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Travelest's avatar
Travelest
Explorer
May 06, 2018

Truss repair

I recently bought a 2004 25' Terry TT that I was told had a small leak above the shower, when I started to tear off the epdm layer I realized a lot more of the wood underneath had been compromised. I've never did any repair like this before but I went ahead and tore off all of the epdm, cut out the rotted plywood all along the edges of the roof, and tore down the ceiling panels. Now it's time to repair the trusses and I'm trying to find the easiest way to do that. My idea is to get a bunch of 1x4s and taper them down, identically to the trusses that aren't damaged, then glue and screw along the existing truss. I'm just trying to avoid taking off the entire roof to lessen the work and the center is in good shape, but I'm not sure if my idea will be efficient enough. Has anyone dealt with this before and could give me tips?
Seeking Advice
  • Gdetrailer's avatar
    Gdetrailer
    Explorer III
    May 06, 2018
    Correct, you will be doing what is called "sistering" or a "crippled stud"..

    Basically, you cut out ALL of the rotted wood back to good wood, you must get all soft or blackened rotted wood cut out, leaving that in place will eventually rot any good wood you have.

    Then you will place a stud BESIDE the existing stud, making sure you go some distance back on the existing good part of the stud and nail, glue, screw the cripple to the existing stud..

    Optionally you can make a repair piece that buts to the existing and tie the cripple to that also..

    For max strength (in a roof might be a good idea, due to snow loading in winter) you can add a second cripple to the other side of the existing stud..

    And yes, you WILL have to taper the ends as they get close to the side walls.

    Very basic carpenter work.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    May 06, 2018
    I've done it. My Starcraft had about a dozen truss ends that were compromised, some rotted back from the top plate. I used 1 x 2's, glued and screwed to the ends of the truss. Where the truss was non-existent on the end, I sistered the 1x 2's to a center piece of new 1 x 2.

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