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Mobile Home Moving Services in Idaho

For many people, the best path toward home ownership is buying a manufactured mobile home. Not only are these properties more affordable and easier to maintain, but they come with the luxury of mobility. If you want to move, you don’t have to find a new home – instead, you can just pick up your current one and shift it to a new location.

That said, moving a mobile home is a complex and somewhat costly job. So, you need to know what to expect before you commit to such an undertaking. This article will discuss some common points that many mobile homeowners ask about. Before you move, here’s what you need to know.

How Much Does It Cost to Move a Mobile Home 50 Miles?

The greater the distance you move your mobile home, the more it costs to ship it. Since these properties can weigh several tons and take up more than one lane on the highway, there’s a lot of planning and logistics involved. So, one way to save money is to move within 50 miles of your current location. On average, you can expect to pay between $5,000 and $8,000 to move a mobile home 50 miles. What’s included with those costs? Let’s break them down:

  • Permits – Each state and county has various licenses you need to acquire before you even think about moving. These permits are necessary for both transporting and placing your home in its new location. If you’re crossing state lines, you need to talk with the Building Commissioner of that state. The Commissioner will be able to tell you which permits you need and the cost of each one.
  • Transportation Costs – Realistically, you won’t be able to move your mobile home by yourself. Instead, it’s much easier to use a certified moving company. The logistical hurdles required to move a mobile home on your own are too significant to ignore. Each company sets its own rates based on the size of the house, distance, and any other obstacles that you may encounter on the way.
  • Utilities – You must disconnect the utilities from your current spot and hook up new ones at your desired destination. In some cases, you may need an inspection to verify that your utility hookups are still in good condition.

Can You Move a Mobile Home with Furniture in It?

In a perfect world, you’d be able to pick up your mobile home as-is, complete with furniture and appliances, and move it wherever you want. However, reality is a bit more complicated since you can’t move your home with furnishings inside. The obvious reason for no furniture is that it will invariably shift and fall over during transit. So, you’d wind up with a home filled with broken furniture.

You’ll need to factor in the costs of removing and packing your furniture before moving your mobile home. The more items you have, the higher the costs. Fortunately, you can use any vehicle to take your furniture and belongings from point A to point B. You may also be able to use friends and family to make the transition even easier.

How Much Tongue Weight Does a Mobile Home Have?

One defining factor in determining the cost of moving a mobile home is its weight. The heavier the house, the bigger the truck needed to move it. Not only does the truck need a sufficient towing capacity, but it also requires a hitch with the correct tongue weight limit.

As a rule, tongue weight measures between nine and 15 percent of the item’s total weight being towed. So, if your mobile home weighs 100,000 pounds, the tongue weight is between 9,000 and 15,000 pounds. On average, a single-wide mobile home will have a tongue weight between 12,000 and 18,000 pounds. If you’re moving a double-wide home, you can expect to double that number.

How Big of a Truck Do You Need to Move a Mobile Home?

Mobile homes use specialized trucks called toters to get from one spot to another. These vehicles resemble semi-truck cabs, but they use a relatively standard ball hitch instead of a modified fifth wheel hookup.

Typically, states require that the toter weigh around 32,000 pounds so that it’s rugged enough to handle such a wide and heavy load. Again, depending on the size of your mobile home, the truck may be smaller or larger.

Weight is also just one factor to consider when picking the right moving vehicle. You also have to consider the height of the home once it’s attached to the truck and its width. Wider loads require specialized permits, and they come with many restrictions. For example, you can only transport the home during the day, and you need pilot vehicles in front and behind.

As you might imagine, the more permits required, the longer it takes to get approval, and the higher your moving costs.

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