BURLINGTON, N.C. — Margie Van Houten isn’t one for change. This applies to most things, but certainly her living arrangements. She has lived in the same trailer and mobile home park for 18 years.
“It was very memorable,” Van Houten said.
The trailer and park had become home, so it wasn't easy when Van Houten was informed of a change in her living arrangement.
“The landlord sold the property to another person, and he told me I had to move,” Van Houten said.
After searching for a place to go, Van Houten found a nearby mobile home park where she could take her home. The best part of the move was that the owner of the new trailer park would pay to have Van Houten’s trailer moved at no cost to her.
“That was part of the thing. You moved to my trailer park, and we will move your mobile home for you,” Van Houten said.
After packing up some of her stuff and securing other items in the home, the trailer was set to be picked up and driven to the new mobile home park.
Van Houten followed the big rig as the 18-wheeler carried her trailer down the road.
“I was happy; I felt blessed because the guy was renting me a lot and helping me out,” Van Houten said. “Everything was going good; I’m like, yeah, going good, excited.”
As Van Houten was thinking about unpacking and getting the trailer positioned at the new mobile home park, she noticed something while driving behind her trailer.
“I guess (there was) not enough wheels underneath (the trailer), I don’t know, because the trailer starts (bouncing up and down),” Van Houten said.
As the big rig was making a turn, Van Houten noticed the trailer was ripping apart.
“I see trailer splitting at the top; I said, oh God, it’s splitting,” Van Houten said.
It took the driver a while to realize what was happening, but once he did, he pulled over to the side of the road.
“I’m freaking out; yes, I’m freaking out,” Van Houten said.
The trailer was so damaged that it had to be left on the side of the road until a decision could be made about what to do. Van Houten called the mobile park owner to find out what could be done.
She also contacted her insurance company and WFMY News 2.
Van Houten was also provided the insurance company's name for the mobile home park.
“Every time I called someone, it was like they were sending us to another place; they would send (me) to another place,” Van Houten said.
Van Houten said this went on for a few weeks before she decided to see if WFMY News 2 could assist.
We were able to contact the insurance company and explain the situation. It didn’t take too long before the company agreed to total the trailer and write Van Houten a check so she could buy a new home.
“I really (would) like to thank you guys. I appreciate all you did and all your help,” Van Houten said.
Finding a new mobile home wasn’t as easy as Van Houten had hoped, but after almost a year, she found one and has moved in.
Van Houten hoped she could stay in her new home and park as long as she remained in the last one.