For people who do not like living in the same place for too long, a mobile home or a house trailer may be the perfect solution. But choosing which of the two is right for you is crucial before making a large investment.

A mobile home is a factory-manufactured home built upon a steel frame with wheels for portability. It is much larger than a house trailer but costs more money and time to move. At the same time, house trailers are smaller and easier to relocate as they can be attached to personal vehicles without any additional costs. 

They are widely available and have low upkeep, perfect for low budgets.

This was a brief summary of some of the basic differences. To explore with greater depth, keep reading this article.

What Is A Mobile Home?

A mobile home is a larger factory-built home with a steel chassis. It comes with a base of wheels that allow for relocation of the house. The size of a mobile home is comparable to that of an immobile one. 

It is spacious and usually comes with a portable lawn as well.

What Is A House Trailer?

A house trailer is a caravan-styled house, originally dating back to showmen and the Romani people in Europe who would spend their lives on the road . 

It is small in size and is known for being compact and highly portable. It can be towed behind a personal vehicle for day to day movement.

What Are Some Major Differences Between The Two?

While some people use the terms Mobile Home and House Trailer interchangeably, there are some fundamental differences that make two very different from each other.

For more details on this watch, 

House Trailers Are More Mobile

Due to their smaller size, house trailers can be towed using your regularly used cars without having the need to call large truck movers. This saves costly moving charges and at the same time benefits those who are always on the road. 

As a result trailer homes can also be used as portable camps allowing you to take your home to all your adventures with you everyday.

House Trailers Are Cheaper

A mobile home, although cheaper than a normal home, will still cost you more than a house trailer. The cost of a mobile home can range from anywhere between $50,000 to $100,000 as compared to the starting price of around $11,000 for a house trailer. 

This makes house trailers a much more affordable option for those on a tighter budget.

Mobile Homes Are Larger In Size

Mobile homes are much larger in size, with their average size in the USA being around 1200sq ft. This enables people to have a larger personal space for carrying out everyday activities. 

Many mobile homes also come with a sizable lawn, providing plenty of room for your pets and also for those interested in gardening. In contrast, house trailers are of an average size of 20-35ft.

House Trailers Have Cheaper Insurance

When it comes to insurance fees, house trailers have an average insurance cost of $400-$500. This again, is a much more affordable option for those with a lower budget. Mobile homes on the other hand, typically have an average insurance cost between $700-$1300. 

This large difference can be a dealbreaker for many.

House Trailers Are Easier To Maintain

House trailers are easier to look after as they have fewer electrical wires, and mechanical pipes surrounding them. This reduces the risk of utility wear and tear over time as compared to mobile homes that pretty much have the same amount of piping and electrical wiring in them as any other normal home. 

This can help you save a ton on repair expenses.

House Trailers Offer A Flexible Travel Schedule 

Mobile homes can cost around $5000 and a lot of time to move even for a short distance. This makes it difficult for people with mobile homes to travel around with short intervals. People with mobile homes usually stay at the same location for about 6 months before moving. 

With house trailers you are free from any such restriction and can move whenever you want.

House Trailers Are Widely Available

House trailers are widely and readily available for purchase. You can go out and instantly purchase one without the long waiting times that mobile home customers have to go through due to its relatively more complex design and construction. In addition to this, house trailers have a large used market as well, where new buyers can get many decent, affordable options.

Mobile Homes Can Offer Better Living Conditions

Although some expensive house trailers offer luxurious options, it can not be argued that with the large size of mobile homes and the amount of utilities provided, people have a much more luxurious experience with them. 

With the added room, people can add their own furniture and customisations like they would with any other normal house, allowing for greater personalisation of your personal space.

What Is Best For You?

The answer to this comes down to your personal preferences. One does not have a visible advantage over the other. If you are not so keen on travelling everyday and are willing to spend more money then Mobile homes can be a suitable option. 

In contrast, house trailers are more compact, cheaper and easier to maintain, becoming ideal for those who want to spend their lives on the road without having to afford costly expenses.

The Bottom Line

While both mobile homes and house trailers prove to be good alternatives to contemporary housing, they come with their highs and lows. Mobile homes are expensive and not as mobile but offer better living conditions and are larger in size. 

House trailers on the other hand, are cheaper, compact and more mobile for day to day relocation but may not offer much personalisation.