A Brief History ofMobile Home Construction

Rich CourtneyWeatherization Program Specialist

Early mobile home

“It takes a sense of humor”

Three Decker Heated Floor

1948 Liberty

“Comfort Conditioning”

1949

Prairie Schooner

Manufacture claims home is 10o cooler

Pulling a Prairie Schooner trailer saves between 10 to 25 gallons on long hops

“Fully

Insulated”

“Johns-Manville

Floor Insulation”

1952“Happy Home”

“Separate Shower & Toilet”

“Water Heater”

“Oil or Butane Heat Optional”

Mobile Home with a “Tip Out”

1975 Flamingo “Double Wide”

Manufactures Certificate

Pre 1976 Wall Stud size

Locate and inspect for wiring type, safety and power cable entrance

Water Heater Compartment

• See any problems?• Open controls• Exposed wiring• Flammable foam

insulation close to possible electrical hazards

• PVC discharge pipe• More?

General ConstructionFeatures• Roof Assembly with Ceiling• Walls, Fixtures, Appliances

and Wiring• Flooring w/Finished Floor

Covering• 2x6 Framing• Main Ductwork• Insulation• Bellyboard• Main I-beams/

Outriggers/Cross Supports• Axles/Hitch

• Illustration courtesy of John Krigger

Primary Window TypesA. JalousieB. Horizontal SliderC. AwningD. Vertical Slider

• Illustration courtesy of John Krigger

Single-Wide and Double-WideFeatures

• Details showing “tie-downs”

• Foundation Support Piers

• Illustration courtesy of John Krigger

• “Marriage Line”

Crossover Duct on a Double-wide

• A crossover duct connects two complete duct systems. Each supplying conditioned air to each side of the dwelling.

• Note “Marriage Line”

• Illustration courtesy of John Krigger

Floor joist configuration

• Longitudinal or lengthwise floor joists

• Perpendicular or Crosswise floor joists

• Illustration courtesy of John Krigger

Forced Air Furnace Systems

• Furnaces are typically “down flow” heating units. The furnace connects to the main trunk line of the duct system located in the floor.

• Illustration courtesy of John Krigger

Location of the main trunk line depends on the floor joist

configuration

• Illustration courtesy of John Krigger

Use the information to help direct Weatherization work

Relax at the end of the day after a job well done