to use 700 or 800 tires to be able to meet overall height requirements...The lower profile tires cannot hold as much weight as a 1200 tire and would require more axles...

[jgn]

Bill, Chicago still requires conduit but it is more of a union issue than a saftey issue, takes longer to run conduit and pull wire than just pull romex therefore more money for the worker..