Posted 2010-01-15 5:15 PM (#115323) Subject: Is it anymore difficult or expensive to have air added to a fiberglass roof.
Member
Posts: 34
I found a very nice Merhow trailer today and it has everything I want with the exception of air. It's an all aluminum verylite, but the roof appears to be fiberglass. Does anyone see a problem adding a rooftop air/heat strip unit to a fiberglass roof?
I've owned a Merhow before, but it was aluminum over a steel frame and it already had an air unit.
Posted 2010-01-15 5:38 PM (#115325 - in reply to #115323) Subject: RE: Is it anymore difficult or expensive to have air added to a fiberglass roof.
Location: Central Arkansas
It depends on if your roof is already braced for one or not. We added AC to the top of a Trailet. It was already braced with a vent in place. They removed the vent and put the AC in its place at a local RV place. This was back in the late 80's.
Posted 2010-01-15 8:32 PM (#115329 - in reply to #115323) Subject: RE: Is it anymore difficult or expensive to have air added to a fiberglass roof.
Veteran
Posts: 191 Location: White Pine, TN
To my knowledge, over 25 years, Merhow has never used a glass roof. Always either aluminum or steel back in the old days. Not too difficult to add; cut the hole, add a roof bow, add some braces and wiring and stick the A/C on it. 3-4 hrs labor.
Posted 2010-01-15 10:17 PM (#115331 - in reply to #115323) Subject: RE: Is it anymore difficult or expensive to have air added to a fiberglass roof.
Member
Posts: 34
It's a 2001 verylite model and it may just be the nose cap that's fiberglass. Not positive it's the whole roof. Without a doubt though, the nose cap is fiberglass.
Posted 2010-01-15 10:34 PM (#115332 - in reply to #115323) Subject: RE: Is it anymore difficult or expensive to have air added to a fiberglass roof.
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
A lot will depend on the fiberglass construction and how it is braced. Some laminates are a single skin with little or no core material, and as a result, are relatively flexible. Some roofs are braced within the laminate, some are fastened over bows.
I have a trailer with a glass roof, that when walked upon, feels like a sidewalk. Others will oil can under the lightest loading. Depending on the relative stiffness of your roof, will depend on how much bracing you will have to add for the weight of an AC unit.
An AC weighs in the neighbour hood of 100#. Consider the added weight when bouncing over an unimproved road, and you realistically have to have a roof capable of supporting almost 200# within a 14" square, to be safe.
Depending on your weight and how much your roof deflects when you attempt to walk on it, will determine if it has to be additionally braced. I've braced an aluminum construction with wood, a fab shop can make you extra aluminum bows, you might contact the manufacturer for additional parts.
You first have to determine what you have and how strong it is. The newer Verylite trailers have an aluminum roof.
Posted 2010-01-15 11:26 PM (#115334 - in reply to #115323) Subject: RE: Is it anymore difficult or expensive to have air added to a fiberglass roof.
Location: KY
It might be worth calling Merhow with the serial number and asking them for information on the trailer. Perhaps the fiberglass was added after the trailer left the manufacturer?
Is it anymore difficult or expensive to have air added to a fiberglass roof.
