How strong do ground anchors and tie-down straps need to be?

HUD's standards require ground anchors to hold a working load of at least 3,150 pounds and an ultimate load of at least 4,725 pounds, certified by a nationally recognized testing lab. Texas' generic anchoring rules call for steel straps 1.25 inches wide and 0.035 inches thick that hold 3,150 pounds with no more than 2 percent stretch. Installation details matter: HUD's standards describe placing a stabilizer plate on the side facing the pull and setting anchors at an angle of 10 to 15 degrees from vertical. FEMA's guide classifies soils for anchoring with a standard torque probe and reports anchor tests in both saturated and dry soils, since soil type and moisture affect holding power. Use the home's instructions or an engineered plan.

Check your local rule. This varies by state, county or city. Your permitting office has the final word; the official lookup pages below show you who that is.

Sources

• 24 CFR Part 3285, Model Manufactured Home Installation Standards (2020 edition)U.S. Government Publishing Office (HUD regulation)
• 10 Tex. Admin. Code 80.24, Generic Standards for Anchoring SystemsLegal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (Texas regulation text)
• FEMA P-85, Protecting Manufactured Homes from Floods and Other HazardsFEMA