Roof may have collapsed

jpspaz · 02-17-2011, 02:12 PM

As some of you know we received heavy snow here in the last month. I had cleaned off the roof of my trailer to the point where there was about 6 inches of snow left on it. I looked out today and thought the roof looked as though it had sunk in. I shoveled a path to the door and went inside. It appears as though the roof is sagging but I'm guessing the damage was done before I cleared it off. Is this trailer a total loss? Is it worth fixing? Of course we have to contact the insurance company but if anyone has any experience with this please give me your opinion.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-17-2011, 03:07 PM

IMO, nothing is ever a total loss, it just depends on how much work you want to put into it...

It's possible to repair it, but don't expect it to be a one day job. I suppose if you had two people to work on it, you might be able to repair it in a weekend with good weather.

jpspaz · 02-17-2011, 04:18 PM

I honestly don't want to touch it. That's what insurance is for. I just have concerns that it would ever be as strong as it was originally.

frank · 02-17-2011, 04:39 PM

First off, that's a real shame. Here's hoping it's an optical illusion from the snow.

Getting it back to original or even "stronger" than original is not a problem at all for someone with a little know-how. Finding someone to do the work (and to do quality work) is sadly often easier said than done.

As far as a total loss, in the eyes on an insurance company it could be. Although the job is not very difficult (in my opinion), and the materials aren't very expensive, it is a time consuming job, and at $100/hour, that labor adds up quickly.

If I were in your shoes, I would remove the remaining snow immediately and get a good look at what is actually going on from the outside. Depending on what you find, covering the roof to prevent water intrusion may be a wise idea to prevent any further damage.

If you can post up some inside and outside pics and we may be able to offer some suggestions.

- Frank

jpspaz · 02-17-2011, 05:35 PM

It only has a small amount of snow on it now and with 50+ degree weather today and tomorrow I expect it to be gone. Its covered at the moment so I'll have to remove that to to really see what's happening. I'll try to get some photos up in the next day or so. I just informed my wife about the situation and I'm really dreading this whole thing. It's depressing. Also, there's no water leaking in as far as I can tell. It doesn't look like its sagging a ton, maybe an inch or two. Of course, that's more than I want it to be. Plus it might be the end for this great Sunline trailer.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-17-2011, 05:38 PM

The cover is probably what saved it then. It kept water from seeping in. Hopefully the damage isn't bad. These things were designed for a hefty snowload (though I don't know the exact amount), so hopefully you just have a rafter or two that broke and the repair would be somewhat simple.

jpspaz · 02-17-2011, 05:49 PM

Maybe you're right. Let's hope. Any idea what they use in the roofs? 1x3's?

jpspaz · 02-17-2011, 05:50 PM

Just to give you an idea, there was probably 2-3 feet on top when I cleared it. And there have been roof and building collapses all over the state.

**Sunline Fan** · 02-17-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpspaz

Maybe you're right. Let's hope. Any idea what they use in the roofs? 1x3's?

No, they're a little wider, probably like 2x4's cut down. They are built to have a curve in them so that rain water drains off. At the ends, they are probably about 2x2, but in the center, they are probably closer to 4" tall. Gary would know exactly from taking the 299SR apart.

EMD_Driver · 02-17-2011, 06:52 PM

I do believe they are 2x2's that were ripped. They are also similar to a bowstring truss. When the local Northwood plant shut down, I bought some of the leftovers. There was also a man there, that bought all their remaining roof trusses. If you would like, I could try to find his phone number and see what size trusses he has. I know he bought hundreds of them!

**JohnB** · 02-17-2011, 07:32 PM

So sorry to hear of this. With the cover on and the fact that the rubber membrane may not be torn, just stretched, it is very possible that no water came in which case would be a great thing.

As Frank stated this is very fixable and for such a new camper very worth it. But the labor is the big deal if you are not wood working handy. This may be as simple as dropping down the inside white ceiling luan very carefully, seeing the cracked truss, jacking the truss back to shape and then installing reinforcement by it. Or this is a real bigger deal....

Borrowing this pic from the EMD_Driver and Kitty collection, hope you do not mind, you can see the truss. I remember seeing how Sunline created a bowed truss from like Garys said, ripped lumber then stapled and glued trus plate of luan on the sides.

