Mobile Homes

Chapter 302 of the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) provides for allowances for transportation of mobile homes or boats used as a primary residence. Because the typical federal agency handles less than five mobile home moves per year, they lack adequate expertise in managing and counseling mobile home moves. It should be noted that the corporate sector policy does not provide for the move of mobile homes.

Mobile homes fit under the category of "manufactured housing," which includes modular homes and HUD Bulletin homes. Modular and bulletin homes are meant to be placed on permanent foundations and, depending on State law, considered to be real estate. Mobile homes, like automobiles, are classified as chattel. They have running gear, including axles and wheels.

Before authorizing a mobile home move, it is recommended that agencies provide detailed counseling to their employees on the following issues:

· Government allowances for moving a mobile home.

· The Government does not pay for household goods (HHG) to be transported separately. Moving the HHG inside the mobile home causes stress to the unit with a high likelihood of structural damage, which is not covered by insurance.

· The Government does not reimburse for replacement tires or axle rental. During transport of mobile home, additional axles may be required based on the unit length. It is also common to have 8 to 10 tire blowouts while en route. These expenses can cause a significant financial burden to the employee.

· All HHG need to be secured to prevent damage from shifting and movement. Furniture and heavy unbreakable items need to be placed near the center of the home forward from the wheels. As little weight as possible should be left in the rooms to the rear of the trailer.

It is recommended that you provide the employee with a preparation checklist similar to the following:

MOBILE HOME PREPARATION CHECKLIST

Furniture

· Kitchen table should be turned upside down to rest on its top with padding between the table and floor.

· Kitchen chairs should be set inside the inverted table and taped to the table legs.

· Sofas, heavy chairs and cushioned furniture should be placed next to the front walls with cardboard wedged between them to prevent movement.

· Floor lamps should be padded or boxed and secured to the floor with tape or tied to prevent movement.

Dishes, Breakables, Loose Articles

· Dishes, glassware, and other breakable items should be packed with paper in boxes and placed securely as close to the front of the mobile home as possible.

· Pictures, plant stands, ashtrays, knick-knacks and all loose items should be packed in boxes or containers.

Kitchen Cabinets and Medicine Cabinets

· It is okay to leave unbreakables (pots/pans) in the lower kitchen shelves. Cover with paper or blankets to prevent movement.

· Items from upper shelves should be removed and packed with paper in boxes or containers.

· Everything in medicine cabinets should be removed and carefully packed.

Closets

· Remove heavy items from shelves and pack in boxes.

· Do not overload clothes rods in closets as the road vibration may cause rods to break loose form the wall mountings.

· When leaving clothes hanging, bend hanger over the top of the rod to avoid garments falling to floor.

· Loose articles (brooms, mops, cleaning materials) should be removed from closets and packed securely.