crazy looking truss

**Greg Jenkins** · 06-10-2008, 06:48 PM

I have never seen trusses like these before. The house was built in 1979. The roof structure appeared fine. What could be the reason for the gap where the gussets are located? Anyone no what the hole in the gussets is for?

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Ron Bibler · 06-10-2008, 06:52 PM

Look like a good place to run some Electrical wire!!!

**Steve Frederickson** · 06-10-2008, 07:19 PM

It looks like a hinged truss to me. The truss is designed to be folded up for ease in transport (usually for long span trusses; also seen often in modular homes)

**Billy Stephens** · 06-10-2008, 08:52 PM

Originally Posted by Greg Jenkins

I have never seen trusses like these before. The house was built in 1979. The roof structure appeared fine. What could be the reason for the gap where the gussets are located? Anyone no what the hole in the gussets is for?

Greg,

Were those factory pressed in gusset plates with the hole 1 piece ? If so would think they were for utility line access.

If they are 2 piece my concern would be it's missing a structural connector rod that would fit through the hole from truss to truss.

**John Arnold** · 06-11-2008, 03:38 AM

Originally Posted by Steve Frederickson

It looks like a hinged truss to me. The truss is designed to be folded up for ease in transport (usually for long span trusses; also seen often in modular homes)

What Steve said.

**Greg Jenkins** · 06-11-2008, 11:54 AM

Nothing about these trusses gave the appearance that they hinged. The gusset is one piece with a hole through the middle. They looked like they were installed in a factory.
However, the gusset on the top part of the truss at the ridge (not visible in the picture) was made of wood and appeared to be nailed together on site.

**Erby Crofutt** · 06-11-2008, 01:05 PM

Look REAL CLOSE, Greg.

The holes are the swivel between the two truss plates.

I don't usually see this except on a manufactured home or a modular home.

Was the home identified as manufactured or modular.

Here's just one example for you.

Scherer Brother Lumber Company - MiTek Truss Products

**Jim Luttrall** · 06-11-2008, 01:42 PM

Ding, Ding, Ding... and we have a winner.

**Billy Stephens** · 06-11-2008, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by Jim Luttrall

Ding, Ding, Ding... and we have a winner.

But they look like they are not installed correctly.
.
.

**Jerry Peck** · 06-11-2008, 07:33 PM

Billy,

The setup you showed is for a different purpose.

The ones in the photo are designed to allow the upper part of the truss to be swung down during transport, making the overall height of the transported modular unit low enough to clear bridges and overpasses.

When set up on site, the upper portion is swung back up into place and then mated with the other matching like truss from the other modular unit being mated to the first one.

**Billy Stephens** · 06-11-2008, 07:40 PM

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Billy,

The setup you showed is for a different purpose.

The ones in the photo are designed to allow the upper part of the truss to be swung down during transport, making the overall height of the transported modular unit low enough to clear bridges and overpasses.

When set up on site, the upper portion is swung back up into place and then mated with the other matching like truss from the other modular unit being mated to the first one.

Lot's to learn,

Thanks.