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Under a Modular

joeh | Posted in General Discussion on June 25, 2008 08:01am

Looks like a fairly stiff steel frame approx 40 long, 2 set side by side on blocks on concrete pads.

Any reason not to dispose of current old modular down to the steel and stick build onto the existing frame?

Old modular is junk, but the under side seems to be stable and strong enough.

Double dumb idea, or no?

Joe H

 

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  1. maverick | Jun 25, 2008 08:36pm | #1

    my guess is the beams are there to support it going down the highway.

    in effect they are the foundation. I say go ahead and build on it

  2. frammer52 | Jun 25, 2008 09:04pm | #2

    That be a manufactered home not a modular.  Modular they take the steal frame back to the plant. 

    No reason you can't build new on an old platform.  1 story would be max!

    1. joeh | Jun 25, 2008 09:50pm | #3

      That be a manufactered home not a modular

      Here in South Utah they call them modulars, but I think the people who sell them new call em manufactured homes.

      Either way, it's a double wide. This is an old one, I think late 70. Aluminum skin and original shag carpet, avocado appliances. I was thinking I'd have it towed away, but the axles seem to be gone too.

      But, it would be a good spot for a guest house and looks like it's pretty stable underneath. Just way too buttugly to stay as it is.

      Joe H

      1. brownbagg | Jun 25, 2008 10:14pm | #4

        we called them trailer trash

        1. joeh | Jun 25, 2008 10:30pm | #5

          This one is trash for sure.

          But, may be of some use. Just a lot of trash to scrape off it before I could use it.

          Looks like multiple dumpsters of whatever it's made out of.

          Joe H

          1. john7g | Jun 26, 2008 01:05am | #7

            any reason why you want to build on the trailer frame as opposed to a foundation?

            A tracked loader can make pretty short work of it and pack it down into a surprisingly small roll-off.

          2. joeh | Jun 26, 2008 01:51am | #9

            any reason why you want to build on the trailer

            Because it's there? Looks like I'd save some money using it, it's right where I'd put a guest house too. Already have a daughter/grandchild saying "This is where I'd want my house"

            It was the previous owners parents house. It has a nice view and it's already there.

            Got no tracked loader, and just put new tires on my backhoe so don't think I want to use it as a crusher. They were a bitch to mount and not free either.

            Joe H

          3. User avater
            JeffBuck | Jun 26, 2008 02:43am | #11

            not sure of all the particulars, but here in PA if U leave the wheels the house doesn't get assessed property tax.

            in the sticks ... there's lotsa "trailers" that have been built completely around.

            saw one up north that was a mini-mcmansion ... huge silly additions built around an old moblie home. Guy did it just to prove a point.

            Jeff    Buck Construction

             Artistry In Carpentry

                 Pittsburgh Pa

          4. gourmand | Jun 26, 2008 07:22pm | #18

            Same here in Missouri. Then you pay personal property tax on it. Very tuff these days to get a loan on a trailer or manufactured here. Using the old frame I would want to make sure it would be considered stick built. Growing old is inevitable, Growing up is optional.

          5. User avater
            JeffBuck | Jun 27, 2008 02:01am | #21

            from what I heard same deal here.

            build it up all you want but it's still an old trailer to the bank.

             

            Jeff    Buck Construction

             Artistry In Carpentry

                 Pittsburgh Pa

          6. DavidxDoud | Jun 27, 2008 02:36am | #22

            as long as the tax assessor looks at it the same way, it might be a good deal - "there's enough for everyone"

          7. joeh | Jun 27, 2008 04:12am | #23

            Jeff, I'm not concerned with what the bank thinks.

            I paid cash for the land and will build with cash, there is no bank involved.

            As to the bank appraisal, after I'm done building on that frame, who will know it's not a stick built house?

            Joe H

          8. User avater
            intrepidcat | Jun 26, 2008 01:10am | #8

            Please be sure to post here just how many dumpsters it takes because I'm looking a something simular.

            About the only way I can think of to get rid of an old house trailer if it's too far gone to move safely.

             

             

             

             

             "Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck 

          9. joeh | Jun 26, 2008 02:17am | #10

            It's gonna be awhile on this one.

            I have a place to sell here in Utah, the trailer is on some land we just bought in New Mexico.

            I was just down there and the more I stared at it the more feasible using that trailer frame seemed.

            Got another house on the property to tear down that was built around an old travel trailer, and an old house/shed + a small metal building.

            View Image

            Joe H

          10. User avater
            intrepidcat | Jun 26, 2008 03:35am | #12

            Well, that's pretty neat in the picture.

            You gonna tear that down?

             

            Hope you keep us posted on this trailer demo. I bought a place recently also and it has an old trailer that is in such bad condition I don't think it would get 10 miles ( maybe less) down the road before falling apart. Thought about just getting a dumpster and just cutting it into pieces and throwing it in then using the frame for a trailer or something.

            Good idea to recycle it into a cabin or guest house.

             

            Keep us posted on your progress.

             

             "Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck 

          11. joeh | Jun 26, 2008 07:29am | #13

            If you could see the inside you'd be for demo too.

            View Image

            That trailer is 42' long travel trailer from approx 1950.  Inside of the house is dark and small, painted dark maroon, brown wood, low ceilings.

            Lot of wasted lumber is about the best I can say for it. Built like a brick sh!t house, but nothing I want to keep. It would make a nice shed, but it's gotta move from where it is so demo time.

            I'll be posting the project, but guessing next year before I can get started on it. Too far to commute, about 800 miles each way. Have to sell here first.

            Joe H

          12. User avater
            intrepidcat | Jun 26, 2008 06:16pm | #14

            So, is this the trailer you are thinking about rebuilding on top of the frame or another structure on the same property?"Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck 

          13. joeh | Jun 26, 2008 07:01pm | #15

            The brown one is a complete tear down. The trailer is over 50 years old.

            Here's the 1970s doublewide, it's had a shed added on one end and the back side too. This guy hacked away at the property since the 50s.

            View Image

            Joe H

          14. User avater
            intrepidcat | Jun 26, 2008 07:14pm | #17

            I feel your pain. <G>Hope you have a scrap yard close by. Looks like a lot to haul off."Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck 

          15. joeh | Jun 26, 2008 07:46pm | #19

            Hope you have a scrap yard close by

            It's in New Mexico, most property owners seem to be scrap yards.

            An old school bus or two in the yard is a status symbol.

            I'm sure I can find a home for the scrap, and I have a 40' deep gully too.

            Joe H

          16. User avater
            intrepidcat | Jun 26, 2008 09:01pm | #20

            My DW never told me she was from New Mexico!

             "Never pick a fight with an old man. If he can't beat you he will just kill you." Steinbeck 

          17. DavidxDoud | Jun 26, 2008 07:06pm | #16

            View Image

            DAD!!!"there's enough for everyone"

      2. frammer52 | Jun 25, 2008 10:30pm | #6

        you would be correct, to bad about the axles.  I have used them to build a very strong trailor as some axeles come with brakes!

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