Poloron Mobile Home

[Montauk]

I need roofing specifications for my Circa 1982 poloron 12X50. I'm replacing the roof and would like to change tjhe pitch to gain inside height and catheralize ceiling a well as to gain some potential storage over the small bedroom. Before I start cutting holes in the ceiling for inspection, specifically i need to know whether the current peaked roof (approx 5/12 pitch) is framed with 2 X 4's or if the roof is supported by 1X2 truss structure.

[David Oxhandler]

To the best of my knowledge Poloron is no longer in business. A search of the internet turned up a story about their FORMER facility in Penn.

Almost every manufactured home assembled in the early 80s used a truss system. Removing these and replacing with a higher pitch roof system is possible and I have seen this done... but it is not a do-it-yourself type project unless you have extensive roofing experience. You should expect that you will need to also replace the ceilings thru out as the ceiling boards are hung from the bottom side of the trusses and once you remove the trusses the ceiling and insulation will also go with them.

In most areas today you would need a contractors license and permits would be required. In order to get the permits you will most likely need to file sealed engineer drawings that include the math calculations showing that the new system meets local code requirements.

If the main goal is to improve the roof the best option is a pan roof over kit - See http://mobilehomeroofover.com You can put some green back in your pocket with their Energy Star approved roof solutions. With the cost of fuel rising out of control and affecting your utility bills, their roof over system can reduce your energy costs by 35%-50%. Each roof is custom made, professionally engineered and never comes off a shelf. This is a system that you can order along with the engineering and easily install yourself.

If you are in Penn or the North East the best company to contact is Exterior Homes at 845 691 1176. The have extensive experience in total MH roof replacements or roof over and offer the full kit solutions.

[MobileHomeInspectors.com]

I agree with David in the above post. Removing the existing framing for the roof is not for the amature or even some of the "experienced" contractors. You'll definately need approved engineering and permits. The cost and time may outweigh the benefits. You already have a 5:12 slope the little you would gain would not be worth the cost.
The roofs at that time were mostly all trus systems.

Greg Filian
www.MobileHomeInspectors.com