The name “mobile home” is deceitful. Many people on hearing it imagine rather what is called an RV – a fully functional vehicle that is sufficiently equipped for being used as a home, with all the amenities onboard. The term “mobile home” rather refers to a house that is assembled at a factory and delivered to the spot by trucks (on https://mobilehomelife.org/, you can learn more about this type).
So, which one should you choose if you don’t want or cannot afford a traditional site-built home? Let’s see the pros and cons of both types. As they are very different, there are few common grounds for comparison.
Mobile Home: Pros and Cons
The first thing to remember is that most mobile homes remain mobile only until they are delivered and installed on the spot. Otherwise, it’s just an economic home with some limitations – but we don’t compare it to site-built homes, we compare it to an RV, so let’s look from this perspective.
Pros:
- It’s a home. It has an address (as well as a VIN number, funny as it sounds), it is connected to utilities such as power, water supply, and sewerage, and you can connect cable TV and Internet;
- There is enough space for a regular lifestyle;
- You can move it to a new place, though the process is rather sophisticated and expensive;
- You only register it once and then enjoy the stable laws of your location.
Cons:
- It’s not as mobile as the name suggests. Not the option to “carry with you all that’s yours”;
- It takes time to order it and get it installed while buying an RV is nearly as simple as buying any car.
RV: Strengths and Weaknesses
We will not compare various RV classes with each of them. Let’s focus on those features and drawbacks that are common for all homes on wheels.
Pros:
- It’s a fully-fledged trailer (even if it’s dubbed a motorhome), with its mobility as the main advantage. You can change your location whenever you want or need it, and driving it is almost the same as driving a truck;
- The inside of it is highly customizable. You can arrange it as you like;
- There are various types of RV, so it’s easier to pick yours.
Cons:
- RVs are usually more expensive and can cost as much as a site-built home;
- Stationary amenities are out of the question. You can install a bathtub and a toilet there, but they will require either a large tank for water or a quest to find the nearest faucet. As for the Internet (the replacement for cable TV and stuff), you can use your mobile data plan, buy a satellite module, or go searching for public Wi-Fi – all of these are just half-measures;
- A regular RV is sufficiently prepared for different kinds of weather but not so well for extreme conditions;
- At the same time, its mobility is a risk, because you can call it home, but stealing it is still a carjacking;
- A nomadic lifestyle means you have to accommodate to laws and regulations of the state or even the county you’re in.
All these cons, though, are outweighed by mobility alone. If you really need an RV for that reason.
Perks of Smart Choice
What the two types have in common is being downsized and (to a different extent) mobile. However, the lifestyle these types imply is very different. So, first of all, your choice depends on the life you live: whether you want a regular house, though smaller and cheaper, or you prefer being an adult human driver turtle. Anyway, there are many options for you in both classes, so we wish you good luck in choosing your preferred type.
