STLtoday.com reports Ed Atherton, general manager of a Clayton Homes dealership in St. Louis, says, “Our homes get better and better, year after year.  These are not the old trailer homes that many people remember.”  Noting that the same materials are used in manufactured housing as in conventional houses, he says they are as sturdy and energy efficient, and cost substantially less than a conventional home of similar dimensions.  Sales have suffered during the housing crisis, but in calendar year 2010, Clayton sold 483 homes in Missouri, up from 435 in 2009, but down just a bit from the 494 sold in 2008.  The Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) reports a total of 2,934 new and used factory-built homes sold in the state as of the fiscal year ending June 30.  For that same period in 2008, the total was 4,091.  The PSC says the number of dealers of prefabricated housing declined from 290 before the recession to 250 today.  Ron Pleus, Director of the Manufactured Housing and Modular Units Program at PSC says Clayton provides a good product.  “And they are usually good about following up on owner complaints and making corrections,” he added.