As someone who routinely installs mobile home services and feeders, I encounter this problem a LOT. It's my understanding that this section of the
Code is there to ensure there is sufficient capacity to allow for additional exterior circuits for such things as a shed, water or sewage lift pump(s), garage, pole lights, outside receptacles, or other things that might remain even after the mobile home was moved. The circuit capacity of the trailer is irrelevant to this requirement.
The fact that others have succeeded in violating this section of the
Code does not relieve you of compliance. Even if you manage to succeed in getting local AHJ approval, you may still be liable for non-compliance if someone wanted to press the issue. I've heard and seen stranger things along those lines, the details of which are fodder for another thread on the boards.
The disconnecting means for a mobile home must be located within 30 feet of the home. Whether that piece of equipment is the actual service, or a sub-panel wired from a remote metering (read:
service location), they are essentially wired the same, complete with a grounding electrode system installed.
One note to lurkers is that mobile homes
do not have a grounding electrode connection or system (other than its steel frame assembly), and completely rely on the insulated EGC back to the required disconnect within the 30 foot rule.
One solution to your problem is to use a feed-thru panel on your pedestals, allowing you to comply with this section of the
Code. Square D makes such a panel, with a 200 Amp main, space for up to 8 branch breakers, and feed-thru lugs. Cat #QO1816M200FTRB, or the Homeline version is HOM816M200FTRB. I have found that these can be purchased for less than the single enclosed main breaker.
If you also need metering at this location, then use a meter/main/feed-thru assebmly, which has the same guts as the feed-thru panel, plus metering cability such as a QC816F200C or RC816F200C panel:
