Finding parts for a particular style or make of mobile home or manufactured home isn’t always easy. These housing units, especially old ones, have a limited shelf life which will vary depending on how you take care of it. In this article, I’ll share my experience with mobile home salvage yards near me, tell you how they work and help you find one close to you.
Map of Mobile Home Junk Yards Near Me
For “Mobile Home Junk Yards Near Me” or “Mobile Home Salvage Yards Near Me”, see the map below..
In the event you don’t have one locally, you could try a car junkyard or RV salvo. Sometimes these places will take mobile homes. You just need to figure out how to get your unit there at your own expense.
I lived in a double wide for 10 years and had to deal with extensive damage when a tree fell on it. This is when I discovered manufactured home salvage yards in my local area. These are places where you can get functional mobile home parts from units that were junked or abandoned. The best part is all these junked parts are cheap and you can pull them yourself.
Operations of Mobile Home Salvage Yards Near Me
These highly specialized yards and they are few and far between. They operate like a local business, but a bit more like a thrift shop that buys and sells trailer homes or caravans. Sometimes they are strictly specialized junkyards and other times they are associated with businesses that sell mobile homes. Some have manufactured homes which are modular homes, also called pre-fabricated homes. While there are few places that deal exclusively in mobile units and the like, most places are mixed yards with cars, trucks, RVs, bumper pull trailer homes, and campers.
Mobile Home Salvage Conditions and Reasons for Scraping
Manufactured homes end up at the junkyard for a few different reasons. Reasons can be as simple as the owner replacing a pre-1980’s unit with a newer one, the unit had damage and needed replacing, or the town may have condemned the unit. Add to the fact these homes are impossible to finance, especially units before 1976 because of HUD standards and most parks won’t take units as early then 1980…older houses become difficult to sell.
Older Mobile Home Junking
Mobile units are depreciating values and once a home has reached its end of life it can be uninhabitable and it’s impossible to sell because there is no one who wants to buy it. Considering they depreciate at about 3-3.5% per year an early 1980’s unit would be worth only a couple of grand, which may be less than what it is worth in scrap metal.
If the cost to fix a unit to make it livable is more or close to the price of a new one, junking the mobile home is a pretty easy decision. Plus investing in it to fix it doesn’t actually add much value to the home.
On the flip side, while the home depreciates, the land it sits on appreciates in value. If the land was purchased at the same time as the original unit it may be worth more than the mobile home that inhabits the space. If you want to sell the land, any new owner is going to want the mobile home removed before they buy the property.
Anyway, this all leads to many old units at junkyards, which is great for you if you are looking for replacement parts like doors, roofs, sinks, short tubs, skirting, siding, hitches, vanities, flooring, piping, etc.
Newer Mobile or Manufactured Home Junking
At mobile salvages, you don’t tend to see a lot of new homes. That’s because they have longer life spans. You might see one that got wrecked from an act of god like a hurricane or tornado, but even those are few and far between. Even if the cost of the land was so great, you wouldn’t junk a newer unit, you would likely contact a wholesaler to see if they could buy the unit and take it off the property for you.
If you find a newer mobile home at the salvage, then take everything you can, because it ain’t gonna last long.
Where to Salvage Your Mobile Unit
Aside from the map above and looking for trailer home salvages near me, check classified ads or Yelp. Additionally, you can try calling a car or RV salvo and ask if they will accept mobile homes. Bear in mind, you will cover the cost of moving their property, but the good news it’s gone. You may also want to try finding a lumber salvage who can take any of the reclaimed timber from you.
Know the State Laws For Trailer Home Disposal
Different states have different requirements when disposing of a mobile unit. In Michigan, for example, mobile housing salvage yards are supposed to have a special license. If they don’t they are illegal and you can get caught up in legal trouble dealing with them. To be safe you need to look up your state;s housing division for procedures on proper mobile home disposal.
Other Options Besides Trailer Junkyards
If a junkyard isn’t an option, try calling your local scrap metal facility as they may buy junk mobile homes. They may be willing to pay you for the metal in your home. On average there is about $2000 worth of scrap metal in the single wide mobile unit.
The last resort is to call around to mobile home parks and talk to managers. These folks likely know exactly how and where to salvage a unit. They may have experience and know where you can dump it or make a few dollars junking it.
Considering DIY Demolition?… Watch it Done
If you are considering doing the demo yourself, it’s helpful to see it done. While some folks will use a skid steer or a truck, not everyone has access to that kind of equipment. Much of the demolition can be done, with a hammer, pry bar, and elbow grease.
The best part about doing your own demo is that you can recycle the parts yourself. Then you can either reuse or sell parts with value like windows, doors, toilets, cabinets, sink, wiring, and the frame.
Pros and Cons of Salvaged Mobile and Manufactured Home Parts
Getting used parts for your unit at a junkyard has both its perks and its drawbacks.
Pros of Mobile Home Salvage Yards
The biggest pro of course is heavily discounted prices. Second, you can find a variety of pieces for different makes and models. You won’t find these pieces anywhere else, especially for older trailers. Lastly, many parts you may find and need will be original and were directly installed by the manufacturer.
Cons of Mobile Home Salvage Yards
The drawback is quality. You never know how much lifespan is left in these pieces. After all, these are depreciating parts for a reason. Unlike many car junkyards, you won’t be able to purchase a warranty on used mobile unit parts. Another potential issue is finding what you actually need. The mobile home salvage yards near me are not organized and the units are really stripped down. You can waste an entire day going through these units and never find the piece you need.
Mobile Home Salvage Yards Near Me – Wrap Up
Mobile home salvos are great places to get heavily discounted parts for trailers, caravans, or manufactured homes. They actually serve a great purpose for recycling homes and helping owners get rid of unwanted units. While not all the parts you will find will be great, the prices will be hard to beat. Much of what you will find in these yards will be units, but if you need parts for an old home, it’s perfect. This is what I have learned from the mobile home salvage yards near me.
FAQs About Mobile Home Salvage Yards Near Me
What is a mobile home salvage yard?
A mobile home salvage yard is a location where old or unused mobile homes are collected, disassembled, and their salvageable materials are resold or recycled. These yards help reduce waste and provide valuable resources for construction and renovation projects.
Do I need any permits to dismantle a mobile home in a salvage yard?
Yes, you typically need necessary permits to dismantle and transport a mobile home to a salvage yard. These permits are often issued by local government authorities and may include environmental, transportation, and waste disposal permits. Make sure to check with your local authorities to ensure you comply with all necessary regulations.
What salvageable materials can I find in an old mobile home?
- Old mobile homes often contain various salvageable materials, including:
- Metal siding and roofing
- Aluminum windows and doors
- Plumbing fixtures and pipes
- Electrical wiring and components
- Wooden framing and structural materials
- Appliances like stoves, refrigerators, and HVAC systems
These materials can be reused or recycled, reducing the environmental impact of mobile home disposal.
How can I determine if an old mobile home is in good enough shape for salvage?
The condition of an old mobile home can vary widely. To determine if it’s in good enough shape for salvage, consider factors like:
- Structural integrity: Check for signs of severe damage, such as water infiltration, extensive rot, or foundational issues. Minor cosmetic damage is typically acceptable.
- Age: Older mobile homes may have outdated materials and systems, but they can still have salvageable components.
- Salvageable material: Evaluate the presence of valuable salvageable materials that can be reused or sold.
It’s best to consult with a professional mobile home salvage yard or contractor to assess the specific condition of your mobile home.
