Update: on the SHTF for us

BooBoo:

He is the last lot on a dead end road. It was getting dark or even night when I arrived but I suspect current trailer cannot be seen well from road. Light woods separate him a good bit from a mobile home park in back. One side is fields/woods (SC actually as his lot is right on the border). Other side I don't know, but doubt anything close.

I would consider it very private.

A point to remember too is that with an RV or travel trailer is that he can now say that he is 'camping'. Which should be perfectly legal on his own land, esp. if they can't find permanent hookups straight to the RV.

So that buys him some time.

If the credit company picks up the trailer, it would be an easy hookup to septic, and electric if they have a temp pole with shutoff by the trailer. Just plug the camper in. run hose to septic. Run water line to a pump house and then to camper. Move the shed over to the front of camper as a breezway and storage.

Boxwoods: If the shed you are thinking of is the cargo box, it is probably a 50 or so footer sitting on the ground about 150' from the trailer. Not something which is going to be easily moved. I was in it and there is (or was at that time) still lots of storage space in it. Kenneth mentioned a leak(s), but that might be patchable.

There is a small porch/deck at main door to trailer. Cottage sits maybe 25' from the steps to it.

The reason I suggested marrying the trailer and cottage together is because in the winter they would freeze their tooshies off traveling from the cottage to the trailer on a potty trip during the night. Also, if they are joined and there is a heater of some sort in the trailer they can heat the cabin -- at least partially -- with the trailer heater. What I'm thinking is to use the trailer for kitchen and bathroom and source of water and toilet facilities -- and maybe storage and a bedroom. And, use the cottage for bedroom(s) and living room and eating area -- maybe make a "panty/storage area" out of the bathroom that isn't plumbed.

Anyway, they aren't so far south that they won't see snow or freezing temperatures during the winter, so that's something to keep in mind. Oh, how do I know? I lived down there - just west of where Ken and family are -- a while back.

Oh, and someone mentioned a fire or other disaster -- the volunteer crew might want to be sure to install both a smoke detector and a carbon dioxide detector -- and a fire extinguisher might not be a bad idea either. Oh, and I have some stuff around here like door knobs and other hardware and some other "building" stuff that I might be able to ship down there ahead of the construction crew!

MaryNY

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"...creating & living an independent, self-reliant, building constructing, garden-/animal-raising, food-preserving, ecologically sound, solar/off-the-grid, self-made, individualistic lifestyle..."

I don't think you are allowed (legally) to live in an RV where he lives.

Section 3.5-28 Compliance with codes.

http://www.municode.com/resources/ga...d=12207&sid=33

I won't tell on him if you won't

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I guess the first thing to do is find out what the town is going to let him do even temporarily. He could always tell them he is going to build something in the spring. He just doesn't know what yet.

Like someone said, I can't see how they get out of this mess anytime soon without letting the trailer go back to whoever. The income is just not there to support it.

I don't think it's so much a neighbor or enemy turning him in. When they pull that mobile, the electric company will be involved and they'll notify the authorities if power is switched to another building.

At least that's what they did where I moved from, maybe NC's electric companies are less in the pocket of the county officials.

Well -- if they hook the two together, they'll technically only be cooking and pottying in the RV -- not "living" -- more room in the "cottage" so they'll be doin' their "living" in there! Wonder what bureaucratic hairs they'll have to split to get around that?!! Probably by the time they figure it out, it'll be spring anyway!! hehe

MaryNY

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"...creating & living an independent, self-reliant, building constructing, garden-/animal-raising, food-preserving, ecologically sound, solar/off-the-grid, self-made, individualistic lifestyle..."

I think most mobils are hooked to a pole with a meter and main breaker on the pole. In that case, just turn off breaker and remove the wire going to mobil. Most don't run straight in to mobil because of height. Up here anyway.

I have an ~14 x 65 inhabitable mobile home that he can have provided he can get it moved. The MH is located about 20 miles north of I-40 and I-77 intersection in North Carolina. Let the mortgaged home go and move the replacement in and keep closed mouthed.

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Agmantoo
If they can do it,
you know you can!

Kenneth:

Quickly say BINGO. Manna from heaven just fell.

There is already an offer on the table to move such and it is within the same state. You live close to I-85 so there wouldn't be much secondary road travel.

There ya go. Some of you volunteers can move that ASAP. He can move his stuff from the current mobile into the other one, and turn in the one that is financially draining him.

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Wonderful!

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Mom to 5 cool kids and wife to 1 great guy. Life is good!

I won't tell either, but I think it is a VERY dangerous game to play when that is your only residence.

Since he home schools, the state can drop in at any time to check his record keeping. From what I read, they do this at least once a year (I only read this, no proof). So when they pull up to check his home schooling records and see that they are violating all the building and zoning codes, they loose their house and possibly their child.

Were it me, I would not go this route. Ken and his wife have lots of family in the area. I would try them for a small loan (unless they won't lend them any money due to many various reasons) and get the payments up to date on the trailer.

Ken needs to get a job. If that means that his daughter needs to attend public school for a year then so be it. If their payment is $250 a month then that is less that $10 a day. He might could find something to do for a cash payment so that his income isn't reported. Even at $5 an hour, that is working only 2 hours a day. His wife can make the money for the rest of the utilities and food.

This is my suggestion to get out of this mess. It is great that everyone is sending money, but he will be in the same situation in a couple of months. He needs to figure out how to make it on his own.

No need to bring a trailer from PA. If you guys decide to renovate his cottage I have a large trailer and will be willing to help. I have made a personal decision not to give money, but I will donate time and resourses to rebuilding the cottage if that is the way KENNETH decides to go, IF a licensed person is involved (I will not be sued while helping others). However, please keep in mind that paying off the note on the trailer may be cheaper by the time you throw in materials, building permits, and inspections. It sounds like this "cottage" needs a major overhaul (interior, plumbing, electrical, a roof so that he isn't in another mess in a couple years, etc.)

Some things to think about. Hate to sound negative, but sometimes the reality sucks. I agree with Ken S... Kenneth needs to make a decision quickly. The ball is in his court.

How much does it cost to move one of these?

Just curious. I looked into moving a house and it was about 40K, I know it is a little larger, but it was a shorter distance. I think Ken said that he only owed 8K on his trailer...

How's he going to do that when he can't even walk to the mailbox and back?

What he needs is disability.

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You rock too, Agmantoo!! That's a terrific offer!

I think Teresab, Agmantoo, Farmmaid and Gideon should be running the country!! LOL

MaryNY

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"...creating & living an independent, self-reliant, building constructing, garden-/animal-raising, food-preserving, ecologically sound, solar/off-the-grid, self-made, individualistic lifestyle..."

$8K is the current balance due. With remaining payments it is a couple of times that.

This trailer isn't in PA, but in NC. From map I would put it at about 160 miles. Interstate highway for probably 90-95% of route. South on I-77 to Charlotte and east on I-85 to Kings Mountain. Kenneth lives a couple of miles off I-85.

With his gone, replacement might be moved onto same foot print.