? Mobile Home moving

[kroberts]

Does anyone here have an idea of the cost involved in moving a 14x70 mobile home?

We are in a situation where we may need to leave where we are currently living (long story I'm sure no one would be interested in) so I'm a little in panic mode and looking at some off-the-wall ideas.

We could (hypothetically) put a down payment on a small piece of land here and try to buy one of the FEMA mobiles on auction. There are so many that I think there may be a good chance of getting one pretty cheaply. But I wonder if the cost to move it would be prohibitive.

The mobiles are in AL and it would need to be moved to AR--600+ miles.

Does anyone have experience with this?

Thanks in advance
Kathleen

[unclesam]

I used to have some in-laws that did this as a business(and I used to live in one myself when first married). Around here moving a mobile home 10 miles can cost about $600 to $1200 depending on the route and if they do any setup on site for you,thats not mentioning mileage and if you have to rent the tires and axles. Moving one that far(AL to AR) I suspect would probably cost as much or more than the mobile home is worth.
It would probably be a better bet to sell and buy a used one in AR(it doesnt hurt to get some estimates first though).

[scoutinlife]

I'm in the mobile home business best guess is going to run you about 3000-4000.00 range assuming it;s just a hook up and pull and drop no set involved! Currently Shipping I pay is about 2000 grand to have a home a 14x70 pulled from N Ind to Southern OH that with our discount. Estimat 350 miles from plant to our lot! Set up typically runs 750 to block level home and tie it down! Skirting kit run about 280.00 for skirting and trim kit and most installers charge 150.00 for putting skirting up. If ac comes with it going rate in my area is 225.oo to recharge and connect unit hope this help. ;)

[palerider]

I believe a lot of the costs are also dependent on road fees and permits and may depend on which states the route runs thru. Most places (years ago) had a set rate per mile, you may find an independent that might be able to haul it for you for a lesser amount. Twenty yeras ago we were quoted $1.00 a mile, that of course is when gas was $0.70 a gallon. There are hauling companies that you can get estimates from on the net.
Bear in mind that mobiles have a finite life, used to be figured at max 30 years, don't know about now. Financing should you need it will be WAY more than a traditional home. BUT FEMA also has some large "travel" trailers which have many of the amenitits of a home, jus less square footage. These can be hauled MUCH cheaper, you could even rent a truck and haul one yourself. Another advantage is that you can set it temporarily in a "camp ground" or other rental space without the necessity of blocking and skirting. When you're set with septic/sewer/water on your property, you can haul it there while you build, either a 'whole' house or a good sized addition to the "travel" trailer. I did see some running around the 40' length. They are only 8' wide. This size requires no special permits, no cars with flags etc. Even if you were to buy TWO of these you may be better off than one of the larger ones. How many people? I lived in one 8'X45(included the hitch) for a couple of years, two adults one young child, was perfectly comfortable. You'd be surprised at what you can do when it is necessary, and be happy while doing it!

[kroberts]

Wow! *OK guess I'll scratch that plan. lol *Hmm *We actually had thought about the travel trailers but for some reason I am not finding any(on FEMA/GSA). *Maybe I am not looking under the right heading.

My thought was that the mobiles would go cheaper because they are not as in demand. *A used mobile doesn't have alot of value. *I just thought it may be cheap, temporary housing if hauling wasn't too bad.

Travel trailers, I'm thinking, will go for more. *But I could be wrong--its been known to happen pretty frequently. ;)

There would be 6 of us in it--down from 8 since I kicked out my selfish, useless son and his wife. *They are the reason we are in this mess. *I love him dearly. *Honestly don't know what the heck happened to him. *But I digress....

I guess we'll just ride this out as long as we can. *I'm thinking the land we were wanting is gone. *We weren't quick enough. *Just didn't want to put the money down and not have anything to live in. *Was looking at tents (to the horror of my 2 daughters. *:o )

But thanks so much for the input. *Maybe I need to get into the mobile home moving business. lol

Thanks again.

[Terri]

You might ask around to see what repossessed mobile homes cost.

Let's see, that would be banks, mortgage companies, and the sellers of new mobile homes. Am I missing any people who would have a good mobile home and not want it? ???

[kroberts]

Wow! I just looked at the GSA site (there are some travel trailers now BTW) and that stuff went up fast! Had no idea things would go so high. I'm sure its still a good deal, but way out of my range right now.

