Yo Randy-Limited manufacturers in Virginia

[judy]

Fairmont says that they do not have any retailers in Virginia. Four Seasons I am unsure of or believe it is a 3 hour drive to nearest dealer. Palm Harbor is closest and is about 2 hours away. I like what I have seen in the Palm Harbor homes on the net but is it true they are not what they use to be?

[Randy Eaton]

Hello Judy,

Palm Harbor Homes are great, do some shopping and let us know what you have found out. Would like to hear back from you. Here is a little section from my book, "Important features that need to be in every manufactured home:
2x6 exterior walls 16” on center
Double or triple pane vinyl windows
Energy saving installation packages
2x8 floors… not necessary but recommended
Plywood sheathing if budget allows
Headers above exterior windows and doors
2x6 top and bottom plates on exterior walls
Electrical out-lets secured to wall studs not sheet-rock
Taped & textured through-out, ½” sheet rock or 5/8”
Quality plumbing fixtures with shut off valves at each fixture
Solid wood cabinets, oak, maple or pine
Transverse floor system


Today, manufactured homes represent one-third of all new single-family homes sold in this country. Eighteen million Americans live in them yet construction standards are too weak; the Department of Housing and Urban Development hasn't reviewed the rules comprehensively since they were imposed 23 years ago. For example, headers over exterior windows and doors are standard features in site-built homes but in manufactured homes these structural features are not required. A header is a beam of wood that is designed to support the weight of the roof. If a window has no header supporting the weight of the roof the window will sag in time. The window will become difficult to open and may pose as a health hazard during a fire. A quality built manufactured home will also have 2x6 exterior studs, 16” O.C (on center) and double pane vinyl windows. But there are still some manufacturers using 2x4 exterior studs and aluminum windows. If you find yourself in one of these homes, find the nearest exit and run for your lives.

Hope this helps.

Randy Eaton
www.buymfghome.com/

[Sandy]

Randy, can you name any manufacturers that meet all -- or most -- of these criteria? I'm mainly interested in Horton, Clayton, Fleetwood, Champion and Chandeleur (sp?). Thanks

[Judy]

Sandy you should post a new topic. Not under my question as Randy may not see it. Good luck to you.