If you want to see if the ceiling is bowed and by how much, take a piece of string and hold it up to the ceiling in a corner. Then pull is across the ceiling in the area of concern and all the way over to a side wall. You now have a point of reference of what straight is. Now I'm sure in an undamaged TT there is some bow across 15 feet of ceiling with a string like that, but it should jump out at you if a truss is cracked, I would think so anyway.

Hope this comes out OK for you. If you where closer I'm even come over and help.

John

jpspaz · 02-18-2011, 03:08 AM

Thanks for the great photo. It gives me an idea what's inside. I have no fear about the wood working. I have experience in that area. I really wouldn't want to tackle a rubber roof job though. And taking down the interior ceiling might be impossible without destroying it. Its all staples and glue right?

OPIE · 02-18-2011, 11:27 AM

OPIE · 02-18-2011, 11:27 AM

Can't quite get to mine yet....good luck with yours.

jpspaz · 02-18-2011, 03:35 PM

Well I got home from work today and climbed up on a ladder to get a good look at the roof. I zipped back a portion of the cover to find that the roof looks good! The rubber roof may have stretched a little but I think structurally it is ok. Somewhat of an optical illusion I guess. John mentioned some normal bow in the interior ceiling and I believe that is what I was looking at inside. The rear of the air conditioning unit seems like it's a little lower than the front, but I really can't tell until I can pull off the whole cover and put the slide out. But in any event, I am much happier and relieved now. Time to open a beer and make some camping reservations.

EMD_Driver · 02-18-2011, 05:12 PM

Great news for you!!

I can attest to how sturdy a Sunline roof is! Here is a picture of the T-299SR that we bought for parts. It had been rolled onto it's side and the right-rear corner of the roof had hit a bank. In this picture, it has around 36 inches of snow on the roof and it held it!

Here's our Sunline fifth wheel, with 36 inches of snow on the roof!

By the time this storm was over, both had 42 inches of snow on them!

**JohnB** · 02-18-2011, 07:53 PM

Jpsaz

WOW that is GREAT!!! Good. Now you feel better. Hope all comes out well once you can really get to a good inspection.

Keep us posted.

John

Gary, those snow pics are still , YUK!!!! Snow is about all gone here but some snow piles. Cindy had a cold and almost over it. Well guess what I picked up last night..... Now I'm the one with the head cold.... ERRRR no camping this weekend. This is the 1st time in 7 years in the month of February we could even attempt to go out and here I have a head cold....

jpspaz · 02-19-2011, 06:31 AM

I forgot to mention that two of the roof vent lids were broken. I'm pretty sure I did then when cleaning off the snow. I'm assuming any standard replacement will do?

**JohnB** · 02-19-2011, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpspaz

I forgot to mention that two of the roof vent lids were broken. I'm pretty sure I did then when cleaning off the snow. I'm assuming any standard replacement will do?

The size if fairly standard however the hinge is not. You can just replace the cover and not the entire metal flange.

There are however better quality ones. Camco make a like time polycarbonate one that costs a little more but is better plastic and does not die from the sun so quickly. I bought Ventline for mine, did not realize the Camco life time ones at the time. And need to watch as Camco makes both the standard ones and the lifetime ones.

Here is just cover but the non life time Vent line. Again heads up the hidge is what you have

Ventline Ventline Replacement Cover

Here is a list of even more of them
Trailer Parts Superstore - RV / Camper Vents, Domes & Fans

I have bought from both places and they have had good service. Shop for the price and brand once you know what you need.

The hinges are Ventline & Elair, Old Exlair and Jensen style. Some where there is a link showing those 3 styles so you can tell what it is you have.

I'll see if I can find it if someone else does not pop in with it.

John

**JohnB** · 02-19-2011, 07:51 AM

Here is the hinge chart showing the 3 types

RV Lid

In my case I bought the entire Ventline metal flange and all as mine where rusted. Sunline had a bad batch of vents in 2004 time frame. They sent me new ones under warranty on the 1st camper but I had to buy them on the 2nd camper as they where out of business by then.

I cannot exactly remember was came with the camper. The foggy memory things the Ventline style hinge. So check yours.