ranch trusses - InspectionNews

John Arnold · #1 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 01:10 PM

Simple 4 year old rancher. Not sure what to make of not-so-simple roof framing.
Could it have anything to do with the fact that the owner works for T. Bros?

Fritz Kelly · #2 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 01:53 PM

It looks like a modular or prefabricated home to me.

Jim Robinson · #3 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 02:41 PM

I agree. The first pic looked like two trusses designed to be stitched together in the middle, much like a double wide or modular. Any other signs of prefab at the place?

John Arnold · #4 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Robinson

I agree. The first pic looked like two trusses designed to be stitched together in the middle, much like a double wide or modular. Any other signs of prefab at the place?

I've never seen this type of framing but I figured it was some kind of "stitching" situation. Does this actually look kosher?
As we say in Philadelphia, I don't "know from" prefab.

Dom D'Agostino · #5 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 03:05 PM

Definitely modular construction.

Fritz Kelly · #6 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 03:09 PM

The few I have seen are older, I honestly didn't know they were still made. They come in 2 halves, like a manufactured home but without axles and wheels. Unlike a manufactured home or doublewide, they are set up on a weight bearing perimeter stem wall. The floor trusses or joists meet in the center and you will see a row of piers down the center of the crawl.
Stick em together, tack on some exterior trim and a ridge vent, some ridge cap and you are good to go.
The ones I run into are from the 60's and usually holding up really well. I think they are probably built better than your average doublewide. Judging by the roof framing pictures, it looks good to me (I probably shouldn't post this until we hear from JP).

Jerry Peck · #7 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 03:11 PM

Modular.

That's the two halves where they were married together.

The give away is not only that framing and 'double center', but ...

that white plastic hanging from the ridge.

These are shipped with the open side covered with white plastic, and the remains of it were left stuck in the wedgie section at the ridge.

Jack Feldmann · #8 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 05:51 PM

Modular

Joseph P. Hagarty · #9 (**permalink**) 07-23-2007, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jerry Peck

Modular.

That's the two halves where they were married together.

The give away is not only that framing and 'double center', but ...

that white plastic hanging from the ridge.

These are shipped with the open side covered with white plastic, and the remains of it were left stuck in the wedgie section at the ridge.

Typical of Modular construction.

Agreed.

Rob Thomas · #10 (**permalink**) 07-29-2007, 10:24 PM

The top chord of every truss is hinged. It isn't "typical" of modular construction, it IS modular construction.

RT

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joseph P. Hagarty

Typical of Modular construction.

Agreed.

Bruce Breedlove · #11 (**permalink**) 07-29-2007, 11:02 PM

This may be obvious but the trusses on these modulars are hinged so the finished units will have a steeper roof and not look so much like a modular. The trusses are folded down so the unit will be able to pass under bridges, utility lines, etc. during transport and are raised when the unit is set.