Transport
Mobile
home transporters are paid by the mile. Is there any chance they might have
a tendency to drive as fast as possible? (can we say speed?) The effect of
hitting potholes or other rough spots in the road can be predicted mathematically.
The force of the impact is equal to the mass times the velocity. In other words, a
40,000 lb. home hitting a bump at 60 MPH receives a harsher impact than if the impact
occurred at 50 MPH. A related problem stems from the fact that since mobile home
transport is a one way trip the manufacturer/transporter is allowed to inflate the tires
to 2.5 times their designated load on the theory they are brand new and only have to last
a thousand miles or less. Are we surprised to see mobile home transport
trucks pulled off along the road changing tires frequently? What do you
suppose happens when one or two tires blow and the driver has to slow down and pull off
the road. Can we say torque; as in twist the entire home? Could this possibly have
something to do with cracked panels, nails popping out and a house that won't level
because the frame is bent?
The photograph
shows how the corner of a home can be damaged when the transport drive rubbed it against
something as he pulled it out of its old location. In this case the 2.x4 under the
metal was rubbed, not broken so there is not significant structural impact. However
it did open the metal and expose the interior of the wall to weather.
Replacing the metal is probably impossible on an older home like this because even if a
metal bending shop can match the pattern the color of the new panels won't match.
On this particular job I got the feeling the transport/setup guys just hoped no one
would notice.
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