Posted 2012-07-02 6:41 PM (#145302) Subject: Roof bracing for AC
Regular
Posts: 93 Location: Nebraska
Hi, I am considering getting an air conditioner installed on my 03 4-Star trailer. It's a bit of a drive to take the trailer to the conversion company where I would have this done, I guess I don't want to waste a trip if the ac installation is going to be to involved. My trailer has the 14" roof vent above the dressing room and so my question is whether the conversion guy would need to weld in more support beams for an air conditioner or whether the framing that is already there for the vent is adequate to support the ac.
The ceiling has panels on it so we can't tell what the framing is without removing them, I am going on the assumption that there is just framing around the vent hole.
Thanks Joan
Posted 2012-07-02 10:40 PM (#145305 - in reply to #145302) Subject: RE: Roof bracing for AC
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
I agree, "Plan for the worse .... need additional roof supports."
Many trailers, unless they are set up for an AC installation, do not have the additional structural bracing or local electrical connection. This is often an extra cost option.
Our 4 Star has only a dressing room and is not set up for an AC unit. When we installed a LQ in an DR Exiss, it was the same situation. We added extra support with the wooden ceiling framework, which was then covered with the ceiling panels.
Posted 2012-07-03 8:12 AM (#145313 - in reply to #145302) Subject: RE: Roof bracing for AC
Member
Posts: 11
Location: Texas
Can the bracing be done with wood or does it need to be welded in? I just want to say how much I enjoy this forum, and how much I am learning about DIY my LQ!
Posted 2012-07-03 9:17 AM (#145319 - in reply to #145313) Subject: RE: Roof bracing for AC
Expert
Posts: 2953 Location: North Carolina
Originally written by SuzieQ on 2012-07-03 5:12 AM
Can the bracing be done with wood or does it need to be welded in? I just want to say how much I enjoy this forum, and how much I am learning about DIY my LQ!
It all depends on your roof structure. Welding is quicker and less obtrusive. Wood less so. Though the material costs less labor to install it will take more time.
Posted 2012-07-03 9:44 AM (#145322 - in reply to #145302) Subject: RE: Roof bracing for AC
Expert
Posts: 5870 Location: western PA
Welding additional supports is the best way to increase the ceiling's load bearing capacity. It is also expensive to fabricate, needs special materials and equipment to install, and is beyond the capabilities of most DIYers.
Fabricating a wooden ceiling structure, supported by new short sidewalls, is within the capabilities of most woodworkers that are able to construct a LQ. The only difference in materials is using hardwoods instead of the soft trim materials. Most of the tooling is the same as being used to construct the LQ.
If constructed properly, the wooden structured ceiling, will become strong enough to support any additional weight you need to add. We cut two holes in the roof of an Exiss, one for an escape hatch/vent and the second for an A/C unit. Even with both of us on the roof and including the additional ~hundred pounds of an AC unit, the roof was structurally sound and indicated no flexation.
I used Ash for the framework, but many hard woods such as Oak or Popular would work as well. I also "flattened" the interior ceiling instead of following the original curved roof. This made the ceiling panels much easier to install. By adding my own interior structure, it was much easier to build the garnish supports around the two holes. And by having a straight ceiling, the finished trim looked quite well.
Roof bracing for AC
