A Step‑by‑Step Guide to Transporting Your Manufactured Home to Arizona
By Mohave Homes
Whether you’re upgrading job prospects in Phoenix, chasing cooler summers in Flagstaff, or landing your dream lot on the shores of the Colorado River, transporting a manufactured home is the fastest—and often most affordable—way to relocate without restarting your mortgage clock. But there’s a catch: every mile on I‑40 or US‑93 exposes your home to vibration, wind‑shear, and strict highway regulations. Skip a single bolt or permit, and that bargain move can morph into a five‑figure headache.
This tutorial distills Mohave Homes’ two decades of on‑the‑road know‑how into nine digestible stages:
- Arizona transport laws & oversize classifications
- Choosing a licensed mobile‑home towing company
- Pre‑move inspection & structural prep
- Disconnecting utilities and services
- Filing permits & booking pilot escorts
- Route survey, timing, and weather windows
- In‑transit safety checkpoints & border inspections
- Re‑installation: piers, tie‑downs, & utilities
- Post‑move warranty & insurance steps
1. Understand Arizona’s Oversize & Overweight Rules
Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) classifies most single‑section manufactured homes as **Class E Oversize** loads once width exceeds 8 ft 6 in (the legal interstate limit). Multi‑section units travel separately and reunite on site. Key thresholds:
- Width: >14 ft requires two pilot cars; >16 ft also needs a rear police escort on designated highways.
- Height: 15 ft 6 in max (including HVAC curbs and ridge vents).
- Weight: Oversize permits cover gross weight up to 80,000 lbs; heavier steel‑chassis park models need Overweight permits.
Permits cost $30–$125 per section and are valid for four calendar days. ADOT’s permit portal is user‑friendly, yet most owners let their transporter file to avoid clerical errors. Pro Tip: Friday moves snag cheaper hotel rates for pilots but can collide with weekend traffic. Tuesday–Thursday mornings are gold.
2. Vet Mobile‑Home Towing Companies Like a Pro
Transporting a home isn’t a sideline to general freight trucking. Look for USDOT‑registered firms carrying **“HHG – Manufactured Housing”** authority with:
- $1 million minimum liability plus **cargo insurance** equal to your home’s market value.
- Experienced operators—3+ years and >100 moves logged on FMCSA SAFER.
- Hydraulic “house‑toter” tractors and NHRA-rated hitches, not farm‑grade pickups.
Mohave Homes maintains a pre‑screened network of carriers serving Nevada, California, and Arizona. We cross‑check CSA scores every quarter—ask for yours during the quote call. While cost varies by route complexity, $9–$12 per loaded mile is typical for a 14×70 single wide.
3. Complete a Pre‑Move Structural Inspection
A hairline crack in an I‑beam becomes a fatal fracture on Kingman’s 6 % grades. Schedule a factory‑certified tech to inspect:
- Frame welds and hitch coupler integrity
- Axles, leaf springs, & ST‑rated tires (replace older than 5 years)
- Sheathing, corner straps, and roof truss tie‑downs
Use our wind‑protection checklist (Week 29) to reinforce roof edges before the journey—trailer slipstream can mimic 80 mph gusts.
4. Disconnect Utilities Without Destroying Them
Call local providers for a **“temporary relocation disconnect.”** Label every line—water, sewer, gas, CAT‑5—with colored tape. Cap sewer stubs and purge propane lines. More detail in our Nevada utility setup guide; the steps ring true in Arizona as well.
5. File Permits & Book Pilot Escorts
Pilot cars in Arizona must carry **amber revolving beacons, CB radios, and 18×18 in “OVERSIZE LOAD” paddles**. Carriers often bundle these costs—roughly $1.75 / mile—but verify. For night moves (allowed under 12 ft wide), pilots need 360° white lighting.
6. Plan the Route: Elevations, Wind Roses, and Weigh Stations
Google Maps is not enough. Transport planners overlay wind‑rose charts and **bridge‑height clearances** from the ADOT Structures Bureau. Popular corridors:
- I‑40 → US‑93 → SR‑68 into Mohave County (max grade 7 %, 16 bridges ≥17 ft clearance)
- I‑15 via Mesquite Port of Entry for homes from Utah
- US‑95 southbound for Colorado River communities—watch for gusty cross‑winds near Searchlight Pass
Check weather 48 hours out. ADOT can suspend oversize permits when wind gusts exceed 25 mph or visibility drops below 1,000 ft.
7. Travel Day: Safety Stops & Checkpoints
Drivers perform **“50‑mile walk‑arounds”**: re‑torque lug nuts, inspect brake lines, and tighten ratchet straps over protective blankets. Expect inspections at Kingman, Quartzsite, or Sanders Ports of Entry. Keep copies of:
- Oversize permits & pilot car certifications
- Insurance certificate
- Origin/destination bill of lading
