New Place. Need Help

[sdguy55]

Hey guys i need some tips for a new place the gf just bought. Where we live houses are pretty expensive (as well as renting, a two bedroom house easily goes for a 1000 a month) so she decided to buy a brand new trailer. I know what some of you are thinking that trailer are just trailers and they're not all that great. And to some point i have to agree with that mindset. But to be clear if this relationship goes any further we will be buying a house in the future. For now its just a starting point for her, and us.
Anyways on to the details it is a single-wide 2012 trailer. Its a parkview model and i have to admit that it really isnt to bad. Its got a very decent sized living room (enough to fit a full length couch and two chairs, coffee table and tv and surround sound.) and kitchen (a nice lil breakfast bar and cabinets look nice but have kind of a cheapy feel to them) and its three bedroom two bath.
What i was wondering is since this is a brand new place and we are both new to the house buying experience. What i should be looking at closely as far as if they did something wrong when setting it up, plumbing, electrical (side note ALL of the outlets are upside down, when the hell did they start doin that?) i have already noticed one of the walls is 'dented' and made a note of it for them to repair. I should mention that this has a 1-year workmanship warranty anything we find wrong workmanship wise to the actual trailer is fixed. I would really appreciate some insight and im sure my gf would to thanks guys!

 

[green.bubbly]

I would just look for the obvious as you noticed with the dented wall. Keep an eye out for water leaks under cabinets and under the trailer. As far as it being connected, I am assuming they had to have a permit and inspection?

 

[DoyleDee]

Make sure any leaks are taken care of immediately-- I've replaced many floor sections in mobile homes due to leaks and water damage.
Just keep a list as you have started and go from there-- these things are mass produced, and are all built about the same as the model goes.
Make sure you keep it as clean as possible- trailers seem to attract roaches (I think it's more to do with the adhesives that are used)- but just keep that in check.

 

[A**holes Garage]

Pull off the tongue and keep your tires aired up

 

[sdguy55]

Its on blocks so i dont have to worry about tires. And i will.have to go around checking the sinks and such after work. Thanks for the suggestions so far! Keep em comin!

 

[Kevin54]

A lot of places will do that so if the plug is pulled partway out nothing will short across the two prongs. So they put them "ground" in the up position. As far as a single wide, after it's set, look for any cracked drywall areas. Check all of the windows and cabinet doors to make sure nothing is racked. When pulling a single wide up and down, left and right, there is quite a bit of flex. If they don't get it set perfectly level or if the foundation that it sets on is not done exactly right, settling will occur and problems will show up. Another thing to check is where any plumbing goes through the floor. Make sure everything is sealed up tight. If not, you are just asking for rodent infestation.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Make sure its freeze proof under the trailer so pipes don't freeze. Make sure that there is moisture barrier under the trailer and that water cannot stand under it. Trailer floors can rot out from bottom up. Keep roaches under control they love trailers. Don't let the trailer freeze or you will never find all the broken pipes. Keep the roof intact and caulk at sides as they are bad about water entering there.

 

[Falcon67]

Yes, they are pretty nice now with the updated requirements. Sheetrock walls and everything. However, resale is pitiful so chances of making any money back on it is pretty much zilch, especially as foreclosures clear and the market starts up. The hardest house in the world to move is a trailer home, unless the area has a very large market for them. And that's usually rural. Houses are expensive for a reason and unless you are in a really hot market, you are at the bottom around now and should really consider a regular house if you want any chance of recouping the investment. Been there, done that. We had a very nice "trailer", double wide on two nicely wooded acres in a good place. Made a good deal on the house, lived there 5 years, lost our *** when we moved. Negative return.

 

[sdguy55]

Thats interesting to know on the outlets. Ill have to check on standing water. What do you guys suggest for when cable people drill through the floor for the cable run? Any good ways to keep roaches out?