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housetrailer moving…………………

skidkid | Posted in General Discussion on April 6, 2008 05:02am

She who must be obeyed and I are thinking of building a guest house; smallish 2 BR’s and a bath.

Construction here is flat out and takes forever to complete; so the idea arose why not ship a housetrailer from say greater Miami to the island.

12X40 feet seems about right; back it in; plug it in; instant guesthouse.

Has anyone moved a housetrailer? what is involved? where do you start looking?

I remember those GC trailers on jobsites; kinda spartan inside but they were huge; never really thought about how they got there.

Thanks,

Hank.

 

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  1. Fishrite | Apr 06, 2008 08:02am | #1

     

    Do you know what rules, permits, regulations and stuff might be involved where you live?

    Investigate that first.

    Do you own your house?  Why not increase your property value by building a small Guest House/Mother-InLaw cottage instead?

    Or a small guest bed addition?

    Trailers are pretty ugly to me.

     

     

    "He said "Buck up baby, it's okay.  The sunlight on the floor will always fall."  ~ Sarah Harmer

     

     

  2. User avater
    bambam | Apr 06, 2008 09:46am | #2

    Here is an idea. Get you an RV and use that for the occasional guest house. When not in use you could use it youself and they are a lot easier to haul around.

    Where there's a will, there are 500 relatives

    1. frammer52 | Apr 06, 2008 07:12pm | #3

      Hey bambam did you notice where he lives?

      I bet there is not many rv lots on an island as small as his.

      1. User avater
        Luka | Apr 06, 2008 09:47pm | #4

        I'd bet there are even fewer mobile home lots. An RV is probably a better idea for this, than a mobile home.The hookups, permits, etc, for a mobile home, are comparable to those for a house/cabin. You also need special permits for hauling a mobile. Special equipment. A larger truck, etc.An Rv pad and hookup are cheaper, require less permits, and are easier.There are some really nice RVs out there. Some with as much space as a small mobile home. And with the economy taking a nosedive, it may not be difficult to find a really good deal on a really nice RV.


        Life doesn't often leave a very easy trail to follow.

  3. JeffinPA | Apr 06, 2008 11:55pm | #5

    Hi Hank

    I just map'd your little hideaway. 

    A modular or house trailer could work but there are restrictions everywhere so double check before spending much time in preparation.

    Obviously you need to get it to your location.  If none on the island, you need to bring in.  They come in on trailer frames with wheels.  You can block up and strap down and skirt or you can build a foundation and if you plan properly, drive up and thru the fdn, jack up, remove wheels and lower right down onto fdn. 

    If trailer, I would plan to put a gable roof on it sooner than later and if you go with a double wide modular, many have the roof system built but you need a crane and house setter to sit it on the foundation.

    You would need someone to hook up your systems.  (electric, plmg, hvac, etc.)

    First, if it can be done, find a company who can sell you the stuff and work out shipping logistics,  then go to the airport and buy me a ticket.  (lol)

     

    Jeff in PA, usa

  4. User avater
    CapnMac | Apr 07, 2008 12:43am | #6

    You actually have three moves to sort out.

    First, from the mobile home dealer in the Miami-Dade area to some dock side.  Then from the dock to Bonaire; then from the dock to your site on the island.

    Dealer to dock is not so big a deal, most MH dealers have at least one arrangement with a hauler outfit to move the product.

    Second and third moves might not be so simple.

    You could ask the MH dealers if they've ever shipped to the Islands.

    Might be a tad tricky, though.  A single-wide is generally bigger than a 2-TFE (40') container (width rather than height, but height kicks in too).  Makes the MH some sort of special deck cargo, which is not likely to make it less expensive.

    Shipping overseas to Bonaire also complicates the alternative of an RV, too.  The nice people in the Dutch Antillies might have restrictive registration fees for a large imported vehicle like an RV.  Or, there could be steep import duties.  Or both.  Or not, which might make a "medium" sized RV not a bad choice anyway.

    Now, what might actually be the ticket might be a panelized house.  Something that could be designed to fit standard containers, which could then just be trucked to your site.  You'd need a crew and a crane after that, but that could be easier than begging for a few weeks on site to frame in, instead.

    Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
    1. frammer52 | Apr 07, 2008 01:11am | #7

      I bet that most people haven't even seen an rv or house trailor.

      He could have a parade from the dock to his house.

      1. User avater
        CapnMac | Apr 07, 2008 01:26am | #8

        He could have a parade from the dock to his house

        There ya' go, set the poor man up for yet another fee, for the parade permit <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

        1. frammer52 | Apr 07, 2008 01:30am | #9

          could you imagine pulling a long trailer on the roads on that island. YIKES

          1. User avater
            CapnMac | Apr 07, 2008 02:10am | #10

            imagine pulling a long trailer on the roads on that island

            Never been to Bonaire, but if it's like most of the Antillies, I'm still having trouble picturing intermodal-ing a 40 or 48' jumbo container on twisty hills barely suited for fiat coupes <g>Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

  5. brownbagg | Apr 07, 2008 02:13am | #11

    what you need is a katrina cottage.

    1. skidkid | Apr 08, 2008 05:25pm | #12

      Lots of great ideas and suggestions.

      Thanks Guys.

      It costs $12,000 to ship a school bus here; we figured about 15 for a housetrailer.

      We'll work something out.

      Hank.

      1. skidkid | Apr 28, 2008 05:53am | #13

        Just a follow up to all the great ideas submitted.

        She who must be obeyed bought an 8 and a half meter long 2004 Pioneer travel trailer in Boynton?? Beach FL; 1 BR, LR/DA/KIT, bath and a screened porch; cost $6000.

        Shipping $5600...............................!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

        Customs here will be 1/3 cost; another $2000.

        Still much cheaper than building and it will be delivered in May.

        We cant wait 2 years for a guest house to be built.

        The main roads here are mostly paved; rest are crushed coral; shouldn't be a problem getting it on site.

        Hank. 

         

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