Do you know the difference between a mobile home and a manufactured home? Let’s find out!!

Mobile home living is a common topic of discussion here at Crestline. Our customers reach out to us all the time, asking whether they can or cannot place a mobile home in a specific location.

As we talk to folks, we've noticed some of them can get confused between the terms "mobile

homes" and "manufactured homes." In fact, some people think they mean the same thing, but they're different. Let's break it down in simple terms.

Mobile Home vs. Manufactured Home: What's the Difference?

Back before 1976, people called both types of homes "mobile homes." They were essentially houses you could move around because they were built already and had wheels or could fit on trailers. But laws changed in the 1970s, putting stricter rules in place for the construction of these homes. They started calling them "manufactured homes" to show they met certain standards.

The Change to "Manufactured Home"

After 1980, the government said we should use "manufactured home" instead of "mobile home" for homes built after 1976. These homes are built to the Manufactured Home Construction and Safety Standards (HUD Code) and display a red certification label on the exterior of each transportable section. Manufactured homes are built in the controlled environment of a manufacturing plant and are transported in one or more sections on a permanent chassis.

Understanding the Words Today

Some people still say "mobile home," especially for older homes built before 1976. But most official documents now use "manufactured home" to talk about newer homes (built after 1976). Also, when folks talk about "mobile homes" today, they might mean big trailers or RVs used for living in. These can be parked for a while but aren't as permanent as manufactured homes. So, when folks ask about "mobile homes," it's important to clarify that they're not talking about trailers or RVs, as zoning requirements can be different for them.

Have questions about mobile homes (pre-1976 built) or manufactured homes (post-1976 built)? Looking for lots to place a mobile/manufactured home and don’t know if it’s zoned for that? Give us a call or send us a text message at 501-747-6100.