Is living in a double-wide trailer bad?

In today’s blog post, we will answer the following question: Is living in a double-wide trailer bad? We will discuss the pros and cons of living in a mobile home. We will also explain the differences between a single-width and a double-width mobile home, and help you decide which one would be best for you. 

Is living in a double-wide trailer bad?

Living in a double-wide trailer is not bad, but it does have its pros and cons. Living in a mobile home in general, apart from having great financial savings, is just another lifestyle that may or may not be the right one for you. 

A double-width mobile home is 90 feet or less in length and 20 feet or more in width. The double-width mobile homes are transferred to the site in two separate units. These two units are then assembled on the owner’s site. They offer plenty of space even for large families, and are a great way to save money!

Single-wide trailers, on the other hand, are  90 feet (27 m) or less in length and 18 feet (5.5 m) or less in width. Single wide mobile homes are generally towed to their specific sites as individual units. They are made up of a single structure. This makes them particularly easy to move.

Advantages and disadvantages of living in a double-wide mobile home

Advantages	Disadvantages
One of the great advantages is that they are very cheaply priced, which allows most to be able to afford one. Some are around $3,000.	They are not as prepared as traditional homes to withstand aggressive meteorological phenomena, such as floods, storms or strong winds.
Its construction process is much faster than the traditional one. In fact, in just a couple of weeks, the house can be finished.	Another of the main disadvantages is that the manufacture is much less durable. In addition, they need continuous maintenance.
They adapt perfectly to any terrain. Thus, they can be installed on beaches or fields, as long as it is developable land.	As is often the case in many things, the legislation is somewhat backward, at least in our country. This means that it is difficult to find bank branches that give you a mortgage or some kind of help to buy a mobile home.
They are respectful of the environment. They are made with materials that have a minimal impact on the ecosystem.	Lack of space. Some of these mobile homes are very small, in some cases, they do not exceed 30 square meters, which makes it very difficult to inhabit them, especially if a family is going to live.
Given its great demand, there is a wide variety of mobile home catalogues.	Difficulty finding land. Another disadvantage of living in a mobile home is that you have to go to very remote areas, in the middle of the countryside, to live. This makes it difficult for many, accustomed to cities or towns, to opt for this alternative.

So, is it bad to live in a mobile home?

It is not necessarily bad to live in a mobile home, but it does have its disadvantages. 

One particular point should attract the vigilance of the new investor: it is the choice of camping. Indeed, not all campsites are created equal. And some practice abusive conditions, not to say illegal.

Overall, remember that you need a campsite:

• which allows you to rent by yourself, free of charge,
• whose opening dates are sufficiently extended,
• with a good level of equipment,
• which does not require you to change Mobile homes regularly.

Again, be careful. You own your mobile home, but not the land. You are the tenant of the site via a lease, which is usually annual (the lease includes your consumption of water, electricity and maintenance of the plot).

However, dishonest campsites make the renewal of your lease conditional on the purchase of a new mobile home, while yours may only be 8 or 10 years old.

However, a well-maintained mobile home has a lifespan of 20 years, or even more with a few refreshments, and this lifespan is a determining element for the success of your investment. Because it is on the length that you will get a big profit.

Factors to consider when choosing a double-wide trailer

To choose your double-wide trailer/mobile home, you must start by answering the following questions:

• Who will live there?
• How many bedrooms will be needed?
• How many bathrooms?
• Are there any special accommodations needed?
• Will a room be needed for an office?
• How long will I live in this house?
• Take stock and define the primary requirements of your mobile home.

How to choose the best mobile home for full-time living

Mobile homes are generally smaller than conventional homes. The size of the living room will depend on the profile of the family. Usually, a family of four can live in a common living space. 

Once there are five or more of you, two rooms are usually needed: the living room and the family room. You also need to consider the kitchen. If family members like to gather in the kitchen, the size of the kitchen should be determined accordingly.

• The floor: You will also have choices of flooring, such as carpet, linoleum, laminate or tile. You can opt for a unique floor covering for each room.

• Exterior Options: Choose from a wide range of coating options. Investing in a high-quality coating will pay off in the long run, with colour retention, durability and longer life.

• Personalization options: The cost of your new manufactured home will depend on the square footage, design, and customization options. Today’s mobile homes are made with high-quality materials and luxury amenities are available.

Should you buy a new or old double-wide mobile home?

You can, of course,  buy a new or used double-wide mobile home. Here is what you need to know:

• New purchase

One of the main advantages of buying a new manufactured home is the customization options available to you. Choose the exact size and layout you are looking for. When buying a new home, you can choose the size of your home and a good floor plan for your family.

Choose all the features you need. Features are also an important aspect of purchasing a new manufactured home. Custom wardrobes, wardrobes, fireplaces? The choice is yours!

Above all, personalize the exterior. Just as you can customize the interior, you can also make exterior design choices such as siding colours and materials, steps, decks, awnings and more.

• Used purchase

The main advantage of buying a used mobile home is the reduced price. But with a lower price, you still have to make sure that the mobile home is in good condition. First, check windows and doors for gaps, cracks, and insulation. Test the resistance of the flooring and make sure there is no warping.

Next, make sure the insulation is free of moisture. The walls should also be made of quality wood. Check that the anchoring system is still strong and intact.

Where will you install your double-wide trailer?

This is perhaps one of the most important considerations and what will make your experience in a double-wide trailer good or bad. If you’ve ever chosen a mobile home park, you are probably familiar with the facilities they offer. Otherwise, you need to consider what facilities you want or need.

Will your current needs be the same as 10 years from now? Consider any changes in your situation.

If you want peace and quiet, it may not be appropriate to choose a site that is frequented by a lot of people. Do you prefer a site in a rural area or a coastal location with sea views? Do you need a store on-site? Pay attention to every detail.

The bottom line

As you have seen, there are good things and bad things about living in a double-wide trailer. And if you find it difficult to make up your mind, you can check our other articles on the pros and cons of investing and living in a mobile home.

Please feel free to get in contact if you want to share your thoughts, comments or questions about this article. 

FAQ on Is living in a double-wide trailer bad?

Is it good to buy a mobile home?

The advantage of investing in a mobile home is that you can buy for a relatively small amount compared to real estate in general. Indeed, it is possible to buy a second-hand model for $12,000, the price of a small car!

Why not buy a mobile home?

The biggest disadvantage of the mobile home is that it depreciates, it would be hard to resell it and costly to maintain, especially during winter.

Is it embarrassing to live in a mobile home?

No, living in a mobile home should not be embarrassing for anyone. Although it is true that these are not conventional homes, mobile homes have become more and more popular in the past years. Below we discuss the pros and cons of living in a mobile home. But first, let’s see what a mobile home is. 

Is a mobile home a bad investment?

Whether a mobile home is a bad or good investment, will depend on the use you are planning on giving it and, of course, on your personal circumstances. Still, there are some general pros and cons of buying a mobile home.

Can I live permanently in a mobile home?

Yes, it is possible to live permanently in a mobile home. It has its pros and cons, and it is a decision that one must think about well. The most important thing to consider is where you’re going to place the mobile home. 

Other FAQs about Travel Trailers that you may be interested in.

Will a 6×12 trailer fit in the garage?

Will a Casita fit in a garage?

Do you need a dually to pull a gooseneck trailer?

References

• The Pros & Cons of Mobile Home Living – Move.org
• 50 Incredibly Useful Tips About Mobile Homes
• Buying a Mobile Home Instead of a Regular Home: Pros and Cons