# Mobile homes tested in hurricane winds

> Researchers found mobile homes fail at anchor points during high winds, but new designs could make affordable housing safer.
- Title: Mobile homes tested in hurricane winds · The Conversation
- Summary: Researchers found mobile homes fail at anchor points during high winds, but new designs could make affordable housing safer. Mobile homes tested in…
- Keywords: mobile homes, hurricane winds, wall of wind, federal building code, affordable housing, wind engineering, anchoring systems, manufactured homes, fema, wind zone iii, science, ideas
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/we-blasted-mobile-homes-with-hurricane-force-winds-to-test-how-they-fail-and-found-clues-for-making-affordable-housing-safer-292074
- Author: Arindam Chowdhury
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: mobile homes, hurricane winds, wall of wind, federal building code, affordable housing, wind engineering, anchoring systems, manufactured homes, fema, wind zone iii, science, ideas
## Mobile homes tested in hurricane winds
Hurricane-force winds from the Wall of Wind test facility rolled mobile homes, showing where their anchoring systems fail.
## Test conditions
The wind roared at 110 miles per hour (177 kph) with dust swirling through the air.
## Mobile home failure
The screws sheared off and the unit rolled two full revolutions before stopping.
## Wall of Wind facility
Florida International University’s Wall of Wind test facility reproduces Category 5 hurricane wind speeds.
## Research goal
Researchers aim to improve mobile home safety without raising costs for affordable housing.
## Federal code issues
The 1988 federal building code lacks earthquake, wildfire, and tornado resistance guidance.
## 22 million mobile homes
Over 22 million Americans live in manufactured homes, the most common unsubsidized affordable housing.
## Testing methods
Researchers tested three mobile homes with seven installation systems in spring 2026.
## Key findings
Some installation systems meet federal code minimums, but many do not meet modern wind engineering standards.
## New solutions
Engineers designed wind load reduction devices and improved anchoring systems to enhance safety.
## Key takeaway

Mobile homes tested in hurricane-force winds showed anchoring failures, but new designs can improve safety without raising costs.