A standard house trailer, more accurately referred to as a manufactured home, typically ranges from 12 to 18 feet wide. This width is crucial for understanding transportation regulations, site requirements, and overall living space limitations.
Understanding the Terminology: “House Trailer” vs. “Manufactured Home”
The term “house trailer” evokes images of older, less regulated dwellings. While still sometimes used colloquially, the industry and regulatory bodies prefer the term “manufactured home” to describe factory-built homes constructed after June 15, 1976. This date is significant because it marks the implementation of the HUD Code, the federal building code governing manufactured homes. Understanding this distinction is vital as it impacts regulations, construction standards, and financing options. “Mobile home” is also a commonly used term, though technically it should only apply to pre-HUD code homes.
Standard Widths and Their Implications
The width of a manufactured home directly impacts several factors:
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Transportation: Wider homes require specialized permitting and often necessitate escorts during transport. The larger the width, the more complex and expensive the transportation process becomes.
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Site Selection: Available space is a key consideration. A wider home requires a larger lot and may not fit within existing mobile home parks or private properties with limited access.
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Floor Plan and Layout: The width dictates the possible floor plan configurations. A single-wide home, typically 12-18 feet wide, has a narrow, linear layout. Double-wide and multi-section homes offer more design flexibility due to their increased width.
Single-Wide Homes: 12-18 Feet
Single-wide homes are the most common and affordable option. Their relatively narrow width makes them easier to transport and place on smaller lots. However, the limited width restricts floor plan options, generally resulting in a linear layout with rooms arranged along a central hallway. While typically between 12-18 feet wide, some older single-wide units might be slightly narrower, falling closer to the 10-12 foot range.
Double-Wide Homes: 20-36 Feet
Double-wide homes are created by joining two sections together at the site. This significantly increases the width and square footage, allowing for more spacious living areas and diverse floor plans. With widths ranging from 20 to 36 feet, double-wides resemble traditional site-built homes in terms of layout and amenities. Transporting double-wide homes requires more extensive permitting and coordination compared to single-wides.
Multi-Section Homes: Wider than 36 Feet
Multi-section homes, also known as triple-wide or even quadruple-wide homes, are formed by combining three or more sections. These homes offer the largest living spaces and most flexible floor plans, often exceeding 2,000 square feet. Their width typically surpasses 36 feet, requiring significant planning and site preparation due to the complexity of transportation and installation. These homes are often difficult to distinguish from traditionally built homes upon completion.
Legal Considerations and Transportation Regulations
The width of a manufactured home directly impacts transportation regulations. States have specific laws regarding maximum width limits, requiring permits, escorts, and specific travel routes for oversized loads. These regulations aim to ensure safety and minimize disruption to traffic flow. Failure to comply with these regulations can result in significant fines and delays.
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Permits: Required for transporting manufactured homes that exceed standard width limits.
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Escorts: Often necessary to guide oversized loads and ensure safe passage.
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Route Restrictions: Certain roads may be prohibited due to width or height restrictions.
FAQs: Addressing Common Questions About Manufactured Home Widths
Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the complexities of manufactured home widths:
FAQ 1: What is the minimum width allowed for a manufactured home?
Generally, there isn’t a federally mandated minimum width for manufactured homes, but market demands and structural integrity considerations typically prevent manufacturers from producing homes significantly narrower than 12 feet. Older “mobile homes” constructed before the HUD code may be narrower, but these are increasingly rare.
FAQ 2: How does the width of a manufactured home affect its price?
Generally, wider homes (double-wide and multi-section) are more expensive than single-wide homes due to their larger size, increased materials, and more complex transportation and installation processes. The price increases proportionally with the square footage gained from the increased width.
FAQ 3: Can I build an addition onto a manufactured home to increase its width?
Adding structures to a manufactured home to increase its width is complex and subject to local building codes and regulations. It is typically easier and more cost-effective to purchase a larger multi-section home initially. Altering the original structure may void warranties or require extensive engineering assessments.
FAQ 4: What are the advantages of a wider manufactured home?
Wider homes offer more living space, diverse floor plan options, and enhanced aesthetics that more closely resemble traditional site-built homes. They often feature larger bedrooms, multiple bathrooms, and open-concept living areas.
FAQ 5: How does the width of a manufactured home affect its property taxes?
Property taxes are generally based on the assessed value of the home and land. A wider, larger manufactured home will typically have a higher assessed value, resulting in higher property taxes.
FAQ 6: Are there width restrictions in mobile home parks?
Yes, most mobile home parks have specific rules and regulations, including limitations on the size and width of manufactured homes allowed within the park. These restrictions are designed to maintain uniformity and ensure adequate spacing between homes. Check with the park management before purchasing a home to ensure compliance.
FAQ 7: How do I determine the exact width of a manufactured home I’m interested in buying?
The manufacturer’s specifications, found in the data plate attached to the home or in the sales documentation, will provide the exact dimensions, including the width. Always verify these dimensions before making a purchase.
FAQ 8: Does the width of a manufactured home affect its resale value?
Yes, wider, larger homes generally have higher resale values compared to narrower single-wide homes. The increased square footage and more desirable floor plans contribute to their market appeal.
FAQ 9: Can I transport a manufactured home myself if it’s within the legal width limit?
While technically possible, transporting a manufactured home is a complex and specialized task best left to professional transport companies. These companies have the necessary equipment, expertise, and permits to ensure safe and compliant transport. Self-transportation is generally not recommended.
FAQ 10: What happens if a manufactured home is wider than the legal limit for transportation?
If a manufactured home exceeds the legal width limit, specialized permits, escorts, and potentially route modifications are required. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to disassemble the home into smaller sections for transport, which can be costly and time-consuming.
FAQ 11: Does the insulation in the walls affect the exterior width of the house trailer?
While the insulation thickness contributes to the overall wall thickness, the exterior width generally remains consistent with the manufacturer’s specifications. The insulation is contained within the walls and doesn’t significantly alter the external dimensions. However, trim and siding added to the exterior can slightly increase the overall width, so it’s important to account for this when planning transportation or placement.
FAQ 12: Beyond the width, what other dimensions of a manufactured home are regulated?
Beyond width, the length and height of manufactured homes are also regulated for transportation and safety reasons. Federal and state regulations specify maximum lengths and heights that can be transported on public roads. These dimensions, along with the width, determine the overall size and configuration of the manufactured home.