Finding specific parts for a manufactured home is a headache. You’ve probably noticed that big-box hardware stores are basically useless for this. They carry standard residential plumbing and doors, but the second you need a 14-by-70-inch window or a specific Kinro latch, they look at you like you're speaking a foreign language. This is exactly where specialized outfits like Nixon Mobile Home Supply come into the conversation.
If you're looking for Nixon, you’re likely in the Southeast, specifically around the South Carolina or North Carolina border regions. They’ve been a staple for contractors and DIY owners who are tired of trying to "make it work" with parts that don't actually fit.
Most people assume all mobile home supplies are the same. They aren't. There is a massive difference between a "mobile home" part and a "modular home" part, and getting them swapped can lead to leaks, drafts, or just a lot of wasted money. Dealing with a specialist who understands the unique structural requirements of HUD-coded homes isn't just a luxury—it's usually the only way to get the job done right the first time.
Why Nixon Mobile Home Supply and Local Specialists Matter
Let's be real for a second. The manufactured housing industry has changed.
The homes built in the 1970s and 80s have entirely different plumbing standards than the ones rolling off the lines today. If you go into a local shop like Nixon Mobile Home Supply in Pageland, SC, you aren't just buying a faucet. You are buying the knowledge of someone who knows that your older double-wide probably uses plastic polybutylene piping or specific flare fittings that haven't been "standard" in site-built homes for decades.
Why does this matter? Because a generic 30-cent washer from a mega-retailer won't fix a leak in a 1985 Fleetwood. You need a specific mobile home supply house that stocks the weird stuff.
The Problem with Modern Retail
Most people head to the nearest orange or blue home improvement warehouse when a pipe bursts. Big mistake.
Standard residential doors are 80 inches tall. Most mobile home doors? They’re 76 inches. Or maybe 72. If you buy a standard door, you’re suddenly cutting into your rim joists or header, which can compromise the entire structural integrity of the wall. When you talk to a specialist, they have the outswing doors with the weird dimensions already in stock. They have the pre-hung units with the integrated storm doors that actually fit the rough opening of a Clayton or a Champion home.
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What You’ll Actually Find at Nixon Mobile Home Supply
When you walk into a place like Nixon, don't expect a polished showroom with espresso machines. Expect shelves. Lots of them.
You’re going to see tubs that aren’t made of heavy cast iron but are high-density ABS or fiberglass, designed to be light enough for a mobile home floor system while still being durable. You’ll find "garden tubs" that are specific to the 54-inch or 60-inch footprints common in master bathrooms of manufactured layouts.
Exterior Essentials
Exterior maintenance is the number one killer of mobile home value. Skirting, or "underpinning," is the frontline defense against critters and pipes freezing.
- Vinyl Skirting: This is the bread and butter. It needs to be vented properly to prevent mold under the home.
- Metal Underpinning: Usually tougher, better for areas with high winds or weed-whacker enthusiasts.
- Steps and Decks: Prefabricated fiberglass or treated wood steps that meet HUD code for stability.
Windows are another big one. Most mobile homes use "flush mount" or "self-lapping" windows. They don't have the same nailing fins as a house built on a slab. If you try to install a "normal" window, you’ll end up with a mess of caulk and a leak that rots out your floorboards in six months. Specialists like Nixon carry the exact replacement panes and frames that screw directly into the siding.
The Logistics of Maintenance and Repair
Owning a manufactured home is a bit like owning a boat; the parts are specialized, and the maintenance schedule is unforgiving.
One thing people often overlook is the roof. You won't find traditional shingles on every unit. Many older single-wides have metal "bowstring" roofs. For these, you aren't looking for asphalt; you’re looking for roof coating—specifically white elastomeric coatings that reflect UV rays and seal those annoying seams. Nixon Mobile Home Supply and similar vendors stock the heavy-duty sealants that actually bond to aluminum and galvanized steel.
