The question of how much wind will destroy a mobile home is not an easy one. There are so many variables, from the size and shape of the home to where it’s located.
But most professionals agree that winds above 150mph will blow away a mobile home, leaving it with nothing but rubble in its wake. You can find more information on this topic by reading our blog post!
Mobile homes are not designed to withstand strong winds. But how much wind is too much?
This blog post will explore the different types of mobile home structures and help you know what kind of wind speed your particular mobile home can handle before it’s destroyed.
If you live in a hurricane-prone area, this article might be helpful for you to know what type of precautions you need to take if strengthening your home against extreme weather is not an option.
Mobile Home Structures
In mobile home construction, there are three different types of structures: single-axle, double-axle and triplex.
Each type is built differently and has a different wind speed rating.
We’ll look at each type of mobile home.
1- Single axle homes do not have axles on both sides of the trailer. These trailers have wheels that pull from one side to the other rather than being supported by axles on either side.
Because of this design, these homes can be moved from one place to another with relative ease and mobility is not impeded when they’re parked in one spot for long periods. This kind of structure does not have a rear wall on it so if you park your home on a beachfront property, you are more susceptible to strong winds.
2- Double axle homes are the most common type of mobile home on the market today. It has an A-frame design with two axles on either end of the trailer that support it. These types of trailers have a wall at one end, but still do not offer protection from the wind coming in through the sides or underneath the house.
3- Triplex construction offers superior strength and stability than single or double axle homes. The entire structure is supported by three axles so they cannot be blown over by high winds like other types would be able to do.
However, triplex homes tend to not be as easy to move around as single-axle homes because all three axles require wheels which makes them less mobile.
Related Article: How Many Axles Does A Mobile Home Have?
So How Much Wind Will Destroy a Mobile Home?
It depends upon what kind of structure your mobile home has. But in general, it takes winds over 150 mph to blow away single axle homes, 175 mph for double axle homes and 225 mph+ for triplex construction.
At lower speeds though, things like rain or other extreme weather conditions can severely hurt the structural integrity of your mobile home leading to leaks, rot and loss of interior space.
Precautions you should take if strengthening your home against strong winds is not an option are typical precautions that are taken during hurricanes or other strong storms that are known to bring lots of rain or flooding with them.
That means securing your home possessions, knowing where to go if a hurricane is on its way and having a plan of action of what will be done before the storm hits.
You can read more about how to prepare for a major storm or even a simple thunderstorm by going through our blog post on the matter so you know what precautions you need to take in case strong winds are bearing down upon your mobile home.
Can a mobile home withstand 50 mph winds?
A mobile home can withstand winds of 50 mph. Some may be subjected to more than that, but most manufactured homes are designed to withstand close to the same wind speeds as site-built homes of similar size and weight
Most of us know that a mobile home isn’t always the safest shelter during an emergency. Tornadoes for one, pose quite a threat since they’re unfortunately common in some states. But what about hurricanes? Can you take refuge in your mobile home during hurricane-force winds?
Most manufacturers build their units with high load-bearing capacities so even on weak foundations it’s not likely your unit will blow away unless you live near the ocean or coastal area where large waves could “wash” away your lot where it sits
Can a mobile home withstand 80 mph winds?
Mobile homes are built with strong materials to hold them in place even when wind speeds reach 100 mph.
However, this is not the case if the home is exposed to winds with speeds over 150 mph which will cause structural damage and even destruction if no precautions are taken.
Winds of 80 mph can be quite dangerous for your mobile home. You should never leave it exposed when these conditions arise because you risk having leaks in your roof, broken windows and water entering into your structure leading to internal damage like wet carpets, ruined furniture and similar bad effects that would require considerable repair work after the storm passes by or when it’s safe enough to re-enter your trailer.
If possible, it’s best to be prepared for this kind of weather and have a plan or an escape route for when these conditions arrive if you can’t get your home secured by the time it hits.
Keep in mind that winds of 80 mph can easily topple single axle homes and cause double axle homes to take damage because all mobile homes need to be fastened down to the ground.
But stronger materials like concrete or steel will not be enough to keep them standing during powerful winds such as these. Read this article for more insights on how strong winds affect each type of mobile home!
Can a mobile home withstand 100 mph winds?
Mobile homes can withstand winds up to 100 mph without taking any damage, but even if the wind speed doesn’t reach this threshold you should take precautions and fasten your mobile home securely to the ground for safety.
There are different methods of doing so ranging from steel anchors and railings that you can attach your unit to through cables or straps, concrete footings that could be driven into the ground around your mobile home’s perimeter and other strategies depending on where exactly you’re situated.
Either way, always keep in mind that high wind speeds usually bring with them heavy rainfall which increases the risk of flooding when water enters your property so consider these things before a storm goes by!
Is it safe to stay in a mobile home during a tropical storm?
If you happen to live in a location that is exposed to tropical storms, then the answer to this question depends upon where exactly your mobile home is situated.
Mobile homes are structurally safe for people inside during hurricanes because they’re built with sturdy materials like concrete and trying to escape might be challenging if these conditions arise.
However, it’s important not to take any risk because you could still get injured or even die due to the dangerous conditions around you.
For example, strong winds can cause powerful waves on water surfaces which increase the risk of flooding and also make roads impassable which would affect your ability to leave your property before things escalate.
So how should I prepare my mobile home against high winds?
One common method of securing your mobile home against powerful winds is to install steel anchors that are connected through cables to your trailer’s foundation.
This way, should high winds come by then the anchor system will help keep your mobile home in place while also providing some protection from external elements like rain or floods that could cause damage to your home.
However, this method won’t work if wind speeds reach over 150 mph so you’ll need to take additional precautions too. For example, having shutters installed on windows and strong sturdy doors with deadbolts can be helpful because they’ll provide extra support for your walls so they don’t fall during massive storms.
You can always ask about these kinds of solutions when hiring a contractor who specializes in fastening down mobile homes against high winds!
What is a safe place during a hurricane?
In general, it’s best to stay away from locations that experience heavy flooding risks or places near power lines because this type of weather can be dangerous and cause serious damage not only to your home but also to surrounding infrastructure which could affect roadways, waterways, hospitals and other important sites.
For example, a hurricane may not seem like a huge threat unless it reaches the point where you’re surrounded by dark clouds and feel strong winds that cause debris with sharp edges to fly around violently at times causing injury.
This is why staying safe during hurricanes requires being aware of the conditions around you, having a plan in case things go wrong and knowing what steps you should take depending on how bad these conditions become!
Conclusion:
One of the most common causes of mobile home destruction is wind damage.
If you have a mobile or manufactured home, it’s important to know how much wind speed will destroy your property so that you can be prepared and plan accordingly.
The National Hurricane Center provides a table outlining hurricane categories with the corresponding sustained winds speeds from 75-95 mph as being capable of destroying an average manufactured house.
These same speeds are also able to cause serious structural damage on many other types of buildings including schools, hospitals, factories and warehouses which may not be classified as “mobile homes”.