installing ceiling fans

[Audra Christopher]

I recently purchased a manufactured home and would like to install several ceiling fans. I have removed a light fixture, so the wiring is already there. I need to add extra support for the fan and tried using a metal extending brace but can not locate the ceiling supports to secure the brace! From what I can see through the small hole in my ceiling are small supports attached to the upper roof, but no supports near the ceiling. (It is a vaulted ceiling). Can anyone offer insight?

[Bill Fry]

You have a truss roof.sort of looks like a A.Some MF homes use a 2*2 system in the roof.
The only way to get into the ceiling and secure a good brace is to cut out a section of ceiling and eyeball what has to be done and how.Sorry.There are metal extending bars you can use but you have to between two joists which in your case are probably 24 inches apart and not wide enough to catch with this device.Do NOT hang a ceiling fan without proper support.It WILL eventually fall on your head or someone elses..

[Audra Christopher]

Thanks Bill. Everything you said sounds exactly right....would it work to hang the fan directly to the 2x2 truss? That would mean patching the existing hole, cutting a new directly below the truss and probably extending the wiring; alot more complicated than I can handle.

[Bill Fry]

You can hang the electrical box and fan off the stud but by the time you do all that it wouldbe just as feasable to cut the ceiling to mount a brace.Always order a home with ceiling fan boxes mounted at the factory, )
makes these things much easier.

[rmurray]

You could attach the fan to the rafter and swag a chain from the light fixture location...does not look bad and easy to do..

[Audra]

Thanks for all the info...I know a couple of "handy-men" that may be able to help me. I'll let you know how it turns out!!!

[Breezy]

Hi!! I had a ceiling fan installed by an electrician last year. I have a manufactured home as well with vaulted ceilings. What we did was install it on the marriage beam. It worked well. He took the panels covering it off and cut a bit into the beams to place the box so as to fit the panel back on. Then he fished the wire along that beam into the nearby wall and placed another switch to turn the fan off and on by wiring it into the existing light switch. It is working well and no problem. Good luck!!