Plumbing: The Silent Nightmare
If you’ve ever tried to replace a mobile home shower valve, you know the pain. The spacing between the handles is usually 4 inches or 8 inches, but the way they connect to the PEX or CPVC lines behind the wall is often cramped.
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You need "low-lead" compliant brass or plastic valves that are designed for thin walls. A standard wall-mount faucet for a brick-and-mortar house is too deep; it’ll stick out three inches too far. A specialized supply house carries the "shallow" valves designed for 2x3 or 2x4 interior walls.
How to Shop for Parts Without Losing Your Mind
Before you drive out to Nixon Mobile Home Supply or call them up, you have to do your homework.
- Find the Data Plate: This is usually in the master bedroom closet, near the electrical panel, or under the kitchen sink. It tells you the manufacturer, the date of manufacture, and the zone it was built for.
- Measure Everything Twice: And I mean everything. Don't just say "I need a window." Measure the "rough opening" (the hole in the wall) and the "frame-to-frame" distance.
- Bring the Old Part: If you can, take the broken faucet or the weird-sized vent cover with you. There are about fifty different styles of "standard" mobile home heat registers. Seeing it in person is the only way a pro can match it.
It’s also worth noting that shipping large items like skirting or bathtubs is insanely expensive because of the "oversized" surcharges. That is why local spots like Nixon are so valuable. You can actually back your truck up to the loading dock and take it home without paying $300 in freight.
The Reality of DIY vs. Professional Help
Look, some things are easy. Swapping a light fixture? Fine. Replacing a door handle? Easy.
But if you’re looking at Nixon Mobile Home Supply for a new furnace or a water heater, be careful. Mobile home water heaters are legally required to be "HUD-approved." They have different safety venting requirements because they are often tucked into small, enclosed closets. You cannot—I repeat, cannot—just put a standard residential water heater in there. It’s a fire hazard and it’ll void your insurance.
Specialists will sell you the correct unit, but unless you’re very handy with gas lines and venting, this is where you hire a pro who specializes in manufactured housing.
Understanding the Value of Your Home
Maintenance isn't just about fixing what’s broken. It's about equity.
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A well-maintained manufactured home can actually appreciate in value, especially if it’s on its own land. But the second you start "hacking" it with the wrong parts, it starts to look like a DIY disaster. Using the right vinyl siding, the right skirting, and the right trim keeps the home looking cohesive.
When you go to a place like Nixon, you’re also getting a pulse on the local market. These guys talk to the installers every day. They know which crews are doing good work and which ones are cutting corners. If you’re stuck on a project, just asking, "Hey, who do you guys trust for roof-overs?" can save you thousands of dollars in future repairs.
Essential Steps for Your Next Project
If you are planning a renovation or a major repair, don't just wing it.
First, get underneath the home. Check your vapor barrier and your insulation. Most people focus on the kitchen cabinets, but if your belly wrap is torn, you’re heating the outdoors. Nixon and other suppliers sell the "belly tape" and the woven black fabric needed to patch these holes properly.
Second, check your leveling. If doors are sticking, it might not be the door’s fault. The home might have settled. Buying a few heavy-duty jacks and some concrete blocks from a supply house is a weekend project that can fix half the "broken" things in your house.
Finally, prioritize the envelope. Windows, doors, and the roof. If those three things are solid and sourced from the right supply house, the rest of the home will stay dry and rot-free for decades.
Stop settling for "close enough" at the big retail chains. Go to the experts who actually stock the parts designed for your specific home. It’ll save you a lot of swearing and a lot of return trips.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Locate your home’s data plate today and take a clear photo of it. This contains your serial number and HUD tag numbers, which are essential for ordering specific structural parts like doors or trusses.
- Measure your skirting height at all four corners of your home. If you have a slope, you’ll need to calculate the average height to determine how many "lineal feet" of panels you need to order from a supplier like Nixon.
- Inspect your roof seams and the seals around your plumbing vents. If the caulking is cracked or peeling, pick up a gallon of specialized mobile home roof sealant (like a high-quality elastomeric or Kool Seal) before the next rain cycle causes interior ceiling damage.