If you’re not careful to properly tie down your mobile home, high winds can pose a real threat. These winds can lift up your home right off the foundation. Hence the need for secure mobile home tie down requirements.
Understanding mobile home tie down requirements
So now you get the idea behind the importance of mobile home tie-down requirements. Let’s look at what these requirements are and how to implement them.
Follow manufacturer guidelines
When a mobile home is sold by a manufacturer, a manufacturer guidelines book is included with the mobile home. This is for the buyer and whatever professional he or she works with to install or make changes to the home.
In these guidelines, there are standards listed for things such as mobile home tie-down requirements for that particular model. This is helpful as the mobile home designers know the ins and outs of what makes the ideal installation for this particular mobile home.
Follow state guidelines
For every location, there are specific standards to be met for mobile home installation. This is often practical, due to the nuanced differences in soil, winds, etc in every locale.
Mobile home manufacturers are always sensitive to the laws required for their designs. They want their designs to meet HUD approval in the various in-factory inspections they deal with. These inspections ensure the buyer is getting a safe home. Without these inspections, the manufacturer cannot sell the home to the new homeowner.
Additionally, if you can’t find your manufacturer’s guidelines, you’ll be in good shape if you just look up your local/state mobile home tie-down requirements. This will be the best way to ensure your home is properly set up.
Wind zone parameters
There are wind zone parameters to consider in understanding your mobile home tie-down requirements.
For example, if you wish to install your mobile home in a zone one area, you’ll need two vertical ties per side and three diagonal ties per side. But if you wish to install your home in a zone two area, you’ll need two vertical ties per side and four diagonal ties per side. Tie quantity is determined by the length of your mobile home and whether your home is a single wide or a double wide.
To determine the standard for your particular mobile home and wind zone, contact your local government.
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Type of mobile home
Because single wide mobile homes are more likely to be affected by high winds, they will require both diagonal and vertical tie-downs. Whereas a double wide only requires diagonal tie-downs.
Different types of tie-downs
There is more than one type of tie-down and the type of tie-down you must use is often determined by when your mobile home was manufactured.
If it’s an older home, tie-downs are usually over the top and exposed. While it works well to secure your home, it is a bit unsightly as the tie-downs are over the outside exterior of your mobile home.
On the flip side, a new home has greater structural strength and quality. Due to newer innovations in mobile home quality, tie-downs are different for these homes. Anchoring straps connect to the steel frame chassis rails to keep the home wind-resistant. These anchoring straps are simply called frame anchors and you can find them used in both new single wide and double wide homes.
Different types of anchors
When it comes to anchors, you’ll find a wide variety available according to soil condition and whether the home sits on a concrete foundation.
On one end, we have auger anchors – these are created to work with hard and soft soil. Rock anchors function with rock or coral. If you’re going to put in a concrete foundation, you’ll need to prepare concrete anchors.
Licensed installers
Finally, licensed installers may be a requirement in your state. This may be the case if your state has HUD administering the manufactured home installation program. But a state might be administering their own program. In that case, then it is up to that program to determine whether installer certification is a requirement.
Due to the serious importance of your mobile home tie down requirements, you may wish to bring on a professional. They can help you with that regardless of whether your state would allow you to do it yourself. A professional installation will ensure a safe and effective tie down system.
How To Tie Down A Mobile Home
To tie down a mobile home and ensure it’s secured against strong winds and hurricanes, you can follow these simple steps.
Choose A Preferred Tie-Down Method
For older mobile homes, you would need “over-the-top tie downs that stretch out to cover the whole structure. But, for newer mobile homes, they usually come with pre-installed straps running under their metal roof or exterior siding.
The major difference is aesthetics. But, if the mobile home doesn’t come with pre-installed tie-downs, then the over-the-top option is the right choice.
Decide The Anchors to Use
As mentioned earlier, there are different types of anchors you can use for DIY mobile home tie-downs depending on the conditions of the area you want to tie down. You could go for auger anchors, drive anchors or hard rock anchors.
Decide How Many Tie Downs You Want to Use
Technically, there’s not a maximum number of tie-downs you can have – the more tie-downs, the more secure the home. However, depending on the spec of your mobile home and where you set up, there are some minimums you should check from your owner’s guide. Also, inquire about local regulations to know how many tie-downs you need.
Install The Tie-Downs: diy mobile home tie down system
Now that you know the type, method and number of tie-downs to use, you can go ahead and install the anchors. You can follow these steps:
- Make sure your mobile home is level
- Make cables and know where phone, cable, electric and sewer lines are to avoid installing an anchor on them
- Position the tie-downs – this step can be skipped if the mobile home comes with pre-installed tie-downs
- Secure the anchors
- Attach the tie-downs and adjust gradually in a side-to-side manner
For more information…
Now that you have a clearer picture of mobile home tie-down requirements, why not look at foundation requirements? This will give you some clarity on the different types of foundation available for you to implement in your mobile home installation.