I had hoped if stuff went cheap I could get good temporary housing. But it may be a possibility later once we get straightened out and I have some savings again. Really I wouldn't mind living in a tent for a while--I've done it before. But teenaged girls tend to like things a little cushier I guess. Guess it might get a little chilly this time of year too. And me and cold don't get along too well.

Things will work out. Just hoped this would be an option so I don't have to be a basket case. On the up side, I've learned a little about mobiles and GSA auctions. :)

[nancy1340]

Do you have a link for the FEMA/GSA trailer site?

[kroberts]

Sure! Don't know why I didn't think to post it before.

http://gsaauctions.gov/gsaauctions/gsaauctions/

Scroll down to where it says trailer and tractors. There will be a list of states with auctions. AL has the mobiles. MD has the travel trailers. There are always new ones. I think these end the 10th or 11th. You just have to keep checking back.

If you get something let me know! :)

[palerider]

the secret of the gvt auctions is to be VIGILANT! when you need or want something watch them ALL and do it EVERY day. Also, i've never looked for AZ but quite often the individual states have their own auction sites. Go to the state home page and I'll bet you'll find a link. Some portable classrooms just went pretty cheap out here in the mid-west, about a month or two ago in KS I think. i did see a couple of small "mobiles" listed in AZ once, they were Forest Ranger housing I think. just keep your eyes open.

[daphodil]

well, trying to recall what it was to have our used, outdated trailer moved up here, 30 miles. *I think dh's mom paid $1200 for it; then dh paid about $150 to have it hauled. *That was years ago, though.

I can tell you, that hauling a trailer often ruins the roof--on older ones, though. *When dh remodeled the one we have, he did the walls and flooring first, holding back on the roof.

Fall rains came and we discovered the roof leaked like a sieve--probably from the move, as when we did the initial walk-through, there was little rain damage. . .

[clawhammerdan]

There used to be a junker mobile home on my property (before I bought it). It was hauled to an adjacent farmers field where it sat for two years. Folks last summer bought it or had it given to them and they hauled it about three miles up the road. (pulled by a tractor...all gravel roads). They probably gave the farmer who hauled it a tank of gas and a case of beer. You oughtta see how they've fixed that place up by now. Looks really nice, inside and out.

[kroberts]

I actually just found out about one that we may be able to get. Sounds like its in pretty good shape. The guy wants $3000 but he is flexable and would probably let us pay $300/mo. Much closer to us than the GSA mobiles so it wouldn't be so much to move. So maybe...

Everything is so up in the air right now I don't know which way is up. Almost ready to go live in a tent. If it wasn't so cold I'd do it. Of course I may not have a choice soon. lol

I swear between my son (whom I kicked out) and my husband (who I'd like to strangle) its a miracle we are alive. Definately 2 of a kind. Sometimes I feel like the only one with sense in this house. So many opportunites to say "I told ya so". But I never do. So we all look stupid and I'm in a panic wondering how we will make it. <sigh>

Sorry, needed to vent a little. :'(

[daphodil]

Sometimes men can do that to ya; hang in there!

[kroberts]

If I could support us I wouldn't have a man. Sometime I love him sometimes I hate him. But I do have to depend on him so I guess it doesn't even matter.

I'll survive. And somehow manage to look like the bad guy through it all.

But thank you. :) I appreciate it.

[clawhammerdan]

If I could support us I wouldn't have a man. Sometime I love him sometimes I hate him. But I do have to depend on him so I guess it doesn't even matter.

I'll survive. And somehow manage to look like the bad guy through it all.

But thank you. :) I appreciate it.


Sounds like a marriage made in heaven!

[kroberts]

lol It can be at times. Not alot of times, but sometimes. ;)

[bgarrett]

Why would you consider a trailer in Alabama when FEMA has about 200 acres jampacked with trailers about 2 miles north of Hope Arkansas?

[kroberts]

I didn't know they were there. Are they on the GSA site now? There was nothing listed in Arkansas when I looked, but I don't check it evey day. Guess I'll go take a look. :)

[kroberts]

I still see nothing in Arkansas. *Is there somewhere else to look? *I guess at this point it doesn't matter. *We may be going a different route. *As I said, things are really up in the air right now. *But I am confident things will come together soon--preferably before I have a nervous breakdown. lol ;D

But I greatly appreciate everyone's input.