Ceiling Bowed, Snow? Slide Out?

[ducky_07]

We have just bought a 2012 Layton Joey 312, pending final inspection in the spring.

We noticed while inside it yesterday that 2 panels seem to be bowed. These panels are both in the center(approximately) of the slide outs (living room and bunk house)

The owner explained it as the ceiling being compacted because the slide outs are in, when the slide outs go out the ceiling will decompress and be flat again.

Its not delamination or sagging, the bow is quite solid. But there is also about 2' of snow/ice on top of the trailer right now.

Is the compression thing for real? Or is it ice/snow load?

*edited sorry, I just learned the difference between tip and slide out!

[dodge_guy]

Old-Biscuit wrote:

dodge guy wrote:
How much is it bowed down. With a lot of weight it can happen. Stick built homes will do the same thing. You just don't see it because it's in the attic. TT's have no attic. So you can possibly see bowing from extreme weight with no damage.

The area that is taken up by the roof trusses IS the attic in trailers.
Attic area is where A/C Duct work runs, where wiring runs, where antenna coax cable runs etc.
That IS the attic.....small as it may be

Trailer roof/ceiling are not designed to bow.
Walk on the roof and it doesn't bow...if it did it would be from damage.

Ceiling panels noticeably bowing from snow load on roof....that is due to damage. Roof has been weakened.

Yes, but it will still flex due to the lightweight wood that is used. the "attic" in a trailer is only about 6" in the middle and less at the ends. so it will transfer any distortion to the ceiling.

I would inspect it closer to make sure there is no major damage. I would also like to know how much it is sagging.

[NEnative]

Just think how much "give" there will be on that roof when you get up there and walk around doing an inspection every six months.Please save yourself some future problems and keep looking for a different trailer.

[chesterb]

Jebby14 wrote:
I have a bridge for sale?

Wait, really?! Where?

[Old-Biscuit]

dodge guy wrote:
How much is it bowed down. With a lot of weight it can happen. Stick built homes will do the same thing. You just don't see it because it's in the attic. TT's have no attic. So you can possibly see bowing from extreme weight with no damage.

The area that is taken up by the roof trusses IS the attic in trailers.
Attic area is where A/C Duct work runs, where wiring runs, where antenna coax cable runs etc.
That IS the attic.....small as it may be

Trailer roof/ceiling are not designed to bow.
Walk on the roof and it doesn't bow...if it did it would be from damage.

Ceiling panels noticeably bowing from snow load on roof....that is due to damage. Roof has been weakened.

[Camper_G]

Does not sound right to me. I have to question why the owner would allow 2 feet of snow to be on that roof without clearing it? That's a lot of snow load and it probably won't spring back. I'd pass on it

[dodge_guy]

How much is it bowed down. With a lot of weight it can happen. Stick built homes will do the same thing. You just don't see it because it's in the attic. TT's have no attic. So you can possibly see bowing from extreme weight with no damage.

[ctilsie242]

Run...

[Jebby14]

I have a bridge for sale?

[ScottG]

I wound't touch it. The owner is full of it.

[DutchmenSport]

I agree with the others above. The roof is damaged. If it's a flat roof, the top will be depressed. When the snow melts, all that water will sit in that hole. If it's a bowed roof, water may still run off, but with either, the trusses are broken. Unless you want to take on a restore project, I suggest skipping this camper completely. If you put money down for a deposit ... just go ahead an cut your losses and be done with it. You'll be getting out much, much cheaper than if you decide to keep it and try to do the repair. Not to mention your time doing the repair too.

[Old-Biscuit]

ducky_07 wrote:
Its the main ceiling, not the slide out ceiling.
There is snow on the entire trailer, any reason why only 2 panels would be bowed?

RUN as fast as you can.

Main Ceiling Bowing is due to damaged roof trusses from being overloaded by weight of SNOW

Roof is DAMAGED
Has NOTHING to do with slideouts being retracted or extended

RUN!

[ducky_07]

Its the main ceiling, not the slide out ceiling.
There is snow on the entire trailer, any reason why only 2 panels would be bowed?

[Old-Biscuit]

2012 Layton Joey 312 has TWO slideouts.

Neither roof should be bowed.....if bowed they are damaged



2012 Joey Specs

[ford_truck_guy]

Walk Away.. that does not sound right.?? :h

[SoundGuy]

troubledwaters wrote:
Tip Outs or Slide Outs? There is a difference. Tip outs are hinged (generally at the bottom) and "tip" out, hence they have a collapsible roof that could be bowed by snow. Slide Outs are just that, the whole room slides out, floor, walls, & roof all as one solid unit. These should have a solid roof and probably should not be bowed.

Pretty obvious these are slide outs ... personally I wouldn't touch it either, explanation sounds fishy to me. 😞