Michigan Manufactured Homes Moving

MOVEMENT OF MOBILE HOMES AND BUILDING MODULES 

GENERAL INFORMATION 

A special permit to move a mobile home on Michigan state trunkline highways is not required if the dimensions do not exceed the following: 

• 8 feet 6 inches in width 
• 12 feet 6 inches in height 
• 45 feet in body length 
• 60 feet in overall length, including the towing vehicle 

Special permits will not be issued to move a mobile home or building module on Michigan state trunkline highways if the dimensions exceed the following: 

• 16 feet in width (not including 6” eaves) 
• 15 feet in height 
• 80 feet in actual body length 
• 105 feet in overall length, including the towing vehicle 

CONDITIONS AND LIMITATIONS 

A. Towing Vehicle – The towing vehicle must be at least a 1 ½ t on truck with dual rear wheels. 

Note: T he towing vehicle, when not engaged in towing an oversize mobile home or module by special permit, shall be of legal weight and dimensions. Outside rear view mirrors extended for use in the movement of a mobile home or module by special permit must be retracted to conform with this requirement. 

B. Speed – The towing vehicle and mobile home shall not exceed the following speed limits: 

EXCEPTIONS: 

• The towing vehicle and mobile home shall not exceed a speed of 50 mph on four or more lanes for dimensions not in excess of 12 feet in width or 80 feet in overall length. 
• The towing vehicle and mobile home shall not exceed a speed of 35 mph on less than four lanes for dimensions in excess of 12 feet in width.

C. Signs – On all movements of up to 14’ wide mobile homes or modules by special permit, there shall be displayed two signs with the words “OVERSIZE LOAD.” F or 16’wide mobile or modular homes, signs must only read “16-FT WIDE LOAD.” O ne sign to be placed on the front bumper of the towing vehicle and one sign on t he rear of the mobile home or module. The sign on the rear is to be attached so that it is not less than seven feet above the highway surface. These signs are to be made of durable material and in good condition with black block lettering on interstate yellow background. The words and letters are to be proportionately spaced on the sign. The sign on the front bumper is to be six feet by 16 inches in size with 12 inch lettering, and the sign on the rear of the mobile home or module is to be eight feet by 18 inches in size with 16 inch lettering. 

D. Flags – The movement of an oversize mobile home requires the display of six clean, plain red flags at least 18 i nches square. One flag shall be displayed on e ach end of the front bumper of the towing vehicle and shall be supported on a short staff at an angle so as to wave freely. One flag shall be displayed on e ach corner of the mobile home or building module, placed so as to be clearly seen by approaching traffic. 

E. Lights – The towing vehicle shall operate with headlights turned on l ow beam while actually engaged in towing an oversize mobile home or module under special permit upon state highways. Units exceeding 12 feet in width or 80 feet in overall combination length shall be equipped with at least two flashing or rotating amber lights on the rear of the mobile home or module, and one flashing or rotating amber light on top of the towing vehicle. All flashing or rotating amber lights shall be visible for a distance of 500 feet. 

F. Turning Signals and Stop Lights – There shall be two tail lights, two turn signals, and two brake lights in operating condition on all movements by special permit. 

G. Escorts – For all movements exceeding 12 feet in width and not more than 14 feet in width, a rear escort vehicle will be required. For all movements exceeding 14 feet in width, front and rear escort vehicles will be required with radio communication between the escort vehicles and the towing vehicle. When movements exceed 12 feet in width and 14’ 6” in height, front and rear escort vehicles will be required; the front escort to be equipped with a fixed measuring device set at a height to assure clearance of the load. When movement exceeds 100 feet in length, a front and rear escort will be needed; load cannot be in excess of 105 feet in overall length. An escort vehicle must be a passenger vehicle or pickup truck with at least one flashing or rotating amber light on top of the cab. There will be displayed on the roof of the escort vehicle, one “OVERSIZE LOAD” sign five feet long by 12 inches high with eight inch black letters on yellow background. If the escort vehicle is a pickup truck, the sign may be mounted in the bed of the truck as long as the bottom of the sign is higher than the roof. 

H. Types of Permits 

Single Trip Permits – May be issued for the movement of mobile homes or modules if the dimensions do not exceed 16 feet in width (not including eaves), 15 feet in height, 80 feet in actual body length and 105 feet in overall combination length. A single trip permit may be issued for a five day period if so requested. A single permit is valid for one trip only but may be issued to include a return move. 

Extended Permits – May be issued to dealers, manufacturers and commercial transporters and not to exceed 12 feet in width, 14 feet in height, 80 feet in actual body length, and 95 feet in overall combination length. 

I. Operating Limitations – Permits are issued for daylight hours only, Monday through Friday. Under no conditions will a permit be issued for a movement to take place from 12:00 noon on the day before and continuing until 12 noon of the first day after the holidays here listed: 

New Year’s Day 

Memorial Day 

Independence Day 

Labor Day 

Thanksgiving Day 

Christmas Day 

When the holiday occurs on a Friday or Monday, permits will not be valid for the period beginning the noon before the three-day weekend and ending the noon of the first day after the three-day weekend. Movement by special permit may at any time be delayed by the Michigan Department of Transportation or policing agency when traffic, weather, or other conditions are determined to constitute a hazard. In some instances, depending upon dimensions and route of travel, other time limitations may be applicable. Permits for movement of mobile homes or modules over 14 feet in width will not be issued during the spring weight restriction period. The maximum gauge of a mobile home or vehicle transporting a module is to be nine feet six inches or less, from center of wheel to center of wheel. 

J. Permit Fees 

Single Trip Permit $15.00 oversize load Extended Permit Fees- New application fees are prorated based upon the name of company. Extended permits expire alphabetically throughout the year. The name of the company will determine the expiration date. Extended permits are not issued for less than a year. For specific information regarding extended permit availability and fees, see the Fee Schedule on the Truckers webpage. 

Extended Permit Annual Renewal Fee $30.00 oversize load 

$100.00 oversize/overweight load 

Payments shall be made through the MDOT Permit Gateway (MPG) Shopping Cart using credit card, debit card or electronic check.

K. Insurance Requirements – Insurance coverage as required by the laws of this state shall be in effect for moves operating with an oversize permit. 

TO OBTAIN OVERSIZE/OVERWEIGHT PERMITS Permit applications may be submitted in the Michigan Transport Routing and Internet Permitting (MiTRIP) system through MDOT Permit Gateway (MPG). For more information, see the MiTRIP link on the Truckers webpage. 

Source of information: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/MDOT_Move_Mob_Mod_T3_92163_7.pdf