trillium 5500 sagging roof

[jim in os]

We have a 1980 Trillium 5500 fiberglass trailer with a sagging roof, caused by and old 1989 air conditioner. So far, we have used square aluminum tubing, placed across the roof to lift the air conditioner (thereby reducing the sag) and stop the pooling of water underneath. For the winter, we have supported the roof underneath with a board across the bottom of the air conditioner, then supported by an upright below (to prevent a snow load from doing more harm). Our plan is to remove the air conditioner in the spring, replacing it with a clear roof window with a sliding blind.
Our concern is that we will not be able to flatten the roof sufficiently to have a good seal and not allow water to pool in the area.
Any help with this problem would be appreciated. The thickness of our roof is only 3/8 inch -- no strength for anything of weight.

[Cam A]

What is the "normal" shape of the roof profile? Is it flat or arched?

[Phil 4500]

You may need to consider bracing the roof on the inside temporarily while you fibreglass in plywood reinforcements (lightweight gussets) in the roof. Obviouisly, you would want to keep the gussets as light and as this as was needed to regain the original shape of the roof without adding too much weight. You could also consider supplementing this with carefully placed small decorative "post(s)" as discretely as possible within the trailer to further support the roof.

[Donna D.]

I'm thinking you've already answered your own question when you talked about the weight of the air conditioner. What happens to the roof when you remove the weight? I see you're waiting until Spring to make that determination. It's POSSIBLE when the weight comes off, it MAY reshape itself. Frankly, I wouldn't worry about it until that A/C was off, except of course to prevent water from pooling and possibly freezing (maybe tarp it?) ... YMMV

[GeorgeR]

Originally Posted by jim in os

.................The thickness of our roof is only 3/8 inch -- no strength for anything of weight.

Is this fiberglass thickness?
George.

[jim in os]

The center of the roof, from front to back, is raised up from the sides (approximately four feet wide). This is probably to add some strength. However, the air conditioner is too heavy for the thiness of the roof, causing that area to cave in. Over time, a dent has been created that fills with water. The former owner installed wooden slats between the air conditioner and the roof, across the raised area in an effort to support the weight of the air conditioner. These slats have rotted and allowed the air conditioner to drop into the dented area. We have added the aluminum tubing as a temporary measure. We have decided to remove the air conditioner and replace it with a sunlight. Our concern is that the dented area will remain, preventing a good seal with the new sunlight and allowing water to pool and possibly leak inside.

[Normand Choiniere]

Have you considered that solution?

[jim in os]

Originally Posted by Normand Choiniere

Have you considered that solution?

Attachment 42851

Thanks Normand for the input. We were at the Toronto RV show and looked at closet air conditioners, they are very small and take little space. I think we will be taking a closer look. As fore the old clunker, come spring I think I will deep six it.
Thanks Jim

[Brian Johnson]

Brian Here. We live in Alberta and have both a 1300 and a 5500. On the 5500 I removed the stove/oven and installed a widow AC in the spot. A 3 burner stove top in the old spot and presto. I installed a drain and two plastic vents on the outside wall. One for in One for out. works great. I can post pictures if anyone is interested.